Full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oils provide you with an abundance of cannabinoids and terpenes with health benefits. CBD isolate however, is the purest CBD product on the market. But what is CBD isolate exactly? Keep reading and we’ll explain.
Depending on who you ask, there are anywhere from 144 to as many as 400 different cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. All of these cannabinoids are also present in the hemp plant and are used to create CBD products and produce CBD isolate. The only true difference is that while industrial hemp plants contain less than 0.3% THC by volume; everything is present.
In other words, the cannabis plant may contain higher amounts of THC, but industrial hemp contains relatively the same amounts of everything else! So why do CBD users choose to buy products containing only CBD?
Chemicals like phytocannabinoids and terpenes can be found in a lot of CBD products, especially those that are considered to be full-spectrum CBD products. There are a lot of benefits to a full-spectrum product, or even a broad-spectrum product, but some CBD users prefer CBD isolate.
Most of the clinical trials that explore the benefits of CBD and its potential side effects have used CBD oils made from CBD isolate. In other words, pure CBD is more well-studied than other forms of CBD.
In this article, we’re going to explore what CBD isolate is and why you may prefer to use it over other types of CBD. Additionally, we’ll take a look at how to use CBD isolates to create homemade CBD concentrates, which is one of the major selling points of CBD isolate!
Table of Contents
- What is CBD Isolate?
- CBD Isolate Vs Full Spectrum
- The Advantages of CBD Isolate
- Are There Disadvantages To CBD Isolate?
- Make Your Own CBD Oil Using CBD Isolate
- Homemade CBD Oil is Cost Effective
What is CBD Isolate?
Many companies produce CBD isolate, either for other CBD companies to use when formulating their CBD oils, or for consumers who wish to use the CBD isolate themselves. CBD isolate is the chemically pure form of CBD, meaning that through a process of extraction and refinement, pure CBD is made.
This means that CBD isolate will not contain any other cannabinoids, or any other chemical for that matter–other than the potential for some insignificant amounts of filler. This means that CBD isolate and CBD oils made from it will be an ideal product for CBD lovers who prefer to avoid the risks associated with CBD extracts of the full spectrum variety.
What are the risks, you might ask?
Well, the biggest problem with full spectrum products is that they can potentially contain trace amounts of THC (or more in the worst cases). When you hear about a CBD user failing a drug test, full spectrum is typically to blame. Since THC is stored in the body’s fat cells and can build up over time… but more on that soon.
CBD isolate represents the ideal CBD product for many. Because CBD isolate allows for the creation of high potency CBD oils and other products. If you’re not concerned with the benefits of terpenes or other cannabinoids present in full spectrum products, then CBD isolate is the way to go.
CBD Isolate Vs Full Spectrum
Full-spectrum products are made with the complete solution that is extracted from the hemp plant material during the extraction process. This includes CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, amino acids, and vitamins. Many people like this type of CBD because of something that is known as the entourage effect.
The entourage effect is a term that scientists and CBD consumers use to describe the way that all of the different chemical compounds work together better than they can separately. They can support each other, and that synergy can provide a lot of different benefits for users. Some people find that this type of product produces better results, especially for relaxation and pain relief.
Some people may not be comfortable using a full-spectrum CBD product, though. That is because full-spectrum products can still contain trace amounts of THC. Full-spectrum CBD is just as legal as any other CBD product.
Concerns Regarding CBD Isolate Restrictions
However, some states in the U.S. have stringent restrictions that make it harder to access full-spectrum CBD products; there is also a handful of other reasons why someone may not be comfortable using it.
The minuscule amount of THC (0.3% or less) that is present in full-spectrum products isn’t enough to produce any psychoactive response. CBD itself is never going to be able to get you high, and it can’t show up in a drug test. Drug tests only look for THC. If you’re using a strong full-spectrum product, there may be trace amounts of THC in your system. This can easily be avoided by sticking to CBD isolate.
Even CBD distillate products can contain trace amounts of THC. This amount of THC likely won’t be a problem if you’re consuming these types of CBD in lower doses; however, if you’re using CBD to help with severe conditions like chronic pain or to help support cancer treatment, you may need significantly large doses to get the relief you need.
Full-spectrum CBD oils are perfectly safe, legal, and effective; however, you may find that CBD isolate is a better option for your needs.
The Advantages of CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is completely pure CBD powder. In products made as an isolate, there are no other cannabinoids, terpenes, or additional chemical compounds that come from cannabis. It is the purest form of CBD. For many people, this can provide a variety of advantages over the other types of CBD on the market.
The main benefit is that there is absolutely no THC present, even in trace amounts. For states with more strict laws surrounding cannabis and CBD, this can put consumers at ease.
Even though CBD is only federally legal if it contains less than 0.3% THC, some states have placed additional requirements on the CBD sold and consumed by their residents. Kansas, in particular, allows only CBD isolate products to be sold and consumed.
Additionally, even if your state doesn’t have laws that limit the consumption of trace amounts of THC, importing those products or moving them across state lines can pose a challenge. If this is something you’re concerned about, or if your livelihood depends on clear drug screens, CBD isolate is the best option for you.
Potency and Purity of CBD Isolate
As you read above, CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD on the market. Isolates must be filtered to at least 98% purity. At this level of purity, you’ll experience more potency. Because there is such a high concentration of CBD in isolate products — since they’re only CBD — you may find that you get the results you’re seeking at lower doses.
The purity also makes dosing easier. There are ways to make sure you’re getting an accurate dose with other CBD products, like taking CBD capsules, but you might prefer tinctures or drops. If that’s your preference, CBD isolate can help make it easier to know exactly how much CBD you’re consuming. CBD isolate also makes it easier to fine-tune your specific dose because there are no other compounds or additives to consider.
Additionally, the studies that explore using CBD to treat social anxiety used very high doses of pure CBD as opposed to full spectrum CBD products. In other words, if you’re looking to pursue one of the particular benefits of CBD, your best bet may very well be to take a high dose of pure CBD.
CBD isolates are also completely odorless and tasteless. Most of that earthy taste you experience with full-spectrum and even broad-spectrum CBD products comes from things like terpenes and flavonoids. This can make the products taste very pungent or produce an odor very reminiscent of cannabis.
With CBD isolate, it is easy to avoid that if you’re not a fan of it. Whether you take your CBD oils sublingually or take CBD gummies, you won’t experience any taste or odor outside of the added flavorings in the product. This is also why some believe that CBD isolate products are easier on the digestive system.
Are There Disadvantages To CBD Isolate?
The only disadvantage of taking CBD isolate as opposed to some other type of CBD is that you may miss out on the entourage effect you read about earlier. Cannabinoids work together in the body to help strengthen the effects of one another, which can provide greater pain relief and more restful sleep for some users.
A number of experts believe that whole-plant preparations, like full-spectrum CBD, produce stronger results. This is because other cannabinoids and compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants have health benefits as well. However, if you’re interested in using CBD and get good results from CBD products, CBD isolate is as pure as it comes.
However, one potential disadvantage to consider is that not all CBD isolates are created equal. When purchasing CBD isolate powder–or a CBD oil product that’s made from it–it becomes crucial to confirm potencies and purities through third party lab tests. Otherwise, you could be purchasing a CBD isolate powder that’s not as pure as you might think.
The best CBD isolates offer a purity of 99% or more. Anything less should be considered with caution.
Make Your Own CBD Oil Using CBD Isolate
One of the most attractive aspects of CBD isolate, is that you can use it to brew your own homemade CBD. Essentially, all you need to do is to purchase a quality, lab tested CBD isolate powder and then decide which carrier oil that you would like to use.
Coconut oil or MCT oil is a very choice in this regard, because it helps the CBD absorb into the human body. The next major decision is the concentration of the oil or edible that you want to make. We recommend making your own CBD oil first, as making edibles is a bit more involved and less efficient–in terms of bioavailability.
Depending on your familiarity with taking CBD, we recommend aiming for a high concentration of CBD. But if you’re new to using it, we would recommend starting with lower concentrations and then working your way up. Pro Tip: you can also mix CBD isolate into a bottle of CBD that you already own to make it more potent!
CBD can get expensive! But this is where CBD isolates really shine. Making your own CBD is shockingly cost effective. Let’s take a look at just how cost-effective it can be.
Homemade CBD Oil is Cost Effective
CBD can cost anywhere from $.04 to $3.00 per milligram! Not everyone can afford the more high end pricing model, so can buying CBD isolate save you money?
Here’s a basic table showing you a cost analysis of typical CBD oil products compared to home brewed oils made from CBD isolate. The first table shows the cost per milligram of the most popular CBD oils on the market.
The second one shows the cost of CBD isolate by comparison.
| Joy Organics | Price per MG | Lazarus Naturals | Price per MG of CBD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 900 mg Organic CBD Bottle | $.078 | 750 mg CBD Tincture | $.03 |
| 1350 mg Organic CBD Bottle | $.067 | 1200 mg CBD Tincture | $.03 |
| 2250 mg Organic CBD Bottle | $.057 | 3,000 mg CBD Tincture | $.02 |
| Broad Spectrum, THC Free | Broad Spectrum, THC Free |
Now let’s breakdown the pricing of CBD isolates.
| MG of Isolate | Cost | Cost per MG | 30 ML Bottles Produced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 (1 gram) | $9.99 | $.01 | .4 bottles |
| 10,000 (10 grams) | $49.99 | $.005 | 4 bottles |
| 100,000 (100 grams) | $199.99 | $.002 | 40 bottles |
| 1,000,000 (1,000 grams) | $850 | $.0009 | 400 bottles |
| Prices of CrescentCanna | 99% Pure CBD | Bottled at 2,500 MG |
So for the price of $199.99, which is a common price point for high end 30 ML bottles containing 3,000 mg of CBD (3 grams of CBD), you could purchase 100 grams of CBD!
Granted that you will spend SOME money on your carrier oil of choice and the bottles you decide to use, but even still the cost effectiveness of CBD isolate is clear. If you’d like to learn more about making your own CBD isolate oil, then check out our article on the subject!
Otherwise, here’s a list of our other popular CBD content library:
