This step-by-step guide will teach you how to make your own CBD oil at home and is perfect for anyone who wants to make their own CBD oil recipe to be used as a supplement in cannabis-infused recipes or in self-care products.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a plant-based compound known as a cannabinoid.
It is the second most abundant of all the cannabinoids, next to THC.
CBD works because the human body contains what is known as an endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is proven to help maintain homeostasis in the body by acting as a balancing mechanism with other body systems such as the circulatory, nervous, and digestive systems (1).
Cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, found in the cannabis plant, interact with our endocannabinoid systems, producing various effects.
CBD produces a non-intoxicating effect and is preferred by many members of my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community for various reasons.
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How to Make CBD Oil
If you are already familiar with making cannabis infusions, this CBD oil recipe follows the same infusion process.
The only difference is the type of cannabis flower you start with and how you decarb that flower.
Start with CBD Dominant Cannabis Flower
Cannabis comes in a variety of different strains with a variety of different cannabinoids and cannabinoid ratios.
While many people are familiar with traditional, THC-dominant cannabis flower, there is also CBD-dominant cannabis flower, or hemp flower.
Third-party lab tests can help to clarify what cannabinoids are present in your flower, and how much.
CBD-dominant flower may come with either high or low amounts of THC, it all depends on the strain of the plant.
To make a CBD oil at home, you must start with cannabis flower that has CBDA, the precursor to CBD, already present.
If you're still unclear about CBD flower, you can read our full CBD flower guide here.
Decarboxylate For CBDA to CBD Conversion
Once you have acquired the CBD flower needed to make this CBD oil recipe, the next step is to decarboxylate the CBD flower.
While you may be familiar with the traditional decarboxylation process for making traditional THC cannabis-infused oils, it is slightly different for making CBD-infused oil.
This process converts cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) into cannabidiol (CBD), although both forms remain non-intoxicating in their respective states.
It is important to remember that all cannabinoids decarboxylate at different temperatures, so the temperature and time needed to achieve full activation for CBD will differ from THC.
The most common recommendation for decarboxylating CBDA to CBD is to bake the flower at 240°F for 80-90 minutes.
How to Use CBD Oil
There are many different ways to use and consume your homemade CBD oil.
It's important to choose an application method by evaluating the bioavailability, onset, and duration times and comparing them to your personal needs.
Various application methods include:
- Sublingual Application – oil held under the tongue for absorption
- Topical Application – topical cannabis products are applied directly to the skin
- Edible (Oral) Application – from homemade cannabis edibles to cannabis-infused drinks, there are many ways you can orally consume CBD oil
- Inhalation Consumption – vaping CBD oil or smoking or dry herb vaporizing
It is recommended to try all types of consumption methods to find which one is best for you.
Below we will talk about each one in detail.
Sublingual Application (Under the Tongue)
Sublingual, meaning under the tongue, involves holding CBD oil under your tongue to be absorbed.
This method is preferred due to the high bioavailability rate of ~30%, ensuring more effective absorption into the bloodstream.
The typical onset time starts between 15-30 minutes and the typical duration time lasts for 2-4 hours.
Sublingual Application (Under the Tongue)
Sublingual, meaning under the tongue, involves holding CBD oil under your tongue to be absorbed.
This method is preferred due to the high bioavailability rate of ~30%, ensuring more effective absorption into the bloodstream.
The typical onset time starts between 15-30 minutes and the typical duration time lasts for 2-4 hours.
It is recommended to hold the oil under your tongue or inside your cheek for 60-90 seconds, or for the best results, as long as possible.
Sublingual CBD Oil Application Pros & Cons:
- Bioavailability rate: ~30%
- Onset time: 15-30 minutes
- Duration time: 2-4 hours
- Effects: Systemic (circulates through the whole body)
- Pros: High bioavailability rate, quick absorption times
- Cons: Taste can be a problem for some people
Topical Application (On the Skin)
Topical CBD products can be applied directly to the skin at the place of discomfort for targeted relief.
Unlike sublingual absorption, topical absorption does not introduce CBD directly to the bloodstream that circulates systemically and instead provides a localized effect.
Because topicals do not absorb into the bloodstream, you can use them as often as needed throughout the day.
Topically applied CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors on the skin itself, resulting in a ~30% bioavailability rate.
The typical onset time starts between 10-20 minutes and the typical duration time lasts for 2-4 hours.
Some of the most popular CBD topical products on the marketplace today include CBD lip balms, CBD salve, CBD massage oils, and CBD lotions and creams.
Topical CBD Pros & Cons:
- Bioavailability rate: ~30%
- Onset time: 10-20 minutes
- Duration time: 2-4 hours
- Effects: Localized (does not circulate through the whole body)
- Pros: Provides localized relief for specific areas
- Cons: Does not provide systemic relief
Oral Consumption (Edibles in Food and Drinks)
Edibles, also known as oral consumption, involve eating CBD in food and drinks or even capsules.
Eating CBD can be fun & enjoyable, and there are many different ways to cook with CBD in the kitchen.
Just remember that when CBD oil is swallowed, it passes through the digestive system and results in a ~10% bioavailability rate.
This is significantly lower than the sublingual or topical absorption methods.
The typical onset time starts between 30-90 minutes and the typical duration time lasts for 4-8 hours.
Edible CBD Pros & Cons:
- Bioavailability rate: ~6-10%
- Onset time: 30-90 minutes
- Duration time: 4-8 hours
- Effects: Systemic (circulates through the whole body)
- Pros: Long-lasting, convenient & delicious
- Cons: Low bioavailability rate meaning that you may need to take more milligrams to achieve the desired effect
Inhalation Application (Smoking or Vaping)
CBD inhalation can be done by dry herb vaporizing or smoking CBD hemp flower or vaping CBD oil.
Inhalation of CBD is the most bioavailable consumption method, with an ~31% bioavailability rate, but it has its share of potential health drawbacks.
Inhaled cannabis has an onset time of 1-3 minutes, and the effects typically last for 1-3 hours.
Inhalation Pros & Cons:
- Bioavailability rate: ~31%
- Onset time: 1-3 minutes
- Duration time: 1-3 hours
- Effects: Systemic (circulates through the whole body)
- Pros: Quick-acting, high bioavailability rate
- Cons: Potential negative effects associated with smoking, short-duration times
How to Dose CBD Oil
It is important to stay patient and take your time to discover your ideal CBD oil dose serving size.
Remember, the ideal serving sizes vary from one person to the next.
Several factors can affect the amount of CBD required for a person to meet their goals.
Variables such as the flower you start with, your unique endocannabinoid system, your weight, whether you have eaten, and the serving size can impact results.
Everyone responds to cannabis differently.
It is recommended to start with small serving sizes and work your way up, taking time to evaluate how you feel.
For reference, the average starting serving size for an adult is between 10mg-20mg per day.
After one week…
Feeling great? Keep up with the dose that is working, or feel free to experiment as desired.
Not feeling it? Increase your daily serving size by 10mg-20mg each week until you meet your goals.
We are all different, be patient, and enjoy the journey to finding your perfect serving size.
Finally, it is important to continue to take CBD consistently for maximum results.
Like a multi-vitamin, CBD is not just something you take one time in your life and expect to see any long-term benefit.
Oftentimes, many people do not reap the full benefits of CBD oil because they are not taking it consistently or for a long enough period of time.
This is why I recommend recording your dose and evaluate how you feel using a dose & symptom tracker, supplied for free with any order from our shop!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community about making CBD oil at home.
Can I Make A Smaller Batch?
Yes, you may want to consider making a small test batch before making a larger batch to see if homemade CBD oil is the right option for you.
This recipe calls for 1 ounce of CBD flower and 16 ounces of MCT oil, which will yield a large batch.
If you want to make a smaller batch first to see if CBD oil infusions are right for you, use this ratio guide below:
Can I Use a Different Oil?
You can absolutely use a carrier oil other than the MCT oil called for in the recipe below.
It is important to keep in mind that you should choose an oil that suits you final product outcome.
MCT oil is great for making a sublingual infusion, but it does remain liquid at room temperature.
MCT oil has also been known to cause digestive distress in some individuals, so be sure to read my guide to making an MCT oil infusion first.
Carrier Oil Options for Making CBD Oil
- MCT oil
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Avocado oil
- or any other liquid cooking oil you desire
- You can also use this process to make CBD cannabutter
Can I Make CBD Oil with FECO?
Yes, if you want a stronger, more potent infusion, you can make CBD oil with full-extract cannabis oil, also known as FECO.
This is a different process than what is outlined here and involves making a cannabis alcohol tincture, so be sure to follow the FECO guidelines here.
Just ensure you are starting with CBD-dominant flower first.
Does CBD Oil Get You High?
Can I get high from CBD oil?
The answer, depends on the cannabis flower you're using.
Cannabis flower can contain a wide variety of cannabinoid ratios with various percentages of CBD and THC.
Some flower can contain high amounts of both CBD and THC, while other flower, like CBD hemp flower, contains low amounts of THC.
If you want to ensure you are not getting a lot of THC in your final product, you want to opt for CBD flower derived from the hemp plant.
The government defines hemp as a cannabis plant that contains no more than 0.3% THC.
Therefore, preparing hemp-derived CBD oil will not produce an intoxicating ‘high’ feeling.
What Does It Feel Like to Use CBD?
Many people feel nothing at all when they use CBD for the first time, and that's OK.
Using CBD is not about what you feel; it is about what you don’t feel – a lack of unwanted symptoms.
Many of my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community members don’t even realize how much better they begin to feel each day until they miss a dose or stop their regimen.
Just like all things cannabis, how you feel will be entirely dependent on your own unique physiology and tolerance to cannabis.
Will CBD Show Up On a Drug Test?
When it comes to getting drug tested, it is important to know that using a CBD product containing any THC amount can result in a positive drug test result.
If you need to be free of THC, you need to ensure the flower you are using to infuse your oil is free of THC, verified by 3rd party lab testing.
There are THC-free CBD oils on the market that you can also purchase.
You find them labeled as broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate products.
Where Can I Buy a High-Quality CBD Flower
If you want to make this recipe at home using high-quality CBD flower, I have it available for purchase in my shop.
Where Can I Buy a High-Quality CBD Oil
To ensure the best products are available to you, I have formulated my own premium, high-quality CBD products.
All of my products are made from organic Colorado, USA-grown hemp and are processed in an FDA-approved facility using the highest-quality supercritical CO2 extraction technology.
If you’re brand new to CBD, I recommend starting with my 500mg Full-Spectrum CBD Oil.
I recommend this one because this one bottle has multiple purposes: it can be used sublingually under the tongue, on the skin, and in edible form.
With so many options, you can experiment with different application methods to find what works best for you.
How to Determine The Dosing For Your Recipe
Want to calculate the dosage of your cannabis edibles and homemade cannabis recipes?
While a calculator is no replacement for lab testing, this tool has been designed to help you get a more accurate guesstimate of the potency of your cannabis infusions and extractions.
Unlike other calculators available online, this calculator aims to provide more accuracy by accounting for the losses associated with decarboxylation, infusion oils, or extraction solvents used.
Use An Infusion Machine For Your Edibles
If the process of decarboxylating and infusing your cannabis edibles seems like too much work, a cannabis infusion machine is a perfect solution for you!
Cannabis-infusion machines are countertop devices that do all the work for you by decarboxylating and infusing your butters, oils, and more.
The most popular machines on the market today include LEVO Infusion Machines and Ardent Cannabis Infusion Machines.
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Enhance Your Cannabis Education
My beginner-friendly Cannabis Compass Online Course will show you how to dose, use, and apply cannabis safely and effectively so that you can begin to manage your most unwanted symptoms the natural way, from the comfort of your own home.
Learn more and enroll today →
How to Make CBD Oil
Ingredients
- 16 ounces MCT oil
- 1 ounce CBD-dominant cannabis flower
- 1 teaspoon liquid sunflower lecithin optional
Instructions
- Lay a clean tea towel down on the bottom of the crockpot. This will create a buffer between your mason jars and the crockpot, potentially preventing any jar from moving or cracking during cooking.
- Fill your crockpot with enough warm to hot water to cover the top of the mason jars you plan on using by an inch to create a water bath.
- Place the digital instant-read thermometer into the water. Start the crockpot heat on high. When a temperature of 185°F is reached, turn the crockpot to low.
- While the water bath is heating in the crockpot, measure and decarb the CBD-dominant cannabis flower in the oven at 240° F for 90 minutes. Click here, for a full CBD decarboxylation tutorial, if needed.
- Evenly divide the MCT oil between the mason jars you plan on using. You can either use pint-sized or half-pint-sized jars; it's you're preference; just be sure they fit in your crockpot. No matter the size, be sure to leave a ½ inch headspace from the top.
- If you plan on using sunflower lecithin, add it to the mason jars now.
- Evenly divide the decarbed flower between the MCT oil-filled jars. Wipe the rim of the jars with a clean towel and place the lid on. Tighten the metal ring to finger-tip tightness; it does not have to be tightened all the way. Do not tighten too tightly.
- Once the water bath has reached a temperature of 185° F, carefully place the jars into the water bath.
- Place the lid on the crockpot and leave it alone to infuse for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, carefully remove the lid, followed by the jars from the hot water. Set them aside to cool.
- Once cool enough to handle, you will want to strain the cannabis oil through a paper filter and paper filterpaper filterfunnel, cheesecloth, or French press to separate the plant-matter from the infused MCT oil.paper filterfunnel
- Save the leftover cannabis pulp for use in future recipes. Then return the prepared CBD oil to whatever jar you would like to store it in, like an amber glass jar with a dropper.
- Store the prepared CBD oil in a cool, dry place. It will last longer if stored in the refrigerator and even longer if stored in the freezer.