A Dummies Guide to Using CBD Isolate In 2021
Author: Jason Beverly
You work construction, or you took up running to lose weight. Maybe it’s some current activity, or arthritis, or the result of an injury you had a long time ago. Whatever the cause, the aches and pains you’re feeling are really bothering you. Over-the-counter pain killers aren’t helping much, and the only thing your doctor can suggest is a prescription medication.
Or, you’re anxious. Or depressed. Or you’re having trouble sleeping. You want relief, but you do not want a prescription medication. You’ve read all those articles about people getting addicted to them. You’d prefer something more natural. And safe.
Why is everybody talking about CBD?
A friend, or your sister, or a co-worker suggested you try CBD. Everybody seems to be talking about it. You even saw a display of CBD products at your local supermarket. But what, exactly, is it? And does it really work? You’re not a “dummy” but you’d like some basic information about CBD, because it’s so new to you.
You go online to try and figure out what you want. There are CBD drops. Gummies in fruit flavors – that sounds good! There’s a freeze roller and something called “recovery cream” that you can rub on your sore joints. They’ve gotten good reviews. Not everything listed in the online marketplace is understandable at a quick glance, though. For instance, what is CBD isolate? Will it help you with your problem more than other forms of CBD? Is it difficult to use?
In order to understand what CBD isolate is, you need to know what CBD – or full-spectrum CBD - is.
What is full-spectrum CBD?
CBD, whose official name is cannabidiol, is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds with therapeutic benefits. They may help with pain, nausea, anxiety, and inflammation, among other things. More research is needed to explore and confirm the full range of effects, although a CBD medication has already been approved for the treatment of certain kinds of epilepsy.
The cannabis plant has two very prominent strains (which look very much alike): Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa.
Cannabis indica is the marijuana plant. It has a lot of a chemical called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which gives users a “high.” For this reason, marijuana is considered a psychoactive drug.
Cannabis sativa, on the other hand, is the hemp plant. It contains very little THC. In fact, it must have less than 0.3% in order to be legally sold in the United States.
Marijuana v. hemp
The other big difference between the two is that marijuana contains only a small amount of CBD, while hemp has a great deal of it, along with all of those other cannabinoids we mentioned earlier. When CBD is derived from hemp, it is called “full-spectrum CBD” because it has 100+ cannabinoids in it, along with proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and other things found in the hemp plant.
However, when the CBD is isolated from all of those other elements, it is called, CBD isolate. It is CBD in its purest, most potent form. It has no odor and no flavor and it comes in either a powder or a crystal form. (The refining and filtering process initially produces crystals, some of which are ground into a powder.)
But if cannabinoids have healing powers, wouldn’t more cannabinoids be better? In other words, why would someone choose CBD isolate over full-spectrum CBD?
No extra ingredients
Some people prefer the CBD and nothing but the CBD. They don’t want any extra ingredients, either those contributed by the hemp plant (like terpenes, a natural antioxidant), or those added by a manufacturer, such as flavors or essential oils. Instead of buying a product that’s ready to use, they may want to concoct their own, by putting CBD isolate in a casserole, a glass of iced tea or a body lotion.
Is that how you use CBD isolate? By eating or drinking it or rubbing it on?
In addition to the ones mentioned above, you can smoke it or vape it. If you want to get the fastest results, use it sublingually: put it under your tongue for at least a minute and allow it to dissolve.
Which is better: CBD isolate powder or CBD isolate crystals?
That comes down to individual preference. Some people find the powder easier to add to food, beverages or body care products. Those who like to smoke or vape it often choose the crystal form. A sublingual intake works well with both kinds.
Does CBD really work?
More research is needed to verify the many claims being made about what CBD can accomplish. Nonetheless, in Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing, Dr. Peter Grinspoon writes that studies suggest that CBD may help with treating insomnia and chronic pain. He describes a study from the European Journal of Pain that found topically applied CBD helped reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis. “Another study demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat,” Grinspoon notes.
Could I develop an addiction to CBD isolate? Is it safe?
CBD in both its full-spectrum and isolate versions is non-addictive, according to the World Health Organization1, which also notes that; “To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”2
However, in the same article mentioned above, Dr. Grinspoon lists some potential side effects of CBD use: nausea, fatigue and irritability. Of particular concern to the medical community is how CBD may interact with other medications someone is taking.
As with all supplements, you should talk to your doctor before you begin using CBD. Your unique health parameters - like your weight, metabolic rate and illnesses - must be considered when deciding upon the type and dosage of the CBD.
How do I know the CBD isolate I’m buying is pure?
Because they are considered supplements, CBD products are not regulated by the FDA. Dealers can make any claims about their contents that they want to make. Reputable dealers, though, provide proof of those claims in the form of a COA, or, Certificate of Analysis.
You should be able to find the link to the COA in the description of any product, and it should be batch-specific. A full-spectrum COA will show quantities of cannabinoids like CBC, CBDV, CBN, THC, CBDA and CBGA. In the isolate COA, those quantities will generally be less than 0.001% and the percentage of CBD in the product will 99% or greater.
If you want pure, potent CBD, CBD isolate from stirling cbd oils is your best choice.
