Cannabidiol (CBD) is an increasingly sought-after natural remedy for various health issues and symptoms, including stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. Derived from the cannabis plant, much controversy has surrounded the cannabinoid for years.
However, more and more people are starting to understand that CBD is not marijuana and has a lot of value in the natural health world. Typically, CBD is extracted from the cannabis sativa plant as an oil and mixed with a carrier oil like MCT oil to create a CBD oil suitable for consumption.
When shopping for CBD oil for sale, buyers must look for high-quality, well-crafted products to ensure optimal results. Below, we explore CBD oil, how it’s made, and whether it will get you high.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is one of over a hundred naturally occuring chemicals in the cannabis sativa plant. CBD, along with THC, are the most widely recognized of the cannabis compounds. Typically, they originate from different varieties of the cannabis plant and provide vastly different effects and uses.
THC is derived from marijuana and is notorious for its intoxicating effects. It’s the compound responsible for making users high. Although it does have some therapeutic benefits, it’s most commonly used recreationally.
Conversely, CBD typically comes from hemp plants, which contain very small amounts of THC. CBD is non-intoxicating and doesn’t cause a ‘high.” Rather, it’s touted for its therapeutic properties and is becoming an increasingly trendy health and wellness product.
CBD is mostly available in oil form and mixed with a carrier oil and sometimes other ingredients like natural flavoring. A CBD oil can be taken orally by putting a few drops directly into the mouth or added to foods and beverages.
Sublingual administration is the best way to take CBD oil for maximum effects. This entails holding CBD oil under your tongue for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing. It allows the CBD to bypass the digestive system and travel directly to the bloodstream, ensuring more active compounds enter your body.
While CBD oil tinctures are the flagship CBD product, CBD oil is used to create various products. This includes capsules, gummies, beverages, creams, and more.
How is CBD Oil Made?
CBD oil is made by extracting cannabidiol from the flowers and buds of hemp plants. Although CBD can also be extracted from marijuana plants, it usually comes from hemp due to legal requirements and because hemp contains higher concentrations of CBD.
The precise way that CBD is extracted from hemp varies between manufacturers. There are several ways to do this, and methods vary in safety and efficiency.
Generally, CBD extraction in the commercial world requires the use of solvents. The solvents can include alcohol, butane, propane, carbon dioxide, and more. The purpose is to separate the CBD molecule from other compounds in the hemp plant and purify the solution. The solvent eventually evaporates, leaving behind pure CBD oil.
CO2 extraction is the most common method for extracting CBD and entails using carbon dioxide as the solvent. Although it’s the most expensive technique, it’s the most technically advanced, resulting in the most potent, safe, and pure end product.
It involves using pressurized CO2 to pull the entire profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, waxes, and other compounds from the hemp plant. The CO2 is turned into liquid, which absorbs all these compounds. This results in a liquid that contains CBD and CO2. Therefore, the liquid is further processed to return the carbon dioxide into a gas state, creating a pure CBD oil.
After the extraction process, the CBD oil may be further refined and purified through distillation. This involves removing all unwanted compounds, such as THC, and contaminants that may be present in the oil.
After that, additional ingredients are added to the oil, such as carrier oil (i.e., hemp seed oil, MCT oil, or olive oil), flavoring, and sometimes other beneficial ingredients like melatonin. Now, the CBD oil is ready for bottling and testing before hitting the shelves.
CBD Oil Will Not Get You High
Due to CBD’s close association with THC and the marijuana plant, many are misled to believe CBD oil will get you high. In reality, CBD on its own has no psychoactive effects and won’t cause a high.
The only time that CBD oil could cause intoxication is if the product contains high levels of THC. In this case, the THC is making you high, not the CBD. Therefore, it’s important to check product descriptions and lab results to ensure that CBD oil doesn’t contain high levels of THC. Ideally, the level should be less than 0.3% – which it will be in most cases.
It’s important to buy your CBD oil from trustworthy and reputable brands to avoid the risk of buying products that may be derived from marijuana and contain high amounts of THC.
Final Thoughts
Thanks to its many potential therapeutic benefits, CBD oil is making waves in the health world. It’s derived from the cannabis sativa plant and is gaining increasing attention for its natural wellness properties.
Making CBD oil requires specialized equipment and techniques to ensure a pure, potent, and safe end product. The CBD is taken from hemp plants and then processed to create an oil that is suitable for consumption. CBD oil does not get users high and is most commonly used for its medicinal value.
