CBD isolate is one of many ways to enjoy the benefits of cannabidiol. Many people take CBD isolate to support their daily wellness and seek support for challenges like stress and discomfort.
While this form of CBD may not be as potent as whole plant extracts, it’s an excellent option for those who want to avoid THC entirely. Could you also benefit from this concentrated cannabinoid? Let’s explore CBD isolate, its many uses, and how to try it yourself.
What is CBD Isolate?
CBD isolate is a pure, flavorless hemp extract that contains up to 99.9% CBD. It’s completely free from all other cannabinoids, terpenes, or plant matter found in hemp plants. This sets CBD isolate apart from hemp extracts that retain a variety of bioactive compounds, such as broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD.
So, how is it made? CBD isolate starts the same way as these other hemp extracts, it goes through some additional refinement steps to remove all other compounds, leaving behind only CBD in crystalline form. These crystals are then ground into fine powder and incorporated into various products, such as:
- Oils and tinctures for direct dosing
- Edibles like gummies, chocolates, and drinks
- Topicals such as creams and balms
- Capsules and pills for oral consumption
One great thing about CBD isolate is that it’s odorless and tasteless, so it can be mixed into tinctures and edible products without imparting that grassy hemp flavor that some people dislike.
Isolates also allow for very precise dosing. Without other plant compounds in the product, it’s easy to accurately measure your exact CBD intake. This is especially useful if you want consistent and predictable effects.
CBD Isolate vs. Hemp Isolate
CBD isolate is just one type of hemp isolate. Hemp isolate can refer to any extract from the hemp plant containing only single, isolated cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, or CBN. Like CBD isolate, hemp isolates are mostly used for supporting specific aspects of wellness, such as sleep, focus, or pain management.
Here’s another important distinction: while the terms “isolate” and “extract” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same — hemp extract contains a wide variety of plant compounds while isolates are pure, stand-alone cannabinoids.
What Does CBD Isolate Feel Like?
Users often describe the effects of CBD isolate as soothing and relaxing, helping to ease tension in the mind and body. Importantly, CBD does not cause a buzz or make you feel “high” like its psychoactive sibling, THC.
Does CBD Isolate Contain THC?
CBD isolate is a pure form of CBD that does not contain any trace of THC. Any THC present in the hemp extract is removed during the purification process along with all other compounds.
THC-free CBD isolate has many benefits. Users don’t have to worry about psychoactive effects, drug tests, or legal issues — hemp products with less than 0.3% THC are federally legal. CBD isolate is also a top choice among people who are sensitive to THC, even in small amounts.
Does CBD Isolate Have an Entourage Effect?
The main downside of CBD isolate is that you don’t get the “entourage effect” where various hemp compounds work together to produce a more potent product. If you want to enjoy enhanced effects from this botanical synergy, broad spectrum CBD is a great alternative — it delivers all the benefits of hemp without the THC.
Are you interested in trying other forms of CBD? Check out our full collection of Neurogan CBD oils. We offer a range of full and broad spectrum CBD products bursting with all the wonderful compounds naturally present in the hemp plant. While CBD isolate has its benefits, we’re firm believers in whole-plant extracts for experiencing hemp as nature intended.
How Does CBD Isolate Work?
CBD isolate interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the human body. These receptors are involved in many important bodily systems, including sleep, pain control, inflammation, appetite, and emotional processing. While scientists are still figuring out exactly how CBD influences these systems, there is growing interest in its potential health benefits.
What is CBD Isolate Used For?
People commonly use CBD isolate to promote overall well-being and help with discomfort, stress, swelling, and sleep. While CBD isolate is not approved by the FDA to treat any specific conditions, early research shows real promise and plenty of users report positive effects. These are some of the most common reasons people use it:
Stress
A lot of people report that CBD isolate is good for managing stress and promoting relaxation. Many say it helps take the edge off when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Some small-scale studies even suggest CBD could be useful for managing anxiety disorders like social anxiety and PTSD [1].
Discomfort
If you’re dealing with nagging aches and pains, CBD isolate may be worth a try. Findings from several studies suggest that CBD isolate could help reduce chronic pain [2]. Topical CBD has even been shown to reduce nerve pain when applied to the skin [3].
Immune Support
CBD may also have anti-inflammatory properties [4]. Although research is mixed in this area, many users swear by it for reducing discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions like arthritis and back pain.
Sleep
Sleep is another common use for CBD isolate, with many saying it helps them fall asleep faster, sleep better, and wake up more refreshed. Some research backs this up, suggesting that regular CBD use can make a real difference in sleep quality for healthy adults [5].
How Much CBD Isolate Should I Take?
If you’re taking CBD isolate for the first time, start with a low dose of around 10 to 20 mg and gradually increase as needed.
The nice thing about CBD isolate is that it’s hard to overdo it — there are no psychoactive compounds that will make you feel dizzy or disoriented with too high of a dose. In fact, CBD isolate is well-tolerated up to 1,500 mg per day [6]. Still, starting with a lower dose lets you see how your body reacts so you can avoid any unwanted side effects.
Note: If you’re used to taking full spectrum CBD, you might notice that you need a higher dose of CBD isolate to experience similar effects.
Where to Buy CBD Isolate
You can buy CBD isolate from various online retailers, dispensaries, and some health food stores. Many CBD companies even sell their products directly to customers. This is our favorite option — shopping straight from the manufacturer makes it easier to track down genuine, high-quality products.
Finding the Best CBD Isolates
The best CBD isolates are at least 99% pure, third-party tested, sourced from American hemp, and extracted with clean methods like CO2 or ethanol. Keep an eye out for these qualities when shopping so you can avoid poor-quality products — some isolates on the market might contain residual solvents, heavy metals, or different cannabinoid concentrations than advertised.
How do you ensure you’re getting the best of the best? Here’s a checklist for buying high-quality CBD isolate online:
- Verify third-party lab testing: Look for products with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and check that the isolate is pure, potent, and free of contaminants.
- Confirm cannabinoid content: Look over the posted lab reports to ensure the product is at least 99% pure CBD and contains 0% THC.
- Investigate the hemp source: Hemp grown in the U.S. is subject to stricter regulations than some other markets, so prioritize CBD companies with local suppliers.
- Research the extraction method: CO2 is the gold standard method for producing clean, potent extracts from hemp plants.
- Read customer reviews: Pay attention to reviews talking about product quality and consistency.
Experience the Benefits of CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is an easy and approachable option for introducing CBD into your daily routine, especially if you’re hesitant about THC. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, ease discomfort, or support your sleep quality, this pure form of CBD allows for precise and targeted dosing for controlled and predictable effects.
That said, if you’re seeking a more well-rounded hemp experience, consider branching out and trying some full or broad spectrum extracts. Neurogan CBD oils are carefully crafted to deliver the benefits of the entire hemp plant — with or without THC. Explore our full collection.
References
- Skelley, J. W., Deas, C. M., Curren, Z., & Ennis, J. (2020). Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 60(1), 253-261.
- Mohammed, S. Y. M., Leis, K., Mercado, R. E., Castillo, M. M. S., Miranda, K. J., & Carandang, R. R. (2024). Effectiveness of Cannabidiol to Manage Chronic Pain: a systematic review. Pain Management Nursing, 25(2), e76-e86.
- Xu, D. H., Cullen, B. D., Tang, M., & Fang, Y. (2020). The effectiveness of topical cannabidiol oil in symptomatic relief of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 21(5), 390-402.
- Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21.
- Kisiolek, J. N., Flores, V. A., Ramani, A., Butler, B., Haughian, J. M., & Stewart, L. K. (2023). Eight weeks of daily cannabidiol supplementation improves sleep quality and immune cell cytotoxicity. Nutrients, 15(19), 4173.
- Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139-154.
