Our readers often ask us: “Does CBD oil expire?” The simple answer is yes.
Every CBD oil has a shelf life. It will usually last from 1 to 2 years depending on numerous factors. Determining the duration of a product can be quite a chore.
Needless to say, you shouldn’t use expired CBD oil. Luckily, most people will use up the whole dose before it reaches the expiration date.
This is mostly a problem for those who have bought the product in bulk and didn’t manage to use it up on time. Keep in mind there are also some factors that can reduce its life expectancy well below 1 year.
In this article, we will talk a bit about CBD oil expiration and how to recognize if it’s gone bad. Check it out!
CBD oil basics
CBD oil is a quickly rising wellness product that is slowly being legalized in numerous countries of the world. The popular theory is that CBD oil can help by regulating the endocannabinoid system.
According to limited data, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for various internal processes such as sleep, mood, appetite, memory, etc.
Also read: How long does CBD stay in your system?
People use CBD oil as a sublingual or topical substance. Depending on the administration method, you can expect different types of improvements.
Keep in mind that these products may provide a major boost to some people, while they will only provide a minor improvement to others.
CBD oil is stored in bottles, and it should be kept in a refrigerator, away from sunlight.
How to tell if CBD oil has gone bad?
Medicinal hemp users have to monitor CBD oil expiration date and when it expires to recognize that it’s no longer usable. There are several things that will help you determine if a product is still good.
The easiest way to tell is based on flavor and aroma. The product will change its characteristic over time, and it will become very unpleasant.
Instead of having a natural, earthy flavor, it will become skunky. This is especially easy to tell if you’re using a product with a raw hemp taste (non-altered flavor).
Another way to tell if CBD oil has expired is based on how it looks. Instead of looking clear, it will become cloudy after a while. The texture will also change significantly, becoming much thicker.
Needless to say, you will recognize the change in texture by simply tasting it. Lastly, it will also change its color.
Can you get sick by using expired CBD oil?
The good thing about expired cannabidiol oil is that you won’t get sick if you consume it.
The product isn’t the same as some types of food, where it will become infested by tissue-damaging microbes. Nevertheless, we recommend caution.
Make sure to throw away all the bottles that are expired just to be safe.
Why is it important to keep CBD oil fresh?
Based on what we’ve said in the previous section, it might seem unimportant whether or not CBD oil expires. But the truth is, we still don’t know everything about this substance and its interactions with the human body.
There are a lot of questions that we need to answer, and things become even more complicated if we consider that a product has reached its expiration date.
Expired CBD oil will not necessarily make you sick. But, this might diminish its potency and potential benefits. Furthermore, it might lead to some unknown side effects down the road.
How to store CBD oil, so it doesn’t expire?
CBD oil has a lot of similarities to drugs, at least when it comes to storing. You need to keep it in a cool, dark place at room temperature of 60 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
You don’t have to refrigerate it. Of course, it shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight as this will have a major impact on its expiration date.
Tips that will help you store CBD oil for a longer time
In order to maximize CBD oil’s life expectancy, there are a lot of different things you can do:
- The container needs to be airtight at all times. One of the main reasons why CBD products lose their original life expectancy is because people don’t close bottles properly. For this purpose, it is much better to keep the product in its original packaging.
- Make sure that all the bottles are placed upright.
- Needless to say, buying CBD oil from reputable companies may have an impact on longevity. Given that the market is not fully regulated, some companies create oils that have unwanted ingredients, which may affect the life expectancy of a product.
- Look out for companies that utilize modern, efficient production processes. For example, CO2 extraction is regarded as the best way of creating cannabidiol oil. During the process, all of the toxins will be eliminated resulting, not only in a longer-lasting substance but also a safer substance.
- CBD oil needs to be stored in a cool, dark place. A storage room will do just fine, but you can also put it in a drawer, cabinet, or cellar. Although humidity shouldn’t affect the product, perhaps it’s better to stay away from it. For example, things such as humidifiers can affect the creation of mold, which might have an adverse effect.
- On the other hand, avoid putting CBD oil near a window or other light source.
- The product should be kept at average room temperature. Be careful of radiators, ovens, and other home appliances that may produce heat. Also, if you’re carrying the substance around, you shouldn’t keep it in a purse or pockets for prolonged periods of time.
- Whenever you dip a dropper, make sure to dip it just once. Don’t lick the dropper or spoon as it will transfer your saliva, thus contaminating the bottle and its content.
Final words
This might seem like a lot of rules, but it mostly comes down to storing the product. If you find a proper place where to keep the product, you shouldn’t encounter any issues down the line.
Hopefully, now you know the answer of the question: “does CBD oil expire” and know how to store it the right way!