How Is CBD Oil Made? CBD Extraction Methods, Testing, & More
Airi Macaluso
Medical Hemp Expert, Hemp Wellness Consultant, and Long-Time Cannabinoid Writer
Welcome to the world of CBD and the science behind it! In this article, we delve into the fascinating realm of CBD oil and explore its potential benefits, the extraction process, different types of products, and more.
Here at Veritas Farms, we pride ourselves on providing high-qualityCBD products that are both safe and effective. We aim to educate you about CBD in general and its interaction with the body while highlighting the potential benefits for your daily routine.
So, sit back, relax, and let’s embark on this journey of discovery together!
What Is CBD Oil and Why Is It So Popular?
Step right up and meet CBD oil, also known as cannabidiol oil. CBD oil is derived from hemp flowers, a component of the cannabis plant, and it’s kind of a big deal these days thanks to its wide range of potential benefits.
Unlike its psychoactive cousin THC, CBD isn’t about causing a “high” — in fact, it doesn’t cause a high at all, allowing you to experience all the benefits without any unwanted side effects. It’s more like the cool, laidback relative who’s really into health and wellness.
CBD has stepped into the spotlight thanks to its versatility and ability to support many different aspects of health — from promoting relaxation and a sense of calm to potentially supporting a good night’s sleep, CBD oil has captured the attention of people seeking a natural approach to wellness.
What Are the Potential Benefits of CBD Oil?
So, how exactly does CBD work its magic? CBD oil interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of receptors that play a role in maintaining balance and overall well-being. Basically, your ECS is like wellness headquarters — it helps make sure your bodily processes are in tiptop shape and performing how they should be.
While research is still ongoing, CBD has shown promising potential in several areas. Research shows that CBD is a pro at helping people chill and snag some quality Zzzs.
Plus, some people find that CBD oil may help them manage occasional tension or discomfort, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.
However, it’s important to note that CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases or health conditions. “CBD is intended to be used like a casual wellness aid. You know that a warm bath, cozy blankets, and a good cup of tea will seriously increase the chill factor of your evening. CBD acts like a relaxation companion that holistically supports your body’s “wind down” response,” adds Resident Veritas Farms CBD expert Airi Macaluso.
What Is the Cannabis Sativa Plant?
To understand how CBD oil is made, we first need to delve into the cannabis plant itself.
Cannabis sativa is a versatile plant species — it gives us both hemp and cannabis varieties. But while cannabis gets a reputation for its THC content, hemp is more about CBD, keeping the THC on the down low.
At Veritas Farms, we focus on sourcing our CBD from premium hemp flowers to ensure the highest quality in our products.
How Are Hemp and Cannabis Different?
Now, you may be wondering — are hemp and cannabis different? If so, how?
Hemp and cannabis are, in fact, distinct — mainly in terms of their chemical composition and uses.
Hemp contains high levels of CBD and low levels of THC (0.3% or less), while cannabis varieties typically have higher THC content. This difference in THC levels is what sets hemp apart as a non-intoxicating plant.
Our hemp plants are carefully cultivated on our farm in Colorado, where we prioritize sustainable farming practices and a commitment to producing the finest hemp-derived CBD products.
What Is the Process of CBD Extraction?
Let’s talk about how we turn the humble hemp plant into the champion of chill — high-qualityCBD oil.
It’s all about CBD extraction. Various methods can be used for CBD extraction, including manual extraction, vegetable oil extraction, and using carbon dioxide for CO2 extraction.
But at Veritas Farms, we’re all about preserving the good stuff from the hemp plant. That’s why we’ve got a major crush on cold ethanol extraction.
What Is Cold Ethanol Extraction?
Cold ethanol extraction involves using food-grade ethanol as a solvent to extract cannabinoids, terpenes, and other valuable components from the hemp plant material. “It’s the same process used to make decadent Madagascar vanilla extract for your homemade cupcakes or flower extracts for that perfume that makes you feel rich and famous,” adds Macaluso.
It’s like a spa day for the hemp plant, but instead of mud masks and hot stone massages, we use food-grade ethanol to coax out all the awesome cannabinoids, terpenes, and other goodies. This process is conducted at low temperatures to minimize the degradation of sensitive compounds and ensure a high-quality extract.
Here are some of the benefits and advantages that come from using cold ethanol extraction:
Full Spectrum Love
Cold ethanol extraction allows for the extraction of a full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds present in the hemp plant. This means that our CBD oil contains a wide range of potentially beneficial elements that work together synergistically, known as the entourage effect.
High-Quality Extract
Our cold ethanol extraction process ensures a pure and high-qualityhemp extract. The use of food-grade ethanol as a solvent minimizes the risk of introducing harmful contaminants into the final product. We prioritize the health and safety of our customers by adhering to rigorous quality control standards.
Control Over THC Content
One particularly important aspect of CBD extraction is controlling the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the final product.
THC is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, and in hemp-derived CBD products, it needs to be present only in trace (aka, extremely small) amounts — namely 0.3% or less — to comply with the 2018 Farm Bill. Cold ethanol extraction allows for precise control over the THC content, ensuring that our CBD products meet legal requirements without compromising their quality.
How Does the Extracted CBD Turn Into CBD Oil?
After the hemp plant has had its spa day and the CBD-rich extract is obtained, it undergoes further processing to transform it into CBD oil. This involves saying goodbye to any leftover solvents, waxes, and other party crashers to create a squeaky-clean (aka, non-contaminated) final product.
This makeover often involves distillation, where the extract is gently heated under vacuum conditions, separating the various components based on their boiling points. This process allows for the isolation of specific compounds, such as CBD isolate, which contains only pure CBD oil without any other cannabinoids or terpenes.
To create our full spectrum CBD oil, we don’t isolate the CBD, but rather retain the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, chlorophyll, and other beneficial components present in the extract. The resulting oil is super rich in CBD, and offers the potential benefits associated with the entourage effect, too.
Broad spectrum, on the other hand, contains all of the cannabinoids — with the exception of THC.
How Is the THC Content Controlled in CBD Products?
Controlling the THC content in CBD products is serious business. We want to make sure we’re sticking to the legal rules and giving our customers a safe, non-intoxicating experience. While the extraction method helps with THC control, it doesn’t call all the shots!
The main MVP in controlling THC content is the selection of hemp plants with naturally low THC levels. By cultivating hemp varieties that meet legal requirements, we ensure that the extracted CBD oil contains only trace amounts of THC. It’s nowhere near enough to make you catch a buzz.
Does the Extraction Method Determine THC Content?
Additionally, during the extraction process, careful attention is paid to the separation of THC from the CBD-rich extract. Cold ethanol extraction keeps a tight grip on the THC content, ensuring that it remains within legal limits while still retaining the valuable cannabinoids and terpenes.
It’s important to note that Veritas Farms’ products are third-party lab tested to verify the THC content and ensure compliance with legal regulations — we take pride in providing high-quality CBD products that offer the potential health benefits of CBD without psychoactive effects.
How Is the Quality and Purity of CBD Oil Ensured?
How do we ensure the quality and purity of our CBD oil at Veritas Farms? Well, we’re kind of obsessed with it, to be honest. We’ve got strict processes and standards that could give a drill sergeant a run for his money, all to make sure our products are top-tier.
To ensure the quality and purity of our CBD oil, we conduct comprehensive lab testing on all our products. Third-party laboratories perform these tests, which involve a range of analyses to verify the potency, purity, and absence of contaminants in our CBD oil.
What Does Lab Testing Involve for CBD Products?
Lab testing involves a multi-step process to assess the quality and safety of our CBD products. Here’s a glimpse into what lab testing typically involves:
- Potency Testing: This test determines the concentration of cannabinoids present in CBD oil, including CBD and other valuable compounds. It ensures that our products contain the amount of CBD stated on the label, providing transparency and accuracy to our customers.
- Purity Testing: Purity testing evaluates the presence of contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial impurities. We take great care to ensure that our CBD oil is free from harmful substances that could compromise its quality and safety.
- Terpene Profiling:Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in the cannabis plant that contribute to its unique flavors and potential benefits. Terpene profiling identifies the specific terpenes present in our CBD oil, adding to the overall understanding of its composition and potential effects.
- THC Content Verification:THC content is closely monitored to ensure compliance with legal regulations. Lab testing confirms that our CBD oil contains only trace amounts of THC, well within the legal limit of 0.3% or less.
By conducting thorough lab testing, we maintain the highest standards of quality, ensuring that our customers receive safe and effective CBD oil.
What Are the Different Types of CBD Products Available in the Market?
Most CBD retailers offer products in various forms, catering to a wide range of different preferences and lifestyles — because CBD really is for anyone and everyone!
Here are some of the different types of CBD products available in the market:
- Tinctures: CBD tinctures typically come in liquid form and are consumed sublingually (aka, under the tongue). They’re super easy to use, offer customizable serving sizes, and are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream — which means you’ll feel the benefits kick in pretty fast!
- Gummies: CBD-infused gummies are a popular option, especially for those who prefer a convenient and delicious way to incorporate CBD into their routine. Gummies are available in many different flavors, making them a fun and enjoyable way to consume CBD.
- Topicals: CBD topicals include creams, lotions, balms, and salves that are applied directly to your skin for soothing benefits right where you need it. They’re designed to provide localized relief, and they help support skin health, too.
- Softgels: CBD softgels are easy-to-swallow capsules that contain a pre-measured serving of CBD. Softgels offer a convenient and discreet way to incorporate CBD into your daily routine. You can even stick them into your supplement organizer so you don’t forget to take them every day!
- Pet products:CBD products for pets are specially formulated to support the well-being of our furry friends. They come in various forms, such as tinctures and treats, and are designed with pets’ needs in mind.
How Are Tinctures, Gummies, and Topicals Different?
Tinctures, gummies, and topicals are some of the coolest kids on the CBD block, each rocking their own special flair and perks:
- Tinctures: CBD tinctures, like our Stress Relief CBD Drops, are versatile and easy to use. They typically come with a dropper for precise serving sizes, allowing you to adjust your CBD intake according to your needs. Tinctures are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream when placed under the tongue, offering a fast-acting and efficient method of consumption.
- Gummies: CBD gummies are a delicious and discreet way to enjoy the potential benefits of CBD. They come in various flavors and shapes, making them an enjoyable option for those who prefer a fun and tasty CBD experience. Gummies, like our Peaceful Mind Extra Strength CBD Gummies, provide a pre-measured serving of CBD, making them a perfectly easy and convenient option.
- Topicals: CBD topicals are designed for external use and offer targeted relief and support. They’re applied directly to the skin, allowing the CBD to interact with local cannabinoid receptors. Topicals are commonly used for soothing discomfort and promoting skin health. Our CBD Rub for Muscle Relief and Recovery, for example, works to soothe muscle and joint tension for all-around comfort.
The Takeaway: Unleash Your Potential with CBD
Are you ready to unleash your potential for wellness? With Veritas Farms CBD products, you can experience the benefits of full spectrum CBD in a range of delightful forms, from gummies and drops to softgels and even pet products.
Our cold ethanol extraction method ensures the preservation of valuable compounds, while our commitment to rigorous lab testing guarantees the highest quality and purity. Whether you’re looking for a tincture to incorporate into your daily routine or a topical to soothe and support your skin, Veritas Farms has you covered.
Don’t just take our word for it — try our CBD products for yourself and discover the difference they can make in your life. Embrace the journey to wellness by exploring the range of products that we offer here at Veritas Farms and unleash your full potential!
Sources:
Cannabidiol (CBD): What We Know and What We Don’t | Harvard Health
Cannabis sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules | Frontiers
Study Reveals Inaccurate Labeling of Marijuana as Hemp | National Institute of Justice
