CBD oil is a fascinating and powerful compound that has taken the health and wellness industry by storm.
But where does CBD come from and how is it made?
In this article we’ll take a look at the remarkable plant that produces CBD as well as some different manufacturing techniques that separate this highly-desirable compound from the raw plant material. If you’ve ever wondered how CBD oil is made, hang around, because we have the inside scoop from some of the top manufacturers on the planet!
Is Hemp Oil The Same as CBD Oil?
Hemp oil and CBD oil often get confused with one another due to the simple fact that they are both forms of hemp extract oil. Though both types of oil come are extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant (hemp), they have very different concentrations of compounds which in turn affect the body in their own unique way.
When it comes to CBD vs. hemp oil there are a few things to remember. Hemp oil refers to an oil extracted from hemp seeds, which contains vitamin E, omega fatty acids, and protein, but none of the cannabidiol or THC compounds. CBD products are usually made with whole-plant extractions that contain a variety of phytocannabinoids such as CBD, CBN, CBG, and trace amounts of THC(0.3% or less).
Growing Hemp
The first and most important step in making CBD oil is to grow the hemp that it will be extracted from. Different brands approach this step in different ways. Some companies source all of their hemp from third-party growers throughout the U.S, and some brands like Lazarus Naturals, take a seed-to-shelf approach with their products and grow all of the hemp themselves in the fertile soil of Central Oregon.
Colorado, Kentucky, and Oregon are the most popular states to grow hemp because they are notorious for having the perfect balance of rain, sunshine, fairly mild temperatures, and some of the most nutrient-rich soils in the country. It takes hemp plants anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks to reach full maturity, and once they have, it’s time for the next phase of manufacturing.
The Drying Process
Drying hemp may seem like a simple endeavor, but it is one that actually requires a fair bit of precision. If the hemp becomes too dry at this phase, it will either need to be re-hydrated slowly and naturally, or it will simply produce less oil. The perfect environment to dry hemp is said to be between 60-70 degree Fahrenheit, and around 60% humidity. This is no easy feat when trying to dry on an industrial scale!
Drying is all about balance and careful attention. Some brands will actually send their plants to third-party facilities to have the drying process taken care of, though many of the top-tier brands have on-site drying facilities and handle everything themselves.
Extraction
There are a multitude of different ways in which manufacturers extract CBD from the hemp plant. These methods are often a bit complicated and can be quite dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you’ve ever wondered how to make CBD oil lotion or any of your own CBD products, this is probably the step that stopped you.
The Rick Simpson method is probably the most common “at-home” extraction process and is also one of the most dangerous. This includes using harsh, highly-combustible solvents such as butane or propane to pull the desirable compounds from the plant. The Rick Simpson method also leaves behind dangerous residues which can contaminate the CBD oil.
Supercritical CO2 Extraction is regarded as the cleanest, most efficient way to transfer all of the desirable compounds from the hemp plant to the resulting extract. In this process the plants are first heated up in a decarboxylation process in which the chemical compounds in the hemp plant are activated. Next, supercritical carbon-dioxide is passed through the decarboxylated hemp and transfers all of the desirable compounds, plant waxes, and fatty acids to the extracted CBD oil.
How Many Pounds Of Hemp Does It Take to Make CBD Oil?
It’s amazing how much of a good thing you can fit in a tiny tincture! It takes quite a bit of hemp to produce CBD oil, and the percentage of CBD contained in that hemp has a big impact on this number. On average, it takes roughly one 3-4lbs hemp plant to make 1lb of hemp oil, but this number can vary greatly.
How To Make CBD Oil From Isolate
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your own CBD oil, you are going to love playing with isolates. Making your own CBD oil can be a fun and rewarding experience, and is easily done from the comfort of your own home. Unless you have a strong background in science, we don’t recommend trying to perform your own extractions. Instead, pick up some CBD Isolate and an MCT-rich oil of your choice. Fractionated coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and hemp seed oil are all fantastic options.
Start by deciding on the potency you prefer and measure out your CBD isolate. Next, put your MCT oil in a double-boiler on low heat. Simply add the CBD isolate to the MCT oil and stir gently until the isolate has dissolved completely. Finally, let the oil cool and then put it in a tincture for safe keeping.
