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Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a natural remedy that has taken the wellness world by storm. Its potential health benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and reducing pain, have made it a popular choice among those looking to improve their overall health and well-being. 

While many CBD products are available on the market, some prefer to take matters into their own hands and make their own CBD oil at home. This allows them to have complete control over the quality and strength of the oil, as well as the ability to customize it to their specific needs. 

In this CBD oil guide, we will take you on a journey through the process of how to make CBD oil and show you how you, too, can create a personalized, potent and pure oil that will enhance your well-being.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is a naturally derived extract made from the cannabis plant. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it does not produce the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use.

Instead, it is believed to have several potential health benefits, without the high. CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis hemp plant with a chemical solvent such as ethanol.

CBD works with the body's endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining balance in the body. 

The endocannabinoid system has receptors throughout the body, including in the brain and immune system, and when CBD is introduced to the body, it interacts with these receptors, potentially providing a variety of health benefits. 

CBD oil can be consumed in several ways, such as under the tongue, by adding it to food or drinks, or by applying it topically to the skin. It's important to note that while CBD oil is considered safe and well-tolerated, it's always recommended to consult a healthcare professional before consuming it.

CBD Oil Benefits

CBD oil has been found to have several potential health benefits, which is why it has become increasingly popular in recent years. Some of the most commonly reported benefits of CBD oil include the following:

Reducing anxiety: CBD oil has been found to have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties, which can help to reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, and paranoia. 

Improving sleep: CBD oil may help to improve the quality of sleep by reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and increasing the duration of deep sleep. 

Reducing pain: CBD oil is believed to have pain-relieving properties, which can benefit individuals with chronic pain, arthritis, and other conditions that cause pain. 

Reducing inflammation: CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body and may be beneficial for conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne. 

Improving heart health: CBD oil may positively affect cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and improving circulation. 

Improving mental health: CBD oil may benefit people with depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD.

It's important to note that while these benefits are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD oil on the human body, and more clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. 

Additionally, CBD can interact with certain medications, so it's always recommended to consult a healthcare professional before consuming it.

Also, it's important to note that the effects of CBD oil can vary from person to person, and it may take some trial and error to find the correct dose for you. And as always, it's important to purchase high-quality, lab-tested products from reputable suppliers.

How to Make CBD Oil

Choosing Your Starting Material

The first step in making homemade cannabis oil is acquiring high-quality hemp flowers, leaves, or stems. Cannabis flower contains a higher concentration of the essential oils you’re after than leaves and stems.

High-CBD hemp flower can be purchased from your local dispensary and should be lab-tested for purity and potency, or you can grow your own at home if it’s legal to do so. The buds should have a strong aroma and a vibrant green color, indicating they are of the highest quality.

Consider the strain you use since each strain comes with a unique chemical profile. Some strains produce more relaxing effects, while others produce energizing effects.

Activating Your Cannabis

Once you have your buds, it's time to activate the CBD. This process, called decarboxylation, converts cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) into its parent and active compound, CBD. 

To decarboxylate the buds, you will need to preheat your oven to 212º F and spread the broken-up buds on a baking sheet or baking dish with a see-through cover. Check every 10 minutes to determine when the oven hits 212º F. 

When the oven has reached your desired temperature, bake your cannabis for 1 hour and 20 minutes, checking the temperature periodically. After 1 hour and 20 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the buds from the oven with an oven mitt.

Infusing Into a Carrier Oil

Now that the CBD flower is activated, it's time to infuse it into a carrier oil. A carrier oil is a neutral oil used to absorb CBD and make it easier to consume. Without the fatty oil, the cannabinoid cannot be efficiently absorbed into the body.

Common carrier oils include coconut oil, olive oil, and hemp seed oil. Making CBD coconut oil or other CBD infusion is easy. The ratio of CBD to carrier oil can vary depending on your desired strength. Combine the decarboxylated buds and carrier oil in a mason jar and seal it tight.

Heating the Mixture

The next step is to heat the mixture. This can be done in a few different ways, but one popular method is using a double boiler or slow cooker. A double boiler is a pot with a smaller pot inside it, which is filled with water. The mason jar with the CBD and carrier oil mixture are placed inside the smaller pot, then heated on a stovetop. 

The water in the larger pot will gently heat the oil mixture, allowing the CBD to infuse into the carrier oil. Keep the heat low to medium and let it simmer for 30 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the oil infuses, you will notice the aroma of the oil changing and becoming more potent.

Straining the Mixture

After the infusion process is complete, the next step is to strain the mixture. This can be done by pouring the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer, separating the oil from the plant matter. The resulting homemade cannabis oil can be stored in a dark glass bottle in a cool and dry place to maintain its potency.

Making CBD Oil with Alcohol

Making CBD oil with alcohol is a popular extraction method as it is relatively simple and can be done at home. This method involves using high-proof alcohol to extract CBD from the cannabis plant. The process can be broken down into a few simple steps.

After decarboxylating and preparing the cannabis material, put the cannabis in a jar and seal it tight. You won’t need to decarboxylate the cannabis beforehand. Once the cannabis is in the jar, pour the ethanol, ensuring the cannabis is completely covered.

Allow the ethanol mixture to sit for at least 24 hours. You can let it sit for up to 3 months. During this time, shake the jar daily to allow the ethanol to dissolve the cannabis trichomes more efficiently. As the ethanol absorbs more trichomes, it will turn green or brown.

You can use the same straining process as the CBD oil made with a carrier oil (listed above). 

How to Use CBD Oil

When using your homemade CBD oil, it's important to start with a low dose and gradually increase it as needed. Keep in mind that the effects of CBD oil can vary from person to person, and it may take some trial and error to find the right dose for you. 

Additionally, it's also important to note that homemade cannabis-infused oil should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment, and you should always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen.

There are over 300,000 jobs in the cannabis industry. CTU trained me for one of them!

marijuana extraction course - Johanna Rose
Makes $24.50 @ THC +

Enroll at Cannabis Training University

If you're interested in learning more about CBD and the cannabis industry, we recommend enrolling at Cannabis Training University (CTU). 

CTU is a leading online education resource that provides comprehensive training on all aspects of the cannabis industry, including cultivation, extraction, regulation, and business management.

With courses designed by industry experts, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this rapidly growing field.

Whether you're interested in starting your own cannabis business, working in a dispensary, making cannabis edibles, or making CBD oil, CTU has the program for you. Enroll today and take the first step towards a rewarding career in the cannabis industry.

Karen Getchell, expert cannabis writer
Karen Getchell

Karen gained expertise in developing training programs and technical documentation as a Senior Editor at Cisco Systems. She began her journey in cannabis as a patient, searching for a way to heal herself. When she perfected a method for making cannabis oil, other patients began to seek her out. An early adopter of CBD medicine, she started her CBD-infused-products business in 2014. Over the last two decades, Karen has taught hundreds of patients and caregivers how to select strains, infuse oils, and extract cannabinoids.

When she isn’t teaching cannabis cooking classes, Karen works as a cannabis business consultant, writes for online cannabis publications like Cannabis Training University, Leafly, and Weedmaps, and runs a CBD-infused-product business.

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