When you purchase a bottle of CBD oil, you may think that it will last forever on your shelf. But the truth is, there is a CBD expiration date — even if it’s not printed on the label.
Does CBD oil go bad? The answer is yes. But if taken regularly, you’ll finish the bottle before expiration becomes a concern.
CBD oil is one of the most popular methods that people use to ingest cannabinoids, which are found naturally in the cannabis plant. This chemical compound mimics the endocannabinoids that animals produce in their bodies as a way to maintain the health and homeostasis of the endocrine system. This process is regulated by the body’s endocannabinoid system.
When stressed — whether by internal health conditions, environmental stressors, or both — people might use supplementation to support the endocannabinoid system to help the functions of the endocrine system. These include sleep, weight, mood, reproductive health, chronic pain, and more.
But CBD oil won’t be effective if it’s gone bad. In this article, you’ll learn about the shelf life and storage tips to keep your product fresh and effective.
How Is CBD Oil Made?
CBD oil is produced by manufacturers that extract a specific, active cannabinoid called cannabidiol from the plant matter. Although there are different methods for separating the CBD chemicals from the flowers, leaves, and stems, the general process is similar to how essential oils are made.
Companies work with farms that grow hemp and harvest the plant material. They deliver the bulk cannabis to laboratories, where they use carbon dioxide or other chemicals to separate the CBD. Those chemicals are then mixed with oils for the final product. These oils may be MCT, olive oil, or hemp oil that’s derived from hemp seed in a completely different process.
CBD oil comes from hemp, not marijuana, even though both are harvested from the same cannabis plant. The difference is that hemp is grown and cultivated to ensure less than 0.3% THC, the chemical compound in cannabis that produces a high. That means CBD oil cannot make someone high.
CBD Expiration Date: What To Look For
It is best to presume that CBD oil has a shelf life of somewhere around one or two years, although the expiration date will depend on specific conditions. First, low-quality ingredients will cause CBD oil to go bad faster. Other factors that contribute to faster spoilage include:
- Unnecessary ingredients, like unnatural flavors
- Too many chemicals used in extraction (CO2 is the preferred method)
- Cheap packaging, such as clear plastics
- Improper storage
Like all ingestible oils, CBD oil can go bad. Here are three tests to determine if yours has turned:
- Smell: Fresh CBD should smell earthy and pleasant, while spoiled oil has a skunky smell.
- Consistency: While cloudy oil is normal when cold, CBD oil shouldn’t look thick, dark, or murky.
- Taste: CBD may taste nutty, earthy, or even grassy — but it should never taste unpalatable.
If your CBD oil has turned, it’s not necessarily dangerous to consume. It’s unlikely to make you sick, but the product will have its lost potency.
Storage Tips To Keep Products Fresh
The amount of CBD oil that is best for each person differs based on the individual health conditions, body size, and sensitivity. Some people will use a bottle of CBD oil much faster than others. No matter how much you use, you’ll want to keep it fresh.
CBD oil is sensitive to oxygen, light, and temperature. Too much of any of those will cause your product to go bad more quickly. Follow these storage tips to maintain potency and effectiveness:
1. Keep oil in an airtight, dark glass bottle.
Most often, this means keeping it in its original packaging. If the CBD oil is sold in plastic or clear glass, consider purchasing a higher-quality item.
2. Store the oil at room temperature.
This is normally around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 to 21 degrees Celsius. When it’s too cold, it will look cloudy. When it’s too hot, it will spoil.
3. Keep your products away from sunlight.
CBD oil is best stored in a cupboard, closet, or other dark location in your kitchen or bathroom.
4. Beware of unintentional changes in temperature.
For example, radiators and stoves can blast heat, while air conditioners and windows may make for cooler conditions.
5. Don’t contaminate the dropper.
If you touch the dropper to your tongue or a dirty spoon and return it to the bottle, you are transferring harmful bacteria along with it. Make sure you keep contaminants away from your oil by using a clean dropper or spoon for each use.
6. Tightly fasten the bottle after each use.
Keep the air out to prevent spoilage.
Buy High-Quality Products for CBD Oil To Last
Whether you are interested in purchasing broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD oil, you’ll want to look for the highest quality. Often, the best tinctures cost premium prices, but that’s not the case with CBD Direct Club. They offer high-quality CBD oil tinctures at affordable prices.
The broad-spectrum tincture oils are made using a distillate that has the THC removed, and each batch is tested in a third-party laboratory to ensure what is on the label is what is in the bottle. The products come in three great-tasting flavors: natural, peppermint, and berry. Broad-spectrum tinctures, which are made with MCT oil, range in potency from 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg.
CBD Direct Club also sells full-spectrum tincture, which is also produced with MCT oil. While both products will have similar shelf lives, the difference is how it is made. Full-spectrum oils take advantage of what’s known as “the entourage effect” to include other parts of the cannabis plant, such as terpenes and flavonoids. Some users prefer the results of this option, while others find greater success in broad-spectrum oils. To learn more about what’s best for you, browse the products at CBD Direct Club now.