What is CBD isolate?

CBD isolate is the purest form of cannabidiol (CBD) available. It contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), terpenes, or other cannabis compounds. 

CBD isolate usually comes in powder form. Many people use it for anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. It can be consumed in various ways, including orally and topically.

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What exactly is CBD isolate?

CBD isolate is a pure, isolated form of CBD extracted from the hemp plant. Because it’s practically impossible to produce a 100% pure isolate, 99% is the highest purity level manufacturers can achieve.

The purification process for making CBD isolate results in large, white cannabinoid crystals. Most manufacturers grind these crystals into a fine powder that looks similar to confectioner’s sugar. 

Unlike full-spectrum cannabis products, CBD isolate powder should have no color, odor, or taste, as all other plant compounds have been removed. 

How CBD isolate works

When consumed, CBD isolate absorbs into the bloodstream. Like other cannabinoids in cannabis, CBD supports the endocannabinoid system, a system of the body that balances important processes like:

• Mood
• Sleep
• Inflammation
• Pain

CBD is non-intoxicating, and people use it for its health benefits as well as its relaxing effects. Its calming, mood-boosting properties come from its ability to increase anandamide, a cannabinoid made in the body that increases serotonin levels. 

CBD isolate benefits and uses

CBD isolate offers the benefits of CBD in a highly concentrated and versatile product. The most common uses for it include:

• Anxiety
• Appetite issues
• Arthritis and other inflammatory health conditions
• Chronic pain or nerve pain (neuropathy)
• Depression/anxiety
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease
• PTSD
• Sleep disorders

Other advantages of CBD isolate

If you wish to avoid THC altogether, CBD isolate can be a good option, providing a concentrated serving of the cannabinoid’s benefits without any risk of getting high. 

CBD isolate won’t show up on a drug test, so it’s ideal for those who risk losing their job if they test positive for THC. 

CBD isolate is also versatile. It can be dissolved in oil or butter to make edibles, or it can be mixed with terpenes and vaporized in a dab rig. The powder can be sprinkled on top of cannabis flower for an extra CBD boost, or mixed into lotions and skincare products. 

One possible drawback is that CBD isolate doesn’t provide the entourage effect, which refers to the way in which cannabis’s compounds can improve one another’s effectiveness when taken together. Other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis may all contribute to how your body uses CBD to address different medical needs.

CBD isolate vs. broad-spectrum CBD

CBD isolate isn’t the only THC-free extract that comes from hemp. Broad-spectrum CBD oil is also high in CBD, as well as a broad selection of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

CBD isolate’s advantage is that by removing the other plant compounds, you end up with an incredibly powerful form of CBD that can be used on its own or with other cannabis products.

Potential risks and side effects

CBD isolate is widely considered safe, with little risk of side effects. But, as it is a highly processed product, be sure to purchase only from reliable manufacturers, and check their lab results.

The most common side effect of CBD is drowsiness, which can disrupt daily activities and interfere with driving. So it may be best to try CBD isolate for the first time at night. 

CBD can interact with some prescription medications, including benzodiazepines and antidepressants, by slowing down the rate at which they leave the body, and interfering with their effectiveness. Talk with your doctor to determine how best to work CBD into your current regimen.

The takeaway: Pure CBD isolate has its place in the cannabis industry

CBD isolate offers a purified form of the cannabinoid to those seeking out its unique health benefits. It can be consumed by itself, added to recipes, or combined with cannabis flower and other full-spectrum products. 

To learn more about the best ways for using CBD isolate, consult one of Leafwell’s healthcare professionals who can help you come up with a personalized routine.

Resources

• Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7023045/
• Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4621983/
• Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4604171/
• Cannabidiol drugs clinical outcomes and adverse effects. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7053164/
• Cannabidiol in neurological and neoplastic diseases: Latest developments on the molecular mechanisms of action. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8380783/
• Cannabidiol inhibits endocannabinoid signaling in autaptic hippocampal neurons. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5988021/
• Cannabidiol modulates serotonergic transmission and reverses both allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in a model of neuropathic pain. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6319597/
• Overcoming the bell-shaped dose-response of cannabidiol by using Cannabis extract enriched in cannabidiol. https://file.scirp.org/pdf/PP_2015021016351567.pdf
• Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol, cannabidiolic acid, and cannabidiolic acid ester as treatments for nausea and vomiting: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8380783/

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