CBD Distillate vs Isolate: What’s the Difference Between CBD Distillate and Isolate?

We see a lot of misconceptions about CBD distillate vs isolate. People think they’re interchangeable. They’re not the same thing. They come from the same plant, but distillate has a lot more of the cannabinoids and terpenes that ultimately get stripped away from CBD isolate.

The long and short of it is that most people end up going with CBD isolate - it’s pure CBD with everything else removed. Or, they go with broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD, which has more of the beneficial compounds in hemp. We don’t actually sell anything we call “CBD distillate.”

Learn more about the difference between CBD distillate and isolate below. Or, take a look at our online CBD store and see what we have in store for you!

CBD Distillate vs Isolate (Fast Facts)

Overview of CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is the purest form of cannabidiol. The hemp extract is pulled right out of the plant and gets put through more purification steps to strip away every other compound:

• Cannabinoids

• Terpenes

• Flavonoids

• Waxes

• Plant material

You’re left with 99%+ pure CBD, usually as either a white crystalline powder or a solid. It can then be infused with a carrier oil to make CBD tinctures or added to edibles. 

How is it Made? 

We get asked all the time, how is CBD oil made? Every CBD product you’ve ever seen on the market starts by pulling cannabinoids from hemp. That can be done through a number of methods. 

We here at Medterra use CO2 supercritical extraction because it gets all the good stuff out of hemp without using any solvents along the way. That means there are fewer things to worry about. 

The next step is refining that crude extract through winterization - which just means removing waxes and lipids. Then comes decarboxylation, which activates the cannabinoids with heat (not just CBD, but also THC). Then comes distillation.

Yes - you’re left with distillate at that point. But making isolate requires that distillate to go through yet another round of purification. Usually either chromatography or crystallization. This is the step that changes the extract from CBD distillate to CBD isolate. It’s what separates the CBD molecule from everything else. You’re left with a colorless, odorless, and tasteless powder that’s as close to pure CBD as you’ll get.

Why Use CBD Isolate? 

CBD isolate is the go-to form for anyone who wants the therapeutic benefits of cannabis with zero intoxication. Here are the situations that call for CBD isolate:

• You cannot afford any risk of THC entering your system for drug testing purposes

• You’re not interested in feeling any sort of intoxication, euphoria, or “high”

• You don’t want any sort of hemp flavor in the final product

You’ll actually find quite a few different types of CBD isolate here at Medterra. Our Sleep Tight Gummies have 25mg of CBD isolate with melatonin, chamomile, and passionflower for sleep. Our Focus CBD gummies pair 25mg CBD isolate with L-theanine and guarana to help you lock in for any task on your to-do list. 

Beyond our CBD isolate gummies, we also have a really popular Daily Relief Tincture that just features two active ingredients - CBD isolate and organic MCT oil. 

Can it Get You High? 

This is what most people who are curious about CBD distillate vs isolate want to know. Does CBD make you high in isolate form? Nope! That’s the whole point. There is zero THC whatsoever. 

For what it’s worth, THC isn’t a bad thing. It absolutely has its place in using cannabis for wellness purposes. But some people don’t like the way it makes them feel or are liable to get drug tested, so THC is not an option. 

Tips on Incorporating CBD Isolate Into Your Routine

Once you’ve narrowed it down to the right CBD isolate product, it’s as simple as working it into your daily ritual. That might mean starting your day with one of our Focus Gummies. Or, taking a dropper of Daily Relief Tincture mid-day when stress starts rolling in. 

Using CBD gummies for sleep means finding the right time so the active ingredients are working when your head hits the pillow. That’s usually 30-45 minutes before you want to fall asleep.

Finding the right dose is the thing we get asked about most. Our advice is to always start with the lowest possible dose and only take more if you genuinely need it. This way, you get support without frying your tolerance over time. That might be just 25mg of CBD. 

How is CBD Distillate Different? 

Now, let’s turn our attention to the other half of our CBD distillate vs isolate comparison. You’re probably already starting to see how closely connected they are. You can’t have CBD isolate without first creating CBD distillate. In this case, there are just fewer purification steps.

CBD distillate is sometimes seen as “better” because it has more of what makes hemp extract so powerful - CBG, CBN, CBC, and even terpenes and flavonoids. There’s usually less CBD in the final product as a result. Say, 60-80% CBD.

How It’s Made

The initial process of making CBD distillate is just the same as CBD isolate. Extraction, winterization, and decarboxylation. What happens next is the main distinction between CBD distillate vs isolate. 

Instead of continuing to purify the CBD distillate to arrive at CBD isolate, there’s just the distillation process. This involves applying heat and vacuum pressure, physically separating compounds based on their unique boiling points. Extraction teams are left with a thick, golden oil with a mild hemp taste and a far broader cannabinoid profile.

The distillate can go one of two ways at this point. Broad-spectrum CBD if the THC is removed from the concoction but everything else is left behind. OR, full-spectrum CBD if THC stays in. This form of CBD is as true-to-nature as hemp extract gets. 

Important piece of context: The THC content in full-spectrum CBD still has to stay under 0.3% by dry weight in order to comply with the 2018 Farm Bill. That’s how you’re able to get CBD products with THC in them shipped to your door no matter where you live in the US.

What Can You Use CBD Distillate For?

CBD distillate is the raw material brands use in vapes. Or, it can be mixed with a carrier oil just like CBD isolate in order to create either broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD tinctures, capsules, or CBD gummies.

The reason customers like you might be interested in these broad- and full-spectrum CBD products is because you get more of what the hemp plant has to offer. CBD isolate limits you to just CBD. But in this case, you may also get:

• CBN: The sleep-supporting compound with well-documented sedative-like effects.

• CBG: The uplifting cannabinoid that brings a sense of clear-headed concentration.

• THC: The intoxicating cannabinoid, but it does more than get you high. It can support sleep, ease stress, and help manage discomfort.

• Terpenes: These have their own therapeutic benefits and can shape the way a product feels.

All of these compounds work in synergy through something known as the entourage effect. The idea is that each cannabinoid amplifies and modulates the effects of the rest, as do the terpenes. You’re just getting a far more well-rounded experience. That matters when using CBD for wellness in particular. 

You can learn more about the difference between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD in our blog if you’re still not sure which form makes the most sense for you. Otherwise, let’s take a closer look at CBD distillate vs isolate below. 

Comparing CBD Isolate vs Distillate: Which is Better?

Neither is objectively better in comparing CBD isolate vs distillate. And honestly, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to compare them directly. It makes more sense to compare CBD isolate vs broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD, since that’s the decision you’re actually trying to make. 

At any rate, CBD isolate is the way to go when you want pure CBD. Nothing else. No THC, CBN, CBG, terpenes, or anything else. Your rationale could be that you just want to see what CBD can do on its own. Or that you don’t want anything that pulls you too far in one direction - be it uplifting or sedating. You just want a good sense of balance.

Just know you’re missing out on that entourage effect we spoke about earlier. We wholeheartedly believe that broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD can bring more well-rounded functional support.

But that’s the beauty of CBD - there’s something out there for everyone! We recognize that here at Medterra and have made it a point to offer the entire spectrum of CBD. 

You don’t have to figure out which form makes the most sense all on your own, either. We have a really cool CBD quiz that will guide you towards the perfect formula for your goals and preferences. Take the next step today and bring CBD into your routine on YOUR terms!

Final Words on the Difference Between CBD Distillate and Isolate

We hope our CBD distillate vs isolate breakdown has left you with total clarity on how they overlap, where they diverge, and what form of CBD makes the most sense for you.

CBD distillate is the crude product that gets further refined into CBD isolate. Or, it can be used to create broad-spectrum CBD or full-spectrum CBD. None of these is better across the board than the others. But one of them will align closest with your preferences.

Ask our customer service team for a personalized product recommendation, or take our CBD quiz today. There’s something for you at Medterra no matter why you’re curious about CBD!

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between CBD distillate and isolate?

Isolate is 99%+ pure CBD with every other compound removed. Distillate usually only has 60-80% CBD. The rest is made up of other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other plant matter. It has to be further filtered before it can be used. 

Is CBD isolate from distillate?

Yes. You get CBD isolate by continuing to purify the distillate until you’re left with pure CBD. CBD distillate vs isolate is more or less about where the refining process stops.

Is CBD isolate or distillate stronger?

That depends on what you’re classifying as “strength.” CBD isolate technically has more CBD content per milligram. But CBD distillate could have THC alongside other cannabinoids and terpenes, and the entourage effect feels more well-rounded than pure CBD in isolation.

Is there any THC in CBD isolate or distillate?

Yes in distillate, no in isolate. But CBD distillate can still be used to make broad-spectrum CBD. The end user almost never ends up with “CBD distillate.” It gets refined into isolate (THC-free), broad-spectrum (THC-free but with other cannabinoids), or full-spectrum (all the cannabinoids).

Are there terpenes in CBD distillate or isolate? 

Distillate still has terpenes, but isolate does not. Terpenes are more important than most people give them credit for. They shape effects through the entourage effect just like cannabinoids do.