Choosing the right CBD oil: the complete guide

Choosing your CBD oil without doing some research isn't easy. We've created this guide to help you choose the right oil so you can fully enjoy the benefits of CBD, according to your needs and budget.

Choosing your oil: The different types of CBD oil

CBD isolate oils (pure CBD)

CBD isolates contain only the CBD molecule and none of the other beneficial compounds of full-spectrum (“whole plant”) CBD.

 

To extract CBD isolate: the other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids found in the hemp plant are extracted and refined by an industrial process of simultaneous heating and rotation called chromatography1].

 

A common misconception is that because CBD is pure and therefore more concentrated, it must have greater therapeutic potential. This is not the case. We will address this point in the full-spectrum CBD section.

Broad Spectrum CBD Oils

Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial plant compounds, but no THC*. This type of refining is also carried out using the industrial chromatography process [1].

 

Advantage: Broad-spectrum CBD can be useful for people who may be subject to doping tests, such as athletes during competitions. In this case, there would be no risk given the absence of THC.

 

Drawback: A potential problem with broad-spectrum CBD oils is that some unscrupulous companies use CBD isolate (CBD powder) as a base, rather than the whole plant, and add isolated terpenes. With this process, the effects of these oils would be much weaker than with the use of the whole plant.

 

 

Full Spectrum Oils

Full-spectrum CBD oils contain all the substances found in hemp:

 

• Cannabinoids: CBD, THC, CBDA, CBGA, CBG, etc.
• Terpenes: These are aromatic molecules naturally produced by plants. To learn more about terpenes, see our article on the subject.
• Flavonoids: substances belonging to the polyphenol family, known for their antioxidant properties. [2]
• Proteins
• Phenols: aromatic chemical compounds
• Amino acids

 

The entourage effect

 

According to several studies, including a 2015 study conducted in Israel [3], when all the compounds of Hemp are present (terpenes, cannabinoids: CBD, CBG, CBN, THC*) they act better together than they do in isolation.

 

The effectiveness of cannabinoids is enhanced when they are combined: this synergy is called the "entourage effect ".

Choose your oil according to the extraction method used

Vegetable oil extraction/distillation method

The hemp is first heated on its own to activate the cannabinoids; this process is called decarboxylationboxThen, vegetable oil (olive or sesame oil) is mixed in, and the mixture is heated to 100°C for 1 to 2 hours. The vegetable oil eventually evaporates, leaving behind a concentrated CBD oil.

 

+ This method is very widespread among small producers, due to its low cost.

+ Healthy extraction method.

– Due to hot extraction: cannabinoids may be altered and effects diminished.

– The shelf life of these CBD oils is generally quite short, so they should be consumed quickly.

Extraction with solvents

The hemp plants are soaked in a solvent, most often ethanol, but it can also be propane or butane, which chemically separates the cannabinoids. The mixture is then filtered, and the ethanol/solvent is purged using a vacuum or heat to obtain a highly concentrated CBD product.

 

+ Very inexpensive extraction method.

– Toxic residues that were not eliminated during evaporation may remain.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction

With this method, CO₂ is manipulated in such a way that it enters a supercritical state (temperature of 31 degrees and pressure greater than 74 bars) where it possesses both the qualities of a liquid and those of a gas.[4]

 

Without going into too much detail: The hemp passes through several pressurized chambers at very low temperatures. In the last chamber, the CO2 evaporates, leaving only a concentrated CBD oil.

 

– A complex and expensive industrial process.

+ A healthy method for health.

+ Cold extraction method that does not alter the cannabinoids.

+ Thanks to the high precision of CO2 extraction, it allows for the production of CBD oil with precise concentrations.

+ Method that allows for obtaining high concentrations of CBD (30%, 40% or even more)

The effects of CBD oils according to dosage

An Israeli study conducted in 2015 [3] revealed that for subjects receiving CBD isolate, this led to a bell-shaped dose-response curve. Beyond a certain dosage, its therapeutic effect diminished rapidly.

 

As you can see in the diagram below: on the curve, CBD Full Spectrum has effects that are maintained even beyond the optimal dosage.

 

Finally, still in that same 2015 study: The research team also found that much larger quantities of pure CBD isolate were needed to achieve the same pain-relieving effects as full-spectrum CBD extract.

 

If you want to know everything about the dosage of your CBD oil, and also what concentration to opt for (from 5% to 30% CBD), we invite you to consult this article to discover how to properly dose your CBD oil.

 

How to take CBD oil

 
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For a sustained effect, it is generally taken 2 to 3 times a day. Simply place a few drops of cannabidiol oil directly under the tongue. This allows for rapid and effective absorption. While there is no risk of overdose with CBD , we obviously advise you to start with the lowest possible dose of CBD, as everyone reacts differently to the substance; and then gradually increase the dose until you experience relief.