CBD Crystals

CBD Crystals

Over 100 different substances are derived from hemp or, more accurately speaking, from cannabis. One of these substances is cannabidiol (CBD). CBD products such as CBD oil, CBD liquid, and CBD salves contain various concentrations of this versatile substance. Pure cannabidiol, i.e. cannabidiol at concentrations of 98% upwards, exists in the form of CBD crystals. Such crystals are not spectacular in size, however – they come in the form of a crystalline powder, similar to salt. CBD crystals are also called ‘CBD isolate’.

Due to their high level of purity, and in contrast to other CBD products, CBD crystals do not contain measurable traces of THC. Even this minimal quantity is not present in CBD crystals. In contrast to THC, CBD crystals are not psychoactive, do not cause states of intoxication, and nor are they considered addictive.

What are CBD crystals?

Free of other substances as well as any minor impurities of plant origin, CBD crystals are not only the purest form of CBD; more than anything else, they are the cleanest form of CBD too. Nothing else on the market comes close in terms of these criteria. The remaining portion of the crystals, which are 98 % or 99 % CBD, consists of various other cannabinoids, but not THC.

Extraction of CBD isolate

Hemp is the raw material from which all cannabis products are derived. Special varieties of what is known as fibre hemp are used in the production of cannabidiol. In these carefully selected plants, the concentration of THC is very low. The EU officially approves only of trade in CBD products which have a maximum THC content of 0.2 %.

Broadly speaking, CBD isolate can be produced using alcohol, oil or supercritical CO2 for the extraction process. The best, highest quality and, above all, purest CBD is obtained using the latter method of supercritical CO2 extraction. Nevertheless, the other two methods are also perfectly effective. If you are not keen on reading through long product descriptions, you can usually predict the method of extraction used to obtain the CBD by looking at the price. The process of CO2 extraction is very elaborate and therefore not the cheapest but, as already mentioned, it does produce the best quality CBD isolate. Sales figures indicate that many buyers prefer to dig a little deeper into their pockets in order to obtain a product of higher quality.

CO2 is as natural as the air we exhale. During the extraction of CBD for the production of CBD crystals, it functions as a solvent. It is used at concentrations which have been tested for their low toxicity. CO2 is used because it lowers the reaction temperature of substances. CBD for crystals must be extracted at temperatures of below 60 degrees centigrade. Temperatures higher than this quickly render the significant cannabinoids unusable.

Using carefully balanced pressures, supercritical CO2 extraction involves heating those parts of the hemp plant which contain the cannabidiol to just below 60 degrees centigrade. This method puts CBD into a “supercritical phase”, meaning that the CBD hovers between being in a liquid phase and in a gaseous phase. This state of indeterminacy makes it possible to extract the cannabidiol without difficulty. The final product of this process is a white powder. These are the CBD crystals. At this point, the crystals can either be used as they are or they can be further processed.

Using CBD crystals

Since CBD crystals form the basis of many CBD products, their application, i.e. their absorption by the human body, can take place in many different forms.

Taking CBD crystals orally

The easiest and least complicated way to take CBD crystals is to leave them under your tongue in their raw state. When taken this way, in a manner which is also known as the sublingual method, the crystals are simply placed under the tongue for 60 to 90 seconds, until they finally dissolve. This way, the crystals are absorbed straight into the bloodstream. Although one does not feel the CBD effects as quickly as when “dabbing” CBD, onset is still rapid. Many people who seek a straightforward way of taking advantage of the effects of CBD crystals make use of the sublingual method.

Vaping CBD isolate

“Vaping” is the term used to refer to the evaporation of CBD products, a procedure similar to “dabbing”. The vapour is then inhaled. However, using a good quality vaporiser (e-cigarette) is much less involved. You do not need any elaborate equipment – all you need is a vaporiser. These are very easy to use. It’s as easy as just mixing the CBD isolate with an e-liquid and putting this mixture into the vaporiser. The vaporiser then heats the crystals and the e-liquid to the right temperature and you inhale the vapour generated through the mouthpiece. The crystals should not be heated up too much, as small quantities of carcinogens could otherwise develop. The same applies in the case of “dabbing”.

In addition to being evaporated in their pure form, CBD crystals can also easily be incorporated into an e-liquid. Simply add the desired quantity of CBD crystals to the e-liquid, mix well by shaking it rapidly, and wait until the CBD has dissolved.

Taking CBD crystals with food

Although CBD crystals bear some physical resemblance to sugar or salt, they should not be mixed into food in the same quantities as you might use these two condiments. The easiest thing to do is to mix the CBD crystals with oils or fats. Butter and coconut oil are particularly well-suited for this purpose. The butter should be melted at a low temperature, after which the crystals should be sprinkled in and the mixture stirred. This process should dissolve the crystals entirely. Generally, this should take around five minutes. Oils to which you wish to add CBD crystals should also be gently heated. In the case of both butter and oils, you should be careful not to exceed the aforementioned critical temperature of 60 degrees centigrade.

Having mixed the CBD crystals with butter or oil, other ingredients can then be added. Here, you are limited only by your culinary imagination. Unlike “dabbing” and “vaping”, it takes several hours to feel the effect of the product when CBD crystals are taken with food.

Mixing CBD crystals with oil

CBD oils are one of the most well-known cannabis products. You can make these oils yourself using CBD isolate. Some oils are better-suited for use as a carrier medium for CBD crystals. These better-suited oils include coconut oil, hemp oil and olive oil. Commercial CBD oil is available in pre-mixed percentages, usually of 5, 10, 15, or 20 %, but if you need oils in a higher or more specific concentration, CBD crystals in combination with the aforementioned oils provide an excellent alternative.

To produce CBD oil at home using crystals, experts advise heating the carrier medium (the oil) together with the CBD crystals over a water bath for about ten minutes. The heat ensures that the crystals and the oil combine. You need to take care that the mixture does not exceed the aforementioned 60 degrees centigrade. Mixing one gram of CBD crystals with 10 ml of oil produces a CBD oil of 10 %.

The effects of CBD isolate on the body – What do CBD crystals do?

As a high-dose form of cannabidiol, cannabidiol crystals have a variety of positive effects on the human body. By means of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) they can have a protective effect on nerve endings.

Through providing such protection, CBD can have an analgesic, i.e. pain-relieving, effect. By way of illustration, a survey [1] by the Arthritis Foundation found that pain was decreased in people who used CBD against this condition. Many studies have also shown how CBD can help against chronic pain. This is also a property of cannbidiol isolate. Chrinic pain can be caused by injuries, nerve damage following operations or infections, and by degenerative disc disease, for example. In many cases, taking CBD crystals relieves pain, as well as various muscular twitches which can lead to painful cramps.

One of the most important and impressive characteristics of CBD crystals is their anti- inflammatory effect. Like a strong fever, inflammation is a targeted defensive reaction by the body. Inflammations become a concern if they become chronic. A study has shown how effective CBD can be against inflammation [2]. This particular study explored the degree to which CBD helps against inflammatory bowel disease. The focus here was “intestinal biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis”. This condition, as well as intestinal inflammations in general, can be triggered by lipopolysaccharides. Based on the data they managed to gather, the researchers concluded that cannabidiol has a positive effect on inflammation.

For all those who find themselves lying in bed each night, eyes wide open, restlessly tossing and turning with insomnia, cannabidiol crystals offer a possible way out. A study [3] from the University of California showed that taking CBD was associated with an improvement in the sleep of a subject who had been suffering from insomnia. It was found that both sleep quality and sleep quantity were increased.

There is one more way of using CBD isolate in addition to all the different ones mentioned thus far. CBD can also be used against stress. Stress is often caused by increased levels of adrenalin. CBD crystals help to bring things back into a harmonious balance. In addition to adrenalin, the chemical messenger cortisol is also involved in the body’s acute stress response. This means is that it is involved in the human fight-or-flight response. In dangerous situations, this response performs a vital function, but in everyday life in civilisation, it can actually cause problems. High levels of cortisol can lead to stress, as well as weight gain, anxiety and mood swings. One study [4], where the control group took a placebo, showed that cortisol levels decreased significantly amongst those who took CBD. Stress levels amongst this second group were significantly lower.

Cannabidiol crystals have an antibacterial effect. This is particularly good news for those who suffer from conditions caused by antibiotic resistance. The increased use of antibiotics in hospitals and in animal feed means that germs are able to get used to these substances. The result: conventional antibiotics can no longer be used to fight these germs effectively. CBD crystals can help in such situations. In one laboratory-based study, it was found that cannabidiol killed all the strains of bacteria used for the research [5]. The decisive success in this case was that even bacteria which had previously been considered resistant to antibiotics were successfully countered. The bacteria did not build up any new resistance against the CBD either.

Those who are often on the move, whether for professional reasons or just for fun, are sure to be aware of how much of a problem travel sickness can be. Some people simply cannot cope with the characteristic movements of certain modes of transport, be it ships, cars, trains or planes. They feel nauseous and they may even vomit. Taking CBD crystals can help in such cases. A 2010 study [6], for example, dealt with the effects of CBD on travel sickness. CBD crystals, taken while travelling, reduce levels of stress and soothe the metabolism. CBD crystals thus constitute a reasonable alternative to medication in cases of flight sickness and even sea sickness.

CBD crystals – The right concentration

Generally, one gram of CBD crystals will contain 990 milligrams of pure CBD. This high degree of purity means that buyers themselves can decide on the concentration they want by mixing the CBD crystals with a carrier substance. It is generally recommended that those who are just starting out begin with CBD oil. The concentration of CBD in such oils is mostly between 5 and 25 per cent.

Due to the high concentration of this product, both beginners and experienced CBD users are advised to make mixtures using oils or similar.

What are the differences between CBD oil and CBD crystals?

As previously mentioned, CBD oils do not just contain pure CBD. Cannabidiol crystals, on the other hand, have a particularly high concentration of cannabidiol, with a degree of purity approaching 100 %. In the case of CBD crystals no traces of THC remain in the product at all. EU regulations specify that commercial CBD oils can be sold with a maximum THC content of no more than 0.2 %.

CBD oils usually also contain representatives of the other cannabinoids too, of which there are more than one hundred. Together with the CBD crystals, these other hemp-derived substances act in concert with each other to produce what is called the entourage effect. What this means is that, in certain areas, the effectiveness of one substance is bolstered by the presence of the others. Besides the actual concentration of CBD, this is the main difference between CBD crystals and CBD oil.

Side-effects of cannabidiol isolate

CBD crystals affect the body in a number of ways. To date, a number of positive effects have been scientifically demonstrated. Nevertheless, if you decide to take CBD crystals, which are by their very nature highly concentrated, you should always talk to a doctor beforehand. This applies especially in the case of pregnant women.

It should also be noted that those affected by glaucoma should be cautious in their use of CBD crystals or avoid using them altogether. In those who have glaucoma, CBD can cause an increase in intraocular pressure. Here, too, a doctor should always be consulted beforehand.

If you regularly take any kind of medication, you should talk to your doctor about possible interactions before taking CBD crystals.

[1] http://blog.arthritis.org/news/patients-tell-us-cbd-use/?_ga=2.46425764.266938547.1571986061-1364950660.1571820475 – 30.12.2019

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27768570 – 30.12.2019

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412699/ – 30.12.2019

[5] https://www.ganjapreneur.com/study-cbd-potential-potent-antibiotic/ – 30.12.2019

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165951/ – 30.12.2019

Taking products containing cannabinoids may result in interactions with various medications. If you are already taking medication, the use of CBD and other cannabinoids should be discussed with your doctor beforehand.