If you have an important meeting or know your relatives might stop by, you might be worried about your apartment (or breath) smelling like marijuana. That’s led a lot of people to ponder, “Does CBD oil smell like weed?”
Luckily, the short answer is: No. CBD oil is mainly scentless. It has a faint smell at most, especially if you plan to use it sublingual (under the tongue).
While CBD oil doesn’t smell, it still contains all the hemp elements that provide benefits and positive effects. These elements include flavonoids and terpenes, which give CBD oil its smell and flavor. We’ll go over what those are in a bit. Let’s take a closer look at what CBD oil is and why it doesn’t have a strong smell!
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What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is cannabidiol extracted hemp. CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in hemp, a cannabis plant with 0.3% THC or less. The lack of THC makes CBD oil non-psychoactive, which simply means it won’t get you high.
Because of the small amount of THC in CBD oil, it’s legal in all 50 states. The Farm Bill was passed in 2018, making hemp products widely available throughout the country. That means you’ll find plenty of CBD oil sellers online, along with other unique CBD products that incorporate CBD oil. These products include CBD cookies, lollipops, and bath bombs.
The CBD market has blown up because of cannabidiol’s wellness benefits. Many people use it daily to improve their mood, regulate their sleep, and soothe physical discomfort. It does this by interacting with the receptors in our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is present in every mammal’s body. It regulates well-being and homeostasis. The ECS has receptors in all major systems of the body, including the immune, digestive, muscular, and nervous systems. That’s why CBD benefits so many different functions.
How Do They Make CBD Oil?
CBD oil is extracted from hemp with a process known as CO2 extraction. The exact process varies from lab to lab, but most start the extraction with either liquid or gas CO2. It’s added to a chamber that also has hemp inside.
A specific temperature and pressure amount are used to help CO2 reach its supercritical state. With some additional heat, the CO2 acts as a solvent. The CO2 is run through ground hemp, separating the compounds from the plant material. When the CO2 evaporates, you’re left with full spectrum CBD oil.
This method is a bit more expensive than others that use potentially toxic solvents because CO2 extraction requires experienced technicians. CO2 is the preferred extraction method because it’s the most efficient way to remove CBD from hemp while keeping it pure, safe, healthy, and potent. The Food & Drug Administration has said that this extraction method is “generally regarded as safe.”
Pure CO2 extracted CBD is often combined with a carrier oil that is high in fat, like hemp seed. That’s because CBD is a fat-soluble compound (as opposed to a water-soluble one). Since it’s fat-soluble, our body absorbs CBD more easily when infused with hemp seed oil.
Hemp seed oil also provides an abundance of additional benefits. This superfood is rich in essential omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids. It also provides protein to those who use CBD. CBD is another natural, organic, and vegan ingredient that offers many benefits. No wonder, CBD is often combined with hemp seed oil!
Are All CBD Oils the Same?
There is a variety of CBD oils available on the market, including different ingredients and varying flavors. The first thing to do is consider full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate CBD oils. Here’s an overview.
Full Spectrum
Full spectrum is the most popular type of CBD oil. It includes every component of the plant. This means it contains a high level of CBD and every other cannabinoid found in hemp (including 0.3% TCH). It also has all the terpenes and flavonoids found in hemp.
When all of these components are present, it creates a synergy that’s often called the “entourage effect.” The entourage effect strengthens CBD’s effects and benefits. This is why most people choose full spectrum CBD oil.
Broad Spectrum
Broad spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes found in hemp except THC. You’ll still experience a synergetic effect, making broad spectrum oil another great CBD product. Just keep in mind that you will still miss out on the full force of the entourage effect.
Road spectrum is an excellent choice for people who prefer to avoid THC. While responsibly made CBD oil shouldn’t contain more than 0.3% THC, broad spectrum lowers these levels even further.
Isolate
CBD isolate is pure CBD. It’s a concentrated form that contains no other cannabinoids, which means CBD isolate lacks terpenes and flavonoids. Flavorless and odorless, CBD isolates contain over 99% pure CBD.
The lack of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids means CBD isolate doesn’t have the earthy taste that full spectrum CBD oil carries. Most terpenes and flavonoids provide wellness benefits that are not present in isolate products.
Flavonoids and Terpenes
Flavonoids and terpenes are responsible for the scent and flavor profile of CBD products. That means CBD oil can have various flavors and smells depending on its flavonoid and terpene profile.
Some brands will also add natural (and sometimes artificial) flavors. These include mint, orange cream, cinnamon, cookies and cream, vanilla, and more. The flavor is important to consider since CBD oil is often placed underneath the tongue, meaning you’ll definitely taste it!
Does CBD Oil Smell And What Do Terpenes Smell Like?
CBD oil manufacturers often aim to make their products odorless. Most CBD oil isn’t pungent, and some have compared its scent to sweet grass.
This earthy smell isn’t surprising since oil, a natural, plant-based product. Sometimes the aroma is due to the carrier oil (like hemp seed) instead of the CBD itself.
CBD oil’s smell varies depending on the manufacturer, their process, and the product’s quality. Some companies will even add artificial smells to mask the earthy scents. But CBD oil tinctures will have no strong smells to worry about, especially when placed under your tongue. Nobody will smell CBD oil on your breath.
Does CBD Oil Smell Like Weed?
This is common question since CBD and marijuana both come from cannabis. Since it contains many of the same components (flavonoids, terpenes, cannabinoids), it is understandable to think CBD oil might smell like marijuana.
In tincture form, CBD oil won’t smell like weed. There will be hints of a plant-like aroma if there’s any smell at all. When you vape or smoke e-juice or CBD flower, they give off a stronger smell. CBD oil should never be smoked, vaped, or inhaled in any way. The carrier oils cannot efficiently are meant for our digestive system, so our lungs cannot efficiently process them.
You can heat and inhale CBD flower and vape juice, causing it to go through a process called combustion. During this stage, the similarities between CBD and marijuana’s flavor profiles are most apparent. While it’s nowhere near as strong of a scent as weed, smoked CBD may carry a similar aroma.
What is the Best CBD Oil?
As we mentioned, the CBD market is ever-growing. Sometimes it can be tough to narrow your search when looking for the best CBD oil. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing CBD oil.
- Look for a Certificate of Analysis: This means the company has done third-party testing on each batch of CBD oil, ensuring it is free of contaminants and that its label accurately describes its contents.
- Make sure the hemp is grown locally: US grown hemp is often safer and healthier because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has very strict hemp growing regulations. Imported hemp might not follow these strict regulations, meaning it could be less potent and full of concerning ingredients.
- Natural, organic ingredients: Aside from CBD oil, the product should have natural, organic ingredients that are good for our bodies. Look for a carrier like coconut or hemp seed oil. There should be no artificial flavors.
At Hollyweed, our full spectrum CBD oil is all of the above and more! Our oil is lab-tested, organic, vegan, and even comes with free shipping. We also have a 30-day money-back guarantee. That’s because we believe in our CBD oil and wish to create helpful, beneficial, healthy products for all. We care about your experience and want it to be as beneficial as possible!
Final Thoughts – Does CBD Oil Smell?
CBD oil can sometimes have a very faint, earthy smell. But overall, you won’t notice a smell when you use CBD oil sublingually. When you smoke CBD flower or vape e-juice, you’ll notice a smell similar to marijuana (although not as strong).
CBD oil may not have a strong smell, but it still contains all the hemp plant’s elements. These include cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Together, this creates an “entourage effect” that allows CBD users to experience powerful health benefits. If you have any more questions about CBD oil (and its lack of smell), reach out to us to talk to our customer service team!
