Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a cannabinoid that's found primarily in hemp plants. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating, which means it will not get you high. It's completely legal to buy CBD oil in the UK due to its unique properties and the fact that CBD products must contain less than 0.2% THC.
Now that you understand what CBD is — it's time to learn how CBD oil is made. Read along to learn everything you need to know about how CBD is extracted from hemp plants. Once you learn about the extraction process of CBD, you'll gain valuable insight into the best CBD products available in the UK.
How Do You Extract CBD?
First and foremost — how do you extract CBD from hemp plants? Unlike olives, which are pressed to extract valuable olive oil, hemp plants undergo a much more elaborate process. Before we briefly describe various CBD extraction techniques, you must learn a few basic concepts regarding hemp plants, cannabidiol, and chemistry.
A Brief Introduction to Hemp Plants
First, let's talk about hemp plants. As hemp plants reach a mature age — they begin to flower. The flowering process is the beginning of the end, so to speak, and during this process, the flower produces trichomes to attract pollinators. However, trichomes contain small compounds, otherwise known as cannabinoids. CBD is the primary cannabinoid found in the trichomes of hemp plants.
A Brief Introduction to CBD
Next, let's talk a bit about cannabidiol. Cannabidiol, as you know, is a cannabinoid. However, to make CBD products, producers must extract cannabidiol molecules from the hemp flower. To remove CBD, along with trace levels of other cannabinoids and terpenes, producers must harness extraction techniques that rely on chemistry and physics.
A Brief Introduction to the Extraction Process
To remove trichomes (along with the cannabinoids and terpenes within) from the hemp flower, producers use various techniques that manipulate temperature and pressure with specific substances, such as CO2 or olive oil. Now, so as not to spoil the descriptions below, let's give a summary of each CBD extraction technique.
What is CO2 CBD Extraction?
The most popular (and safe) method for CBD extraction is none other than CO2 extraction. The reason why most CBD products are extracted via CO2 is that it's considered a solventless technique. However, CO2 (although harmless during and after the process) is a solvent. Likely, CO2 is often associated with solventless extraction techniques because CO2 is not hazardous, such as butane or hexane. Overall, there are two types of CO2 extraction processes for CBD — Supercritical and Subcritical. Let’s take a look.
What is Supercritical CBD Extraction?
Supercritical CBD extraction is a scientific way of describing what occurs during the process. Overall, the supercritical CBD extraction works by placing hemp flowers into a vessel. The vessel is fed high temperature and pressure CO2, and the trichomes immediately detach from the plant material. Then, the temperature and pressure are reduced, which allows the oil to drain into a separate container.
What is Subcritical CBD Extraction?
Subcritical CBD extraction harnesses low pressure and temperature to extract CBD, along with the vast majority of essential oils (terpenes) and cannabinoids. However, subcritical CBD extraction produces much less oil compared to supercritical CBD extraction. Ultimately, many connoisseurs enjoy the increased flavor of subcritical CBD extraction-based CBD products.
What is Solvent CBD Extraction?
The last type of CBD extraction method you want to see as the basis of your CBD process is that of a solvent — such as butane. Chemical solvents, such as butane, are hazardous for the extractor and consumer. Remember, chemical solvents are difficult to remove entirely from the CBD extract, which poses a danger to end-users.
What is Olive Oil CBD Extraction?
Another novel method to extract CBD from hemp flowers is via olive oil. In a nutshell, olive oil is heated and mixed with hemp flowers. As the mixture increases in heat — the trichomes bond to the olive oil due to its oil and fatty properties.
What is Dry Ice CBD Extraction?
Last but not least is the dry ice CBD extraction process. The dry ice CBD extraction process works by placing hemp flowers into a bucket with dry ice. Once the trichomes are frozen — they fall off easily. The frozen hemp flowers are placed into another bucket and vigorously shaken. Once complete, producers will place an extremely fine mesh below and dump the frozen hemp flowers to separate the plant material from the detached trichomes.
Which CBD Extraction is the Best?
Overall, there's a reason why the CO2 extraction method is the best. From safety to purity, the CO2 extraction allows manufacturers to extract CBD from hemp flowers easily. Furthermore, it's relatively simple to remove excess CO2 from the final CBD product.
Therefore, if you're shopping for a new CBD product — always look for one that is extracted via CO2. Mission C utilises industry-leading CO2 extraction techniques to ensure the best possible CBD oil on the market. If you’re looking to experience the difference of CO2-extracted CBD. If you would like to learn more about our processes and where our CBD is sourced from, please visit the sustainability page on the website.
Join the Mission
We believe in open, honest, and balanced communication, we tell people everything they need to know about CBD. All information is trusted, vetted, and backed by scientific evidence. If you want to learn more about CBD and have any further questions, please reach out through our contact form on the website or contact@missionc.com. Above all else, we’re human. Our team is made up of real, contactable people who are on hand for anything you might need.
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