The CBD marketplace is positively brimming with new, innovative products. It's such that even experienced users sometimes get lost in all the terminology flying around. And when you encounter a new term like 'CBD crystals'? Well, you'd be forgiven for drawing a blank.
But fear not! CBD Choice is here to clear up any confusion you may have.
Just what are CBD crystals? How are they produced? Are they as effective as other forms of CBD? And what products are available that use CBD crystals?
We'll answer all this and more, giving you everything you need to know about CBD crystals!
What Are CBD Crystals?
The first and most obvious question: just what are CBD crystals? The answer is more straightforward than you may think, and you may already be familiar with them under another name: CBD isolate.
Put simply, CBD crystals are the purest form of CBD. It's what you get when you take natural hemp, use advanced technology to strip away all of the plant matter and other cannabinoids, and carefully isolate the remaining compounds.
If you've been in the CBD marketplace for a while, you've probably come across a few products that contain CBD crystals/CBD isolate. It's one of the most prevalent ingredients in "THC free CBD".
But let's be clear: those products aren't THC crystals. They just contain them as one of many ingredients.
The term "CBD crystals" refers to something much more specific: pure, powdered CBD with absolutely no other ingredients.
How Are CBD Crystals Produced?
Producing CBD crystals requires advanced equipment, careful testing, and an exacting attention to detail. While users might be able to create their own full spectrum extracts (or at least something close) from raw hemp, CBD crystals are another beast entirely.
It's a complex, multi-step process, but these are the basic steps:
- A high-CBD strain of natural hemp is selected, and ample hemp biomass is assembled.
- Manufacturers use advanced equipment to separate many of hemp's natural compounds from the plant matter itself. Many extraction methods exist, but producing CBD crystals is more exacting than most, so a method known as Supercritical CO2 Extraction is used almost exclusively.
- The extract is then subjected to extremely cold temperatures in a process known as "winterization". This separates many remaining compounds, such as wax and fatty acids, from the other compounds the extract contains.
- The cannabinoids are then drawn through a complex series of filters using a press and vacuum.
- The manufacturer then uses a process called decarboxylation to further remove unwanted materials. This process also slightly alters the cannabinoids in the extract, converting CBDa to CBD.
- As a final step, the CBD in this extract must be separated from the rest of the mixture. This is done through a process known as distillation.
Long story short? Creating CBD crystals is an exacting process that, frankly, is best left to specialists. Unless you happen to have high-grade laboratory equipment sitting around, leave this one to the professionals.
How Effective are CBD Crystals Compared to Other CBD Products?
This is a tough question to answer. Some users swear by pure CBD crystals as the best way to enjoy CBD's benefits. Many others, however, prefer full-spectrum CBD, which contains much more than pure CBD isolate.
Simply put: CBD crystals offer all of the benefits you'd find from other CBD products. After all, they're CBD, pure and simple. From anxiety relief to inflammation control to pain reduction and more.
BUT: other CBD products may contain other ingredients that synergize with CBD to complement and enhance its effects. This is known as the entourage effect, and many users swear by it as the best way to reap CBD's many therapeutic offerings.
Ultimately, which type of CBD extract works best for you is a matter of personal preference. Experience is the best teacher, and only you can determine what works for your needs.
CBD Crystals Special Role: Versatility, Versatility, Versatility
One thing's undeniable: CBD crystals provide a level of versatility and customization that no other CBD products can offer.
For tinctures, vapes, topicals, and more, there's really only one or two "correct" ways to use them.
But with CBD crystals, that's simply not the case. Because they're just raw, undiluted CBD, they lend themselves perfectly to virtually any use case, and creative users will find no shortage of fun and innovative ways to use CBD crystals.
To name only a few, CBD crystals can be:
- Mixed into oils or beverages for perfectly-tailored custom products
- Used for DIY topicals
- Made into DIY CBD candles
- Added to a smokable or vapable product
In short, CBD crystals might be the most versatile form of CBD you'll find anywhere! For a few more great ideas on how to get started, be sure to check out our DIY CBD blog articles!
CBD Crystals, In Closing
CBD crystals are the purest form of CBD. It comes in a fine crystal or powder form and contains absolutely no other hemp components aside from CBD.
They offer all of the therapeutic benefits you'll find in other CBD products but do not deliver the entourage effect that many users enjoy.
As such, CBD crystals are an increasingly popular way of consuming CBD. That's all the more true because CBD crystals are, without doubt, the most versatile and customizable way of getting your regular dose.
If you're interested in trying CBD crystals for yourself, we've got more good news! It's also one of the most affordable ways of incorporating CBD into your daily routine.
And if you have any questions or would like to share your experience with CBD crystals, please don't hesitate to reach out! We always love hearing about our community's thoughts and feelings about all things CBD!
