The past few years have seen hemp and CBD surge in popularity. However, the number of different products available has many users asking questions. What is an isolate? How are cannabinoid isolates used? Can a person that has no experience with cannabinoids benefit from them?
Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds found in cannabis (marijuana or hemp) that interact with receptors throughout the body to produce various effects.
The most well-known cannabinoid is THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. CBD is another well-known cannabinoid; unlike THC, this cannabinoid has been shown to have many potential therapeutic benefits but without any mind-altering effects.
Cannabinoid isolates are cannabinoids that have been extracted from the cannabis plant and then isolated – what is left is a fine, crystalline powder that is 99%+ potency. Nothing else, such as terpenes or flavonoids, remains in the final product.
How are Isolates made?
Manufacturers use various techniques to extract cannabinoids from cannabis plants, such as supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) or ethanol-based extractions.
Cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and CBN are typically extracted from industrial hemp; THC isolate comes mainly from marijuana plants due to their naturally higher THC content.
A variety of elements are stripped from the plant when creating an isolate, including other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, fats, lipids, and other compounds.
At the end of the process, a 99%+ pure cannabinoid isolate remains, which is then ready to be used in various applications.
What different kinds of Cannabinoid Isolates are there?
While CBD isolate has gotten the bulk of the attention in the past few years, other cannabinoids are emerging as potential therapeutic components.
Medically speaking, it seems that having all of the cannabinoids available to us is the best way to go; this is why some people choose to use whole plant extracts instead of isolates.
But cannabinoid isolates are still helpful for many purposes, particularly when trying to avoid THC’s psychoactive effects or when you want the benefits of just one cannabinoid.
Here are four of the most popular cannabinoids currently being explored:
CBD Isolate
CBD is one of the most well-known and well-researched cannabinoids. Research shows CBD to have many potential therapeutic benefits; reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and relieving anxiety are just some examples.
This cannabinoid is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t produce the “high” associated with THC. This makes CBD a great choice for people who want the benefits of cannabis but don’t want to feel high.
CBD is available as an isolate, tinctures, edibles and capsules, topicals, and more.
CBG Isolate
Cannabigerol (CBG) is one cannabinoid that has a huge range of potential benefits associated with it.
CBG is known to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial properties. It is also a non-psychoactive cannabinoid.
CBG is available in a variety of different forms, including isolate, topicals and tinctures.
CBN Isolate
Although CBN (cannabinol) and THC are two distinct cannabinoids, they do share some similarities. CBN is non-psychoactive and doesn’t cause the “high” associated with THC, yet the pair are closely linked. When THC ages and degrades, it becomes CBN.
Some of the potential therapeutic benefits of CBN include reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and reducing anxiety. In addition, some studies show CBN has sedating properties, making it useful for those suffering from sleep disorders.
CBN is available in isolate, tincture, and topical form.
CBC Isolate
CBC, or cannabichromene, is another lesser-known cannabinoid that has a range of potential therapeutic benefits.
Studies show CBC to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial properties. In addition, research shows that it may be able to block pain and inflammation in people with osteoarthritis; it may also greatly enhance the Entourage Effect.
The Entourage Effect is a theory that suggests that the therapeutic benefits of cannabis are enhanced when all compounds of cannabis are consumed together, as opposed to a single cannabinoid.
CBC is available in Canada as a tincture and liquid isolate form.
Benefits of using Isolates
Cannabinoid isolates offer a variety of different benefits, for both experienced users and newcomers.
Zero THC
Isolates are an excellent choice for those who want the benefits of certain cannabinoids without any psychotropic effects.
Most are 99%+ pure and will not contain any amounts of THC; this makes them an ideal choice for someone who is only looking for the therapeutic aspect of cannabis, and not the high.
Easy and accurate dosing
Cannabinoid isolates offer consistency and take the guesswork out of dosing. In addition, isolates are simple to calculate because there’s just one cannabinoid to consider.
Other multi-cannabinoid-based products can make it more challenging to identify the exact amount of a specific cannabinoid consumed.
A cannabinoid isolate is easy to use and comes in a powder form that’s easily measured.
Versatile
Isolates are incredibly versatile and can be utilized in many different ways. These include orally, made into e-juice and vaporized, applied topically, or mixed with other substances like carrier oils.
Zero taste or smell
Cannabinoid isolates are generally odourless and flavourless.
This allows users to make different CBD products at home or create their own unique cannabinoid combinations without affecting the base scent or taste.
How to use Cannabinoid Isolates
Isolates allow users the freedom to create their own products at home at a fraction of the cost.
Here are some easy ways to use cannabinoid isolate powders:
Sublingual
You can use isolates by placing the powder under your tongue and allowing it to absorb into your body before swallowing.
We call this the sublingual method and works by allowing cannabinoids to absorb into the blood vessels and sublingual glands underneath your tongue.
You can also make your own oils by mixing isolate powder into your carrier oil of choice (popular carrier oils include hemp seed oil, MCT oil, and olive oil).
Topical
Cannabinoid isolate powder can be used in many topical preparations.
This can potentially be beneficial for skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis – it has anti-inflammatory properties that research shows to reduce inflammation in the skin.
You can also mix isolate powder with other creams, lotions, or waxes to make your own cannabinoid topicals at home.
Orally
Cannabinoid isolates can be added to any food or drink.
Some people prefer to consume isolates with their morning coffee, while others simply mix it into smoothies or juices.
Isolates are also convenient to incorporate into baking, allowing users to easily bake their cannabinoids into sweet or savoury treats.
If you’re looking for easy ways to consume your cannabinoids, then adding isolates into your food and beverages is a great choice.
Another option is making cannabinoid gummies with isolate powder or mixing the isolate with a carrier oil and creating capsules.
Vaping
Isolates can also be used for vape liquid and e-juice preparations.
While some people enjoy adding the isolate into their favourite juice, others prefer to mix it with propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin (popular carrier oils) to make their own vape liquid at home.
Side effects of Cannabinoid Isolates
Cannabinoids are generally considered safe, non-toxic, and non-addictive, with few side effects.
However, some users may experience mild side effects; here are some to watch out for:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarhhea
- Headache
- Dizziness/drowsiness
- Low blood pressure
Some cannabinoids may interact with certain prescription medications. Always speak with your health care provider before starting any new dietary supplements or medications, including over-the-counter medications.
Are Isolates better than Full Spectrum products?
Each individual cannabinoid has its own unique effects and benefits.
When you consume Full Spectrum products, you’re able to benefit from all of these individual cannabinoids in one go.
Isolates can be preferable because they provide stronger concentrations of specific cannabinoids than Full Spectrum products do; this allows users to achieve more targeted effects.
In short – you’ll get higher potency from an isolate if it contains just the cannabinoid you need; in contrast, you’ll receive a broader range of different cannabinoids when consuming a whole plant product.
Which product you choose will depend on your own personal health situation and needs.
What to know about Isolates and drug testing
Many people who undergo drug screening through their workplace or other areas, like competitive sports, choose to go with an isolate product rather than Full Spectrum.
This is because the majority of drug tests are only looking for one specific cannabinoid – THC.
Cannabinoid isolates like CBD or CBG, for example, are 99%+ pure and do not contain any THC.
It is important to always buy from a trusted source – many low-quality products contain impurities or higher amounts of THC. This can lead to unwanted reactions or a positive on a drug test.
When you shop with Mellow, you know exactly what you’re getting. We thoroughly lab test all of our products through a trusted third-party laboratory here in Canada, the results of which you can find on each product page.
Final thoughts on Cannabinoid Isolates
Cannabinoid isolates are a highly purified form of cannabinoids – perfect for those who like to experiment with their intake and try out different products.
Isolating the chemicals in cannabis allows users to experience specific effects and benefits, depending on which cannabinoid they choose.
Now that you know how to use cannabinoid isolates, you’ll find that there’s an incredible amount of ways you can benefit from them.
Here at Mellow, we offer a wide range of cannabinoid isolates in Canada to suit every need. This includes CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC. Check out the shop today!
Want to learn more? Check out other articles on cannabinoids from Mellow.
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