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If you’re one of the growing numbers of people enjoying the benefits of CBD oil, CBD capsules or topical creams, you’re no doubt already aware of how CBD can boost your well-being and help promote a healthy balance.
Most CBD users know that CBD is derived from the hemp plant, but not many know how this beneficial supplement goes from plant to bottle.
But, if you’re curious about how things are made, you may have asked yourself, how is CBD extracted?
There are a number of different ways to extract CBD from hemp plants, each with its own pros and cons.
So, let’s investigate:
Later we’ll go over each CBD extraction method, but first, let’s start with the basics
CBD is a type of cannabinoid, a kind of compound that is only found in cannabis plants.
So, simply put – CBD oil is made by extracting CBD cannabinoids from hemp plants.
CBD can be extracted from any kind of cannabis plant that contains high enough concentrations of the cannabinoid. This means that CBD can technically be derived from both hemp and marijuana.
However, for CBD to be legal in the UK, it has to be derived from specific types of industrial hemp.
Read more: Hemp vs marijuana
So, how exactly does this extraction work?
CBD is extracted by only separating the CBD compound from a cannabis plant while also isolating it from other cannabinoids that are present, including THC.
Separating CBD from THC, the famous psychoactive cannabinoid, is one of the most important parts of the CBD extraction process.
This is because, for CBD to be sold legally in the UK, it has to contain low levels of THC.
Read more: CBD vs THC
Following extraction, the CBD oil is further refined and purified to create different types of CBD such as full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, or a CBD isolate.
The most common refining process is called “winterisation”. This is when residual solvents, chlorophyll, waxes and lipids are stripped from the mixture to create the final CBD product.
However, other refining processes are also becoming increasingly common, particularly CBD distillate, whereby the raw CBD mixture is heated to isolate compounds.
After the CBD has been refined, it needs to be tested to determine the quality of the CBD extraction. Testing determines the exact quantity of CBD and other molecules present in the extraction.
After testing, the CBD extract is combined with a carrier oil and additional flavourings and terpenes to create the final product.
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So, without further ado, let’s explore the different extraction methods and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
The most common way to extract CBD from the hemp plant is using CO2 extraction.
The CO2 method is one of the most complex, advanced and expensive ways to extract CBD, but it also produces the most high-quality CBD.
Evopure’s products are made using this extraction method because it keeps as much of the plant as possible in its original form.
There are a few variants in the CO2 extraction process, but generally, this is performed using a machine called a closed-loop extractor.
A closed-loop extractor has three sections or chambers:
The CBD is then put through a process of distillation to select the ideal cannabinoid profile.
Read more: Why is CBD oil so expensive?
Prior to the popularisation of CO2 extraction, CBD was often extracted using a liquid solvent.
There are a variety of different solvents that can be used to extract CBD from the cannabis plant, including ethanol, butane, hydrocarbon, propane or isopropyl.
This method works by dissolving the waxes in the cannabis plant in order to release the cannabinoids, including CBD.
Finally, the trimmings and the solvent are evaporated, leaving behind the concentrated cannabinoid solution.
Read more: What does CBD oil taste like?
Alcohol extraction is a popular and safer alternative to toxic and carcinogenic hydrocarbons.
Similar to solvent extraction, the alcohol separates the plant compounds from the plant material and then evaporates, leaving behind a mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, chlorophyll and more.
A process of distillation can then refine this finished product. Ethanol is an effective solvent for extracting CBD compounds from cannabis plants without the risk of leaving behind harmful chemicals.
Read more: Is CBD oil halal?
Olive oil can also be used as a natural solvent to extract CBD from hemp plants.
In fact, this is believed to be the method that was first used to derive CBD.
The process is similar to the liquid solvent extraction methods we described above, but there are some important differences.
Most notably, the raw plant cuttings and flowers must first be heated to a certain temperature and for a set amount of time. This activates the cannabinoids, including CBD, through a process known as decarboxylation.
After heating, the plant pieces are soaked in olive oil. This mixture is then heated once more in order to extract the CBD compounds.
Olive oil is most commonly used, but the same process can be used with other natural oils such as MCT oil, coconut oil and, fittingly, hemp seed oil.
Unlike solvents such as hydrocarbons and ethanol, olive and other natural oils do not have a low boiling point. This means they cannot be evaporated off like those solvents and remain present.
However, the specific heating process activates the cannabinoids, including CBD, making them ingestible by the human body.
Another way to separate or extract CBD oil from the hemp plant is by using steam.
This is an ancient method that has been used to extract essential oils from various plants and flowers for hundreds of years. More recently, it has been used to extract CBD from hemp plants.
In this method, hemp plant fibres are placed in a glass flask. Steam is passed through the flask, breaking down the plant fibres and extracting the beneficial compounds from the waste material.
The vapours are captured within the glass flask. From there, they move into a condenser tube, and as they cool, they condense, turning into CBD oil and water.
Finally, the oil and water mixture is distilled, separating out the CBD oil and the water.
It is difficult to say which method of CBD extraction is the best because each process has its pros and cons.
It could be argued that CO2 extraction is the superior method because it produces the highest quality results along with a very safe product.
For this reason, this is the method used by most leading manufacturers and recommended by many CBD sites and publications.
So know we know how CBD is extracted – but why should you care?
Different companies use vastly different CBD extraction methods, meaning that not every CBD product is the same, nor does it deliver the same benefits.
Read more: CBD benefits
Understanding the different CBD extraction methods is, therefore, very important.
It will allow you to make an informed decision when you buy CBD products: by checking how the CBD oil was extracted and fully understanding the implications of that information.
Different companies may choose a particular extraction method because it produces a high-quality product, or they may be driven by economic motives.
Therefore, knowing how your CBD is extracted, will help you choose quality CBD products and prevent you from paying too much for sub-par CBD.
Understanding the extraction process will help you to understand the potential risks and rewards of any CBD product you take.
While CO2 extraction might be the most popular process, it’s important to be aware of other methods when purchasing CBD products.
This could help you to avoid paying too much money for a product that promises to be “artisanal” or “small batch”, which is actually just produced using inferior processes.
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This product is not for use by or sale to persons under the age of 18. It should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult with a physician before use if you have a serious medical condition or use prescription medications. A Doctor’s advice should be sought before using this and any supplemental dietary product. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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