What Is CBD Isolate & How Do You Use It?
While full and broad-spectrum CBD products are the most common type of Cannabidiol (CBD) ranges available today, there is another less commonly talked about type called CBD Isolate.
While most people prefer to use products with a profile which is as close to the hemp plant as possible, known as full-spectrum CBD, there are uses for CBD Isolates in the market today.
As a matter of fact, CBD Isolate is a common ingredient in CBD skincare ranges, along with sometimes in sublingual oils.
In this post, we are going to discuss how it’s made along with the most common ways to use this form of CBD.
The purest form of Cannabidiol
If you are looking for an explanation of pure CBD, then you can stop your search right about now.
CBD Isolate is the purest version of Cannabidiol and often registers at above 99.5% purity. It contains no other cannabinoids or plant constituents.
In terms of its use, Isolate is extremely versatile due to a lack of taste and odour. It’s possible to mix the CBD into things without compromising on flavour, which is a huge plus.
As with anything, most people would assume the purest kind of CBD is the one which is likely to yield the most beneficial results.
However, with cannabinoids, this hypothesis is under question by the entourage effect. This theory suggests that the compounds found in cannabis work most effectively when used together as they are found in the cannabis plant vs in Isolation.
Consequently, while Isolate CBD is indeed the purest form of the compound, it’s not the most popular; especially when you look at user anecdotes.
How is pure Cannabidiol made?
CBD is made using a variety of extraction methods, and the exact process can vary in line with the size of the CBD producer and legalisation when relevant.
Regardless, to manufacturer CBD Isolate it takes multiple stages of purification, and it’s extracted from hemp biomass (primarily ground down hemp flowers).
The most common extraction process involves biomass passing through a highly (supercritical) pressurised CO2 machine, stripping the beneficial compounds from the hemp trichomes to leave a crude solution.
Crude CBD is rich in CBD, other minor cannabinoids, terpenes, plant waxes/fats and chlorophyll.
From here, a process called winterization removes the plant waxes and fats from the CBD crude. The remaining substance is then passed through a fractional distillation process (often two to three times), removing most of the other compounds from the solution to leave a concentrated form of CBD.
However, to get the concentrate to 99%+ CBD, the final extraction process involves mixing the substance with a non-polar solvent as a catalyst for purification. In which the solution is lightly heated (decarboxylation) turning CBDA into CBD and you’re left with pure extracted CBD.
Usually, this leaves concentrated CBD crystals with over 99% purity. These are then washed in the same solvent and purged in a vacuum oven to remove traces of any residual solvents.
Note – CBD crystals are then crushed to make the off white powder we know as CBD Isolate.
Is Isolate safe to use if drug tested?
While CBD as a whole is WADA approved, most CBD products contain traces of THC. Which while won’t get you intoxicated, they might be a problem if you are regularly drug tested for work.
CBD Isolate is THC free and is the most suitable format to use if your worried about (assuming no cross-contamination) failing a drug test for CBD use.
As a result, most athletes who use cannabidiol use CBD Isolate based products.
6 Ways to use Isolated Cannabidiol
Now your familiar with what CBD Isolates are, you’re probably wondering what the primary forms of using them are!
As with most CBD extracts, there are multiple ways to use them, and it’s up to you to decide what’s best for you:
Dabbing or Vaping
Using a dab rig or
Otherwise, using CBD Isolate to make your own CBD vape juice is another popular choice. Again commonly using terpenes as a natural flavour and effect enhancer.
Just remember that dabbing/vaping offers the highest CBD bioavailability, so you won’t need as much as you probably think to achieve the desired effect(s).
Make your own CBD tinctures
CBD Isolate has no taste, and if combined with MCT oil, the CBD oil will be effectively tasteless. This is a popular way to use Isolate in the US, but less so in Europe. Primarily as brands only sell Isolate for non-ingestible purposes due to the novel foods act.
If you’re interested in making your own tinctures, check out our homemade CBD oil guide (if you live outside of Europe).
DIY Hemp Skincare
If you have a favourite cream at home and want to bring it up a level, you can add CBD Isolate to it and apply it as you normally would to your skin.
This is quite popular with people who are especially regimented with which skincare products they use.
Remember to mix the Isolate in well and add terpenes for an extra wellness boost!
Infuse your food
As mentioned earlier, the fact CBD Isolate is tasteless you can add it to homemade CBD recipes.
If you have a sweet tooth, you can easily add Isolate to a cupcake mixture without disrupting the taste as you otherwise might do with a full-spectrum CBD oil.
Held under your tongue
Isolated CBD powder can be easily used sublingually by adding a pre-weighed amount under your tongue and holding it there for 60 seconds.
This is the same way you would use a CBD tincture too.
No taste and simple!
Counter the effects of THC
THC is the compound in cannabis that gets you high, and early research suggests CBD can be a useful mediator of the effects of THC.
By blocking the interaction, THC has with receptors found in the ECS (endocannabinoid system) CBD can reduce the cannabis high.
As a result, using CBD Isolate along with regular high THC weed could prove fruitful for those looking for less intense effects.
Final Word
CBD Isolate is an extremely pure product, which needs to be handled with care.
While it’s non-intoxicating (given 0% THC) and has no adverse effects on your cognitive ability, it’s essential to weigh out your dose before using Isolate CBD.
This ensures you don’t take too much to go beyond your CBD dosage sweet spot and enjoy the effects of CBD more thoroughly.
