Purified extracts are one of the most exciting developments in the world of cannabis. Purified marijuana is a novel way to consume it, especially if you love the idea of an extremely pure and potent form of the herb. The most common types of purified weed are distillate and isolate. Choosing between them can be difficult at times, so keep reading to learn how to pick the right type of purified marijuana for you.
Cannabis Isolate
Many users enjoy using isolate because it is such a pure form of cannabis. You can get either CBD or THC isolate. With either type, you are getting only that cannabinoid and nothing else. You can use isolate for dabbing, cooking, vaping, and infusing. It is a crystalline powder or solid that has around 99 percent pure CBD or THC in it.
For example, some people who have skin conditions enjoy using CBD topically because they believe it might reduce inflammation. Manufacturers have already decarboxylated the products, which means that the CBD or THC is active already. You do not need to do anything before ingesting it.
Some users like to combine CBD isolate with cannabis strains that are high in THC. That way, they can get the best of both worlds. One advantage of using isolate is that you can control your dosage. You can also enjoy a smoother experience that is not hindered by other cannabinoids. In some products, you might also get the terpenes. That can improve the aroma and flavour.
A THC isolate can make you very high because of how concentrated the substance is. Some people who have insomnia, stress, cancer, or pain use THC isolate. Using CBD isolate may help you feel more relaxed. It also does not give you a high. People who undergo routine drug screenings often use CBD isolate because it does not have any traces of THC that might show up in the test.
How It Is Made
The traditional extraction process involves taking out all the active compounds in the plant. Then it will be refined to remove all other phytocannabinoids, as well as any remaining material from the plant.
Depending on what method is used, the product that results will be either a white powder similar to confectioner’s sugar or large crystals. It is designed to be flavourless, but some users report there is a slight residual flavour.
About CBD Isolate
There are several advantages to using CBD isolate over other types of products, like topicals or oils. For example, CBD isolate is very versatile. It also has no THC in it, which means you will not get any in your system. Even though it is unlikely, even a CBD oil from the hemp plant can contain small amounts of THC in it.
Some studies have suggested that CBD might help relieve pain. One study looked at CBD topicals applied to the skin of rats that had arthritis. The researchers found that after a few days, the rats’ levels of pain and inflammation went down, and the CBD topicals did not cause any side effects.
Advantages of Isolate
People enjoy using isolate because it offers so many methods of consumption. You can take it under your tongue or put in in your food and drink without affecting the flavour.
It also offers easier dosing. Because you do not need to account for anything besides the CBD, you can get an extremely precise dose. If you were using cannabis bud, you would need to account for the fact that some strains are higher in CBD than others. And if you were using full- or broad-spectrum CBD oil, you would have other ingredients in the product. Depending on the manufacturer, you could have varying levels of these ingredients.
How to Use Isolate
When you get a pile of isolate power, you might not know what to do with it at first. But there are so many ways you can use it. For example, it is easy to take it under your tongue. Just measure out your dose and place it under your tongue for around a minute. The mucous membranes absorb the CBD or THC and quickly enter your bloodstream. Since it does not need to go through your digestive system, you can feel the effects faster.
Making Your Own Topicals
If you like doing things yourself, you might want to try making topicals or your own CBD or THC oil. To do this, you will mix it with something like olive or coconut oil. That way, you can enjoy the convenience of THC and CBD products while controlling how much you have in it. If you make a topical, you can apply that to the area you want to focus on.
Having infused balms, lotions, and salves on hand will allow you to quickly get relief when you need it. Since you apply them to the skin, you will not get high, even if you use THC. That makes them a good option to use when you are at work or when you cannot take cannabis.
First, place a base oil, like grapeseed or avocado oil, in a glass container. Next, put this in a pot of water and ensure that it does not touch the pot’s bottom. Warm the oil for five to 10 minutes on medium-low heat. This method prevents the oil from scorching.
Once it is warm, add a dose of isolate and gently stir it in. Leave it for about five minutes, until the liquid is clear instead of cloudy. You can now use this for DIY topicals. You can customize it by adding your choice of essential oils and other base oils.
If you wanted to make a salve, you could melt in some beeswax once the isolate was fully dissolved. You could try a ratio of four parts base oil to one part beeswax.
Inhaling Isolate
You can mix your isolate with terpenes and make your own CBD or THC concentrate. You can then dab or vape it. You might also use your isolate to create crystal slabs and dab them on a traditional rig.
Eating Isolate
While ingesting it will not give you quick effects, they may last longer and hit your body harder. That’s why some users place the powder in pills or capsules. That way, they can easily ingest an accurate dosage. You can also add it to your morning tea or coffee for effects that last all day long.
The gastrointestinal tract does not absorb THC or CBD as well as other parts of your body, like the area under your tongue. Adding it to a carrier oil, like hemp oil, might make it more likely to make it through your digestive system so it can enter your bloodstream. This is why many people add isolate to butter before cooking with it.
Cannabis Distillate
Think of distillate as a raw marijuana oil extract. It has many cannabinoids, unlike isolate. Each of the chemical compounds is known as a fraction. Because each one has a different boiling point, it is easy to separate them from each other. Distillates are also called broad-spectrum oils. They go through fractional distillation to separate the cannabinoids and terpenes.
A few advantages of distillate include its ease of use, potency, and versatility. It is flavourless and odourless, which means you can discreetly consume them, even when you are out and about. This is the main ingredient in edibles and vape cartridges, and it has no flavour, taste, or scent. That is because it usually does not have any terpenes in it. But sometimes, the manufacturer will reintroduce terpenes in the final product.
THC distillates are better for experienced users because they are so potent. They often are 90 to 99 percent THC. You can also use them in edibles or topicals if you do not want to smoke. One reason to use it in edibles is that it does not change the taste. You can also take it sublingually, or under your tongue, for a faster effect.
Does Distillate Make You High?
The answer depends on the type of cannabinoid in your purified cannabis. By removing almost everything except for that cannabinoid, you have a potent product. That means that if you have a THC distillate, you will most likely experience a strong high because the oil will be almost all THC.
On the other hand, a CBD distillate has no THC in it, so you will not get high. Instead, you may feel more relaxed.
Are Oil and Distillate the Same Things?
Cannabis distillate is a common type of cannabis oil. It is very versatile because you have only the cannabinoids remaining. You can take it on its own or use it as a base for other types of marijuana products.
All distillates are oils. But that does not mean that every type of marijuana oil is a distillate. An oil is only considered to be a distillate if every other compound, such as the terpenes, has been removed. You can find other types of cannabis oils that have not gone through this process.
Using Distillates
You can use dab rigs or portable vaporizers to consume CBD and THC distillates. Many users choose to use special distillate cartridges in their vape pens. Today, you can also find a vape pen that is prefilled with distillate.
A vape pen has a heating element, a battery to operate the element, and a cartridge with the distillate in it. When the pen is on, the heating element will cause the oil to vaporize. Then you will use the mouthpiece to inhale the vapour. This type of vape pen is fairly strong because of how potent the product inside is.
However, you can also add THC distillate to a joint or a bowl to make it more potent without changing the original aroma. That makes the high more intoxicating.
When you vape or dab distillates, you will get an almost odourless vapour, making it a discreet option. You will feel nearly instant effects.
If you do not want to smoke, dab, or vape, you can make topicals and edibles from your distillate. With edibles, you can get cannabinoids without any extra plant material in your recipe. Many users find that the taste is better this way.
If you make your own edibles, you should add fairly low doses of oil for each serving. That way, you can slowly eat more if you are not getting your desired effects. You can also place a drop under your tongue like with isolates. You can even apply the oil to your skin for local effects.
Advantages of Distillates
One of the advantages of using distillates is that they let the manufacturers separate out the terpenes and cannabinoids and then combine them again. That way, the ratio can be more specific. For example, if you are using cannabis medically, the plant may not offer you a strong enough dose. But you can get a more accurate ratio of THC and CBD.
Often, manufacturers will use distillates when making marijuana edibles. That way, they can divide the terpenes and cannabinoids into more accurate amounts. The fact that they are flavourless is a bonus.
Cannabis butter made from the whole plant can also be used, especially for homemade edibles. But because there are still small amounts of plant material, it can have an astringent taste, even when it is mixed with the other ingredients. Whether you are making your own or buying from a manufacturer, edibles made from distillates are often the better choice.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the right type of purified cannabis, there is no right or wrong answer. To determine whether distillates or isolates are best, you should spend time experimenting with them. No matter which one you choose, remember that both of them are powerful and act quickly. Both recreational users and medical marijuana patients can use them, and both types have many potential methods of consumption.
