What is CO2 Extraction, and what are the benefits? CO2 extraction is a method that isolates CBD from THC and all of the other cannabinoid chemicals common to the cannabis ruderalis (hemp) plant.
To do this, an extraction machine freezes and compresses C02 into what is called a “super-critical” cold liquid state. At standard temperatures and pressures, CO2 behaves as a gas. However, CO2 at certain temperatures and pressures acts like a solvent, without the dangers of actually being one. In a lab, you can change gas into a liquid state by simply increasing pressure and decreasing temperature. The liquid form of CO2 becomes the starting point for the extraction that is about to take place.
After the CO2 has been changed to a liquid form, increased temperature and pressure are applied to the liquid. This creates a “super-critical” state, where the CO2 adopts properties between a gas and a liquid at the same time. The super-critical CO2 is then passed through high quality Hemp plant material where all of the essential oils and chemicals are pulled from the plant. It’s this solution that is then broken down into its chemical constituents, including CBD.
While this process requires professional extraction equipment, it really is about applying differences in pressure to the CO2. It is the most expensive extraction method, and is widely considered the most effective and safest plant extraction method in the world. CO2 extraction is already a standard extraction method for the food and herbal supplement industries.
Since CO2 extraction is a high pressure and high temperature process, it actually damages most terpenes and heat sensitive chemicals found within the hemp plant. This makes CO2 extration ideal for Pure CBD Isolate, but not Full Spectrum CBD extracts.
Read our previous blog: What is The Entourage Effect? by clicking here.
