Guide: isolate VS Distillate

CBD distillate vs. CBD isolate : Comparison, advantages and disadvantages.

Are you feeling a little lost when faced with all the different types of products on the CBD market and can't always tell the difference? Are you wondering whichCBD isolate or distillate is best suited to your customers and their needs?

In this guide, we'll decipher two common forms of CBD: distillate and isolate. We'll look at the differences between these two forms and analyze their advantages and disadvantages.

CBD distillate is a product obtained from the hemp plant, which contains a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD). The CBD distillate manufacturing process involves high-temperature, vacuum distillation to separate the plant's various compounds into purer fractions. This technique preserves the desired cannabinoids and terpenes in the concentrate, and removes any impurities and traces of solvent.

CBD distillate is considered a full-spectrum product, as it contains a wide variety of cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds from the hemp plant. In fact, it contains various molecules such as CBG, CBC and THC, which work in tandem with CBD. In this way, CBD distillate synergizes all its components to produce health benefits such as stress, pain and anxiety reduction.

The distillate acts as a neuromodulator with the body's endocannabinoid system. In other words, it binds perfectly to the receptors present in our neuronal cells and then acts on our brain and body. CBD sends information to the neuromodulators, triggering therapeutic effects such as mood regulation, relaxation, stress relief and pain relief.

2. CBD distillate production :

Let's take a closer look at the CBD distillate manufacturing process.
CBD is distilled atoil , which transforms the various molecules into a gas at high temperature, using heat. The vapours are then recovered and cooled, so that the condenser can liquefy them to obtain the final product.
In this process, all the cannabinoids present in hemp are found in the CBD distillate. In this way, the various cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN, THC...) interact synergistically to deliver all their benefits to the body.
In most cases, CBD distillate contains between 70% and 90% pure CBD. The remaining 10% to 30% is made up of other plant compounds from hemp, including cannabinoids and terpenes.

It's important to note that even though the distillation technique allows cannabinoids to be added and subtracted, traces of THC (the psycoactive compound of hemp) may still be present. The distillate is, of course, a legal product, with THC dosed at less than 0.2%, to avoid any unintended effects of this molecule.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of CBD distillate

The benefits of CBD distillate:

•  CBD distillate is considered a full-spectrum product, which means it can offer the benefits of different cannabinoids, terpenes and other plant compounds from hemp. It retains the entourage effect so sought-after by CBD consumers. 
•  The cannabinoids and terpenes present in CBD distillate are carefully selected to ensure concrete therapeutic effects.
•  Extremely concentrated in CBD, a very small dose gives the desired effects.
•  Due to its highly refined state, it is one of the purest forms of CBD, containing no impurities which makes it very safe to consume.
• It can be eaten in a variety of ways.

Disadvantages of CBD distillate:

• CBD distillate may contain varying levels of THC, a psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Although THC levels are generally very low (below 0.2%), this can be a problem for those who want to avoid this molecule altogether.
• Distillation does not remove pesticides. It is important that the hemp used is of good quality and free from harmful products.
• CBD distillate can be more expensive than CBD isolate or other types of product, due to its more complex manufacture and composition.

4. How to consume CBD distillate?

One of the main advantages of CBD distillate, especially thanks to its texture, is that it can be consumed in many different ways, here are just a few:

• Sublingual placed under the tongue, the distillate is absorbed directly into the bloodstream and takes effect in just a few minutes.
• In edible products It's perfectly possible to add a small amount of distillate to complete a dish, or even use it as an ingredient in a recipe. The distillate will not overpower the taste of the dish.
• As vaporization liquid Just as distillates are a combination of several chemical compounds, a vaporization liquid can be supercharged by adding just a few drops.
• At oil, or in your cosmetics By mixing the distillate into a day cream, the skin will absorb all the anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD, making it a real asset to healthy skin. It can also be used at oil, for example, by applying a few drops before going to bed.

B. CBD isolate 

1. What is CBD isolate?

CBD isolateis a form of CBD that has been purified to contain only the cannabidiol molecule. Unlike distillate, which contains other cannabinoids and compounds, CBD isolate is 99% pure CBD. CBD isolate is obtained using a purification process to eliminate all other cannabis components.

To " isolate " CBD, all other natural components of the plant are carefully removed, leaving CBD as a pure crystalline solid or powder, devoid of any distinct odour or flavour.

Depending on the type of extraction process, isolates CBD is over 99% pure! They offer an unrivalled purity that maintains its potency even when added to other substances (creams, oils, foods, etc.) without the usual " earthy " taste of CBD. It's ideal for people who like to ingest it but prefer more appealing tastes.

This type of CBD-based product is ideal for novices. Containing only the cannabidiol molecule, consumers take no risks in mixing with other molecules. It's also great for more seasoned consumers in search of this one and only molecule.

2. Manufacturing CBD isolate :

The manufacturing process forisolates begins in the same way as for distillates. CBD is extracted from the plant at hemp using extraction techniques such asCO2 or solvent extraction. The difference between these two types of product lies in the steps that follow the extraction of pure CBD.

CBD is then subjected to a chromatography process. This technique isolates and purifies CBD, separating it from other cannabinoids and terpenes. The result is 99% pure CBD, with no trace of THC or other plant components.

The CBD isolate is also laboratory tested to ensure that it is pure and contains no contaminants or impurities. Once the CBD isolate has been manufactured and tested, it can be used to design a variety of CBD products such as capsules, crystals, powders, edibles and other CBD-based products.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of CBD isolate :

The benefits of CBD isolate:

• CBDisolate is considered the purest and most concentrated CBD product available on the market.
• THC-free, it is totally legal in most countries and ideal for people wishing to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.
• CBD isolate contains no other cannabinoids, terpenes or plant compounds from hemp, which may be preferable for those seeking only the effects of CBD.
•  CBDisolate has no taste or smell, and can be used to create highly concentrated CBD products, such as oils, crystals and edible isolates.

Disadvantages of CBD isolate:

• Composed solely of pure CBD, it does not offer the entourage effect potentially sought by consumers.
• It is recognized that it is the interactions between the different molecules of the hemp plant that provide a wide range of benefits when consumed. While CBDisolate may be very effective for some people, it may be less effective than other forms, such as CBD distillate, for example.
• Like distillate, isolate has a complex extraction and manufacturing process, making it more expensive than other products.

 4. How to consume CBD isolate?

CBD isolate can be found in the form of crystals or powders and can be consumed in different ways:

• By vaporization CBD isolate can be vaporized using a dry herbs vaporizer specially designed for concentrates. This method enables CBD to be absorbed quickly, and is ideal for people wishing to consume CBD discreetly.

• In sublingual CBD isolate can be placed under the tongue for direct absorption into the bloodstream. This method is fast and effective.

• In the alimentation A simple solution for consuming CBD isolate is to add it to foods or beverages - no need to worry, tastes won't be altered by the isolate. For example, it can be dissolved in vegetable oils such asoil coconut oroil olive, or added to smoothies or soups.

• In cosmetics Particularly in powder form, CBD isolate can be added to products such as powders, creams, lotions and balms for topical application.

In concrete terms, what are the differences between CBD distillate and isolate? 

These two versions of CBD, commonly used by consumers, have notable differences and similarities. It's important that CBD stores and retailers know all the specifics of these products and can recommend the best natural solutions and alternatives to their customers' problems and desires. 

First of all, these two extraction methods differ in their manufacturing process and final form. Distillation separates the different molecules ofoil from hemp , transforming them into a gaseous and then a liquid state. Its final form is rather dense, almost honey-like.

The isolate will also separate all the plant's molecules, keeping only the CBD. The aim here is to keep the cannabidiol molecule in its purest form. Because of its manufacturing process, the final form of the product will often be in crystals, sometimes crushed to make a powder. 

CBD distillate and isolate are similar in that they offer a pure, high-quality form of the cannabidiol molecule. However, they are very different in terms of composition, production and CBD content.

Unlike the isolate, which contains around 99% CBD, the distillate contains less but retains some of the plant's other natural molecules. These act synergistically to enhance the therapeutic effects of hemp consumption.

Isolate, on the other hand, is often the preferred choice for those seeking a highly concentrated CBD product without the added effects of other plant components from hemp.

Where to find the best distillates and isolates ?

Would you like to develop your products and offer a range of CBD-based distillates and/orisolates ? On our online boutiquedistillates and isolates made from premium quality ingredients. If you're just starting out, or if you'd like advice on your choices, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our products will be delivered quickly, anywhere in mainland France. Don't hesitate to contact our team, who will be delighted to guide and inform you about all our CBD-based products.