Are you feeling overwhelmed with the daunting task of choosing from a vast ocean of CBD Products?
You’re not alone.
Since Congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018, consumers have faced a seemingly infinite flood of CBD oils, edibles, vapes, topicals, and more.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of CBD, the methods used to extract the compound, and common additives so you can decide which products are best suited for your needs.
But before we get into the details, let’s review some basic information.
What is CBD, and How Does It Work?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in high concentrations in hemp. Hemp and cannabis plants contain over 120 similar compounds called cannabinoids.
Plant cannabinoids like CBD interact with a network of receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS helps our bodies balance vital functions, such as:
- Sleep cycles
- Moods
- Body temperature
- Inflammation
- Fertility
- Pain responses
Our bodies produce their own internal cannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG. When levels of natural endocannabinoids drop, we can experience a range of symptoms. An extreme lack of endocannabinoids can result in a condition known as Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD). Some researchers suspect that CECD is involved in stubborn conditions, such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and IBS.
CBD and other cannabinoids help keep our bodies balanced by increasing internal endocannabinoid levels and stimulating ECS receptors directly.
Now that we’ve reviewed how CBD works, let’s check out the different types of extracts.
Full-spectrum, Broad-spectrum, and Isolates Explained
If you’ve been using CBD or shopping around for products, you may have heard of the different types of extracts: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Let’s go over the details you’ll need to know before deciding which type works best for you.
Full-Spectrum CBD
When manufacturers extract full-spectrum CBD, it contains all of the active ingredients of hemp, including beneficial compounds like terpenes, flavonoids, essential fatty acids, and other cannabinoids. Full-spectrum CBD extracts may also include up to .3% delta-9 THC.
All of these hemp compounds work together to produce a phenomenon called the entourage effect. The entourage effect is similar to the concept of whole plant medicine, often discussed in herbal circles. During the entourage effect, all of the active hemp compounds work together to create a therapeutic synergy that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
You may also see this type of extract advertised as THC-free or T-Free. When CBD companies make broad-spectrum products, they remove all of the THC. This type of extract is well-suited for people who want to get the benefits of the entourage effect but are concerned about putting any trace of THC in their bodies.
CBD Isolates
You won’t be able to benefit from the entourage effect if you consume CBD isolates. However, isolates are better choices for people who may need to undergo drug screenings.
You may also encounter the term “distillate.” Most CBD distillates are highly concentrated full-spectrum CBD products, but some manufacturers also offer THC-free distillates.
CBD Extraction Methods
Cannabinoids like CBD are lipid-based, and they won’t dissolve easily in water. Cooks who make CBD infusions for edibles typically use oil or butter to extract the cannabinoids. However, CBD infusions made with oils are more perishable than extracts made with other methods.
Most CBD manufacturers turn to solvents or carbon dioxide to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from hemp flowers.
Solvent-Based Extraction
Manufacturers often use Class 3 solvents to extract CBD and other compounds from hemp plants. According to the FDA, Class 3 solvents have low toxic potential, and “no health-based exposure limit is needed.” However, the organization has set a Permitted Daily Exposure Limit (PDE) of around 50 milligrams per day for residual Class 3 solvents.
The FDA approves the use of a certain amount of Class 3 solvents in food and topical products. However, FDA approval doesn’t mean residual amounts of these substances can’t cause harm with long-term exposure. Inhaling residual solvents in CBD vape oils may be particularly unhealthy. It’s still too early to know the adverse effects small amounts of residual solvents can produce when used regularly for years.
Class 3 solvents may also produce more harmful Class 1 and Class 2 substances as byproducts. For example, butane sourced from natural gas often also contains trace amounts of benzene, toluene, and xylenes.
Hydrocarbons
Manufacturers sometimes use hydrocarbons like butane and propane to extract CBD. In this process, the plant material is soaked in the solvent until the cannabinoids and terpenes separate. Next, the residual solvent is purged from the CBD oil. This method is inexpensive and efficient for extracting CBD. However, in the hands of amateurs, harmful quantities of residual solvents may remain in the final product.
Warning: Never attempt to make butane extractions at home. Butane is highly flammable and can explode. Furthermore, the butane you buy at the hardware store often has impurities in the form of more dangerous substances. Making homemade butane extractions is illegal in most areas. Licensed professional laboratories that make butane extractions are equipped with expensive safety equipment and adhere to rigorous safety protocols.
Ethanol
Ethanol is often used for high-volume CBD extractions. Ethanol is a highly refined type of alcohol widely used to make paints, gasoline, food additives, and cosmetics. People who make alcohol tinctures at home often use a purified form of ethanol called “grain alcohol.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inhaling ethanol can cause cough, headaches, and eye irritation. The New Jersey Department of Health adds that “repeated high exposure may affect the liver and the nervous system.” Ethanol doesn’t sound like something you would want in your CBD vape products.
CO2 Extractions
More and more CBD companies are turning to carbon dioxide (CO2) to make cleaner extractions. This type of process is called supercritical fluid extraction (SFE).
The drawback of using supercritical carbon dioxide is the price point. CO2 extraction requires costly equipment that is highly specialized. CO2 equipment uses a multichambered system to separate cannabinoids, terpenes, and other active ingredients from the raw plant matter. After the separation is finished, the extracted mixture travels to a final chamber where the CO2 evaporates, leaving pure CBD-rich hemp oil.
Steam Distillation
Steam distillation is clean but less efficient than extracting CBD with carbon dioxide. Using steam to distill CBD is tricky because the mixture overheats easily, damaging fragile cannabinoids and terpenes.
Carrier Oils
CBD tinctures combine a small portion of cannabidiol with a larger quantity of carrier oil. Since the compounds in CBD extract are fat-soluble, carrier oils make it easier for the human body to absorb CBD. In technical terms, carrier oils increase CBD’s bioavailability.
Carrier oils also increase the volume of liquid, making dosing easier. Some carrier oils even have distinct health benefits. CBD manufacturers use several different oils as carriers, and sometimes companies create blends of more than one oil.
Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil
The majority of CBD manufacturers use MCT oil as a carrier oil. You may also see MCT oil listed on the package ingredients as “fractionated coconut oil.” MCTs are fatty acids derived from coconut or palm oil that enhance the bioavailability of the CBD. Topical CBD products with MCT oil absorb particularly well into the skin. Additionally, MCT oil is inexpensive, nearly flavorless, and has a prolonged shelf life. MCT oil also has some potential health benefits, including fighting yeast and promoting weight loss.
Unfortunately, MCT oil has its drawbacks. Some people experience digestive issues, such as nausea, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea when consuming CBD oils containing MCT oil. MCT may also be contraindicated for people with diabetes and liver disease. MCT oil can also interact with statin drugs prescribed for high cholesterol.
Hemp Seed Oil
Humans have consumed hemp seed oil for thousands of years for its nutritional value and health benefits. Hemp seed oil is rich in antioxidants, omega fatty acids, fiber, and several minerals. Conveniently, hemp seed oil comes from the same plant as CBD. Many experts also believe that using hemp seed oil contributes to the entourage effect, making it an ideal carrier oil for full-spectrum products.
Despite its obvious benefits, hemp seed oil has a few shortcomings:
- Hemp seed oil costs more than many other carrier oils.
- Hemp seed oil has an herbal taste that doesn’t appeal to everyone.
- Some consumers report side effects, such as digestive issues, throat irritation, slowed heart rate, and elevated blood pressure.
Olive Oil
The benefits of olive oil have been well documented in scientific literature. Unfortunately, the nutrient density of olive oil makes it difficult to mix a lot of CBD with it. As a result, most olive oil solutions are less potent than other CBD products.
Avocado Oil
Like olive oil, avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A, B, D, and E. Avocado oil is easily absorbed by the digestive tract and has a nutty flavor that many consumers enjoy. Unfortunately, CBD tinctures with avocado oils are considerably more expensive than products that use other carrier oils. You can also find CBD oil tinctures that use grapeseed oil or sesame oil as carriers.
If you’re concerned about commercial carrier oils, you can avoid them by purchasing pure CBD distillate or isolate and adding them to the carrier of your choice.
CBD Vape Oil Ingredients
CBD vape oil ingredients are an area of particular concern because they’re meant to be inhaled. Regular CBD oils can’t be vaped because they’re formulated to be processed by the digestive system. CBD oil tinctures may contain ingredients that are perfectly healthy when ingested but can cause damage when inhaled.
CBD vape oil manufacturers typically use additives to make the oil thinner so that it doesn’t clog vaping devices. Some of the most common vape additives include:
- Propylene glycol (PG)
- Vegetable glycerin (VG)
- Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG)
- Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)
The long-term effects of vaping these ingredients are unknown, and some studies have shown that many of these thinning agents produce harmful byproducts when heated over certain temperatures.
The Great Vape Scare of 2019 amplified concerns about vape oil ingredients. It’s impossible to overstress the importance of lab testing when it comes to CBD vape products. Untested black-market vape products often include cutting agents and additives like vitamin E acetate, which is harmful when inhaled.
Vaping is one of the quickest ways to feel the effects of CBD, but questionable ingredients in vape oils can pose a problem for health-conscious individuals. You can avoid additives by choosing pure CBD oil distillates or vaping raw hemp flower with a dry-herb vaporizer.
Flavorings
Flavorings are another important thing to consider when you’re shopping for CBD products. High-quality CBD preparations avoid artificial ingredients in favor of natural fruit, mint, and terpene flavorings. Consumers that are new to the taste of cannabis may prefer fruit, mint, or unflavored CBD oils.
If you’re already a cannabis consumer, you may be more satisfied with strain-specific terpene flavors, especially when you’re shopping for CBD vape products. You can buy CBD vapes featuring a wide range of iconic strains, such as Blue Dream, Gelato, and Pineapple Express.
Alternative Cannabinoids
You’ll also find hemp-derived products that feature other cannabinoids, either solo or in combination with CBD. The two most popular alternative hemp-derived cannabinoids include:
- Cannabigerol (CBG): Known as the “Mother Cannabinoid,” CBG is non-psychoactive and has many promising therapeutic properties.
- Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8): Delta-8 is a close analog to regular THC that offers milder psychoactive effects.
The Importance of Lab Testing
Reputable CBD products always come with an official report of third-party lab testing, called a Certificate of Analysis (COA). If a CBD company refuses to provide a copy of the product’s COA, don’t buy it.
Third-party lab testing ensures that the product is free of hazardous substances like fungus, pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents. COAs show the quantity of CBD and confirm that the product is compliant with the legal threshold of .3% THC.
Tips for Selecting CBD Products
Here’s a quick run-down of key steps to take when you’re shopping for CBD.
- Check with a trusted physician to make sure that CBD products are appropriate for you. CBD interacts with certain medications and isn’t recommended for everybody. This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
- Decide if you want full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolated CBD.
- Check the product’s COA for potency and purity.
- Make sure you aren’t allergic to any added ingredients.
- Ask yourself if the product and company align with your personal values. For example: Do they use organic and sustainable farming methods? Are the products vegan? Does the company give back to the local community?
Thank you for reading! Hopefully, this article will make your next CBD shopping trip easier.
Written by Cat Winske
Image created by author with Canva Pro