CBD is one of the hottest topics in the health and wellness industry at the moment. Hailed as a miracle health-booster which comes with a whole host of different therapeutic benefits, the cannabinoid is finding its way into an ever-greater range of products.
With the popularity of CBD booming in a serious way, industry experts are predicting that the market cap of the CBD industry in Canada to grow by leaps and bounds. Not bad for something that few people had even heard of just five years ago!
One of the latest products to hit the CBD market are isolates. In this post, we take an in-depth look at what isolates are, how they are made, what they are used for and the best ways of ingesting them.
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CBD: An Introduction
Commonly known as ‘CBD’, cannabidiol is one of the 113 cannabinoid compounds that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. The most famous among these cannabinoids in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance that is responsible for the ‘high’ sensation that is so loved by recreational cannabis users. But while THC has some powerful psychoactive properties, CBD has none and is not thought to impair cognition in any way.
Some good news, cannabis was legalized for recreational use nationwide across Canada in 2018.
CBD is known to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Discovered in the early 1990s by scientists researching the effects of cannabis on the body, the ECS is today recognized as an important cell-signaling system that is responsible for maintaining a healthy equilibrium in the body. Among the bodily functions that the ECS is thought to play a role in regulating are pain, inflammation, sleep, appetite, anxiety, reproductive function, immune function and a wide range of others.
What astounded scientists when they first discovered the ECS was that the body already naturally produces cannabinoids similar to those found in the cannabis plant. Known as ‘endocannabinoids’, these compounds trigger receptors in our central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and in most of our cells.
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The theory behind many of the health benefits provided by CBD is that it helps to activates the endocannabinoid receptors in our bodies. By doing this, it stimulates and strengthens the ECS, improving the body’s capacity to regulate many of our most important bodily functions.
What Are CBD Isolates?
In Canada, isolate is the purest form of CBD possible. They usually come in the form of odorless and tasteless crystals or powder that can have a purity of upwards of 99%.
Isolates contain zero THC or any other cannabinoids or terpenes. They are made using a similar solvent extraction process to CBD oil. However, whereas CBD oils tend to be made so that they leave a wider cannabinoid and terpene profile behind, isolates are distilled further so that the end result is a product from which all of the phytochemicals except CBD are discarded. The resulting liquid is then evaporated, leaving just the pure CBD crystals.
What Are CBD Isolates Used for in Canada?
Due to their purity and ultra-high concentration of CBD, isolates are preferred by people in Canada who need high doses of CBD to treat the symptoms of medical conditions. Especially for those people who suffer from autoimmune diseases that manifest in chronic pain and inflammation, isolates prove to be one of the most effective ways of achieving fast-acting relief.
Aside from autoimmune conditions, isolates are also commonly preferred by sufferers of anxiety-related disorders who do not want to ingest even trace amounts of THC. For some people, consuming THC can result in severe anxiety attacks.
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The Best Ways of Ingesting CBD Isolates
One of the main advantages of isolates is their incredible versatility. You can consume them in a wide variety of ways, including the following:
1. Sublingually
The quickest and easiest way to take isolate is simply to place a crystal or amount of powder under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. The advantage of taking CBD sublingually is that it quickly enters the bloodstream through the porous cell membranes in the mouth.
2. Dabbing
Dabbing is the name given a fairly new method of consuming marijuana. This method involves a dab rig which is the same as a traditional water pipe except for the fact that it has a nail instead of a bucket. Using the dab rig involves heating the nail with a blowtorch before placing the isolate crystal on the nail to vaporize it. The vapor that is given off is light and pleasant and contains barely any toxins or free radicals.
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Dabbing is a great way to get CBD into your system quickly. When in vapor form, the bioavailability of CBD is incredibly high, meaning that it is possible for your body to absorb more CBD in a shorter space of time than with other methods.
3. Vaping
If you are already a keen vaper, isolates are a great solution since they can be mixed in with your existing vape liquid. While there are already many readymade CBD vape liquids out there on the market today, making your own from isolate gives much more control over the strength of the liquid.
4. Food and Drink
Since isolate is completely tasteless, it is perfect for adding to food or drink. Try mixing some in with your favorite smoothie or your cup of coffee or tea in the morning to get the day off to a great start. Alternatively, you might decide to bake some into a cake or a meal to get your daily hit.
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Conclusion
CBD isolates are a great solution for people in Canada who want most of the benefits of CBD but without any of the extra cannabinoids that are found in most CBD oils. They are versatile and can be ingested in a wide variety of ways. Although the methods listed above are some of the most popular, there is nothing to stop you experimenting with some of your own!