Does CBD Oil Expire? How to check and whether it’s safe…
If you have made your way over to this blog, chances are that you’re already aware of the many benefits of CBD oil: anti-inflammatory benefits, relief from stress and anxiety, and relief from chronic pain, amongst others. Perhaps you’re already using it and experiencing some of those benefits with your own health.
But does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe to use are the questions that we will be answering in today’s blog.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe: In a nutshell
CBD oil is generally a very shelf-stable product. This means that while it will eventually go bad, you can expect it to last for at least 18-24 months or possibly even longer if you store it correctly. In most cases, it is likely that you will finish your bottle of CBD oil before it has time to expire. However, if you happen to find a bottle laying around from a couple of years ago, there isn’t likely to be anything wrong with it, just the potency may be reduced.
It is always best to check the expiration date on the bottle as the best indicator of when the product expires. We always recommend that you buy a fresh bottle of CBD oil if you’re unsure of the expiration date.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe to use – because expiration dates aren’t necessarily the be-all and end-all. Or sometimes, the label may have fallen off or become damaged…so how would you know if the CBD oil is still okay to use?
Here are some indicators that the CBD oil has gone bad and should not be used:
- It smells funny. Fresh CBD oil should smell earthy, not unpleasant
- It has become thick or murky. Sometimes CBD oil can appear cloudy if it has been stored in a very cold room or in the fridge, however at room temperature you should be able to see: if the oil looks dark or murky, don’t use it
- It tastes rancid/sour. The natural flavor of CBD oil is usually described as being earthy or nutty. CBD oil that has gone bad will usually taste rancid, in a similar way to what other natural oils (such as coconut, almond or olive oil) would if they were past their prime.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe: Will expired oil make me sick?
While expired CBD oil probably wont taste great, it’s unlikely to make you sick. In fact, it’s unlikely to do anything at all. Over time, CBD oil naturally degrades and loses potency, therefore if you use a product that has expired, you’re unlikely to get the full therapeutic benefits of the product.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe
Alright, so now you have an understanding of the storage requirements of CBD oil to maximize potency over a longer period of time, and you know how to check whether it’s safe to use. If you’re interested in learning a bit more about what other factors contribute to the longevity of CBD oil, read on and learn more about what we do here at Transcending Organics to ensure the quality and shelf life of our CBD oil products.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe: The growing conditions
You may sometimes hear of hemp being referred to as a ‘hyperaccumulator’. This means that the hemp plant readily accumulates heavy metals or other toxins from the soil within which it is grown. Contamination from these substances can influence the longevity of the CBD oil product you are purchasing. Hemp plants grown in contaminated or low-quality soils will produce contaminated or low-quality CBD oil products.
At Transcending Organics, our hemp plants are grown completely organically, in pesticide-free conditions, you can rest assured that you are receiving a pure product.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe: The extraction process
Full-spectrum CBD oil (such as that which Transcending Organics produces) is generally the highest quality and has the longest shelf life. Purity is also a very important factor in determining the longevity of CBD oil. At Transcending Organics, our CBD is extracted using a process known as supercritical CO2 extraction. During this process, CBD is extracted from the plant using pressurized carbon dioxide, in a very cold environment. One of the main benefits of using carbon dioxide is that it is considered a ‘green solvent’, meaning it contains no solvents or chemical residues. The use of carbon dioxide for extraction leads to the production of a purer product, which means improved potency over a longer period of time.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe: The packaging and storage
Studies have shown that light and heat accelerate the breakdown of CBD, which is why the packaging and storage are important factors in determining how long your product lasts for. Dark-colored air-tight bottles prevent exposure to air and sunlight, however you should always try to store your CBD oil in a cool dark case (such as in a cupboard) for maximum longevity.
Does CBD oil expire? How to check and whether it’s safe: The impact of quality
Always choose a reputable brand when you’re buying CBD oil. Low grade CBD oils may contain toxins or other harmful substances that can impact the overall quality and the shelf life of the product. Look for a brand that is transparent in their communication with customers and is happy to provide any requested information- this is often a good sign of legitimacy and quality.
Here at Transcending Organics, all of our CBD oil products are completely organic, non-GMO, pesticide-free and have undergone stringent filtration procedures. Our CBD oil always undergoes HPLC testing, so that our customers can have complete peace of mind as to the quality of the product that they’ve purchased from Transcending Organics. Should you wish to see a copy of our most recent HPLC test report, please contact us and we will be more than happy to supply you with a copy.
References
Girdhar, M., Sharma, N. J., Rehman, H., Kumar, A., Mohan, A., (2014), Comparative assessment of hyperaccumulatory and phytoremediation capability of three wild weeds, 4(6), pp579-589, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4235884//], accessed 07/17/2021.
Handbook of Bioremediation, (2021), Chapter 12, pp 205-220, [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128193822000120], accessed 07/17/2021.