What’re the Most Common Types of CBD Extraction Methods?

For anyone who enjoys consuming or using CBD edibles, CBD oil tinctures, CBD vape oils or even CBD topicals, you’re utilizing hemp extract rather than the plant material.  Modern extraction techniques have made it easy for companies to turn a large amount of hemp plant material into an oily concentrate that can be conveniently added to other ingredients to produce a formula such as a gummy candy or an oral tincture. 

What is Extraction?

Extraction is a process that involves lifting the desirable compounds away from the plant material so that the fleshy parts of the plant can be left behind.  Today, there are many different ways to execute this crucial process.  But, as you can imagine, some methods are more ideal than others, especially when you consider the relatively delicate nature of the chemical composition native to the hemp plant.

A Breakdown of Extraction Methods

Not all extraction methods yield an equally high-quality product s you’ll soon find out.  The reality is that as a consumer, you should be discerning when it comes to how the hemp was extracted, because it can have enormous effects on the quality and effectiveness of the CBD.

Extraction Process #1: Solvent Method

First up, we have the solvent method.  This involves the use of a solvent, such as butane or alcohol, to literally dissolve the compounds that are in the plant material.  The plant material is placed in an airtight container along with the solvent of choice, and then an evaporation process takes place that separates the liquid from the oil.  It’s the oil that becomes the end product.

Now, the solvent issue is far from perfect.  For one thing, it seems to negatively impact the flavor to some degree.  Another thing is that it’s not so great at maintaining the chemical integrity of the plant compounds that we want to consume when we take hemp.  This means that it can increase the likelihood of those compounds breaking down and becoming useless to the body.

Extraction Process #2: Olive Oil Method

The olive oil method is easily the oldest extraction method there is, and it’s still used today, although it’s not as popular as the other two.  It involves combining the plant material with olive oil, and then heating the combination to exactly the right temperature to activate the compounds so that they become bioavailable.  The compounds leave the plant material and bond with the olive oil, which means that the plant material can be discarded as the olive oil now contains the chemical composition of the hemp plant.

Now, this is a method that is relatively easy, but it tends to be done by hemp enthusiasts themselves rather than CBD companies.  The main reason why this is the case has to do with the short shelf life of the end product.  The extract that is produced using this method is not so chemically stable, which means that there are many conditions that can cause it to become no longer useful.

Extraction Process #3: CO2 Method

This method utilizes pressurized CO2 that is carefully run directly through the plant material.  It lifts the compounds completely from the hemp plant without putting them at risk of becoming damaged in the process.  The resulting extract is naturally potent in terms of its chemical composition and is far cleaner than the other methods.

Which’s the Best Method?

So, as a CBD consumer, should you pay attention to how the CBD was extracted?  Well, in short, yes.  It’s in fact extremely important that you know how your hemp was extracted, because this can determine a lot of factors relating to the CBD experience that you’ll end up having.  Like we said, some methods interfere with the stability of the compounds, and so you should try to avoid them, because a chemically unstable product may not give you the full amount of compounds that you desire per dose.

Another thing is that hemp extracted using the solvent method results in an end product that contains, well, solvents.  You don’t necessarily want to be consuming harsh chemical solvents along with your CBD per daily dose.

This is why the CO2 method is considered the gold standard within the hemp industry.  It best preserves the compounds, which results in a longer shelf life, as well as potentially more bioavailability and potency.  It also produces a clean extract with a great, natural flavor. 

How Can I Know How My CBD was Extracted?

Now that you know about the importance of choosing the right extraction method, we know that you’re wondering how you can find out this information while shopping for hemp.  Well, first of all, lots of companies put this information in their product’s description.  But, if you can’t find that info, look at the lab reports that come with the product, as they will indicate the extraction method by the manufacturer of the hemp product.

At ALLVAPEBRANDS.COM, we truly believe that the CO2 extraction method is superior in many ways.  This is why all of our CBD products begin with this important process.  If you’re going to shell out money for hemp, you want to know that what you’re receiving is a product that isn’t just potent and clean but will last for a long time without losing its quality or bioavailability.  This is why we go the extra mile to commit to this method.  We know that the end product is absolutely worth it, and that you deserve the very best.

“Extracting” Some Final Hemp Thoughts

As you can see, there are several ways to extract the compounds from the hemp plant, and some are considered better than others.  If you want to ensure that you’re consuming the most chemically stable hemp compounds possible, we strongly suggest that you stick with the CO2 extraction method.  This is by far considered the best option, and it’s why so many reputable CBD companies rely on it.