If you are new to CBD or do not know much about it, the differences between raw and decarb CBD oil (decarboxylated or conventional oil) may matter to you. Although CBD comes in various forms on the consumer market, raw and decarb are among the most widely used types of CBD oil.
The differences are scientific, and identifying their precise benefits may initially seem complicated. Below you will find information to help decide which option is right for you.
What are the differences between raw and decarb CBD oil?
Decarboxylation and conventional CBD oil
Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group from a molecule and releases carbon dioxide. It involves heating and drying plant material. Before decarboxylation, cannabinoids naturally present in cannabis occur in cannabinoid acid forms, such as CBDa and THCa. This also applies to other cannabinoids, including CBN and CBG.
Heating during decarboxylation converts acids into hydrocarbons, for example CBDa into CBD and THCa into THC. Applying heat converts CBDa in raw cannabis extracts into CBD, making CBD the more dominant cannabinoid. When the very small amount of THCa in industrial hemp extract becomes THC, it enables other cannabinoids such as CBD to be absorbed more efficiently by endocannabinoid system receptors through the entourage effect.
Decarboxylation thus makes both CBD and THC easier for the body to absorb. However, heating and drying can also damage these compounds in their natural forms, CBDa and THCa. If decarboxylation is performed incorrectly, some beneficial cannabinoids may be lost. These cannabinoid acids have their own unique health benefits in their raw state.
Why decarboxylation?
If you wonder why raw cannabis extract undergoes decarboxylation, the quick answer is the popularity of CBD products. Research into CBD and its positive results, especially in recent years, have driven rapidly increasing consumer demand.
There is also little scientific data documenting the effects of acidic and minor cannabinoids. Realistically, these compounds have not been studied as much as CBD, contributing to the growth of the CBD market. Of all non-psychoactive cannabinoids, CBD has the largest body of scientific evidence to date and is therefore the most widely used.
Although decarboxylation's main purpose is to turn acidic compounds into non-acidic ones, it is thought to make cannabinoids more available to the body and easier to absorb. On this basis, we can say that unless stated otherwise, the CBD oils we buy have undergone decarboxylation.
What is raw CBD oil?
“Raw” indicates that cannabis plant material has not undergone heating or cooling. This means cannabinoid acids, terpenes, flavonoids and other trace elements remain in the resulting oil.
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction does not heat or dry the plant material. The oil is cold-filtered at the end of the process, producing an extract containing CBD, CBDa, THCa and other natural compounds together. In other words, raw CBD products have a broader cannabinoid spectrum than decarb products.
Terpenes, flavonoids and fatty acids
Terpenes, flavonoids and fatty acids are different phytochemical plant components. Terpenes give many plants their aroma and flavor. Flavonoids produce orange, yellow, red, blue and purple colors in flowers, fruits and vegetables. Fatty acids are a broad class of compounds. The best known are omega-3 and omega-6, or essential fatty acids. Since our bodies cannot produce them, we must obtain them through our diet.
Which oil should I choose?
There is no straightforward answer, because both raw and conventional CBD oils have advantages and disadvantages. Many people believe CBD is more potent than CBDa. Since CBDa has not been researched enough, we can regard this as an assumption.
Which oil is better seems to depend on the person and what they seek. If you want the highest possible CBD concentration, raw CBD oil is not for you. If you want oil with a more nutritionally rich composition, raw CBD oil would be the better option.
Some users choose raw CBD oil for its mildly stimulating effects, while others use conventional CBD oil for its relaxing properties. When describing their effects, everything depends on how your body responds. Each person's endocannabinoid system differs, so raw and conventional formulas will not affect everyone identically.
The most important difference is raw oil's richer phytochemical content. Full spectrum raw CBD oil contains more terpenes, flavonoids and fatty acids than conventional CBD oils. Some of these evaporate during conventional oil's decarboxylation. Just as cooked spinach is good for you but raw spinach has greater nutritional value, raw oil preserves more compounds. However, people with sensitive stomachs and intestines may find raw CBD oil difficult to absorb and digest.
According to research and user reports, high-strength conventional CBD oils positively affect the relief of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems and various conditions. Conventional CBD oil is also commonly described as calming and creating a sense of emotional peace.
Remember that regardless of oil type, beginners should take small doses and gradually increase them for the desired result. How you feel while taking CBD oil should guide decisions about raising or lowering the dose.
Click to read “How is CBD oil used?”
We wish you good health.
