Does CBD Oil Expire?
Has your CBD oil been sitting on your shelf for a bit too long? In order to get the most out of your CBD oil, and keep yourself safe, it’s important to make sure that your CBD oil is fresh. CBD oil doesn’t stay fresh forever, so we’ve rounded up all you need to know about CBD oil and its shelf life.
Does CBD oil expire?
CBD oil doesn’t last forever, so after a certain point, it will expire. CBD is a naturally occurring compound that can be found in both hemp and cannabis plants, and this compound will start to degrade over time.
CBD oil’s popularity has grown in recent years thanks in large part to research that has discovered its vast range of potential therapeutic benefits. If you want to experience the possible benefits of CBD such as reducing anxiety (1), pain (2), and inflammation (3), it’s best to reach for CBD oil that hasn’t expired.
How long will your CBD oil last?
CBD takes a while to expire so you don’t have to worry about it going off soon after you purchase it. If you store your CBD oil correctly, you can expect it to last for around 1–2 years. Proper storage of CBD is key to its longevity. If you store your CBD oil incorrectly, you can expect it to expire sooner.
High temperature and light exposure shortens the lifespan of CBD oil so you want to consider these when it comes to choosing where you store your CBD oil products.
Factors that can alter your CBD oil’s shelf life
A few factors are present that can alter CBD oil’s shelf life and leave you with a lower quality product more quickly.
CBD storage
As we’ve mentioned, the way you store CBD impacts its longevity. Light, heat, and air exposure can all degrade CBD oil and quicken its expiry date. If you store your CBD oil in a location that’s exposed to these conditions, then you can expect a reduced quality product with a shorter lifespan (4, 5).
Extraction method used
CBD oil can be extracted from cannabis or hemp material in many ways. But not every extraction method is created equal when it comes to shelf life. If you want a CBD oil that lasts, you want to look for products that have been created through the C02 extraction method or ethanol extraction. These extraction techniques produce a high-quality CBD product without dangerous or degrading chemicals. Extracting CBD oil using these methods should make the product take longer to expire, especially if properly stored.
The quality of your CBD oil
As with many products, the lifespan of CBD depends on the quality of the oil that you purchase. A higher-quality CBD oil should last a little longer on your shelf. So what exactly constitutes high-quality CBD? Indications of a high-quality CBD oil include:
- third party testing on the product to ensure that it contains the compounds advertised and that it doesn’t contain any contaminants
- company transparency about the consumption methods, CBD sources, and ingredients
- positive reviews of the CBD oil company and its products
What does expired CBD oil look like?
Because CBD oil’s expiry can vary based on different elements that it is exposed to, you’ll want to know the signs of expired CBD. Expiry labels may not be exactly accurate if your CBD oil has been exposed to air, heat, or light.
These are the signs to look out for that tell you that your CBD probably needs to be replaced:
- Smell: Just like for a carton of milk, CBD will let you know that it’s expired just by its smell. Fresh CBD oil has quite a distinctive smell—a grass-like earth scent. But when it’s gone off, CBD smells quite different. Off CBD has a more pungent and undeniably unpleasant smell that will be easy to identify.
- Taste: Typically, CBD oil will have a nutty, earthy taste when fresh. If your CBD has expired, you can expect it to taste bitter and off. If your CBD oil no longer tastes the same as when you first purchased it, you might want to consider replacing it.
- Consistency and look: Off CBD will have a different look and consistency from fresh CBD oil. If your CBD oil has started to darken, become thicker in consistency, and is harder to see through, it might be expired. One thing to consider when evaluating your CBD’s freshness by look is that cold CBD can become quite cloudy, even when it’s fresh. So if it’s cold, give it a few minutes to come to room temperature before checking visually.
How to keep your CBD oil fresher for longer
Want to keep your CBD oil fresh for longer? Follow these storage tips:
- Store your CBD oil in a cool place away from direct light.
- Store your CBD in an airtight container.
- Try to keep your CBD in a standard cool place with minimal temperature fluctuation.
- To avoid contaminating your CBD oil, store it separately, keep the lid securely on, and wash your hands before using it.
The problem with expired CBD oil
You don’t have to worry about dropping dead after taking expired CBD. The worst that will likely happen is that it will smell or taste bad and have reduced therapeutic effects.
The bottom line
CBD oil can expire but with proper storage, you can extend its shelf life. Also, you don’t have to worry about getting sick from consuming CBD oil that’s gone off; you’ll probably just experience a bad taste and diminished therapeutic effects.
…………..
**Standard Disclaimer: CBD is not FDA-approved. We make no such claims that using our products will guarantee relief. Moreover, research regarding CBD is still ongoing and in the early stages.**
