It’s good practice to go through the ingredient list on your CBD oil bottle when you receive it. However, it’s not enough to go through the ingredients list. You should understand each ingredient and its role in your CBD oil. This is how you avoid low-quality CBD oils and identify high-quality ones. If you’ve tried CBD oils from different brands, you’ve noticed the ingredients are different in some instances, which might raise some concerns and questions. Exactly what ingredients should CBD oils have? CBD oil ingredients vary depending on the brand. The selection of ingredients depends on what the brand hopes to achieve with its range of CBD oils. Essentially, you can divide CBD oil ingredients into two; essential and non-essential. The essential ones are those that make CBD oil, CBD oil, while the non-essential and are the additional ingredients that enhance your CBD oil experience but wouldn’t be missed if they were not included in the CBD oil. There are two essential CBD oil ingredients:
1. Hemp extract
Hemp extract is a concentration of all the components found in the hemp plant’s leaves, flowers and stem. It is the hemp extract that contains CBD and depending on the type of hemp or CBD extract. You might find other cannabinoids as well.
Full-spectrum extract
Full spectrum hemp extract is the most common type of extract in CBD oils. It is the most potent and highly revered for its strong entourage effects. Full-spectrum hemp extract contains all the beneficial compounds from the hemp plant;
- Cannabinoids – Hemp extract contains more than 100 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including CBD and trace amounts of THC.
- Terpenes – The extract also contains more than 150 terpenes which affect the oil’s fragrance. Terpenes also have therapeutic benefits. Not every CBD oil will have all the 150 terpenes. Brands can choose which ones enhance the effects their CBD oils is tailored for better.
- Flavonoids – There are over 20 different flavonoids in hemp extracts. Like terpenes, they have different therapeutic benefits. They are thought to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
The exact formula of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids varies from brand to brand. You can check the certificate of analysis of your selected CBD oil to get the full breakdown of the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids in the CBD oil. However, CBD and trace amounts of THC are standard in every CBD oil bottle.
Broad-spectrum extract
The broad-spectrum extract is slightly different from full-spectrum CBD because it is stripped of all the THC. Like full-spectrum extract, manufacturers can vary the other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids to suit their products. CBD oils containing broad-spectrum extract are perfect for consumers and fans that don’t want to ingest any THC for whatever reason.
CBD isolate
On a lesser scale, you will also find CBD oils made from CBD isolate. These contain 99% CBD and nothing else as the active ingredients. The lack of other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids means the effects induced by these CBD oils are not as intense.
2.Carrier oil
The second essential ingredient in CBD oil is a carrier oil. Carrier oils help improve the absorption of CBD into the bloodstream by dissolving the cannabinoid’s molecules. Carrier oils also make it easier to measure accurate CBD servings. They also have various additional health benefits depending on the carrier oil type in your CBD oil.
Common carrier oils
There are several types of carrier oils, but some are the most prevalent in the CBD oil market. Some CBD oils may contain more than one carrier oil to maximise the benefits of the oils.
- MCT oil – MCT oil is the most commonly used by manufacturers. It is derived from palm kernel or coconut oil, but the latter is the most common source. On some labels, it is listed as fractionated coconut oil which means it contains more liquid than coconut compared to coconut oil. MCT is short for Medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fatty acid that is quickly absorbed because the body doesn’t have to break it down during digestion before sending it to the lymph system. MCT oil is less expensive than some carrier oils and is almost flavourless, so it doesn’t impact the flavour of CBD oil.
- Hemp seed oil – Hemp seed oil comes from the hemp plant. The oil comes from the seeds, which contain fewer beneficial compounds but could encourage the entourage effect when used in full-spectrum CBD oil. Hemp seed oil is rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants and is a food source of fibre. It also contains zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron.
- Olive oil – You’ve probably come across olive oil in your kitchen cabinets. It’s the same one used as a carrier oil in some CBD oils. It is the best researched with numerous established health benefits. It contains iron, vitamins K and E, is absorbed faster by the skin than MCY and is rich in antioxidants.
- Avocado oil – This is an emerging carrier oil that is becoming more popular because of its immense health benefits, and also it can be used for cooking. Avocado oil is mainly used in CBD oil used to make topical products. It is quickly absorbed by the skin and in the digestive tract and has a nutty flavour that is more pleasant than some alternatives. It also has high concentrations of the vitamins E, B, A and D.
Non-Essential CBD Oil Ingredients
Initially, CBD oil manufacturers worked to keep their products as pure as possible. But because of the bitter and earthy flavour of CBD oil, many CBD users couldn’t stand the flavour and wanted options that have better palatability. Therefore, manufacturers added a range of flavoured CBD flavours and, to bolster the health benefits, added some natural products. Most manufacturers use natural flavouring for their CBD oils. However, some sneaky ones add artificial flavours. If you don’t know how to differentiate, it’s best to go with an unflavoured CBD oil and add it to your food and drinks. You will also find additional ingredients in your CBD oil, like turmeric, ginseng, and rosemary, which aim to enhance CBD oil’s benefits.
Barbara is a freelance writer and a sex and relationships adviser at Dimepiece LA and Peaches and Screams. Barbara is involved in various educational initiatives aimed at making sex advice more accessible to everyone and breaking stigmas around sex across various cultural communities. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys trawling through vintage markets in Brick Lane, exploring new places, painting and reading.
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