Do you want to know, what is CBD Oil? Well, first you have to know all about Cannabidiol (CBD). On the simplest of levels, this is a compound found in the cannabis Sativa plant. It’s shown early promise in various medical applications such as pain relief, high blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia. But it’s not alone in there. In fact, CBD is one of about 120 known cannabinoids, though it does not have any psychoactive effects. Unlike THC, (Tetrahydrocannabinol), another well-known cannabinoid.
So, after that little review, we can get back to CBD oil. Basically, this is one of several products we make using CBD, after it’s extracted from cannabis plants. In most cases, we extract CBD, it’s then mixed with carrier oils. And the end result is the CBD oils you can buy online or in person.
Now, when we talk about CBD products, you must remember: they can be sourced from the hemp or marijuana plants. (These are both varieties of cannabis, but with different legal classifications based on their THC content.) Usually, you’ll see hemp-extracted CBD oil. And that’s for two reasons. First, hemp plants are naturally high in cannabidiol. Also, hemp extracts are no longer federally controlled substances. But marijuana extracts are still not federally legal in the United States.
In other words, looking for hemp-extracted CBD oil should keep you on the right side of the law. And get you the highest possible CBD concentrations in your oil. But you also need to know how your CBD was extracted. Because the process affects the quality of your final product.
To produce commercial CBD supplements, oils, or cosmetics, manufacturers first extract the compound from raw plants. Hemp, as we’ve already mentioned, is our preferred CBD source. Now, while there are several ways to extract cannabidiol from hemp, some methods used are safer and more efficient than others. These are the most common commercial CBD extraction processes.
This extraction method involves mixing plant matter with dry ice before adding water. Next, you strain the mixture (multiple times), using mesh bags of varying microns until you have the purest extract. Then, after the extract settles, you can drain the water and leave your extract to dry.
Pros:
• No fancy equipment or machinery required!
• Produces relatively large quantities of good-quality CBD.
Cons:
• Time-consuming and labor-intensive.
While solvent extraction is a risky and rudimentary practice, it still has its fans. The process involves running a solvent (in liquid form) through decarboxylated hemp to rid it of terpenes and cannabinoids. Since common solvents for this method include hexane, butane, and ethanol, you have to ensure that any residual solvent evaporates after extraction before using your CBD.
This method is easy to scale, especially for commercial production. Plus, your end product has a respectable degree of purity. And the extraction is inexpensive without requiring specialized equipment.
Still, high temperatures needed for this process may destroy essential terpenes and other compounds. Then, your end product may be contaminated with solvent. Which could make it unsafe for end-users. And, working with highly-flammable solvents is dangerous.
This option involves manipulating CO₂ into a supercritical state. With characteristics of both a liquid and a gas, the CO₂ is pumped through the hemp plant’s matter under controlled conditions. Doing so effectively strips the plant of essential cannabinoids and terpenes without damaging or affecting them.
This method is both environmentally friendly and sustainable. Also, it offers highly efficient, high-quality yields. And, it results in safe, clean concentrates without using extra contaminants or additives.
But, it’s a highly skilled process. Plus, it’s also an industrial process. And that makes it highly expensive.
Of all available options, CO₂ extraction is the most effective. And it only extracts the compounds you want, leaving everything behind. As a result, your end product is contaminant and chemical free. And that guarantees its quality and safety.
What does that mean for you? Well, when you’re looking for CBD oil products, make sure you ask about the manufacturer’s extraction process. This will help you get the best quality product for your purchase.
If you’re thinking of trying CBD oil, you need to consider your delivery method. After all, that will help you determine the most effective way to consume CBD. And it may help you derive the most benefits from your dose. Here is a look at some of the available CBD oil product types, their delivery methods, and their efficacy.
Before we look at delivery methods, let’s start by understanding a concept known as bioavailability. Bioavailability is the rate at which a compound gets absorbed into your bloodstream. Let’s say that you’re taking 10 ml of CBD oil drops sublingually. (That means under your tongue, usually in tincture form.)
In that case, your body will absorb and use about 25 percent of the CBD you consume. (Because sublingual CBD bioavailability is 25 percent.) So, since 25 percent of 10 ml is 2.5 mg, that means your body will only use 2.5 mg of the 10 mg that you took sublingually.
It’s worth noting that no CBD delivery method is 100 percent bioavailable. Because that’s only possible with intravenous methods, which isn’t normally how we use CBD. Also, remember that any bioavailability statistics are just estimates. Which is why any figures we present are averages intended to give a range to work with.
With sublingual delivery, you place cannabidiol drops under your tongue, holding them in place for at least one minute. That allows the oil to get absorbed by the mucous membranes directly into the bloodstream. The good thing about this option is that it’s easy to take precise accurate doses. Then, there is the bioavailability question. And, for tinctures, that rate is about 20 to 30 percent, as we just mentioned. Since the compound goes directly into your bloodstream, the absorption percentage is relatively efficient. So you should start to experience effects within 15 to 20 minutes. And they’ll last for 4 to 6 hours.
Delivery through inhalation is one of the best ways to take CBD oil if you’re looking for immediate relief. This is because the compound goes directly to your lungs. There, it’s quickly absorbed into your bloodstream.
Due to the fast delivery, this method may be best if you’re prone to panic and anxiety attacks, or if you suffer from migraines. CBD oil vape bioavailability is slightly higher than that of sublingual drops. It’s estimated to be between 30 to 40 percent, with effects lasting for about 3 to 4 hours.
We can also rub CBD oil on your skin for targeted, direct, and localized relief. Still, topical application isn’t recommended for every condition. Instead, it’s best for physical ailments such as arthritis or muscle aches.
Transdermal delivery gets cannabidiol into your system through the skin. The only difference between transdermal delivery and topical application is that, when applied transdermally, CBD can provide both local and systemic relief. Typically, transdermal creams and patches work for 8 to 12 hours. Also, since you don’t digest the CBD, transdermal bioavailability is quite high, thought to be around 70 percent.
Though not a common delivery method, introducing CBD oil into your system with a suppository is one of the most effective delivery methods. With a bioavailability of 80 to 90 percent, no other option has comparable efficiency. Even better? Users start to feel CBD suppository effects in about 15 to 20 minutes and lasting for up to 8 hours.
Here are the most common forms of CBD delivery, along with their bioavailability estimates.
– Sublingual drops: 20 to 30 percent
– Inhalation: 30 to 40 percent
– Topicals: Doesn’t Apply
– Transdermal: Approx. 70+ percent
– Suppositories: 80 to 90 percent
At the end of the day, choosing your CBD oil product is a personal choice. You might have to experiment with a few different methods to discover which works best for you. But hopefully, the information we’ve provided here will help you shorten the process
And remember, you don’t have to stick with one product. Many CBD users try one or more product as needed. For instance, you can take daily CBD oil drops as a preemptive measure, then choose to apply transdermal patches if needed. The bottom line is this: find out what works best for you in a specific situation. Then, just stick to it!
While cannabidiol is considered safe and generally well-tolerated, there is a chance that some people will experience unwanted side effects. While usually seen only with high doses, these may include fatigue, changes in your weight and appetite, or diarrhea.
Always consult a doctor before trying CBD oil, especially if you have allergies or underlying conditions. After all, CBD may interact with your medications. This is especially crucial if you take supplements or medication that have a grapefruit warning. That’s because both CBD and grapefruit interfere with CYPs (cytochromes P450), a group of enzymes that play a crucial role in metabolizing drugs.
Still, if you’re medically cleared to try CBD oil, remember these key takeaways.
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