Have you ever wondered how CBD is obtained? Although it is becoming more and more common to purchase CBD oils for their potential benefits, there is still a lot of confusion and mystery surrounding how these products are produced.
At Cannactiva, today we tell you how CBD is obtained, why the "famous" supercritical CO2 extraction process is so good, and many other curiosities about the extraction of CBD from the hemp plant.
What is CBD?
On CBD or cannabidiol is one of hundreds of cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant(Cannabis sativa). Unlike THC, CBD has been shown to have no psychoactive properties and no addictive potential. On the contrary, this compound is being investigated for its multiple benefits and potential therapeutic applications.
Where is CBD obtained from?
Specifically, CBD is the major component of industrial hemp extract. Hemp is a cannabis variety with a very low THC content (less than 0.3% THC).
How is CBD obtained?
The CBD found in CBD products is obtained from the extraction of resin from the flowers of the hemp plant.
To obtain CBD, hemp plants from industrial hemp seeds certified by the European Union are used. These plants are grown organically and without pesticides, because one of the advantages of hemp is that it is very resistant, and it is practically not necessary to use chemicals in its cultivation.
CBD extraction begins with the harvesting of the hemp. When hemp plants are in full bloom, their flowers are at their peak of resin production, which is rich in cannabinoids (mainly CBD) and also in aromatic compounds, called terpenes.
Once harvested, the CBD-rich flowers are carefully separated from the rest of the plant matter, such as leaves and branches, which contain fewer cannabinoids. The hemp flowers are taken to the extraction laboratory.
How is CBD extraction performed?
CBD extraction consists of separating the pure hemp resin, rich in cannabidiol and other cannabis compounds, from the rest of the plant material.
There are many methods to extract CBD. From homemade forms without the need for machinery, such as a simple maceration in oil, to sophisticated extractive methods with specialized laboratory equipment. Obviously, the difference in the final result is notorious: only with specialized equipment is it possible to keep the properties of the original plant almost intact and to obtain the most concentrated and potent CBD extracts.
Supercritical CO2 extraction
Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most efficient method of CBD extraction and the one that achieves the highest quality and safest products on the market. However, this type of extraction is only possible with advanced laboratory equipment.
What is done in this extractive technique is to use carbon dioxide (CO2), cool it and subject it to high pressures to a point called "supercritical state". In this state, CO2 behaves as a gas and a liquid at the same time, and becomes a solvent with high diffusion capacity, ideal for efficiently extracting CBD from hemp flowers.
Extraction with supercritical CO2 is the most advanced and the one that obtains CBD oils of the highest quality on the market.
This method allows to extract the maximum of components from the plant material at relatively low temperatures, and to obtain an extract rich in cannabidiol, but also in other components naturally present in the original hemp plant, such as minor cannabinoids and terpenes.
The result is a full-spectrum full-spectrum CBD extract (see all the benefits of full-spectrum CBD), which is rich in CBD, and also contains other minor cannabinoids present in hemp, such as CBDV, THCV, CBC, CBG and CBGA, as well as terpenes.
Cannabinoids and terpenes from hemp have been shown to synergize with CBD, enhancing its properties.
This synergistic effect is known and scientifically researched under the technical name of the entourage effect of cannabis .
In addition to the efficiency of this method in obtaining high quality CBD, supercritical CO2 has many added advantages: it is safe to use, safe to use and environmentally friendly. Carbon dioxide is a harmless to health, non-toxic, non-flammable and sustainable gas. Therefore, the risk of toxic residues in the final product is eliminated, which guarantees the safety of the extract.
However, it is important to note that supercritical CO2 extraction is a complex process that requires specialized equipment and expertise, so it cannot be performed at home.
If you want the highest quality and safety in your CBD products, you should look for CBD products that use this type of extract. You can find CBD products obtained by this method at reputable stores that specialize in CBD products such as Cannactiva.
Other types of CBD extractions
The supercritical CO2 method is the most widely used in the market due to its high quality and safety. Other forms of extraction include:
- Extraction with solvents such as ethanol or butane to extract cannabinoids. It is less safe due to the use of flammable products and has the risk of possible toxic residues in the final product.
- Extraction with oils or glycerin, which is often used at home. They have the great disadvantage of being inefficient in extracting the resin from the plant, resulting in products of very different qualities.
* You may be interested in: Types of cannabis extractions
Transformation of CBD extract into final products
Quality controls
The result is a full spectrum CBD extract. The first step after extraction is the analysis and quality controls to measure its CBD content.
This process also ensures that THC levels are within the legally permitted range and that there are no traces of pesticides or heavy metals.
Production of CBD oils
This CBD extract is used to produce CBD Oil 30% Crude . This type of oil has a strong aroma, due to the high content of waxes, chlorophylls and bitter compounds naturally present in hemp resin.
This type of oil is the most suitable for people looking for the maximum presence of natural hemp compounds. However, others find that it has too strong an aroma, and prefer purified oil.
Purification
Subsequently, the CBD extract undergoes purification processes, in which impurities are removed and an almost translucent oil is obtained, without the bitter aroma of the crude extract.
It should be clarified that purification maintains the full spectrum of cannabinoids in hemp. In other words, it is a filtering process that respects and does not affect the properties of Full Spectrum CBD.
Most CBD oils on the market are purified, because they are the best tolerated by customers. This type of oil is characterized because it is almost translucent.
This CBD extract is then transformed into a variety of final products, such as CBD oils, CBD creams and CBD cosmetics, ready for use.
Analysis by third party laboratories
Periodically, Cannactiva's CBD oils are sent to third-party laboratories to ensure product quality and that the oils contain the concentration of CBD indicated on the label.
Cannactiva: Experts in producing high quality CBD
In Cannactiva we are committed to bring the best of hemp and therefore we control the production of our CBD in all steps of the breeding process. From seeds of the best genetics, to organic cultivation and the most advanced extraction methods.
In every drop of Cannactiva CBD you can find passion for a job well done, knowledge, technique and quality controls that guarantee the maximum effectiveness and safety of our products.
We use Full Spectrum CBD exclusively in all of our products, including creams, CBD oils and pet products, because we believe it is the most effective.
Experience high quality CBD in all our products!
