CBD oil is blowing up in popularity. It’s a versatile natural alternative to many medications including pain relievers and nausea medications. Many want to know more about this miracle product and the details on how to make CBD oil. The extraction process can be quite fascinating, but we’ll talk about that in a moment.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is one of the 100+ Cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis. It’s known for it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. CBD oil, which is extracted from hemp, does not have any psychoactive effects. What this means is that you won’t get high using hemp-derived CBD oil.
On the other hand, THC, which is found in marijuana, does cause a high. Many confuse CBD with THC since both of these substances are derived from cannabis. However, while hemp and marijuana are part of the cannabis family, they don’t have the same chemical makeup. Hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC, whereas marijuana can contain up to 30% THC.
Since hemp-derived CBD oil contains just trace amounts of THC, it will not have a psychoactive effect. Moreover, CBD has been found to block the effects of small amounts of THC on the body. So you don’t have to worry about slowed reaction times or a foggy mind when using hemp-derived CBD oil.
What kind of cannabis for CBD oil?
The first part of making CBD oil requires finding the right plant to extract the oil from. Since CBD oil should be high in CBD and low in THC, it’s best to find hemp with a good CBD to THC ratio. The higher amounts of CBD, the more potent the oil will be. The more potent the oil, the less you will need to use, and the more pronounced the positive effects may be. The hemp should also be organically grown without the use of harmful pesticides or herbicides.
How is CBD oil extracted from hemp?
CBD oil can be extracted in several different ways. Each of these extraction methods has pros and cons, which we’ll talk about briefly. The three most common ways to extract CBD from hemp are as follows.
1. The ethanol CBD extraction method
An ethanol CBD oil extraction uses high-grain alcohol to remove the oil from the cannabis. This is done through a multi-step process which starts with mixing hemp with ethanol. Then, the solution is filtered and distilled until no ethanol remains and all that’s left is the oil. Done correctly, this process produces a safe full-spectrum oil. One of the benefits of this process it that it does not require advanced technology.
2. The CO2 extraction method
A CO2 extraction is a little more complex than an ethanol extraction. Carbon dioxide is used under high pressure and while at extremely low temperatures to extract the CBD oil. This is often done in small batches and can take a lot of expertise. The CO2 extraction process also requires machinery that is currently very expensive. However, this process can produce a highly pure CBD oil—which often makes CBD oil extracted using CO2 more costly to purchase.
3. The hydrocarbon extraction method
With a hydrocarbon extraction, hydrocarbons such as propane or butane are used to strip the CBD oil from the hemp. At the end of this process, there’s little or no hydrocarbon residue left in the high-pure extract. This process requires costly equipment much as the CO2 process does. You also have to take precautions since hydrocarbons are highly flammable.
4. CBD olive oil extraction
A CBD oil extraction using olive oil is one of the simplest methods available. This requires first heating the hemp to about 250 degrees for one hour. Then olive oil is added to the hemp and heated to about 212 degrees for no more than two hours. This leaves you with CBD infused olive oil. Unlike most CBD oils, this oil is perishable and should be kept in a cool dark place.
Is it possible to make CBD oil at home?
With the right equipment and enough quality hemp containing high amounts of CBD, it is definitely possible to make homemade CBD oil. However, some extraction processes will be easier than others. The CBD olive oil extraction method would be the simplest to do at home. All you need is some hemp, some cooking equipment, and olive oil.
You can also do an ethanol extraction at home with just a few tools including a distiller and a filtration system. Some have even used coffee makers and store-bought distillers to make CBD oil at home. However, don’t expect a pure oil when making homemade CBD oil. It can take years of practice and advanced equipment to get a highly pure oil.
Can I legally get hemp?
Hemp is 50-state legal. What this means is that you can buy hemp without breaking the law in the US. You can find hemp products online which ship throughout the country. Also, while growing hemp at home is fine for personal use in some states, it is not legal in all states. It’s always best to check your state laws.
Why would I want to use CBD oil?
CBD oil is an incredibly powerful natural medicine. Studies have found that CBD oil can help with
And plenty more. CBD has all of these benefits with very few and mild side effects.
Final thoughts
Making CBD oil can range from complex to simple. Each extraction process has its benefits as well as its downfalls. For those who are intrigued with the CBD oil extraction process, a home extraction may be an enjoyable way to get more familiar with the product.
Keep in mind that quality and potency matter a lot. If you are looking for a great quality CBD oil, it’s best to buy from a company that has experience with CBD extractions. These companies invest time, energy, and money into perfecting their extraction processes to give you the best quality oil possible.
Due to FDA Regulations, we recommend that you do your own research on CBD products. We also suggest that you read the reviews on our website; where our customers record their real-world results of using our products.
