CBD Oil: Extraction, Common Types & Potential Health Benefits

Although CBD is mostly known for its medicinal properties, it is not limited to the medical world. It helps people from all walks of life to get on with their day (and night) better, especially if they live on the fast lane. But what exactly is CBD, how is it obtained, and what are the potential benefits of CBD oil?

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD for short) is a naturally occurring compound found in the Cannabis Sativa plant (also known as Hemp). Historically, hemp was probably the earliest plant cultivated by humankind. Archaeologists have found traces of hemp cloth in ancient Mesopotamia, dating back at least to 8000 BC!

On the different side of the globe, the Lu Shi – a Chinese historical work of the Sung Dynasty – refers to the Emperor Shen-Nung (known as the father of Chinese Medicine). He is reputed to have given pride of place to the Hemp plant in his pharmacopeia, the Pen ‘Tsao. The plant was used to treat constipation, female reproductive disorders, malaria, and even rheumatic pain. Chinese surgeons also used a compound of the plant, administered with wine, to anesthetize patients during surgery.

With such a long and proven history of efficacy with multiple conditions, it is no surprise that hemp today has taken the wellness world by storm. Many people see the plant as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to conventional pharmaceuticals. And increasingly, studies have shown that all-natural hemp is as effective, and has lesser side effects than other synthetic formulations.

Extraction Of Cannabidiol

Among the various ways of extracting this beneficial component from the plant, most systems use a carbon dioxide solution for the extraction procedure. This solution is believed to be a purer and cleaner tool for extraction as it extracts the highest percentage of the substance, leaving the least amount of residue behind. Apart from this basic form of extraction, cannabidiol can be obtained using one of the following processes:

Winterisation

It is the process of removing all unwanted components extracted along with cannabis, such as waxes, lipids, and fats. This procedure is only required when a high temperature or high pressure is used to extract the oil. The extracted oil is made usable after passing through several rounds of refinement. After the extraction, the oil is mixed with alcohol and thoroughly homogenized. Then, it is placed under deep-freeze conditions for 24 hours.

The resultant mixture is further filtered. Some companies use Buchner funnels to filter the mix, and then, this mixture is warmed to remove the alcohol. After the evaporation of alcohol, you get the best oil in its crude form.

Short-Path distillation

It is the process of refining CBD extract and separating it from it in its purest form. High temperature or high pressure is used to isolate the compounds so that each of the end products holds its individuality and can be used separately.

After the completion of initial extraction, three different types of extracts are obtained:

– Full-spectrum;

– Broad-spectrum;

– Isolate.

Full-spectrum CBD consists of all phytochemicals that naturally occur in the plant-based essential oils, terpenes, trace cannabinoids, and cannabidiol. It has multiple health benefits.

Broad-spectrum CBD includes cannabidiol and all other ingredients except THC. These components are thought to create the “entourage effect” that is usually associated with synergy, but there is no existence of THC.

CBD isolate is considered the most refined form of cannabinoid created by removing every compound from the naturally obtained cannabidiol. After the complete extraction, the resultant product is believed to be 99% pure.

What’s more, CBD oil is so versatile and available. It can publicly be found in various formats such as lattes, cookies, chocolate mousse, bread, and even cocktails. To discover multiple types of its products manufactured by the world’s most trusted CBD brands, please visit Alphagreen marketplace.

What Are The Effects Of CBD On The Human Body?

The human body contains an endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the brain that concentrates on our central nervous system and immune system; ECS helps us to regulate bodily functions such as sleep, pain, memory, mood, and appetite. Our body secretes neurotransmitters known as the endocannabinoids, which then binds with the cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system to restore balance in the body. For that reason, many people use cannabidiol to:

Diminish nerve pain

Multiple studies conducted have found positive effects of CBD on neuropathic pain. Research has demonstrated the pain-relieving use of it has helped in the reduction of chronic pain as well. In studies on rats found that cannabidiol reduced inflammation and nerve pain significantly.

Relieve joint pain

Some research has combined CBD with THC and found that the combination was effective in alleviating pain in multiple sclerosis (MS), arthritis, and joint pain. Also, it was discovered that the usage of cannabidiol helped to make THC elements work even better, compared to THC alone.

Reduce anxiety

CBD has shown promising potential in treating mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, mainly through the oil. The research was conducted in Brazil with 57 male respondents to see if the oil had any effect as an anxiety-reliever. The study found a majority of the respondents had reduced symptoms of anxiety, such as the feeling of nausea and vomiting. Apart from that, it was tested in animals, and the results found that the natural approach helped animals and enabled them to relax. Some dog food also contains cannabidiol to treat anxiety and to calm them down.

Decrease chemotherapy side-effects

A study conducted with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and consuming CBD found that the side effects of the treatments were significantly reduced. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and pain, in general, were relieved after its intake.

Reduce acne

CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and sebum reduction properties that have the potential to minimize acne growth.

Benefit from neuroprotection

Studies show promising results for the usage of CBD in benefiting people with neurological diseases such as Dravet syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and muscle spasticity have been relieved. Tapping into the benefits of CBD can be useful to improve brain signaling systems.

Other benefits may also include:

• Antipsychotic effects;
• Substance abuse treatments;
• Anti-tumor effects;
• Help in diabetes prevention;
• Lower risk of heart disease.