CBD oil is by far the most popular CBD product on the market, and it seems to the gateway that people use to start their CBD journey. I was asked the other day by my brother; ‘So, what is CBD oil actually made of?’

The question was phrased with the idea that CBD oil is an oil, rather than a number of constituents combined. It was a very interesting take because it is something we often overlook having been working with CBD for a while now… and after analyzing some of the adverts and product descriptions out there, I can see why anybody who is new to this would get confused

So, we have decided to go into a little bit more detail about what a CBD oil is, and how they are made. 

What is CBD Oil?

‘CBD oil’ (As in oil made from CBD) isn’t actually a thing – it is almost a brand named item like the ‘Hoover’ or ‘Epipen’. The name ‘CBD oil’ has become ubiquitous for any oily substance that contains CBD.

A CBD oil is a ‘carrier oil’ (usually hemp seed oil, MCT oil, coconut oil, olive oil or vegetable oil) that has been infused with the CBD compounds via an isolate, paste or distillate. CBD is a chemical/ that is found in the cannabis plant and doesn’t come in an oil form, but you can add this to any oil and create what has been marketed as a ‘CBD oil’.

So basically: Olive Oil + CBD (Cannabindiol Compound)= CBD Oil (The Dutch often use olive oil in their blends)

The same process goes for vape oils where Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) are combined with CBD to create a ‘CBD Vape Oil/ Eliquid’.

When you are buying any CBD oil products, you should always check out the ingredients to understand what the base oil is. Each oil has its own range of benefits and works with the CBD differently – so, for example, MCT is known for being a very efficient energy source and is a superb delivery system for CBD, Hemp Oil is packed with naturally occurring omega fatty acids & olive oil contains powerful antioxidants.

CBD Oil that isn’t really CBD Oil

So, when does CBD oil stop being CBD oil? It is complicated because the name ‘CBD oil’ seems to now an umbrella for most ‘cannabinoid products’. CBD one of the two main cannabinoids in cannabis, but there are a range of different cannabinoids and acid precursors to CBD like CBDa. Each do different things and have their oil wide range of health and well-being benefits.

So technically, these products are ‘cannabinoid oils’ or ‘cannabinoid pastes’. While CBD is the main cannabinoid, it isn’t the only one worth noting! 

How is CBD Oil Made?

In our time in the industry we have heard some shocking methods of creating CBD products- including boiling Cannabis flowers in vats of vegetable oils or alcohol (why!?). Also heard of people being asked to stock murky bottles of ‘bath brew’ that have been made in brewing kits. In any case, these were most likely really bad for you or as an unknown quantity of anything. 

There are really three main ways in which you can make a CBD oil – two of these you can try at home. 

• CBD Isolate – You can buy CBD isolates on the market that can be simply pure 99.9% CBD powders or crystals, or CBD crumbles, waxes which tend to be wider spectrum. You can add these to your base oils by heating the oil up to 60 degrees and stirring until the CBD has dissolved into the oil. We have done this before and it is quite easy. As per novel foods regulations it is not permitted to consume products created using Isolated CBD, but you can use it to create hair oils, skincare and topical ointments. There are however, some isolated products for sale in the UK and you should avoid them the best you can!
• CBD Paste – For lower concentrations, it is really effective to create a CBD tincture using a CBD paste – this is what I do at home. You can simply add a measured amount of CBD Paste into a bottle and then add a carrier oil/ distillate CBD oil. Give that bottle a good shake and you have a fantastic full-spectrum CBD oil/ tincture. This way you can measure and refine your oil perfectly to your tastes, and get a powerful full-spectrum punch.
• CBD Distillate – Much like CBD paste, a CBD distillate is a yellowish paste that contains a very high concentration of cannabinoids. This can be diluted into a carrier oil to boost the content of CBD- this is often used in combination with adding a paste to boost the content of CBD. For instance, anything above 1000mg using a paste is too thick, so it needs a base level content of cannabinoids before the paste is added. This is what is usually used when you have a high strength oil like a 15% or 20% CBD.