7 Easy Ways To Use And Dose CBD Crystals

Luke Sholl

Veteran Cannabis Journalist & CBD Expert

Luke Sholl

Last updated: January 25, 2024

Reviewed by:

Arno Hazekamp

Reviewed by:

Arno Hazekamp

CBD Isolate 99% Pure (Zamnesia)

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What exactly are CBD crystals?

Achieving exceptional purity results from several different extraction methods, but the most common is the use of supercritical CO₂. This high-tech process removes all unwanted components, such as bad-tasting waxes, lipids, and chlorophyll, leaving behind a white, powdery crystal form (hence the name) that looks similar to fine sugar.

The major advantage of CBD crystals is their versatility. You can dissolve them in food or drinks, apply them sublingually (under the tongue), or use them to make other products, such as topical salves, vape juices, and custom CBD oils. Moreover, CBD crystals lack the strong, bitter taste that deters many consumers from traditional CBD products.

CBD isolate vs CBD oil

Given the popularity of CBD oil, it makes sense to draw a quick comparison between the wellness industry's most common product and CBD isolate. After all, if CBD crystals are so versatile, why don't more people use them?

Using CBD crystals isn't as straightforward as CBD oil. With the former, you'll need an accurate scale to measure each dose, and extra preparation is usually involved depending on the administration method. Whereas, with CBD oil, most people simply pick the concentration they need and place drops in their mouth or on their food.

There's also the entourage effect to consider. Full-spectrum CBD oils contain a greater blend of minor cannabinoids and terpenes, potentially boosting the overall influence. With CBD crystals, the focus is almost solely on cannabidiol, which, for some people, may not provide the greatest benefit to their wellness needs.

How to dose CBD isolate correctly

First of all, you don't have to worry about taking too much CBD. It is non-toxic, and human studies have administered exceptionally high doses to no ill effect. However, you could definitely be more chilled out than expected with a higher dose, which could be a waste of crystals and money. It's always advised to start out with a fairly low dose and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired effect.

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How often should you take CBD isolate?

Most CBD products tell you to use it 3–4 times a day, which would mean splitting your daily dose evenly across those sessions. The next step is to listen to your body and become aware of any positive or adverse effects. You should wait 3–4 hours after your first dose to perceive the cannabinoid's influence, because it can sometimes take a while for the effects to become noticeable.

If you don't feel any effect after a few hours, take a slightly larger amount. Once you've reached the point where you start to notice an impact, you should remain at this dose for at least a week.

How to measure CBD crystals

With CBD crystals, a precise scale is an absolute must, as you'll want to weigh the crystals to get an accurate dose. For example, if your recommended daily dose of CBD crystals is 10mg, and you plan to consume it 3–4 times a day, then each dose should be 2.5–3.5mg.

You'll also want to monitor your body closely while taking CBD crystals. How is your overall health, mental state, and energy level? With this knowledge, you can increase or decrease the average daily dose to achieve your desired effect.

The best ways to use CBD crystals

With an overview of CBD crystals covered, let's explore the pros and cons of various common consumption methods.

Dabbing CBD isolate

One of the most popular ways to use CBD crystals in the US, dabbing involves evaporating the concentrate on a hot metal “nail” (also known as a banger) and inhaling the vapor. The only real downside to this method is that you will need some accessories if you've never dabbed before. These include a dab rig, a torch lighter, a dabbing tool, and, of course, your CBD crystals.

If you have assembled all of the necessary tools, scoop up some crystals with your dab tool, heat the nail with your blowtorch till it's red hot, wait 30–60 seconds for it to cool down a little bit, put the crystals on the nail to melt them, and inhale. You will feel the effects almost immediately, which is a benefit of dabbing over other methods. This is also the most efficient way to consume CBD crystals because almost the entire dose is inhaled, and has the best taste to it.

Dissolving CBD isolate under the tongue

The easiest way to ingest CBD crystals is to dissolve them under your tongue (sublingual consumption). Hold them there for 60–90 seconds, and try not to swallow. This way, the crystals are absorbed and have an almost direct path to the bloodstream, causing you to feel the effects in as little as fifteen minutes.

Vaping CBD isolate

Vaping is pretty similar to dabbing in that it has a quick onset of effects and a pure taste. You don't need as much paraphernalia as with dabbing, but you will require a quality vaporizer developed for use with concentrates (vapes meant for flowers won't do the job).

Put your crystals in the heating chamber of your favourite vaporizer, heat them to the desired temperature, and draw a breath. It's that simple! But don't heat it too high, as that may introduce carcinogens and benzenes into the mix, which we try to avoid as much as possible. This is also true for dabbing CBD crystals.

Mixing CBD isolate with vape liquid

You can mix CBD crystals with your favourite flavoured vape liquid as well. Add your desired amount of crystals to the vape liquid, and shake it (vigorously) to dissolve the CBD. Please note that there are health risks associated with e-liquids, so this may not be an ideal option for all users.

Making CBD isolate edibles

Like with cannabis, you can infuse CBD crystals into coconut oil, butter, or another high-fat substance to make edibles. Simply melt the butter or oil at a low temperature before adding your crystals. Stir for five minutes until they are fully dissolved.

After that, the mixture is ready to be paired with the other ingredients in your recipe. The taste will not be so overpoweringly "weedy" like it can be with herbal cannabis sometimes. Still, like with all edibles, the effect can take a while to kick in, ranging between 1 and 2 hours.

Blending CBD isolate with a carrier oil

You can use hemp, olive, or coconut oil for best results. Basically, you are making your own CBD oil, but at a concentration that suits you. You will have to heat the oil with the crystals in a hot water bath for about ten minutes to blend them fully.

For calculating the dose: 1,000mg of CBD crystals in 10ml of oil gives you a concentration of 10% CBD, so adjust that formula as needed. If you're someone that uses CBD for wellness purposes, then being able to curate the potency to your needs usually proves more economical than buying large quantities of pre-formulated CBD oil.

Creating a CBD isolate salve

All of the above consumption methods involve intaking CBD crystals and letting the cannabinoid circulate the body via the bloodstream. CBD topicals differ in that their influence is limited to a local level (skin and muscles), helping to modulate cannabinoid receptors on the outside of the body.

To get started, you'll need some coconut oil, distilled water, beeswax, CBD crystals, and some essential oil (of your choice). Heat the beeswax and coconut oil over low heat, and once fully melted, add the CBD crystals. Leave your mixture to cool before adding the essential oils. You can even adjust the consistency by adding some water to the mixture.

Is isolate thfe most effective way to take CBD?

Given the potency and versatility, CBD crystals certainly seem to be one of the most effective ways to experience CBD. However, there's more to CBD's effectiveness than potency or speed of onset. It's about matching the characteristics of a particular CBD product with your personal wellness needs. Given CBD's safety profile and lack of psychotropic side effects, perhaps the best approach is to experiment with CBD crystals and other CBD products to find what works for you. The possibilities are endless.