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Cannabidiol, or as it is more often referred to as CBD, is one of the most widely used compounds found within Cannabis sativa plants. CBD has been found to have an extensive list of potential health benefits for both humans and pets.
People are increasingly looking to add CBD into their diet as a supplement to experience its many benefits themselves. What are the benefits of CBD, and how easy is it to source in the USA?
The Benefits of CBD
CBD supplements are believed to have many benefits for humans covering both mental and physical health. Research has shown that adding CBD supplements into one’s regular diet can noticeably improve mental health and the body’s immune response and can even help prevent chronic conditions.
CBD is also being increasingly used as a targeted approach to managing chronic health conditions and injuries. For example, CBD has been found to reduce the frequency of seizures for people with epilepsy. CBD is also thought to benefit people suffering from autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease.
Since passing the 2018 Farm Bill, it has become much easier to source CBD products in the USA. Most pharmacies now sell a wide range of CBD products. There is also a growing range of online retailers selling CBD supplements and health care products.
Cost is often one of the biggest worry for people who rely on CBD to manage chronic conditions. While CBD is legal in the USA, there are still several positive consequences of getting a medical card, including purchasing CBD at a lower price and purchasing larger quantities.
Medical cards can benefit people who rely on CBD, but the price can still be concerning for some people. Part of the high price tag is the costs involved in growing, extracting, and manufacturing CBD products.
The process of extracting CBD from cannabis sativa plants is time-consuming and expensive, which is very much reflected in the price consumers pay for products. There have been tremendous advances regarding CBD and technologies and how the most costly parts of the manufacturing process can be reduced.
How is technology helping to change CBD oil extraction and lowing the price of products for customers?
How Technology Is Affecting Extraction Methods
There are several different methods for extracting CBD from cannabis sativa plants. Each one of these methods has its pros and cons. Some methods are chosen as they are quicker and cheaper, while others might be more expensive but produce a higher quality yield.
Technology has had an enormous impact on the extraction methods that are used today. Technology advancements have helped to refine methods that have previously been used and are known for either damaging the environment or yielding low potency CBD products.
Advances in CO2 Extraction
CO2 extraction is now one of the most widely used extraction methods, and this is only the case because of technological advances in recent years.
The process involves drastic temperature drops and increased pressure to turn CO2 from a gas to a liquid. As this takes place, the CO2 can pull CBD from the rest of the cannabis sativa plant matter.
Technology has helped to refine the machinery required to carry out the process of CO2 extraction. Modern methods are considered to have a low carbon footprint while producing high-quality CBD oil.
Advances in Thermal Extraction
Thermal extraction methods have changed significantly over time as technology has helped refine the process for a quicker workflow and better yielding CBD oil.
Using a combination of extreme heating and condensation, thermal extraction is one of the best methods for separating THC from other plant matter. For this reason, thermal extraction is popular among manufacturers making 100% THC-free products.
Through heating, THC is vaporized, leaving behind the rest of the plant matter. Machinery can then separate the CBD from the rest of the plant, resulting in oil containing absolutely no psychoactive compounds.
Advances in Dry Ice Extraction
Dry ice extraction is a relatively new idea using technology to separate the various compounds found in cannabis sativa plants.
The process uses bubble hash mesh bags and dry ice to extract CBD from plant matter in a way that is easier than many other methods and much better environmentally.
One of the main benefits for manufacturers is that dry ice extraction can produce a high CBD yield and requires very little in the way of expensive machinery. The main cost associated with the process is the sourcing of dry ice.
Final Thoughts
CBD extraction methods have come a long way in recent years, but a lot more can be achieved. Extraction is an area of ongoing interest and research.
It is expected that in the years to come, CBD extraction methods will continue to advance and bring even more affordable, eco-friendly, and high-yielding products.
