How do you make CBD?

How is CBD Extracted? What are the different ways to extract CBD? 

CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol extract from the cannabis crop. Cannabidiol is not readily available and has to be extracted. Several CBD extraction methods have been developed. We will take a look at some of the techniques as well as the equipment used. This will help in case you are looking into the extraction of the oil for personal or commercial use. 

CBD forms only one among some one hundred and thirteen other cannabinoids. For those whose chemistry may not be on point, cannabinoids are chemical compounds that do act on cannabinoid receptors. These are cells that do alter the release of signals to the brain. Cannabis contains these chemicals, but several other plants have them as well. The beautiful thing about the oil is that it works with your natural system of controlling different processes in your bodies. You can take it into the body like smoke, through the cheek by use of a spray or orally. 

CBD extraction

The extraction of CBD requires starting with a plant that is rich in the cannabinoid compound. This provides a promise of a good amount of CBD yield at the right quantity. After all, you don’t want to put in all the work for a product that will not give you a sufficient yield. A good pick is a Cannabis plant that has been growing naturally, without the use of artificial herbicides. The last thing you would want is to have a contaminated product that may be harmful when consumed.

The main reason for extracting is always to eliminate any Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which forms part of the cannabinoids we talked about earlier. THC is the main compound when it comes to the psychoactive effects of cannabis. It is, therefore, no surprise that CBD oil separation without THC and from Hemp has been legalized in many areas including a majority of the states in America. Recently President Trump signed a 2018 Farm Bill Legalizing Cultivation of Hemp Plants on the federal level. Some of the most popular CBD extraction methods include:

Using a Liquid Solvent

Liquid solvents act by dissolving the targeted component of a mixture. You can then remove and separate the solution to obtain the targeted substance. In the extraction of cannabidiol this method uses the most common solvents. These include alcohol, butane, and ethanol. Using liquid solutions for CBD oil extraction is often a preferred choice since it is cheaper and easier to do, compared to other alternatives. It is important to note, however, that this method can be dangerous. The solvents used, such as butane and ethanol can easily burst into flames. Therefore, it’s important to carry out the process in the absence of naked flames. More importantly, to close all containers containing the solvents and store them in a safe place away from naked flames. 

To carry out the separation, you should cut pieces of the plant and place them into a suitable container. These plant pieces include flowers and trimmings of the rest of the plant. Then pour the selected solvent into the container. As the solvent comes into contact with the plant pieces, the cannabidiol dissolves into the solvent. The mixture then filters out, leaving a solvent cannabidiol mixture. Since the solvent is highly volatile, it can easily evaporate, leaving a concentrated product. The product is collected as oil. 

Some of the cons to this method include:

Destruction of the plant wax. These waxes contain numerous effects but do fall prey to the solvents in the pursuit of the desired extract, cannabidiol. 

Also, the process removes chlorophyll along with it. Chlorophyll is the chemical in the herb that gives it its green color. The chemical also has a bitter taste. If you extract the oil in this way is consume it orally it will have a bitter taste. 

Extraction using Olive oil

The use of olive oil for extraction is a particular favorite among the enthusiast. This compares to commercial producers who will often shy away from this method.  

The method has been famed for being very simple and safe, with its only requirements being olive oil and a source of heat. It is probably even one of the oldest methods of extracting CBD. 

To carry out the process, you need to heat the plant material continuously for a given period. The heating activates the chemical that is within the plant, in preparation for the next step.

The second step involves the mixing of the heated material with olive oil. Then heat this mixture to retrieve the cannabinoids.

Unlike using a liquid solvent, the use of olive oil does not require evaporation of the olive oil that should not be carried out. The product of this method is a mixture that is not very concentrated. A consumer would, therefore, need to take a high amount to experience the healing effects. 

Its main con is the fact that the product can go wrong. It, therefore, demands proper storage. Often, this will be in a cool place that has limited light. It is this reason that makes this method unfavorable for commercial producers. The method would create a product that is highly perishable and hence require expensive preservation systems. 

Extraction using CO2

The use of CO2 referred to as carbon dioxide in full is a newly developed method and somewhat more advanced than the previous methods. It is an intricate method that brings with it more costs and precautions. If done right, however, the methods produce a quality product that has all the desired qualities; potent and lacking chlorophyll.

Extraction using C02 does bring in numerous benefits to the consumer and will, therefore, be more desired. They are after all receiving a product that is perfect. In spite of the costs involved most commercial producers do use CO2 extraction since the product will fetch a higher demand. 

Although the product has the same effects and benefits as other methods, it is cleaner and hence has lesser chances of being contaminated. 

The CO2 method also allows adjustment of the different parameters such as temperature and pressure. This has to be done carefully to isolate specific cannabinoids like CBD.

The main CBD extraction machine used in this process is the closed-loop extractor. The device consists of three different sections. The first section contains dry ice, which is CO2 that exists in the form of solid due to pressure. The second section of the machine includes hemp plant material that has been dried. The third section is where a collection of oil takes place. 

The process is initiated by the pumping of CO2 into the second section in which dry plant material is held. The pumped C02 exists in an intermediary state of, liquid and gas. As the C02 runs into and out of the product, it separates the cannabinoids from the product. The oil collects at the bottom of the third chamber, while C02 raises to the top. The process, therefore, requires sufficient knowledge of the right conditions for the process to work efficiently and obtain the best results. 

Winterization

During extraction especially using olive oil or liquid solvents, the product may contain impurities. Such impurities can be further removed through the winterization process. Such impurities include waxes, fats, and lipids. 

To carry out his process, add the extracted mixture to 200 proof alcohol. The mixture is then vigorously stirred to form a homogenous mixture. The mixture is then placed in a freezer for an entire night. The result is a cloudy mixture with sediments that can easily be removed by filtration. To carry this out, a filter paper may be used on a Buchner funnel. The solution obtained after the filtration, however, contains alcohol that should be removed. Since alcohol is volatile, the mixture can be heated, and the alcohol evaporates. This is possible due to the different boiling points of oil and ethanol. An advantage of this process is if you collect the alcohol from evaporation and use it for a different batch. 

Short Path Distillation

This process is an advancement to winterization. It is designed to remove any further impurities from the oil. To achieve this, the oil passes through short path distillation. The different components in the oil have a different boiling point, and you can use this characteristic to extract them. At their boiling points, the various constituents are isolated for individual use. 

The medicinal properties of CBD have led to extensive research into methods of its extraction. It has a large market, and therefore its extraction promises to be profitable for anybody who does it commercially. The methods do vary depending on the resources available and if you perform the extraction for commercial purposes. Some methods such as using C02 have shown that their do require a eat degree of resources and skill while others only require household items such as olive oil. Each of the extraction methods does come with its pros and cons. The weighting of these factors can help you decide on the best method for you. 

Disclaimer: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this disclaimer. We collected this information from various sources for the convenience of our customers. The statements made regarding these products were not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products is not confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information presented here is not meant as a substitute for information from health care practitioners. It is also not meant as an alternative to information from health care practitioners. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor and ask about the risk of interactions or complications.