Tinctures are a popular way to experience the benefits of CBD, as they are versatile and easy to control the dosage you consume. You can mix CBD tinctures with food and drink, or use the dropper to apply the CBD directly beneath the tongue, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream sublingually.

When choosing a CBD tincture, you will have the option to choose between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolated CBD. There are varying benefits to all three options, and today we are diving deep into CBD Isolate. 

What Is CBD?

CBD is the main active ingredient in hemp products, originating from the Cannabis sativa plant. The cannabis plant contains over 100 compounds, but CBD makes up the majority of the hemp variety.

Unlike THC, CBD provides a wealth of health benefits without bringing about any psychoactive effects.

So What Is CBD Isolate?

While CBD products cannot get you high, it is legal for hemp and CBD to have a concentration of THC that is less than 0.3% of the substance's dry weight, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill that reclassified hemp and legalized the cultivation of hemp in the United States.

So while the hemp plant is not entirely THC-free, it only contains trace amounts of THC, and not enough to cause a high.

If you don’t want any THC content in your products, using CBD isolate is a way to ensure that you are only getting the CBD–nothing more and nothing less.

Full-Spectrum vs. Isolate: Which Is Better?

When a CBD product is labeled as full-spectrum, it means that the product contains all of the cannabis plant's nourishing components. This includes the cannabinoids, the terpenes, and flavonoids.

Some people prefer full-spectrum CBD because while there is not enough THC to produce any psychoactive effects, the inclusion of all of the plant’s compounds allow them to work together to strengthen the beneficial effects that CBD as a whole can have on the body and mind. This is known as the entourage effect.

Broad-spectrum CBD products have no THC as compared to full-spectrum CBD oil and products, but they do include all of the other plant compounds. Broad-spectrum products can still produce the entourage effect, but many believe it is a somewhat less powerful one without the THC to contribute.

Now, the same extraction process from the plant leaves, stems, and flowers is used for all three varieties of CBD, but when it comes to CBD isolate, nothing else is added back in. When CBD is extracted and isolated, it forms a crystalline substance, which can then be used in a number of varying forms.

So, to answer the question: full-spectrum is better at producing the entourage effect, but CBD isolate may be better for those who want CBD and CBD only. Ultimately, there is no best when it comes to CBD spectrums — it all depends on your personal preferences and interests.

Who Should Use CBD Isolate?

There are plenty of reasons to opt for CBD isolate over full or broad-spectrum products. Some main reasons to consider CBD isolate are:

• If you are sensitive to THC
• If you are concerned about the potential of THC showing up on a drug test (this is unlikely with such low amounts, but it is possible)
• If you are simply only interested in a pure form of CBD
• If you are an athlete who cannot risk testing positive on a drug test

How Are CBD Isolate Tinctures Made?

A CBD tincture is a form of liquid CBD that is usually taken sublingually (dropped under the tongue), which helps the body absorb it better than simply ingesting it. Tinctures are a great option for new and seasoned CBD users alike because it is easy to understand and experiment with the dosage using the accompanying dropper. You can also mix CBD isolate tinctures with food or drink.

To create a CBD oil tincture, the CBD is typically extracted using CO2 in its supercritical state. This method allows for the separation of CBD and other plant parts, while other processes for extracting CBD from the plant–such as soaking the flowers in ethanol–do not provide a way to separate the CBD from the cannabinoids and terpenes, making them better-suited for full-spectrum tinctures.

The CO2 method is preferred by many, as it does not destroy the natural flavors of the hemp, and does not require the addition of any chemical components or ingredients beyond the pure CBD isolate. 

What Are the Benefits of CBD Isolate?

Even without producing the entourage effect, CBD can help maintain homeostasis within the body. This is because CBD can work with endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors already at play within the endocannabinoid system (the ECS)–a system that transports chemical messages to help maintain a normal range of body function. 

CBD Isolate and Body Tension

One of the main roles of the endocannabinoid system is to respond to signals of discomfort and provide relief when any part of the body is experiencing symptoms of discomfort. When CBD isolate enters the bloodstream, it can support the ECS in soothing tension and easing discomfort.

CBD Isolate and Relaxation

Stress can affect just about everything. When we are experiencing stress, the body produces higher levels of the cortisol hormone than normal, which can disrupt sleep, lead to body tension, and interfere with brain function.

The endocannabinoid system is well-attuned to the body's stress levels and relies on endocannabinoids to maintain healthy levels of serotonin and dopamine: neurotransmitters that can regulate mood and activate feelings of pleasure.

By partnering with endocannabinoids, CBD can help support the ECS in promoting relaxation and calming the mind.

How Should I Use a CBD Isolate Tincture?

If taking sublingually, use the included dropper to collect your preferred amount of CBD. Position the dropper directly under the tongue and release. It is best to let the CBD sit there for about 30 seconds to a minute before swallowing to help the body absorb it.

CBD has a naturally nutty flavor that some people enjoy, while others–not so much. If you aren’t a fan of the taste, it is easy to mask the flavor by dropping directly into your favorite drink.

Also, CBD is fat-soluble, which means that it needs fat to help break it down into something the body can absorb. If you take pure CBD with water, it will pass through the body unused, and you will lose out on the health benefits.

Many CBD oils and tinctures mix CBD with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil to ensure the CBD can be used. If your CBD product has no oils added, you’ll want to take it with a fatty meal or mix it with a drink that contains some fat content, such as dairy or non-dairy milk, or a nut-based smoothie.

When taken sublingually, CBD isolate can take effect within 15 to 30 minutes. When consumed within food or drink, it may take up to an hour before the effects kick in.

Dosage

When taking CBD dietary supplements for the first time, it is best to start with a low dose and work your way up, as this allows you to find exactly what amount is right for you. Tinctures are ideal because the dropper allows you to see exactly what amount of CBD you are consuming, and you can easily decrease or increase your dose as needed.

A good starting place is 10 mg of CBD.

While clinical trials studying CBD usage have found that people can consume up to 1,500 mg of CBD with few negative health effects, this is more than you’ll ever take in one day. Most people feel the desired effects of a CBD tincture with a dose of 30 to 50ml.

Interestingly, one study found that when using CBD to soothe discomfort and tension, full-spectrum CBD products provided increasing effects with an increase in dosage, while the effects of CBD isolate products stayed the same even when the dose was increased.

evo hemp’s CBD Isolates

If CBD isolate feels like the right move for you, check out evo hemp’s collection of CBD isolate products, including our evo hemp CBD Crystals — and if you’d rather dabble in full-spectrum, we have you covered with those too!

Sources

Farm Bill | USDA

The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain | Frontiers in Plant Science

Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in Cannabidiol | Pharmacology and Pharmacy