CO2 Extraction vs. Other Processes

When applying or consuming any hemp-based product that does not consist of the raw flower, we are actually using the extract of the hemp plant. Every topical, vape oil, tincture, edible, and even capsule contains hemp extract that results from putting the raw plant material through an extraction process to obtain the pure compounds that are considered desirable to the human body.

Hemp extraction techniques have gotten increasingly advanced over the years, with high-tech methods making the entire process more efficient, while yielding a higher-quality product. More specifically, CO2 extraction, which is the most commonly used extraction method throughout our industry.

What is Hemp Extraction?

Hemp extraction is simply the process of lifting the compounds of the plant away from the raw material, to create an extract that can easily be added to different ingredients to produce a formula. For instance, in the case of a cannabinoid-based oil, the resulting extract is diluted in a carrier oil and bottled.

A hemp extract is an oil-soluble concentrate of desirable hemp compounds, and companies can choose which compounds they wish to retain in the resulting extract. The extraction process usually lifts all of the desirable compounds including hundreds of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and nutrients. From there, specific compounds can be isolated and discarded, such as is the case with broad spectrum hemp extract which removes the THC in hemp, or isolated and turned into a concentrate, with CBD isolate being the most popular example.

Why Does the Extraction Method Matter?

There are several extraction methods out there, and some are the result of modern technology while others have been used for centuries. The manner in which the compounds were extracted from the hemp plant can yield varying levels of overall quality. Below, you will discover the main priorities when producing a hemp extract.

• Bioavailability: A term used to describe the ability the compounds have to absorb into the body. Therefore, bioavailability determines overall effectiveness. A key component to maintaining high bioavailability is extracting the compounds in a manner that preserves their general chemical integrity.
• Stability: Refers to how chemically stable the compounds are once they have been extracted. Some methods can damage the stability of the compounds by speeding up the degrading process, in which the compounds degrade quickly and lose their potency as a result, making them all but useless to the human body.
• Purity: Hemp extract should be as pure as possible, as impurities both dilute the potency of the desirable compounds, while having the potential to introduce unwanted materials into the body.

CO2 Extraction: The Gold Standard in the Hemp Industry

So, which extraction method yields the most bioavailable, stable, and pure product? The answer is the CO2 extraction method. This method uses carbon dioxide to lift the compounds away from the plant. It consists of a process that utilizes three individual chambers. One chamber holds the raw hemp material, and another holds pressurized carbon dioxide. The CO2 is pushed into the chamber holding the hemp plant, and a third chamber collects the resulting extract.

This method is regarded as the best option available because the process is simultaneously effective and gentle. Gentleness is crucial as it keeps the compounds stable and bioavailable, while the process still effectively lifts the desired levels of each compound that we seek out in hemp.

Other Types of Extraction Methods

CO2 extraction has not been around forever. It’s the result of advanced technology which has made it possible. Other extraction methods are largely considered outdated such as the following:

Solvent-Based Extraction

Solvent-based extraction involves the process of running a solvent over the raw plant material, with the solvent usually being butane, isopropyl or ethanol. This forces the compounds to separate from the plant material to produce an extract.

Solvent-based methods may effectively collect the desired compounds, but overall, this method is not ideal. For one thing, it’s extremely dangerous to do at home, so never attempt to use this process to make your own hemp extract. It is highly flammable and can result in serious harm.

Solvent-based extraction is more economical than CO2 extraction, but comes with a cost. For one thing, it introduces impurities into the extract, as trace amounts of the solvent remain in the final product. Furthermore, it has a high rate of destabilizing the compounds, meaning that they can break down at a faster rate, losing their potency.

Oil-Based Extraction

Oil-based extraction is the oldest method that exists, and also the easiest. This method can be done at home, as it’s safe and extremely simple to execute. If you wanted to make your own hemp extract, this would be the method that we recommend choosing.

Oil-based methods simply involve cooking the plant material in an oil at a low temperature for a long period of time. Commonly used oils include olive oil and coconut oil. As the mixture simmers, the compounds naturally lift away from the plant and absorb into the oil. The oil is then strained, and what you have left is an oil-based extract rich in hemp’s abundant compounds.

While this method is good for doing on your own, it isn’t a method that should be used by hemp companies. The major reason is that oil-based extraction creates an unstable product. While you can get some use out of the extract for a short period of time, the compounds break down at a faster rate than other methods, which makes them lose their potency.

Hemp companies produce large quantities of product that may sit on the shelves for a good period of time before they hit the market, because they must undergo purification processes, third-party testing and more. This means that by the time a hemp product made using this method arrives at your door, it may already be well into the process of degrading.

How to Find CO2-Extracted Hemp

Now that you know about the benefits of the CO2 extraction process, you probably want to know how you can ensure that you buy a hemp product that utilized this method as opposed to the others we have mentioned.

1. It’s important to know that by and large, most hemp companies do employ the CO2 process as it is become quite standard.
2. Companies should disclose how they extract their hemp, and if they don’t, you can simply contact the company and ask them.
3. Look at third-party laboratory reports provided by a hemp manufacturer. These reports detail the presence of any impurities in the formula.
4. If you see any solvents listed, you can conclude that a solvent-based extraction method was probably utilized.

Overall, CO2 is Still the Tried-and-True Method

The compounds of the hemp plant can be extracted in a multitude of ways, and it is clear that the CO2 method is the obvious winner. Therefore, if you desire the most effective, stable, and pure product on the market, go with one that was produced using a CO2 extraction. Overall, this process yields a product that’s more capable of addressing your needs.