Learning how to make CBD oil at home can be a little nerve-wracking, especially if you're a beginner. The good news is, is not actually that hard; the ingredients are easy to get, and it doesn't take very long.
There are many benefits of making your own CBD oil. It can save you money, and you have full control over what is going in your oil. The CBD oil you make at home can be full-spectrum or THC free; it's up to you.
What you need to make CBD oil at home:
- CBD isolate or distillate
- Your choice of carrier oil
- Any flavourings you might want to add
- A 30ml glass bottle with a dropper cap
- Small funnel
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil has become extremely popular over the past few years since Canada legalized marijuana and CBD. CBD oil is a refined extract from the hemp plant; once extracted, it's mixed with a carrier oil.
While technically classified as cannabis, the hemp plant only contains minuscule traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This is a cannabinoid in cannabis that gets you high or stoned.
CBD (cannabidiol), on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in hemp that won't cause any mind-altering effects.
It made a huge splash on the Canadian cannabis market that has grown to include not just oils but all sorts of other CBD products like CBD gummies, topical products, vapes, even transdermal patches.
Many people use CBD oil in Canada to help treat a number of common ailments, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and more.
Its widespread use is attributed to the way it works in the body and the Endocannabinoid System. This system runs all through our bodies and brains; CBD attaches to receptors along this system, which essentially tell the cell it's attached to how to respond.
The main job of the Endocannabinoid System is to keep everything in balance, called homeostasis.
How to make CBD oil at home
Making your own CBD oil at home allows you to customize your oil fully. By choosing the carrier oil, flavouring, concentration and ingredients, you're able to harness the benefits of hemp, all while saving yourself a considerable amount of money in the long run.
The easiest and cheapest way to make your own CBD oil is by using CBD isolate. CBD isolate is a pure, crystalline compound that comes in powder form.
It is a highly refined form of CBD that contains only CBD; no other cannabinoids or terpenes are present. This type of CBD is also THC-free.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate can be purchased online in Canada from several sources; these are the top CBD brands in Canada as of 2021.
While using isolate may be the easiest way to go, if you're looking to get the maximum benefits from your CBD oil, you may want to consider using CBD distillate instead.
This contains a wide range of cannabinoids, including traces of THC, terpenes, and other beneficial matter that contribute more to the Entourage Effect.
This is when all parts of the plant work synergistically together, making them more effective as a whole rather than as separate parts.
Choosing a carrier oil for your CBD
Once you've purchased your CBD isolate or CBD distillate, it's time to choose a carrier oil for your CBD. This is an important decision to make and can affect the quality and bioavailability of your CBD oil.
This is the rate that your body uses and absorbs the CBD you take. The higher the rate, the more effectively your CBD oil will work.
The most common carrier oil for CBD is MCT oil. This is derived mainly from coconuts and absorbs easily into the body.
It is also virtually odourless and tasteless, making it the perfect starting point to create your own scent and flavour profiles.
Note, MCT oil is not the same thing as coconut oil. Coconut oil solidifies at room temperature, making it impossible to dispense with a dropper.
Another popular choice for carrier oils is hemp seed oil. This comes from the seeds of the hemp plant and doesn't contain any CBD on its own. Using hemp seed oil will result in a stronger hemp taste for your finished product.
You can use several other oils, including olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil, but these are lesser used in the industry due to the lower fat content.
CBD binds very well to fat molecules, so the higher the saturated fat content, the better in this case.
How to make CBD oil at home with CBD isolate
Now that you have your carrier oil and your CBD, it's time to make your CBD oil! Remember that you can add in any flavourings that you like, such as cinnamon or peppermint, during this process.
Only add in a small amount and taste as your adding; going overboard on the flavour can result in inedible CBD oil!
Start by measuring out your CBD isolate. This will be the concentration that you want your oil to be. The standard size of bottle used for CBD oil is 30 ml or 1 oz.
We'll be using 1 gram of CBD isolate in 30 ml of carrier oil for this guide. This will result in a concentration of 1000mg of CBD, 33.33mg of CBD per dropper, and approximately 1.6 mg of CBD per drop.
Insert the funnel into the glass bottle, add in your CBD, and be careful not to spill any. Then add in your 30 ml of carrier oil, as well as any flavourings, and gently shake or swirl the bottle.
It may take a little bit for it all to dissolve. Once all material is dissolved in the oil, it is ready to be used.
Making CBD oil with CBD distillate
CBD distillate generally comes in a sticky, crystallized form, so heating the product is necessary before making your own CBD oils with it.
CBD Distillate
You'll need to use a double boiler for this method, as it is not advised to heat the product directly. Start by slowly heating the carrier oil and then adding in your CBD distillate, making sure not to let the mixture come to a boil.
You want it fairly warm to dissolve the distillate, but not hot enough to destroy any of the cannabinoids or terpenes.
Add in any flavour that you want, and gently stir until everything is dissolved. Once dissolved, set aside and let cool, and then pour into the bottle using the funnel. Your CBD oil made from distillate is now ready to use.
Dosing, shelf life, and the pros and cons of making your own CBD oils vs buying online
How to get the correct dose when making CBD oil at home
When making your homemade oils, it is important to precisely measure your ingredients to know the exact amount in them.
Fortunately, there is a simple formula to follow that will ensure you get the correct dose, every time.
Total amount of CBD (1000 mg) divided by total amount of carrier oil (30 ml) = Amount of CBD per ml (33.33 mg)
Amount of CBD per ml (33.33 mg) divided by number of drops per ml (20 is standard) = Amount of CBD per drop (1.6 mg)
You can use this formula to calculate any concentration that you wish to go with. Keep in mind that the oil can only become so saturated before it starts to crystallize.
This number will vary depending on the carrier oil used, but generally try to stick to 4000 mg or less. If you find your CBD oil crystallizing, you may need to lower the concentration by adding in more of your carrier oil.
How long will my homemade CBD oil last for?
Your finished CBD oils will be shelf-stable and can last up to 2 years. How long it lasts will depend on the carrier oil used and how it is stored.
MCT oil has the longest shelf life, up to 2 years, while oils like hemp seed oil have a considerably shorter shelf life, 6 months to a year.
Always store CBD oil in a dark, cool place, away from sunlight, moisture, and excess temperature changes. You can store your CBD oil in the fridge, but depending on the carrier oil used, it may thicken up too much to be properly dispensed with the dropper.
Making CBD oil at home vs buying it online
MAking your own CBD oils at home has several benefits over buying it online or in a shop. CBD isolate is one of the most affordable forms of CBD, cutting the costs almost in half over buying premade CBD oils.
The other ingredients are also very affordable, and doing it this way can save you a lot of money over time.
You also have the option to completely customize your CBD products this way, while if you buy them premade, you are at the mercy of what the companies put in them.
That being said, if you aren't up to the challenges of making your own oils, there are many great CBD oils in Canada available online to choose from.
Have you made your own CBD products from home? How did it go? Let us know in the comments!