CBD Isolate: What it is and How to Use it

As CBD continues to make headlines across the globe and more people realise the tremendous benefits this non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp can offer, CBD isolate is becoming increasingly more popular every day.

In this article, we’ll explain:

• What CBD isolate is
• How CBD isolate is made
• Types of CBD isolate
• Benefits and effects of CBD isolate
• How to use CBD isolate
• Manufacturing of CBD isolate

What is CBD isolate

Probably the most basic form of CBD is an isolate. It contains nothing but pure and isolated CBD. In other words, there are no other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids. CBD Isolate is a chemical component derived from cannabis plants.

CBD isolate is a crystalline powder that is 99% pure CBD. It is derived from the hemp plant, but all other matter from the hemp plant is removed. This includes waxes, oils, other phytocannabinoids (such as THC), chlorophyll, and more. What’s left is a crystalline powder.

While it’s true that hemp-derived CBD doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects as THC, that doesn’t mean it’s completely free of THC. According to the established law in most EU countries, hemp plants and hemp-derived products are legally permitted to contain 0.2% THC or less. This, of course, depends on the laws of the country you’re in. For example, in Austria the limit is 0.3% THC.

How is CBD isolate made

CBD isolate can be natural or synthetic. In this article we will explain how the natural CBD or an all-natural cannabinoid supplement is made in the process of isolating the CBD out of hemp plants.

While this may be considered “basic” at first glance, it is actually much harder to extract CBD from hemp. When hemp is subjected to the extraction process to separate its cannabinoids, many other ”undesired” compounds such as waxes and chlorophyll found in hemp are extracted as well. This means that additional steps need to be taken to isolate the CBD and release other substances. This makes CBD a bit more difficult to isolate.

Once the extraction process is completed, the first CBD concentrate we get is so-called crude oil or extract. So, the first two steps in isolating CBD from the crude extract are Winterisation and Decarboxylation. Winterisation removes lipids and plant waxes and decarboxylation converts the CBDA to CBD with heat and time.

Winterised oil is then diluted in a solvent and goes through a fractional distillation process to remove chlorophyll, terpenes and other undesirable compounds and concentrate and separate CBD and other minor cannabinoids from those compounds.

The concentrated CBD fraction is then mixed with a non-polar solvent in a reactor. The solution is heated and cooled, which causes these cannabinoids to crystallise. Once those crystals are fully formed, they are collected, washed with the same non-polar solvent to remove any other undesired contaminants and what you’re left with is a fine, white powder that is 98-99.7% pure CBD, depending on how good the chemist is.

Types of CBD Isolate

CBD isolate products containing no measurable amounts of THC are available in multiple forms. Each offers unique advantages.

As a fine white crystalline, CBD isolates powder offers a level of versatility unmatched by other CBD isolate products. You have many choices when it comes to incorporating CBD isolate powder into your daily health regimen.

The isolate powder is a great choice for anyone who values versatility in their wellness routine or who is looking for the most concentrated CBD product available while avoiding detectable levels of THC.

There are some people who find that pure CBD powder doesn’t bring out any particular type of sensation immediately after taking the product. Instead, the CBD isolate effects they experience may be related to a more efficient endocannabinoid system, such as they generally “feel better” in their day-to-day life and “sleep more soundly” at night.

CBD Isolate Liquid

CBD isolate liquid offers all the benefits in a convenient liquid form. Similar to CBD oil, CBD isolate liquid can be taken orally or infused into your favourite foods and beverages.

However, while the liquid form is not compatible with vaporisers, it is widely used as an addition to other consumer goods products.

CBD isolate liquid is a good option for anyone interested in the convenience of ingesting their CBD products orally.

The MCT oil found in the liquid not only helps present it in a liquid form, but it also contains fatty acids that serve as a carrier for CBD and help more of the CBD reach your systems through the digestive system.

Terpsolate

To combat the loss of all the major cannabis compounds, companies will often add hemp- or marijuana-derived terpenes back into an isolate. The result is an enjoyable, aromatic product that provides additional therapeutic benefits via the terpenes.

Slab

When CBD is isolated from a full-spectrum extract, the resulting product comes in slab form. This slab is then usually broken down into small chunks. The main benefit of the slab is that it makes it easier to dab or vape.

The benefits and effects of CBD isolate

The isolate contains no THC

One of the major reasons CBD isolate has become so popular is that it contains no THC. However, while many people are under the assumption that CBD doesn’t contain any THC, there are still some trace amounts in many full-spectrum CBD products, which can be sold as long as there is less than 0.2% THC.

While this small amount of THC isn’t enough to cause a psychoactive effect, it has a slight potential to show up in a person’s system.

It’s easy to figure out the CBD isolate dosage

While dosage amounts do vary based on an individual’s body weight and their unique needs, experts suggest starting with a low dose of CBD Isolate – no more than 10mg when you begin. Also, they suggest to use CBD isolate (low dosage) for around three days and estimate the effect the CBD will have.

Calculating the dosage levels is generally fairly easy to do. A small quality household scale can do the trick – since the isolate is separated from other cannabis chemical compounds, measuring the dosage in milligrams gives you the exact amount of CBD you need, per the package directions.

It’s cheaper

CBD isolate is significantly less expensive than other forms of commercial cannabinoids, such as CBD tinctures or CBD oil.

It has beneficial effects on the human body

Studies have shown that CBD works by acting on the body’s endocannabinoid system. The main objective of this system is to maintain homeostasis and to help the body adapt to external stressors.

How do you use CBD isolate

CBD isolate has already been activated (decarboxylated), which means that it doesn’t need to be heated prior to use. This gives isolate more versatility than other CBD extracts. CBD Isolate can be ingested, taken sublingually, inhaled, or mixed with other ingredients.

When creating your own CBD-infused oils, be sure to accurately calculate the potency of your individual servings. Because it is over 99% pure, each milligram of CBD isolate represents roughly a milligram of active CBD.

Ingesting

Consumers dissolve water-soluble isolate into any food or drink of choice. Isolate can also be swallowed by itself. CBD crystalline can be measured out and put into capsules or pills, allowing you to ingest an accurately measured dosage.

Anything you eat can be spiced up by adding CBD. It can be stirred into sauces, soups, stir-fries, and dressings. This is done by measuring out the desired amount and adding it to whatever culinary masterpiece you choose to create. Be careful not to heat it up too much, though, or it could lose its potency.

If someone wants to use CBD isolate in juices or smoothies, they can simply add the preferred amount and it is already a healthy option.

Sublingually

To take CBD Isolate sublingually, you simply place it under your tongue and let the isolate dissolve under it for at least 90 seconds and then wash it down and swallow.

This method allows CBD to be absorbed by the mucous membranes and be delivered directly to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver to provide more immediate and effective relief. 

This works in a similar way to taking a regular CBD tincture. One of the best things is that CBD isolate, unlike CBD oil, is both tasteless and odourless.

Inhaling

CBD isolate can be mixed with terpenes to create homemade CBD concentrates that can be vaped or dabbed. It can also be made into crystal slabs that can be dabbed on a traditional oil rig. 

You can use the powder to vape your CBD. It has a vaporisation point around 180-200 degrees Celsius, and there are several options you can choose from.

Adding CBD to vape juice is one of the easiest ways to take it; just add it to an existing vape juice. You get to choose how much to add and control the overall potency. This is a great option for existing e-cigarette users.

Mixing

There are many ways to mix CBD isolate. One of them is mixing with a carrier oil like coconut oil or MCT oil to make CBD oil tincture.

Another good way to use it is by mixing it with an e-juice to vape it.

For topicals, mix the CBD isolate with skin oils and apply the homemade concoction to the area of your skin you’d like to treat.

If you want to make your own sweeteners, a good method for using CBD is to blend it in with some local, organic honey or stir it into stevia. It can be also added to the syrup to drizzle over pancakes, waffles or other deserts.

CBD isn’t just beneficial for humans, but also for pets. In fact, using this product for pets is becoming increasingly common. It can be added to any treat recipe and can help to boost the animal’s quality of life.

CBD isolate manufacturing

CBD isolate is one of the most popular manufacturing ingredients. Manufacturers desire standardised, pure ingredients of known potency. They also often want an ingredient with minimal flavour or smell. Hemp extracts, like CBD oil, generally have a very strong flavour and smell. This is easy to achieve with CBD isolate but difficult with most other hemp extracts and CBD products.

While Essentia Pura is glad to fulfill smaller orders of CBD isolate or any other CBD products for home use, our true focus is on supplying various industries including pharmaceutical, healthcare, and cosmetic.

Industrial use of CBD Isolate

We have written about the use of CBD isolate as a substance for industrial use in this article.

Here you can read about:

• The difference between CBD isolate and full spectrum
• Why 100% purity is impossible to achieve
• What are CBD crystals?
• Is it safe?
• Is it water-soluble?
• Production of CBD Isolate
• Wholesale and industrial use

Just starting out? Read the article Start your own CBD business.

Conclusion

Although pure CBD does not contain other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids and it is absorbed rapidly into the body, there is a lack of all the beneficial cannabinoids found naturally in the cannabis plant.

While you won’t get the entourage effect of full-spectrum CBD products, CBD isolate does contain the majority of benefits of CBD without any THC at all. Besides having no THC, it is cheaper, and has no smell or flavour, which makes it popular for industrial use.