If you have searched for CBD oil online, you’ve most likely seen two types of products to choose from – full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD products.

Full-spectrum CBD products contain all the other cannabinoids, including THC, while broad-spectrum products have all cannabinoids except for THC.

However, there is a third, less common form of CBD available – CBD isolates which are 99% pure CBD. It has no less beneficial effects than other, more familiar options on the market and is widely popular among professional athletes who can rely on CBD for pain relief without worrying about THC showing up on a regular drug test.

Below, you will find more information about the CBD isolate’s extraction process, and potential benefits, along with answers to the most popular questions about this substance.

What Is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD that has been isolated from the rest of the cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils, or healthy fatty acids found in the plant. It is available in the form of crystals or a white powder, but some brands also offer it in a form of oil.

CBD isolate can be used to make oils, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. You can also add CBD isolate to make other CBD products more potent. Furthermore, it is the best option for those who want to have full control over the amount of CBD they consume, as CBD isolate powder is very easy to measure with a measuring spoon.

How CBD Isolate is Different From CBD Oil?

When it comes to comparing CBD isolate to full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil, the most important thing to consider is that CBD isolate is a much more refined product. It goes through extra processing and, as a result, doesn’t have any other cannabis plant compounds nor discernible taste or odor.

This, in turn, makes it the perfect form of CBD for beginners who only want to use CBD for certain health benefits without experiencing any effects caused by THC.

How Is CBD Isolated?

The process of making CBD isolate starts with the extraction of CBD from the hemp plant. CBD extraction process can be done using different methods, but the most common one is supercritical CO2 extraction.

Once the CBD has been extracted, it goes through a process called winterization. This involves removing all the unwanted plant material, including waxes and chlorophyll. After that, the CBD goes through a process called decarboxylation and is distilled. This separates the CBD from all other cannabinoids, resulting in a pure CBD isolate.

Here is a quick overview of all the steps needed to produce CBD isolate:

CO2 Extraction vs. Ethanol Extraction

Supercritical CO2 extraction is one of the most popular methods of extracting CBD from hemp. In this method, CO2 is placed under high pressure and temperature until it turns into a supercritical fluid. This fluid has the properties of both a gas and a liquid and is able to extract all the cannabinoids from the hemp plant, including CBD.

CO2 extraction is a safe, non-toxic, environmentally-friendly process that is also used for removing caffeine from coffee beans, for example. This method can produce extremely pure CBD isolate products, but it requires expensive equipment.

On the other hand, ethanol extraction is a more affordable way of extracting CBD. With this method, ethanol (also known as high-grade grain alcohol) is used to extract CBD from the hemp plant.

Ethanol is a solvent that is able to extract all the cannabinoids from the plant material. Once the CBD has been extracted, the ethanol is evaporated, leaving behind a pure CBD isolate.

Winterization

Winterization is a process that is used to remove all the unwanted plant material from the CBD extract. This includes waxes, fats, chlorophyll, and other impurities.

To do this, the CBD extract is mixed with alcohol and then cooled to a very low temperature. This causes the waxes and other impurities to solidify and separate from the CBD. The CBD is then filtered out and the ethanol is evaporated, leaving behind a pure CBD isolate.

Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation involves removing carboxylic acid and CO2 from cannabinoids present in the cannabis extract. This process is important as it makes the CBD more bioavailable and potent.

The decarboxylation process can be achieved by the application of heat in a reactionary vessel, which causes the CBD acid to convert into CBD.

Distillation

Distillation is used to separate CBD from all other cannabinoids. To do this, the CBD isolate is placed in a vacuum-sealed chamber and heated, causing the CBD to evaporate and rise to the top of the chamber while all the other cannabis compounds remain at the bottom.

The CBD is then collected and cooled, resulting in a pure CBD isolate product.

Crystallization

An additional step some manufacturers take is changing the structure of the CBD isolate by subjecting it to a crystallization process. This results in a final product that is still 99.9% CBD but has a crystalline structure.

Main Benefits of CBD Isolate

CBD isolate has a wide range of potential health benefits.

Here are some of the most common advantages of CBD you should know about:

• Pain relief. CBD isolate can be used to relieve pain, as it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating pain perception. CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can further help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Anxiety relief. CBD eases anxiety by interacting with the body’s serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and anxiety. CBD may also help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Anti-seizure. CBD has been shown to be effective in reducing seizures in people with epilepsy. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating seizure activity.
• Skin health. CBD can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation, itchiness, and redness. CBD also has anti-bacterial properties, which can help kill bacteria that cause acne.

Possible Side Effects of CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is generally considered safe and well-tolerated. However, like all dietary supplements, it can cause side effects in some people – after all, each person is different and will react differently.

Some of the possible adverse reactions include:

• dry mouth,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• fatigue,
• changes in appetite.

If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking CBD isolate and consult a healthcare professional.

CBD isolate is not known to interact with any medications. However, if you are taking any medications or supplements that carry a grapefruit warning, you should avoid CBD. It is always best to consult your doctor before taking CBD isolate or any other supplement.

How to Use CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is available in various forms, including powders, crystals, and oils, and can be used to make your own CBD oil, edibles, tinctures, or even topicals. You can also use CBD isolate to boost the benefits of other CBD products.

Some of the most popular CBD isolate consumption methods include:

• Sublingual. CBD powder can be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. This is one of the fastest and most effective ways to experience the effects of CBD, as it is absorbed by the mucous membranes and delivered directly to the bloodstream.
• Oral. CBD isolate can be added to food and drinks and you can also find CBD capsules to take orally. In this consumption method, the effects of CBD can take up to an hour to kick in but then may last for several hours.
• Topical. You can mix CBD powder with body lotions, creams, and balms and apply it directly to the skin. This is a great option for those who want to experience the localized benefits of CBD.
• Smoking and vaping. CBD isolate can be added to vape juices and smoked or vaporized using a vape pen or e-cigarette. This is one of the fastest-acting methods of taking CBD but can also be the harshest on the lungs.

When using CBD isolate, it is important to remember that it is a very potent product. Therefore, it is best to start with a low dose and increase it gradually until you achieve the desired effects.

Pros and Cons of Using CBD Isolate

Just like any other CBD product, CBD isolate has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to implementing it into your daily routine. Here are a few things to consider:

Pros

There are many reasons why you might want to use CBD isolate rather than full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD products. Some of the main advantages include:

• THC-free. One of the main benefits of using CBD isolate is that it is completely THC-free. This means that you won’t have to worry about failing a drug test or experiencing any of the psychoactive effects of THC.
• Potency. Another advantage of CBD isolate is that it is very potent, meaning that you only need to use a small amount to get the desired effects.
• Flavorless. If you don’t like the taste of CBD oil, CBD isolate is a good option as it is completely flavorless.
• Versatile. CBD isolate can be used in a variety of ways – from adding to oils and tinctures to making edibles and topicals.

Cons

There are also some drawbacks to using CBD isolate that you should be aware of before you decide to buy it. These include:

• Not as effective. One downside of CBD isolate is that it is not as effective as full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD products. This is because it lacks all the other cannabinoids that work together to produce the entourage effect.
• More expensive. CBD isolate is also more expensive than other types of CBD products. This is because it is more difficult to produce and requires more processing.
• Less available. CBD isolate is also less available than other types of CBD products because not as many manufacturers are willing to invest in a costly extraction process.

FAQ

Now, you already know how CBD works, along with its most popular application methods and potential health benefits. Below, we will answer some more of the frequently asked questions.

Is CBD Isolate Different Than CBD?

CBD isolate is just another form of CBD. It is a more refined product than CBD oil, as it goes through extra processing to remove all other cannabis compounds, terpenes, essential oils, or fats from the plant.

As a result, CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD that is available on the market.

What’s the Difference Between CBD Isolate and Full-Spectrum CBD Products?

As stated above, CBD isolate products contain only CBD. On the other hand, full-spectrum CBD implies that there are terpenes and trace amounts of THC (no more than 0.3%) present in the product.

As such, full-spectrum CBD products are less potent than CBD isolates. And while the entourage effect suggests that full-spectrum products may work best, CBD isolates may still produce beneficial effects.

Is CBD Isolate Stronger?

Because CBD isolate is a more refined product, it is more potent than full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil. Nonetheless, study results indicate that CBD isolate is only effective against pain and swelling at a specific dose.

Meanwhile, full-spectrum CBD products will continue to provide increasing effects as the dosage increases because of the combined effects of CBD and THC.

How Long Does CBD Isolate Last?

Generally, CBD isolate effects usually last for 2-6 hours. However, this can vary depending on the person’s age, weight, and metabolism, as well as the dosage and consumption method.

How Do You Store CBD Isolate?

Concentrates such as CBD isolate products should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry area because highly potent forms of CBD are subject to deterioration from exposure to air, light, or heat.