Over a decade of scientific research has put the cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) in the mainstream for its impressive medicinal and therapeutic potential in treating symptoms of a variety of physiological conditions, including chronic pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, and even intermittent seizures. Today, more people than ever before are turning to CBD as a natural alternative to lab-synthesized drugs.
Is CBD legal?
It’s worth noting that CBD is now legal at the federal level, ever since the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act (better known simply as the “Farm Bill”) of 2018. This means even cannabis-sourced CBD is legal for sale and consumption nationwide, provided it has a 0.3 percent or lower concentration of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the final extract.
CBD companies generally prefer to avoid the risk of running afoul of this restriction by acquiring their CBD from non-psychoactive sources, such as industrially grown hemp. However, whether they’re sourcing from marijuana or hemp, it’s necessary for CBD product manufacturers to filter out secondary plant compounds and residue in order to create quality, potent CBD extracts. These are called CBD isolates, and come in two primary forms: oils and powder.
In this post, we go over everything you need to know about CBD powder; what it is, how it’s made, and how best to utilize it for health supplementation from the comfort of home.
What is CBD Isolate & How is it Made?
As the name suggests, CBD isolate is CBD in its purest form, produced through complex extraction, filtering, and refinement processes. The potencies of different CBD isolates vary by the extraction processes used in production, which range from simple and affordable (such as steam or solvent distillation) to advanced machine processes that make use of supercritical CO2 in a compressor.
Once the cannabinoids have been extracted from plant matter, secondary compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids are filtered out until only CBD remains. This filtration process is what separates CBD isolates from full-spectrum CBD in terms of potency and retail price, as full-spectrum products retain select complementary terpenes and cannabinoids to provide a more intact cannabis experience.
Once the CBD has been extracted and filtered into an isolate, it’s then further refined into an oil or powder format for packaging and distribution. Because no other cannabis compounds are present, CBD isolates are legal for use as health supplements in all 50 states.
Advantages of Using CBD Powder Over Oil
While CBD is easily the more portable and straightforward of the two CBD isolate formats, the powder does have a number of advantages, not the least of which is its amazing versatility. While oil can be taken orally, vaped and massaged into the skin, CBD powder can be smoked, vaped, used in cooking, applied topically, and even directly infused into homemade beer during the mashing process. Other advantages include:
- A micronized format for complete solubility
- Variable bioavailability (ex. oral consumption to extend the duration of effects to last throughout the day, sublingual consumption for quicker absorption into the body)
- Availability in the form of powder-filled capsules for maximum portability with no chance of spillage or leaks when on the go
CBD isolate powder is also completely odorless and flavorless, which makes for easier incorporation into a broader range of mediums like food or beverages.
How to Use CBD Powder for Health Supplementation
CBD powder is remarkably simple to use, particularly in the comfort of a home kitchen. Simply mix the recommended dose into cool beverages, such as fruit smoothies, protein shakes, or even cocktails. When out and about, CBD powder can be mixed into dessert or salad glazes and vinaigrettes. The key is not to expose the isolate to heat before consumption, as chemical reactions may cause a reduction in potency.
CBD powder can also be mixed into homemade lotions, recovery balms, and soap bars to make use of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Given its amazing versatility, it’s quite easy (and rewarding) to get creative when using CBD powder as a means of health supplementation.
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