CBD Oil: From Production to You
CBD (Cannabidiol)
Is one of 100 plus phytocannabinoids identified in the cannabis plant. CBD is found in abundance in the Hemp species of the cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, CBD oil derived from hemp is non-psychoactive (it does not get you high). 64% of Adult Americans are familiar with CBD/CBD products. (Gallup 2019). 14 % of Americans use CBD products, and 40% of users utilize CBD products for pain, 20% for anxiety, 11% for sleep. (Gallup 2019). With millions of people using CBD, the benefits of CBD products are hard to ignore. Older Americans may stand to benefit the most from them to treat the aches and pains that come with age (Gallup 2019). 14% of Americans Say They Use CBD Products (gallup.com).
How is CBD Oil made?
CBD is one of the most popular cannabinoids found in cannabis, and as stated above, CBD will not get you high. Therefore, Transparency in the production of CBD oil and other related products is crucial. Hence, consumers know what they are getting. Farming, CBD comes from hemp, which is a cannabis species that has less than 0.3% THC. Therefore, hemp is allowed to grow until maximum CBD levels are reached. Harvest, Mature plants are then manually harvested and transported to the processing facility. Upon arriving at the processing facility, thousands of pounds of hemp are processed, separating the plant's various parts. Next, the highest quality flower (features used for CBD oil) is sent to be dried.
Finally, the hemp is dried until it reaches the specified humidity. Large sacks are filled with hemp containing high CBD content. These hemp-filled sacks are then sent off for CBD oil extraction. These materials are carefully loaded into extraction vessels. Extraction begins with CO2 being pumped into the extraction vessel. CO2 converts from gas to a liquid at high pressure and temperature and becomes a strong solvent to extract oil from hemp. Next, CO2 and plant extract are pumped to a separator vessel. CO2 depressurizes, and the oil falls to the bottom of the separator. A loop of CO2 continues leaving all oil behind. The oil extract is collected and goes through Winterization to remove fats, waxes, and lipids. Ethanol is added to the crude oil, and the mixture is stirred with a hotplate. It is then placed in a freezer for an extended period. The mixture is poured into a vacuum flask and filter. Filter paper in the funnel captures fats, waxes, and lipids while oil and ethanol are collected in the flask. Decanted oil is poured into a rotary flask. Flask is lowered into a warm bath. Ethanol heats at a different temperature to the oil; as the mixture is warmed, the ethanol boils and evaporates into the coils of the rotary evaporator, which leaves pure full-spectrum CBD oil behind.
After the refining process, CBD oil is usually mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut, sunflower, or orange oil. With the CBD being in the oil, it helps with the dissolution and solubility of the CBD going into the body. In addition, the carrier oils that accompany the CBD have medium-chain triglycerides, which additionally help with absorption into the body.
Taking CBD Oil/Tincture
When a dose is placed under the tongue, it is absorbed the best; holding it in the mouth for several seconds before swallowing, CBD is absorbed and almost directly goes into the bloodstream. Therefore, Sublingual (under the tongue) is one of the preferred ways of taking CBD. However, the effects of CBD can be experienced in various ways depending on the intended impact sought by you: sublingual, edible, inhalation, or topically. Therefore, the preferred method of taking CBD ultimately comes down to the person using it.