The Complete Guide to Making CBD, CBG, and CBN Oil Infusions

The Complete Guide to Making CBD, CBG, and CBN Oil Infusions

As a CBD business owner, creating high-quality, accurately dosed oil infusions is key to delivering effective products. Whether you're formulating tinctures, topicals, or edibles, understanding the process ensures consistency and potency.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps—from calculating the perfect dose to storing your infusion for maximum shelf life.

Step 1: Calculate Your Cannabinoid Dose

Before mixing anything, you need to determine your desired milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml)concentration.

Example Calculation:

• You have 10 grams (10,000 mg) of CBD isolate.
• You want 100 mg of CBD per 1 ml of oil.
• Total oil volume needed:10,000 mg ÷ 100 mg/ml = 100 ml (final volume).

⚠️ Important Note:
The CBD isolate itself takes up space. If you add 10g of isolate + 100ml oil, your final volume will exceed 100ml, diluting your potency. Instead:

1. Add the isolate first, then
2. Slowly pour oil until the total liquid reaches 100ml.

This ensures precise dosing.

Step 2: Choosing the Best Carrier Oil

The right oil impacts flavor, absorption, and stability. Popular options include:

Best for Neutral Taste & Fast Absorption:

✔ MCT Oil – Odorless, flavorless, and quickly absorbed.
✔ Avocado Oil – Mild taste, rich in healthy fats.
✔ Refined Hemp Seed Oil – Light golden color, cost-effective, and nutrient-rich.

Best for Flavor & Texture (Edibles/Topicals):

✔ Coconut Oil – Adds a subtle sweetness (must be melted first).
✔ Tallow or Ghee – Great for balms and creams (solid at room temp).

🚫 Avoid oils prone to oxidation (e.g., flaxseed oil).

Step 3: Mixing Ingredients Correctly

Order matters! Follow this sequence for accuracy:

1. Add cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN isolates) to a beaker.
2. Mix in extras (terpenes, stevia, essential oils).
3. Top up with carrier oil to your target volume (e.g., 100ml).

💡 Why?
If you add 15ml of isolate + extras first, then pour 100ml oil, your total volume becomes 115ml, weakening your dose. Instead, fill to 100ml total for precision.

3 Ways to Dissolve Isolates:

1. Room Temperature (24–48 hrs) – Let sit until fully dissolved.
2. Stirring (8–16 hrs) – Mix every few hours to speed up the process.
3. Heat Method (Fastest) – Warm oil to 110°F (43°C) and stir until clear (5–10 mins).

Step 4: Proper Labeling & Storage

To maintain quality:

Label Clearly:

• Cannabinoid type(s) (e.g., CBD + CBG blend)
• Date of creation
• Potency (e.g., "100mg CBD per ml")

Storage Tips:

• Use dark glass bottles (blocks UV light).
• Store in a cool, dark place (prevents degradation).
• Avoid plastic containers (can leach chemicals).

Custom Blends: Finding the Right Ratios

Experiment with multi-cannabinoid blends for tailored effects:

Popular 2:1:1 Ratio (CBD:CBG:CBN)

• 5g CBD isolate
• 2.5g CBG isolate
• 2.5g CBN isolate

Final Oil (100ml):

• 50mg CBD/ml
• 25mg CBG/ml
• 25mg CBN/ml

💡 Pro Tip:

• Minimum recommended dose: 50mg/ml (5ml = 250mg serving).
• Stronger options (100–200mg/ml) reduce oil intake and calories.

How Emulsifiers Boost Bioavailability in CBD & Cannabinoid Oils

One of the biggest challenges in cannabinoid formulations is ensuring maximum absorption—after all, what good is a perfectly dosed tincture if the body can’t use it efficiently? This is where emulsifiers come in.

What Are Emulsifiers?

Emulsifiers (like sunflower lecithin, polysorbate 80, or MCT-based emulsifying agents) are compounds that help bind oil and water-soluble substances, creating a more uniform mixture. Since cannabinoids are fat-soluble, they naturally resist blending with bodily fluids (which are water-based). Emulsifiers bridge this gap, enhancing absorption in two key ways:

1. Smaller Particle Size = Faster AbsorptionEmulsifiers break oil droplets into micro or nano-emulsions, increasing surface area.This allows cannabinoids to pass through the gut lining (for edibles) or sublingual membranes (for tinctures) more efficiently.
2. Improved Stability & ConsistencyPrevents "oil separation" in products, ensuring even dosing.Reduces the "first-pass effect" in digestion, where cannabinoids are metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream.

How Much Emulsifier Should You Use?

• For tinctures/sublinguals: 0.5%–2% of total volume (e.g., 0.5g lecithin per 100ml oil).
• For edibles/beverages: 1%–5%, depending on water content.

⚠️ Note: Overuse can make oils taste bitter (especially soy lecithin). Sunflower lecithin is a cleaner, allergen-free alternative.

Real-World Benefits for Your Products

• Up to 30% higher bioavailability vs. traditional oil infusions (Source).
• Faster onset (effects in 15–30 mins vs. 1–2 hours with regular oils).
• Ideal for water-soluble products (e.g., CBD drinks, nano-emulsion tinctures).

Pro Tip: For ultra-fast absorption, look into nano-emulsion technology—a premium option for high-end formulations.

How to Add Emulsifiers to Your Infusion

1. Heat oil to 140°F (60°C) and whisk in lecithin until fully dissolved.
2. Blend with cannabinoids as usual.
3. Test bioavailability with small batches—compare effects with/without emulsifiers.

Example Recipe (100ml Tincture):

• 5g CBD isolate
• 1g sunflower lecithin
• 100ml MCT oil

Result: A smoother, faster-acting tincture that stands out.

Final Thoughts

Mastering oil infusions ensures your CBD products are potent, consistent, and effective. By following these steps—precise dosing, proper mixing, and smart storage—you’ll create professional-grade tinctures, topicals, and edibles every time.

Emulsifiers are a game-changer for CBD users—they elevate product performance, customer satisfaction, and competitive edge. Whether you’re crafting tinctures, gummies, or beverages, this small addition can make a big difference.

Need high-quality isolates for your formulations? Nick's CBD offers lab-tested CBD, CBG, and CBN isolates—perfect for crafting premium products.

Have questions? Drop them in the comments below!