When it comes to the CBD space, purity is the name of the game. This is why consumers are drawn to distillates.
A purified CBD distillate will contain a high CBD concentrate — 75%+ — and very few other substances. It provides increased bioavailability and, thus, a more effective and consistent CBD experience.
...CBD distillate will typically be a highly-purified CBD, with a golden hue and thick, viscous consistency.
So, if you’re searching for a pure CBD product, distillates are the perfect option. In this post, we’ll explore the top ways for how to use CBD distillates as an essential part of your health, wellness and vitality routine.
What Is a CBD Distillate?
To answer how to take CBD distillate, you must first understand the extraction process.
CBD extraction, also referred to as crude extraction, is the process of obtaining CBD from the hemp plant or cannabis plant. The complexity and length of the entire procedure will depend on the methods deployed.
Once the specific extraction process is over, what remains is a full-spectrum CBD that doesn’t just contain CBD but a host of other plant compounds as well, such as:
- Terpenes
- Flavonoids
- Cannabinoids
- THC (usually below the legal limit of 0.3% or less)
- Fats, waxes and lipids
These compounds are thought to work together in a phenomenon known as the "entourage effect," which is believed to enhance the overall benefits of CBD.
Even so, some consumers may not want even trace amounts of THC in their CBD. In that case, full-spectrum CBD can be further refined into a distillate, removing many of these compounds (including THC) to achieve even greater purity.
But what is distillation exactly?
According to Analytical Cannabis: “Very simply, distillation is the separation of molecules through selective boiling and condensation. An example of this is practiced in the world of alcohol distilleries. In order to create a higher alcohol content in spirits like vodka or whiskey, a distillery needs to use distillation to separate other materials from alcohol.”
Distillation allows producers to isolate key components of the cannabis plant and then re-introduce them as the basis for various CBD distillate products, ranging from tinctures to oils to edibles.
Thanks to distillation, a manufacturer can customize a CBD product by combining specific cannabinoids and terpenes to meet the individual preferences of consumers.
What Are The CBD Distillation Processes?
Today, there’s more than one way to create a CBD distillate.
Different substances have unique properties and characteristics. Therefore, factors like a substance’s boiling point, vapor pressure and chemical properties can all impact the distillation process. As a result, a CBD refiner may need to select one method over another to effectively separate the CBD from the impurities.
What method they choose will depend on the intended product, desired purity level and optimal composition.
For example, three of the more common distillation methods include:
- Short-path distillation process – This process is ideal for separating the CBD from THC and various other plant compounds because it can effectively remove impurities at low temperatures, reducing the risk of thermal degradation.
- Fractional distillation process – Although similar to short-path distillation, this process is useful for separating different components of CBD mixture according to their boiling points, especially for complex mixtures, thus enabling the producer to purify and collect each compound separately.
- Wiped film distillation process – Sometimes called thin-film distillation, this specialized form of distillation is used to separate high-boiling point and high-viscosity materials, which makes it ideal for producing high-purity CBD distillates.
Regardless of the method a producer uses, the final CBD distillate will typically be a highly-purified CBD, with a golden hue and thick, viscous consistency.
How to Use CBD Distillate Oil
Although CBD distillates can be sold and used on their own, in many instances, they’re instead blended with a full-spectrum CBD oil or CBD tincture.
For instance, at Zebra CBD, we use distillates to balance our full-spectrum CBD oil, impart a pleasant flavor and magnify the potency of the product.
So, what is CBD distillate used for? This type of powerful blend can be used in several different ways, including:
#1 Can Be Used to Ease Aches and Discomfort
Daily life can leave you feeling beat up, making it a struggle to crawl out of bed, let alone go through your day with a pep in your step and a smile on your face.
Between work, home life and exercise — not to mention aging — all of this wear and tear can lead to stiffness and soreness in the joints and muscles. And when you're hurting, it can be challenging to remain focused on work, maintain personal relationships or even get a good night's sleep.
Whether you experience discomfort from your workout routine or from simply schlepping around your kids and their myriad accessories, aches and soreness can affect your ability to perform daily tasks and responsibilities.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
By taking an oral CBD distillate blend like gummies and then rubbing a topical CBD cream onto the hot spots, you can supercharge your recovery and prepare for whatever life throws your way. Learn more about how to prevent muscle soreness.
#2 Can Be Used to Ease Nerves
Modern living can also be stressful. From the pressure of work and deadlines to the constant demands of family and social obligations, keeping your cool and staying focused in the face of so much noise and tension can be difficult.
When your nerves are frayed, it can be difficult to count your blessings and even harder to tackle the long list of daily chores, emails and responsibilities clamoring for your attention. And, left untreated, stress can negatively impact both your mental and physical health.
If you feel overwhelmed by everything on your plate, CBD is the ultimate pick-me-up. With just a daily dose, you can ease your nerves and find some much-needed calm in the chaos.
Whether you’re dealing with a major work presentation, a family crisis or the small stresses of everyday life, CBD can help you stay calm, focused and ready to crush your to-do list one task at a time. You may be wondering, Can I take CBD before work? We’ve got tips and tricks for you.
#3 Can Be Used to Support a Deep, Restful Sleep
Sleep is an essential component of health and well-being. When we sleep, our bodies can heal and our brains refuel.
Good sleep promotes better health.
But, as a nation, we’re chronically sleep deprived. For many Americans, sleep doesn’t come easily. And, even for those who are able to fall asleep easily, many still experience poor quality sleep characterized by fitful and restless sleep, which can lead to feeling tired and unrested upon waking.
In fact, according to a 2022 report on the State of Sleep Health, approximately 60 million adults deal with at least one sleep-related problem:
“The odds of being sleep deprived (less than 6 hours a night for adults) has increased significantly over the past 30 years as the lines between work and home have become blurred and digital technology has firmly become part of our lifestyles. National data shows that poor sleep health is a common problem with 25 percent of U.S. adults reporting insufficient sleep or rest at least 15 out of every 30 days.”
Do you fall into this category? Do you toss and turn in bed, trying to count sheep to no avail?
If so, by incorporating a sleep-centric CBD blend — one that incorporates distillates and sleep-specific ingredients like valerian root, chamomile and melatonin — into your nighttime routine, you can calm a racing mind, ease aches and discomforts and relax into sleep.
CBD and melatonin can improve your sleep quality, helping you fall asleep faster and then sleep more deeply.
#4 Can Provide an Energy Boost
Do you ever hit the afternoon wall?
Many people experience this midday slump, reporting symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, irritability and hunger.
Although the exact causes for this phenomenon are unknown — with commonly cited factors including circadian rhythm, sleep deprivation, diet, dehydration and stress — there’s no doubt that this energy drain can get in the way of what needs doing.
Quite often, the natural response to this is caffeine. While an extra coffee, soda or energy drink may provide a temporary boost, it’s then often accompanied by a subsequent crash.
So, if you’re looking for an alternative afternoon energy boost, taking a pure CBD distillate energy shot that’s packed with Vitamin B could jumpstart your brain and body, improve mental clarity and enhance decision-making.
A distillate CBD energy shot offers the jolt without the jitters –– so don’t be afraid to take CBD for mood enhancement.
#5 Can Be Used Topically For Skin and Beauty Health
These days, there are countless skin-related beauty products marketed to consumers that may contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin, strip it of natural oils and cause dryness and irritation.
If you want a natural way to promote healthy skin, look no further than a pure CBD distillate topical. Whether you want to address blemishes, aging or dryness, adding CBD lotion to your skincare routine can hydrate and rejuvenate your skin so that you look and feel your best. At the end of the day, you deserve a CBD beauty boost.
Distillate Full-Spectrum Oil Blends from Zebra CBD
CBD distillates are a highly purified form of CBD. They can be taken in the form of a CBD tincture, mixed with hemp oil or blended with a full-spectrum CBD distillate for enhanced effects and then used to achieve the various health benefits discussed above.
But with so many unscrupulous brands in the market, where can you find a high-quality blend that’s safe and effective?
For that, there’s Zebra CBD. Our product catalog includes full-spectrum CBD distillate blends of oils, topicals, CBD edibles, CBD gummies and other CBD distillate products — each one is lab-tested and stamped with a label of accuracy guarantee so that you know exactly what you’re taking.
Interested in CBD distillates? Visit Zebra CBD today.
Sources:
Analytical Cannabis. How to Make High Quality CBD Distillate. https://www.analyticalcannabis.com/articles/how-to-make-high-quality-cbd-distillate-312360
Maratek. What Is Fractional Distillation for Cannabis and Hemp Extraction? https://www.maratek.com/cannabis-oil-extraction-and-recovery-blog/fractional-distillation-cannabis-and-hemp-extraction
Sleep Health. The State Of Sleep Health In America In 2022. https://www.sleephealth.org/sleep-health/the-state-of-sleephealth-in-america/