What are CBD oil extraction methods?
Supercritical method, cold pressure, vegetable oil, solvent... As many terms describe the manufacture of CBD products. But what reality is behind each of these practices? Is there a fundamental difference between CBD products extracted in any way? What is the best way to extract? In this article, Lab Shop tells you everything about CBD manufacturing and its impact on different CBD oils. 
The origin of CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) is a molecule naturally present in hemp and known for its relaxing effects. A notable property of the CBD is its lipophile character. Chemically, CBD can only be attached to fat or oil. Thus, it is not soluble in water. In order to transform CBD into oil, there are several methods of extraction, more or less natural, each with its own taste and specificities.
Extraction methods to create CBD oil
In this section, we review the four main methods of extracting CBD: Supercritical extraction (1), cold pressure extraction (2), vegetable oil extraction (3) and solvent extraction (4).
1. Supercritical CO2 extraction
CO2 extraction aims to create phase changes (state of matter) in CO2 and make it reach a so-called supercritical state. This process allows to extract CBD by maintaining the number of terpenes in plant matter (CBN, CBG...). This method is preferred by industrialists for its efficiency and relative simplicity: no use of solvents or chemicals that could alter the purity of the product. However, CBD oil extracted from supercritical CO2 must be reprocessed to remove any trace of THC, which requires laboratory intervention. CO2, a non-volatile element, is also already used in several industries wishing to control the concentration of a molecule, such as coffee and essential oils. At the end of the process, CO2 is condensed and stored to be reused. Nothing is lost, everything is reused! Thus, supercritical extraction is often used for the creation of CBD Full Spectrum oils, rich and tasty.
2. Cold pressure extraction
The extraction of CBD is often cold for the same reason: keeping a natural result by keeping the taste of terpenes. With the cold pressure extraction mode, you can pass frozen hemp flowers in a press and extract CBD and terpenes in the form of hemp oil at low CBD concentration. It is a simple and ecological method for producing its CBD itself. The disadvantage? This is not a very effective method for cannabidiol.. There is indeed a lot of hemp flowers to produce few CBDs. This is why, apart from food hemp oil, you will not find or very few CBD oils by cold pressure in the trade.
3. Plant oil extraction
Another DIY method, vegetable oil extraction consists of using hot oil to extract the CBD from hemp. Instead, olive oil, sesame, or coconut will be used. This natural method allows to produce a tasteful CBD oil. But still the problems related to artisanal extraction: you need a lot of hemp for little product; moreover, hot oil may damage the molecules you try to extract.
4. Solvent extraction
Hemp is bathed in a solvent to extract CBD. Solvent can be either ethanol, butane, or propane. By heating the liquid, the solvent evaporates and only CBD oil remains. Since the above-mentioned solvents are flammable or even explosive, this process is reserved for notified chemists and CBD Growers.
What is the best method for extracting CBD oil?
Supercritical extraction is the most effective to produce a natural CBD oil rich in flavors. Cold, it keeps CBD and pure terpenes, does not alter the molecules and does not use solvent, although a second treatment may be necessary to reach less than 0.2% THC in the final bottle. Very effective, it uses a minimum hemp for maximum oil. Finally, ecological, it reuses CO2 and requires very little energy for strong yields. Craft extraction can have its charm, but supercritical extraction remains the most effective and guarantees cost control, for both the producer and the consumer.