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What is CBD Shatter?

A top down view of amber colored CBD shatter strewn across a white surface.

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If you are someone who enjoys their CBD due to the various benefits that it can have for both the mind and the body, then something you might want to try is CBD shatter. CBD shatter is very potent and it’s a type of CBD concentrate that has become very popular, and for good reason. Today, we're going to figure out everything there is to know about CBD shatter, including what it is, how it’s different from other CBD products, how to use it, if it’s safe and legal, where to find it, and so much more. Let’s get to it and talk CBD shatter.

Key Takeaways

  • CBD shatter is a form of CBD isolate
  • Shatter is made through a solvent extraction process
  • CBD may have several health benefits without being intoxicating
  • Dabbing is considered the best way to consume CBD shatter

What is CBD Shatter?

CBD shatter is a specific type or form of CBD isolate, which means that it is just pure CBD and doesn’t contain other plant materials, cannabinoids, or any other substances for that matter. Of course, here we are talking about CBD, the cannabinoid that is well known for having benefits related to the relief of anxious thoughts, pain and inflammation, sleep, and more. We aren’t talking about THC, which is the stuff that gets you high. If the CBD shatter is 100% pure and doesn’t contain any THC, then it shouldn’t get you high. CBD shatter, or shatter in general, gets its name mainly due to its consistency, as it can shatter if you drop it. Shatter is very hard and brittle, kind of like a very thin piece of glass, albeit much yellower and milkier than glass, as it is not totally transparent. You could say that CBD shatter looks kind of like peanut brittle, just without the peanuts. CBD shatter, just like THC shatter, is made by extracting the main compound out of the flower (CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, whereas THC is extracted from the cannabis plant), purified, and the result is a hard sheet of pure CBD that looks something like yellowish-brown stained glass (although it may be clearer depending on the purity of the final product). Simply put, CBD shatter is a pure CBD extract that looks like thin glass and is something that you can dab or vape.

How is CBD Shatter Different from Other CBD Products?

One of the big differences here is how shatter is made, versus how other CBD products are made. Shatter is made through a solvent extraction process. Here, the hemp flower is placed inside of a metal container or column, and a chilled solvent, usually butane, is then pumped in from the top. That butane acts as a solvent and passes through the hemp flower, binds with the CBD, and drips out the bottom, so what you’re left with is CBD filled butane. The butane is then left to sit so it evaporates, and then heated to remove any remaining solvent, which then leaves you with CBD shatter, a solid sheet of CBD that looks something like glass. It is then generally broken or shattered into smaller pieces of consumption. This is unlike most other forms of CBD concentrates, which generally do not involve the use of a solvent, therefore making them much safer. As you could probably imagine, pumping butane into hemp comes with certain risks, mainly fire and explosions. It wouldn’t be the first time that someone blew up their house trying to extract CBD or THC from hemp or cannabis. There are many forms of extraction that don’t require a solvent of any kind. For instance, you can take the kief or crystals from the hemp plant, sift them, and then turn them into hash (whether it’s bubble hash or baked hash). Making hash involves taking the kief and processing it through baking. There are then also CBD tinctures or topicals, which are made in a totally different way. Tinctures, or in other words CBD suspended in oil, is made by taking decarboxylated flower and slowly simmering it in a carrier oil for anywhere between 3 to 6 hours. Both THC and CBD are oil soluble, so simmering the CBD hemp flower in oil will transfer all of that CBD into the oil, thus making a tincture to be ingested, or in some cased a topical to be applied externally. The oils or tinctures can then be used to bake goods such as cookies, brownies, and gummies. The other main difference is that CBD shatter is super pure. The extraction process leaves no plant material in the final product, and if done properly, no other substances either. CBD shatter can be well over 90% pure, if not nearly 100% pure. This means that beside CBD, there is nothing else present. This is unlike CBD hash that usually doesn’t exceed 40% or 50% CBD, with the rest being plant material. Of course, if you make a tincture with oil, that’s not going to be pure either, as the CBD is contained within the oil.

Types of CBD Concentrates

If we are talking about CBD concentrates, there are three main ones to consider. These include CBD isolate, broad spectrum CBD, and full spectrum CBD. Let’s take a quick look at all three to see what they’re all about.

CBD Isolate

First, we have CBD isolate, which is realistically the purest form of CBD out there. Generally speaking it really shouldn't contain any other active compounds that can be found in the hemp plant. When the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, virtually all other components of the plant are separated from the CBD through that extraction process that we discussed above. CBD isolate can be as pure as 99%, purest form of CBD.

Broad Spectrum CBD

We then have broad spectrum CBD, which does contain many of the active compounds that can be found in the hemp plant, in addition to full spectrum CBD, which we will discuss further below. The main point to keep in mind here is that broad spectrum CBD does not contain any THC whatsoever.

Full Spectrum CBD

We then have full spectrum CBD that comes complete with many different extracts that can be found in the hemp plant, including essential oils, terpenes, and more. The big take away with full spectrum CBD is that it may also contain THC. Therefore, if you are purchasing any sort of CBD product, you do need to be careful that you don't purchase one that contains THC, at least not if you don't want to get high.

What is the Difference Between Shatter and Wax?

Something that can confuse a lot of people is that both shatter and wax are hemp isolates. However, there are some differences between them. The difference here starts with the extraction of the CBD from the hemp. If we are talking about wax, much less heat is used than when the CBD is extracted from shatter. If we are talking about the wax, then the molecules are very loosely held together, whereas with shatter, the molecules are held together much tighter. Shatter also gets filtered much more than wax does before consumption, therefore resulting in the following differences. While both shatter and wax can contain over 60% CBD or THC, they do look and feel very different. Wax is a substance that is opaque, so it doesn't really let light through, and it's also very soft and easy to handle. It has a texture that is somewhat like thick oil or butter. What is interesting to note is that when the liquid or CBD is extracted from the hemp buds, the liquid looks very similar for both wax and shatter. However, wax becomes a yellowish or brown color that looks a lot like earwax. On the other hand, we then have shatter, which is much harder and brittle. It is also not thick or opaque, but rather transparent so that light can get through. It also tends to be more amber in color. Shatter is a bit harder to use because it is brittle and therefore harder to manipulate. However, shatter does also last longer because the molecules are more tightly packed together and it features a more stable chemical makeup. The effects of both shatter and wax will be relatively similar once dabbed or vaped, but the production process, the look, and the feel of the two CBD products are fairly different.

How to Use CBD Shatter?

Seeing as shattered can be relatively hard to manipulate, how exactly do you use it? Well, there are a few different ways that you can use shatter. Now, just to get this out of the way, shatter is technically meant to be vaporized. It is not designed to be combusted. That said, if you have no other methods and you have some CBD shatter, you may combust it if you desire. You can break it into small chunks and put it inside of a joint, or load it up into the bowl of a pipe or bong. With that being said, shatter really isn't designed for this, it's going to be extremely harsh if you combust it, it won't taste nice, and the effects won't be nearly as enjoyable as if vaporized. The best way to use CBD shatter is by vaporizing or dabbing it. For those of you who don't know, dabbing is when you heat up a piece of glass or metal to the point where the shatter or concentrate will vaporize, or in other words turn into vapor, when it comes into contact with it, which you can then inhale. It's like a bong where the concentrate gets vaporized instead of combusted. If you don't have a dab rig, you can always get yourself a vaporizer that allows you to put your own hemp concentrates inside of it. These may be expensive and hard to find, so dabbing is usually the method of choice. If all else fails, although it's not the first thing we would recommend, you can always cook with shatter. You can heat it up and get it soft enough so that you can then mix it in with your drinks or foods, although it's really not going to taste very good. The number one way to consume shatter is by dabbing it.

What are the Potential Benefits of CBD Shatter?

Now that you know what CBD shatter is and how it is best consumed, let's figure out what its potential benefits might be. First, let's talk about some of the potential benefits that CBD itself might have. So, one of the main benefits that CBD may have is the relief of pain and inflammation. Therefore, if you are suffering from chronic pain and inflammation, CBD may be able to help relieve some of it. Many people choose to use CBD as an alternative to prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Another benefit that CBD may have is that it may be able to help regulate your mood, specifically it may be able to help reduce depressive and anxious thoughts. Simply put, it can make you feel a little more stable and happier. Yet another benefit that CBD may have, particularly for the human mind, is that it may be able to help you get a better night's sleep. Although exactly how CBD makes you sleep better it still requires a bit more research, there is some anecdotal evidence that people who take CBD may sleep better at night. Although more research is required on this front, it is also assumed that topical CBD may be able to help regulate gastrointestinal disorders, or in other words, prevent upset stomachs from occurring. In some cases, CBD may even be used to help treat opioid addictions. Now, usually when we talk about CBD, we talk about CBD found in hemp flower that has to be smoked or turned into edibles, or concentrates, such as tinctures, which also need to be consumed. The issue here is of course that as far as CBD flower is concerned, not everybody wants to smoke, because after all, smoking isn't great for your lungs. At the same time, you might also not want to take CBD edibles, because some people do suffer from upset stomachs due to edibles. Therefore, shatter does make for a good alternative, because it is something that you can vaporize, so you aren't combusting anything or smoking anything, so it isn't too bad for your lungs, plus you also aren't ingesting it, so it shouldn't affect your digestive system. There is also the fact that CBD shatter can be extremely potent, some of the most potent CBD products out there, which means that it only takes a little bit of shatter to reap massive benefits.

Is CBD Shatter Safe?

While CBD shatter may be extremely potent, the general consensus is that it is very safe to use. As far as the experts are concerned, CBD is non-toxic, non intoxicating, and safe to use in humans. This is actually according to the World Health Organization's report on CBD that was issued in 2017. The World Health Organization even said that CBD may have some positive influence or benefits on the human mind and body, due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system in the human body. CBD may have some vital side effects, especially when taken in large quantities, although nothing serious or life threatening. If you take too much CBD, your appetite might change, you might experience a very temporary drop in blood pressure, you might get a dry mouth, you might feel a bit tired and dizzy, and you might get diarrhea. It may also be the case that high doses of CBD might prevent your body from metabolizing other medications that you take around the same time, so you do want to consult a medical professional before you start mixing large doses of CBD with other pharmaceutical medications. With all of that said, let's keep in mind that the production process required to make shatter is not very safe. It involves a whole lot of flammable gasses, and it wouldn't be the first time that someone blew up their house or garage trying to make it. So, consuming CBD shatter is safe, but making it, not so much. According to the 2018 farm bill in the United States, CBD shatter should be legal, as long as it is made from a hemp plant that contains less than 0.3% THC. As far as the United States federal government is concerned, any hemp extracts that are made from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC should be legal. With that being said, you do want to check the laws and regulations of the state in which you reside, as each state may have slightly different rules regarding this.

What are the Potential Side Effects of CBD Shatter?

The side effects of the CBD shatter are really nothing serious, as we discussed above. Some of the side effects include dry mouth, feeling tired, dizziness, a change in appetite, and other such basic effects. you might also experience a small drop in blood pressure, or you could get diarrhea. However, unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating, so you're not going to get that anxiety or paranoia that high doses of THC can cause. Just remember, high doses of CBD may interact with other medications, so always consult a medical professional first.

How Do You Choose a High Quality CBD Shatter?

Choosing the high quality CBD shatter can actually be rather difficult, and this is because telling which ones are good and which ones are bad is extremely hard. Really, just by looking at it, the only way to tell whether or not shatter is any good is by examining the color. Generally speaking, the shatter production process involves the removal of any plant matter and any substances other than CBD. So, the purer the shatter is, or in other words, the higher the concentration of CBD, the less plant matter and other substances should be present, which therefore means less color should be present. Therefore, the purest forms of CBD, or the purest CBD shatter, are going to be virtually clear and lacking in color. Something else you can do to see if your shatter is any good is to simply examine the brand name itself. Word of mouth is huge nowadays, so if a brand name has a really good product, such as CBD shatter, there should be many other people talking about it, and the same goes if the product is bad. You're going to hear people talking about these things. Shaft here should also be very hard and brittle, like a thin piece of glass. If you notice that the shatter you have is very soft and pliable, then the quality is probably not as good as it should be. The harder and more brittle the shatter in question, the higher the quality is going to be.

How Do You Store CBD Shatter?

When you are storing shatter, put it inside of parchment paper, and then inside of an airtight jar. You then want to take that jar and put it inside of a dry, dark, and cool place. The perfect place to keep your jar of shatter is in the refrigerator. You just don't want any light, humidity, or oxygen getting to it, as these will all cause your shatter to break down faster.

Where to Buy CBD Products Online

If you are looking for some nice CBD products, then right here at Botany Farms is the place to be. We have some really nice CBD products, such as these Orange Glaze Pre-Rolls, This CBD + THC tincture, and these CBD Peach Gummies. There you have it folks, everything you need to know about CBD shatter. If you like CBD, but you want a higher dose than what you are used to, and you need something that can potentially help relieve pain, anxious thoughts, and help you sleep better, some CBD shatter is recommended. CBD is really something fantastic and we do recommend exploring it a little more. Thanks for stopping by! Botany Farms has you covered for crafted Live Resin products.

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