What Is Solventless Extraction? Is It Better?

Want to get the purest, cleanest cannabis/hemp experience possible?

The days of subpar extracts with harsh chemicals and messy solvents are gone.

Solventless extraction isn’t new – ancient cultures have been using it for centuries with methods like hand-pressed hashes.

But today, it’s getting a high-tech makeover with innovative, game-changing methods.

Extraction here refers to the process of separating the active cannabis compounds from the plant - which include cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.

Solventless Extraction and Solvent-based Extraction

Solventless extraction and solvent-based extraction are two different methods of extracting the active ingredients from the hemp and cannabis plants.

While they both accomplish the same goal, there are some stark differences between them and the extracts obtained from them.

What Is Solvent-based Extraction?

Solvent-based extractions separate the active ingredients from the hemp and cannabis plants using different types of chemicals or solvents¹.

Some of the commonly used solvents are:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Ethanol
• Butane
• Propane

There are different types of solvent-based extractions:

• Hydrocarbon Extraction: This process uses Butane or Propane Hash Oil to extract various concentrates like shatter, wax, crumble and budder.
• Ethanol Extraction: Also known as alcohol extraction as this process uses ethanol to create liquid extracts from plant material.
• CO2 Extraction: This has been the standard extraction method for many brands and is cleaner and safer than other methods. Supercritical CO2 in liquid and gaseous form is used to extract a broad spectrum of compounds.

What Is Solventless Extraction?

Solventless extraction mechanically separates the active ingredients like cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plants without any chemicals or solvents.

It is considered the cleanest and purest since the cannabis trichomes never come in contact with harsh chemicals.

The trichomes are packed with cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other beneficial plant compounds.

Some of the most common types of solventless extraction techniques are:

• Rosin Pressing: Resinous trichomes are extracted from the plant material, resulting in rosin using heat and pressure.
• Dry Sift Hash: Plant material is sifted through fine mesh screens to collect kief, which is further compressed into hash.
• Ice Water Extraction: Ice water is used to break off trichomes due to its extreme cold temperature. This allows the trichomes to sink, which are later collected and dried to create bubble hash.

Advanced Technologies:

Cellular Deconstruction Technology (CDT)™

CDT is the latest innovation in extraction methods which is revolutionizing solventless extraction as we know it.

CDT uses physics, instead of chemicals to extract the highest quality, and purest extracts which preserve the Whole-Spectrum™ of plant compounds..

The trichomes are never subjected to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures, which can damage the cannabinoids.

By gently rupturing cell walls with 16 million joules of energy - it safeguards delicate cannabinoids and terpenes from extreme temperatures or chemical exposure. The temperature during this process never exceeds 90°F.

This process makes the cannabinoids nano-ionized. Typically, the cannabinoids extracted from other methods are 2000 nano-meters in size.

Our Cellular Deconstruction makes them nano-ionized - which gives them a polar charge and reduces their size to 28.8 nano-meters.

Why’s that important? These tiny, polar-charged cannabinoids get in your bloodstream faster, and their effects stay with you for longer.

That’s why Cannovia’s products are highly bioavailable and extremely efficient.

See also: Whole-Spectrum™Nano-ionized™ Cannabinoids

Difference Between Solventless and Solvent-Based Extraction

While both solvent-based and solventless extraction methods produce cannabis concentrates, they differ significantly in process, purity, and overall quality of the final product.

Solvent-based methods rely on solvents and harsh chemicals, which often leaves fingerprints i.e. residue in trace amounts. These chemicals can be dangerous and harmful to your health.

While versatile, these chemicals can alter the natural profile of the plant, and lead to uneven extraction - pulling more of certain cannabinoids and not enough of others.

Solventless extraction methods don’t use any solvents to separate the compounds from the plant, resulting in a cleaner, purer extract.

Methods like Rosin Pressing and Ice Water extraction avoid chemicals altogether and use temperature and pressure to exact the final product.

The extreme temperatures and pressures can also damage the delicate cannabinoids.

That’s where Cellular Deconstruction Technology comes in.

CDT avoids any and all chemicals, extreme temperatures or pressure.

Unlike traditional methods like CO2 extraction - CDT operates at relatively cool temperatures, never exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and avoids harsh pressure changes.

This makes it gentle on cannabinoids which doesn’t damage the cannabinoids and maintains the plant’s natural profile.

Moreover, this completely eliminates any risk of contamination and makes the final product cleaner, healthier extracts free from toxins.

So you can get the full benefits of hemp and cannabis as nature intended.

CDT's physical process achieves 99%+ extraction efficiency, ensuring minimal waste and maximizing the yield of valuable compounds.

Are Solventless Extracts Better Than Solvent-Based Extracts?

While both solvent-based and solventless extracts have their merits, solventless extracts, particularly those produced using Cellular Deconstruction Technology (CDT), are far ahead in terms of purity, preservation of the entourage effect, and overall health considerations.

Solvent-based extracts, while super potent, can leave chemical residues.

Not ideal, right? Especially if you're concerned about your health or have sensitivities.

Solventless extracts on the other hand are completely free of residual solvents.

Solventless extraction, especially CDT, maintains the whole spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds found in the cannabis plant.

Minor cannabinoids, like CBG, CBN, CBC, which are often believed to play a role in the entourage effect are fully captured.

Entourage Effect suggests that all the cannabinoids, terpenes and other ingredients work together to maximize each other's benefits.

Which gives you a more complete experience with comprehensive benefits.

Final Thoughts

So, you're wondering if solventless extracts are really better than solvent-based ones? Well, it depends on what you're looking for.

Solvent-based extracts are usually cheaper and widely available, but they come with serious health concerns.

Solventless extractions, especially CDT, have a real edge. They can be a bit harder to find, you won’t find CDT extracts at your local dispensaries.

While they may be slightly pricier, the investment is in purity, safety, and a potentially more complete therapeutic experience.

At Cannovia, we prioritize your well-being. Our Delta 9 THC Gummies, CBG oil, and CBN sleep oil, CBD oil for pain relief, are all made with CDT-extracted ingredients, guaranteeing a pure, potent, and truly full-spectrum experience.

You'll enjoy the benefits of the whole plant without any worry of harmful residues.

References

1. Al Ubeed HMS, Bhuyan DJ, Alsherbiny MA, Basu A, Vuong QV. A Comprehensive Review on the Techniques for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Cannabis. Molecules. 2022 Jan 18;27(3):604. doi: 10.3390/molecules27030604. PMID: 35163863; PMCID: PMC8840415. ↩︎