CBD is an abbreviation of the term cannabidiol, a compound produced by the cannabis plant that has become popular as a dietary supplement. The world of CBD extraction has rapidly developed over the past few years. One of the methods that are redefining the CBD extraction scene is distillation.
Distillation is the process of separating components of a liquid mixture through selective heating and condensation. The final product of this process is known as a distillate. Therefore, CBD distillate is a highly refined form of CBD. It is one of the purest forms of CBD and has limitless practical applications.
You may not have heard of CBD distillate, but after reading this guide, we’re sure you’ll want to try it out. Why? Keep reading to find out.
What Is CBD Distillate?
A distillate is the final product of the distillation process. During distillation, chemical components are separated from a liquid mixture. The concentrates are produced by raising both temperature and pressure during the extraction process.
Cannabinoids and THC are the main focus for the solvent extraction. Flavonoids and terpenes found in the marijuana plant have different boiling points. They are destroyed during the process, and thus affect the final potency and purity of the concentrate.
However, by using fractionation and steam distillation, flavonoids, terpenes, and other cannabinoids are collected in the final concentrate without leaving any leftovers.
Is CBD Distillate the Same as CBD Oil?
The distillate is a type of cannabis oil used by consumers due to its potency. Although all distillates are oils, all CBD oils are not distillates. Oil becomes a distillate only when it has undergone the distillation process.
There are many marijuana oils on the market which have not undergone the distillation process.
Learn about another type of oil found in the cannabis plant in “Main Differences Between CBD Oil & Hemp Oil You Should Know“.
Advantages of CBD Distillates
There are several advantages to choosing CBD distillates. Let’s look at some of them.
The Distillates are Decarboxylated
Unlike raw cannabis, CBD distillate is decarboxylated and hence, ready for consumption. The difference between a non decarboxylated marijuana product and the decarboxylated one depends on their interaction with the endocannabinoid system.
If you take the non-decarboxylated cannabis such as the raw bud, your body will view it as a leafy plant. The plant will only contribute to the nutritional bit just like lettuce, kales, or spinach. This means that you won’t get high or get your desired effects.
On the other hand, ingesting the decarboxylated marijuana activates neurons and help to attain the desired results. Decarboxylation helps the psychedelic and medical chemicals to travel to the brain immediately.
Distillates are Pure
When you consume distillate, you are sure of the exact substance you put in your body. You, therefore, don’t have to worry about leftover chemicals or additives. The distillation process ensures that only the flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids are collected at the end of the process.
Distillates Give the Entourage Effect
One of the best things about cannabis products is the entourage effect. The entourage effect is caused by the interaction of cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and THC to produce physical effects. Without the entourage effect, it is almost impossible to experience specific physical results.
For instance, THC helps to manage chronic pain, and CBD minimizes the symptoms of psychotic orders. You cannot substitute CBD for THC and expect to get relief for chronic pain. The two cannot be interchanged.
Although you can use CBD and THC to cure the same diseases, you can only experience the entourage effect when you use one at a time. But when the two are combined, they provide new effects and treatments. For instance, the combination of terpenes, CBD, and THC helps in the treatment of arthritis, migraines, and depression.
Terpenes and cannabinoids by themselves do not cause these effects. The combination helps them to get synergy, and thus bring a greater impact. Synergy is the corporation or interaction of more than two substances to produce a more significant effect.
Distillates are Discreet
You can quickly ingest distillates without drawing attention. This is beneficial to those who like privacy. It is also ideal for those with mental or physical issues that require dosing for the entire day.
Their secretive nature is not only helpful during ingestion, but also during storage and transport. People can hardly know what you are carrying unless you reveal it to them.
How to Use CBD Distillates
Although the distillates are relatively new in the market, they are incredibly diverse. When using them, you don’t have to change the way you take your CBD. Discussed below are numerous ways in which distillates can be vaped, smoked, or consumed:
Sublingual
This is the easiest way of taking CBD distillate. It is done by placing one or two drops under the tongue, then allowing the liquid to dissolve. When ingesting through the sublingual method, ensure that you don’t swallow it. The distillate will dissolve by itself into the bloodstream.
The sublingual method produces both psychedelic and medical effects faster than swallowing. However, the results do not come as faster as when taken through inhaling
Vape Pen
This is another easy way to administer the CBD distillate into the body. To do this, you will need a reloadable tank that accepts both solid and liquid cannabis.
If possible, look for a vape pen which is easy to adjust the temperature. This is because different forms of cannabis, such as liquid, oil, wax, and shatter, have different vaporization points.
Check out “3 Best CBD Oil Vape Pens You Have to See” to find the best pen for your distillate.
Glass Bowl or Bong
This is another easy and sure way to smoke the concentrates. Load your bowl up then place your distillate there. If the concentrates are a little bit unstable, such as when they are sticky or melted, put them in the freezer for around 10 minutes. They will harden enough to be taken using a bowl.
Joint, Spiff & Blunt
This is the best method for you if you enjoy the old school ways of taking cannabis. You only need to sprinkle a small amount of the distillate on a paper then create your blunt, joint, or spiff.
A blunt, spiff or infield joint is an idea for sharing because a little distillate goes a long way. If you are an adventurous person sprinkle a bit of the distillate on top of the paper before you close it up.
Pill
The main advantage of taking the distillate in pill form is that it produces powerful effects. Besides, it lasts longer than when it is dabbed, smoked, or vaped. The solid distillate is highly portable and has less smell when compared to that of other products
What’s more, taking it has is really easy, and thus you don’t need to stress yourself learning how to vape it. If you need to reduce chronic back pains when sleeping, take a drop of the hardened distillate.
As the body digests it, the cannabinoids will be released slowly over time. As a result, it can take you up to three hours before you start experiencing the effects of the distillate.
Edible
It’s not a must that you take the distillate alone. You can consume it alongside several edibles for easy consumption. This is particularly helpful if you aren’t fond of the taste. You can even sprinkle it onto your salad or smoothies which will mask the taste.
The Side Effects of Cannabis Distillate
While distillate has many benefits, it has some side effects. The common ones include:
- Dry mouth – this is common in many CBD oils, whether derived from marijuana or from hemp. Luckily, you can take plenty of fluids to prevent this. This is a reminder that you need to take 8 glasses of water daily.
- Low blood pressure– taking high doses of the CBD distillate can lower the blood pressure. If you experience this, discontinue it, or seek medical attention.
- Dizziness– CBD distillate affects people differently. When taken in lower doses, the distillate can improve and increase focus. However, when taken in high doses, it can cause drowsiness.
- Diarrhea-this effect happens when you take CBD distillate obtained from the substandard hemp plant. It can also occur when you take too much of the distillate for the first time.
Cannabis Distillate Criticisms
As a relatively new product, cannabis distillate has faced some criticism. Firstly, some cannabis enthusiasts believe that cannabis should only be used with all its parts. In their opinion, breaking down the plant into its individual parts changes its inherent nature. Since the plant’s nature has been changed, one can no longer enjoy it in its natural state.
The second criticism that CBD distillate faces is about the quality of the plant used in the distillation process. When an inferior or substandard plant is used at the start of the distillation, the end product will also be inferior.
The final criticism that CBD distillates faces is the cost of the process. Distillation requires a lot of equipment and experts which drives up the cost significantly. Some people would prefer using cheaper methods.
All distillates come with a large “don’t try this at home” tag on them. This warning is aimed at people who might be tempted to make their own CBD distillate. Besides the expensive and specialized equipment needed for the process can quickly explode. So, if you are not an expert in the field, look for an authorized distiller and purchase the final product from them. Find out how to make your own CBD vape juice however in “Ultimate Guide to Make Your Own CBD Vape Juice“.
Thank you for reading! Let us know in the comments below if you’re taking CBD oil to benefit your daily life. Join us on Pinterest and Instagram as well for more content to enhance your knowledge of CBD and medical marijuana.
