Over the past few years, CBD has exploded into the mainstream, claiming shelves in grocery stores and gas stations all over the nation. With the huge array of products available, shopping for CBD has become easier and trickier simultaneously.
You might know exactly what you’re looking for, or you might be confused by the endless options on display. Whether you’re brand-new to the world of CBD or consider yourself a seasoned veteran, we have the answers to any questions that might crop up.
In this article, we’ll cover CBD isolate, a pure cannabidiol extract that is only growing in popularity. If you’ve ever wondered what makes this form of CBD different, you’ve come to the right place.
What Sets CBD Isolate Apart?
Let’s start with cannabidiol, also known as CBD. In making CBD isolate, cannabidiol is extracted from hemp plants and separated from the other cannabinoids. Pure CBD is a crystalline solid which can be ground down into a CBD isolate powder and added to other products, such as oils or edibles.
CBD has been used medicinally for hundreds if not thousands of years, but we’ve never had the technology to create a pure CBD extract until now. CBD isolate is unique because it contains cannabidiol and nothing else — the rest of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in hemp have been entirely removed.
This is also what separates CBD isolate from full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD. While isolate is nothing but pure cannabidiol, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD both contain plenty of other terpenes and cannabinoids from the hemp plant.
CBD isolate is a good choice for anyone who wants to avoid THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid found in full-spectrum CBD products. While full-spectrum CBD can only legally be made from plants with just up to 0.3% THC by dry weight, this tiny percentage might have big repercussions.
If you’re sensitive to THC, trying to prevent any possible chance of psychoactive effects, or don’t want to fail your drug test, you’ll probably want to steer clear of full-spectrum products. Broad-spectrum CBD oil is another option for anyone looking to avoid THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD has the benefits of the natural variety of cannabinoids and terpenes found in hemp, keeping these other ingredients intact while removing trace amounts of THC. Some research indicates that CBD is most effective when paired with other cannabinoids, in a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.
However, CBD isolate is still convenient for its reliability. You won’t experience the same inconsistency that you might find with other cannabinoid blends since there’s only one ingredient: THC-free, pure CBD isolate.
How Does CBD Work?
As it turns out, the human body has relied on cannabinoids from the beginning. Our endocannabinoid system is designed to work with naturally produced cannabinoids and regulates everything from our physical health and wellness to our mood.
Humans have two main cannabinoid receptors, but as it turns out, CBD doesn’t usually bind with these receptors. While it can interact with them, it also interacts with other parts of the brain and body.
CBD can interact with serotonin receptors in high quantities, supporting a balanced and calm mood. Even more impressively, CBD can interact directly with some of the body’s ion channels, which gives it the potential to impact feelings of tension and discomfort.
At a basic level, using CBD isolate has the potential to support many different aspects of your mind and body, including your:
- Mood
- Memory
- Appetite
- Physical feelings of discomfort
While we still don’t understand all the ways that CBD works with the endocannabinoid system, its complex interactions are often tied to positive side effects and relief from feelings of worry and discomfort.
What Are the Benefits of CBD Isolate?
There are so many ways that CBD isolate could positively impact your life. We can’t possibly cover every potential benefit, but we’ll dive into some of the more common uses below.
If you find yourself struggling with any of these issues, CBD isolate may provide the relief you’re searching for or simply change your perspective on the problem.
Worry and Stress
Stress is often dismissed or overlooked, but it can have devastating effects. Anyone suffering from extreme worry knows that it can’t simply be ignored.
Thankfully, there are alternatives. As it turns out, CBD may support feelings of calm. Many different studies have found that the right dose of CBD can relax you and support a balanced mood.
Many similar studies are still in progress since we still have much to learn about how cannabidiol interacts with the human brain.
Tension and Discomfort
Everyone has dealt with some amount of discomfort, whether it’s going too hard at the gym or sleeping in a not-quite-right position.
As it turns out, CBD is also very good at easing feelings of discomfort. Hemp and its relatives have been used to treat feelings of tension and discomfort since as early as 2900 B.C.E.
Whether CBD is ingested or applied as a lotion or cream, it has been shown repeatedly to help ease feelings of tension. There’s still a lot to research around CBD and its ability to soothe feelings of discomfort, but the results are very promising.
Sleep
Though most people struggle with sleep at least once in their lives, persistent sleeplessness can cause several serious problems. If you’re not getting enough sleep, you won’t have the same energy, reaction time, or ability to focus.
Though more research is still needed, preliminary findings suggest that CBD could help you get a good night’s sleep. With this in mind, we created our CBD Sleep Gummies for anyone looking for a good night’s rest.
How Can I Use CBD Isolate?
Just like the other types of CBD, there are a few different ways to use CBD isolate. No one method works for everyone. Based on your schedule and needs, you may want a simple gummy you can eat every night or a vape you can carry throughout the day.
We’ll cover some of the most common methods of using CBD below, but this isn’t an exhaustive list. There are nearly limitless ways to consume CBD; it all depends on what works for you.
CBD Edibles
Edibles are one of the most common and easy ways to use CBD isolate or any other type of CBD. They’re particularly convenient because each edible contains an exact dose, so you can be certain that you’re getting the same amount of CBD in every snack.
Some popular CBD edibles include chocolates, lollipops, and gummies. You won’t taste the CBD, but you’ll certainly feel the effects.
If you prefer a simple, hassle-free method of using CBD or want to measure how much CBD you consume precisely, edibles are a very popular choice.
CBD Topicals
There’s a huge variety of CBD topicals, so you can choose exactly the kind of product you’re seeking.
Of course, you can find traditional balms, gels, and lotions, which can easily be applied to any body part to help soothe discomfort. You can also use CBD bath bombs or even CBD soap to ease the inflammation of certain skin conditions.
Roll-ons are another popular form of topical CBD. Our Hemp Rapid Cooling Roll On offers a quick and easy way to soothe joint discomfort while keeping your skin happy and moisturized.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is the most common type of CBD on the market and can be found almost anywhere. Due to its potent concentration, only small drops of CBD tincture are needed to provide relief. These use a carrier oil, such as MCT oil.
You can simply apply a dropper-ful or two under your tongue if you’d like a hassle-free way to use CBD oil. However, if the taste doesn’t appeal to you, CBD oil can easily be added to other foods or drinks.
You can measure your doses with a dropper and adjust them as needed. This makes CBD oil a great choice for anyone who wants flexibility in their dosages and the ability to increase or decrease their CBD consumption when necessary.
CBD Vaporizers
As it turns out, vaping CBD may be one of the most efficient ways of consuming it. When the vapor passes directly through the lung tissue, it’s absorbed very effectively into the body.
However, vaping CBD may raise some health concerns. While edibles and CBD oil don’t pose any risks on their own, it’s possible that using a vaporizer for a long period may negatively impact the lungs.
For this reason, vaping CBD generally isn’t recommended if you have asthma or another respiratory condition. Consult your healthcare provider to determine which method of CBD usage may be best for you.
The CBD Isolate Experience
As you can see, there’s much more to CBD isolate than meets the eye. With so many methods of using CBD, the possibilities are endless.
Always talk to your doctor or healthcare professional when considering a new supplement, and make sure to choose products with a certificate of analysis from a third-party lab. This will ensure high-quality CBD isolate products.
There’s no one-size-fits-all CBD experience, but we believe CBD has something to offer nearly everyone, whether that’s rest and relaxation or a discomfort-free walk in the park.
Sources:
Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids | NCBI
What is CBD Isolate? Uses, Health Benefits, Effects | CFAH
Cannabinoid Regulation of Acute and Anticipatory Nausea | PMC