What Are CBD Crystals and Are They The Right Form of CBD For You?

When you think of CBD crystals, you might form a mental picture of glittering gems. But that’s actually far from the truth. In fact, this is just a form of CBD isolate, which is a cannabis extract that delivers pure cannabidiol, without the other plant components. 

Now, let’s back up a minute, in case you’re not familiar with CBD, short for (Cannabidiol). Simply put, it’s an extract derived from all varieties of cannabis plants. (But hemp varieties have the highest concentrations.)  It’s one of many cannabinoids believed to offer numerous potential health benefits.

Even better? Unlike THC (the other prominent compound in Cannabis), CBD doesn’t have intoxicating effects, so you can enjoy its benefits without getting high. But wait, there’s more: CBD actually comes in three different forms. These are broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and CBD isolate, also called CBD crystals, because it comes in a pure white crystalline form.

Aside from appearance, CBD forms are distinguished by their relative CBD concentrations. And by the presence of other compounds such as flavonoids and terpenes. In all it’s forms, many people use CBD to relieve pain, reduce anxiety or simply to relax. Plus, studies suggest CBD may promote heart health, reduce acne, and so much more. So, for anyone looking to explore the compound, this read will focus on CBD crystals (isolate). We’ll look at its benefits and effects, the downsides, and who should use it. 

What Are CBD Crystals? 

CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. Unlike full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD, isolate is a concentrated form of CBD. Which means it has no traces of other compounds like terpenes or THC. Usually, CBD crystals have a purity level of at least 99%, making them extremely potent. 

To make CBD isolate, you must first extract the compound from hemp plants. There’s several ways to do this, but supercritical CO2 extraction seems to be the best choice.  

After extraction comes purification, a process that filters and removes everything that isn’t CBD. Next, the product undergoes the final process, winterization, which removes any substances left behind after filtration. 

In the end, you’re left with pure CBD; it can be sold in powder or crystal form. The entire process is complex and expensive, which is why CBD crystals tend to cost more than other alternatives.

CBD Crystals vs. CBD Oil

Most CBD oils contain several cannabis plant extracts including terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. Some CBD oil products also contain THC (up to 0.3% concentrations in legal CBD products.) Now, that’s the compound responsible for the marijuana ‘high,’ but the legal amount is usually too low to trigger any noticeable psychoactive effects. 

On the other hand, CBD crystals are a pure form of cannabidiol. They don’t contain any other cannabis plant extracts. CBD crystals are usually derived from hemp plants, since they contain little to no THC. 

Both CBD oil and crystals undergo the same extraction process including steam distillation, CO2 extraction, solvent extraction, and lipid extraction. The difference, then, is that CBD crystals go through additional processing for further refining. 

How Do They Interact With the Body? 

Cannabidiol crystals affect the body by interacting with the complex cell-signaling network called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. This is an extensive self-regulatory system present in all mammals. It plays a vital role in multiple physiological functions related to the peripheral and central nervous systems as well as the immune system. Its primary role is to manage key aspects of our biology to maintain homeostasis. 

CBD influences the ECS by interacting with CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, primarily present in your brain, immune system, and central nervous system. Once your body absorbs CBD, it interacts with these receptors. But instead of fitting like a key into a lock, as do cannabinoids such as THC, CBD sits imperfectly inside the receptors. As a result, they don’t activate CB1 and CB2 receptors. In fact, CBD may even hinders other neurotransmitters or cannabinoids from activating these receptors. As a result, CBD may helps coordinate and regulate an array of effects that influence how you think, feel and operate. 

Effects and Benefits of CBD Crystals

Consuming CBD in its purest form can provide an array of potential benefits, including: 

Pain Alleviation

In research, CBD is touted for its analgesic properties, which may explain why CBD creams are so popular. When consumed or absorbed by your skin, CBD may reduce pain and inflammation. So, individuals dealing with headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, dermatitis, psoriasis and menstrual cramps could benefit from CBD crystals. 

Alleviates Anxiety

Cannabidiol interacts with the body and brain in a manner that may make you feel calm and relaxed, even when dealing with stress. This could be great news for individuals who can’t seem to settle down after a long day. Many also use CBD to help them fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed. 

Anxiety comes in numerous forms and can severely affect an individual’s life. A number of studies have demonstrated its anxiolytic effects. When asked how it works in real-life situations, some people say it lessens their common anxiety triggers. Ideally, it can help you recognize irrational triggers, letting you go on rather than dwelling on your fear. 

Increased Appetite and Reduced Nausea

For many people, cannabidiol is also excellent at reducing nausea and settling an upset stomach. Which can contribute to another possible benefit: increased appetite. For individuals undergoing cancer treatment, loss of appetite because of nausea is a huge problem. But many people sat that cannabidiol helps resolve this issue. 

Improved Mood

The right CBD dose may also boost your mood without the undesirable side effects that come with many antidepressants. For individuals suffering from psychosis, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and other mental disorders, cannabidiol may help them feel better. 

Downsides

Even with its many potential health benefits, CBD isolate has its share of disadvantages. These include: 

1. Effectiveness

CBD crystals may produce almost instant effects, but they do not last for long and aren’t so well-rounded. By removing other cannabinoids and terpenes from your end product, you lose the entourage effect when you consume CBD isolate. 

2. The Dose

It’s best to stick to small doses when it comes to concentrates, as they tend to be very potent. On the other hand, other CBD forms like full-spectrum are suitable for taking higher doses that may last longer. 

3. Difficult to Make Yourself

As mentioned earlier, extracting and filtrating pure CBD is too complex a process to do at home. (It’s also dangerous!) That’s why you can only make CBD crystals in a lab’s fume cabinet. 

4. Expensive 

The process involving CBD isolate extraction is so complex that it makes the end product quite expensive. This also makes it harder to find and purchase CBD crystals. 

Dosage

When it comes to finding the right dose, it’s important to remember that CBD isolate is up to 99% pure, making it extremely potent. The right dosage depends on the kind of results you’re seeking. Since everyone is different, you’ll have to experiment in order to find the right dosage for your needs. 

As always, it’s wise to begin with a dose as low as 1mg and gradually increase from there. You can experiment with 1 to 10 milligrams to see where your needs fall. A gram of CBD crystals contains about 990 milligrams of pure cannabidiol. 

Why Take CBD Crystals?

Many people turn to CBD isolate because they’re hesitant about THC. CBD crystals contain 99% CBD and have no traces of THC, unlike other CBD products. Although CBD isolate can’t produce the entourage effect, studies show that taking CBD alone can still be beneficial. CBD isolate is perfect for you if you:

-Want to avoid THC altogether.

-Prefer an odorless, flavorless product. Although some CBD crystals have added flavoring, the pure form should be taste-free and odorless. 

-Are looking to consume large doses of cannabidiol.

-You have to take drug tests in your workplace. Full-spectrum CBD contains traces of THC that can show up on a drug test. If you want you to enjoy CBD benefits without worrying about losing your job, isolate is the answer. 

The Takeaway

Now that you know what CBD crystals are, and understand their effects, benefits and disadvantages, you can decide whether they are the best form of CBD for you. Many people attest to the benefits of CBD isolate, and studies can help support those claims. So, by weighing the benefits and disadvantages, you might decide they’re worth a try! Or, you may prefer to stick with full-spectrum CBD oils, like the ones we carry in Tanasi’s online CBD store!