Up until recently, cannabidiol or CBD, coming from the hemp, cannabis, or marijuana plant, was previously still considered illegal. With recent medical reforms, however, CBD is now accepted for use in many places for medical use, and even for recreational use in others.
With this came the surge of CBD-related products all over in places where this is legal. Salons, spas, clinics, dispensaries, and pharmacies will see shelves of products that contain CBD. It is, without a doubt, a substance that’s now filling the interest and demand of many users.
Albeit entirely natural, it wouldn’t be truthful to say that CBD is without any possible side effects. Although these are generally minor to none, it still pays to play it safe when choosing from among CBD products to purchase. You’ll want to give yourself that assurance that what you’re using and buying is indeed a reputable and quality product. You can find good, quality products on websites such as http://www.cheefbotanicals.com/, or a trusted supplier around your area.
That said, here are some of the common factors for you to look for when shopping for CBD products:
The Specific Function Or Use Of The CBD Product
Not all CBD products are created to be the same. As, in fact, these all serve different functions. So, when you’re buying a CBD product, do ask about its function. The use that a CBD product has should match the purpose that you’re buying it for. Else, you’ll only be disappointed with your purchase.
In general, these are the types of CBD products that are available in the market today:
- CBD topicals such as creams, oil, and lotions
- CBD tinctures, pills, capsules
- CBD gummies, candies, brownies, and other treats
- CBD powder to create CBD-infused food
- CBD oil
CBD oil types include full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and isolate CBD oils. Full-spectrum CBD oil and broad-spectrum CBD oil have the same cannabinoids or cannabis compounds except that the latter doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). On the other hand, isolate CBD oil is pure because it contains pure cannabidiol.
So, how do you know the right CBD product for you? If you cannot endure taking CBD tincture under your tongue (sublingual route), you can opt-in CBD capsules and CBD-infused edibles, like CBD brownies and CBD chocolate oatmeal bars. CBD pills and capsules are suitable for those who don’t want CBD oil’s subtle taste and aroma.
CBD gummies are perfect if you’re planning to have an out-of-town vacation. You can easily pop up some CBD gummies 30 minutes before your trip to reduce flight anxiety. CBD vape oils are also available if you prefer inhaling the cannabidiol vapor for faster onset of effect.
It’s also crucial to know how much cannabidiol a CBD product contains to determine the expected effects and the correct dosage for you. Consult your doctor to ensure a proper assessment and administration schedule if you plan to take prescription drugs alongside CBD products.
The Inclusions Of The Label
When you learn what to watch out for in the label of your CBD product, it’ll be easier for you to determine whether what you’re using is a quality CBD product or not. If you’re cautious enough about reading through the label of the product, you’ll know precisely what’s included in your CBD product even before you use it.
Along this line, here are some factors for you to be mindful of when reading through the label of your CBD product:
- The CBD oil labels shouldn’t make any medical claims.
- Be wary of CBD oil labels that are filled with buzzwords, such as “organic” and “pure,” as more often than not, these have no scientific meaning. When you want to be sure that you’re using quality CBD oil, the key is in checking the composition of the CBD oil itself based on the quantity. Generally, this is seen through percentage levels.
- The labels should contain pertinent information, like the following:
- Amount of CBD per serving or bottle
- Batch or date code
- Net weight
- Suggested use
- Manufacturer or distributor name
- The labels should also include full disclosure of the ingredients used or provide an ingredients list. Be mindful of this, as you’ll want to know for certain what it is you’re using other than the cannabidiol itself. The choice to purchase CBD products generally stems from the desire to be more cautious about not being overly dependent on chemicals. Hence, you wouldn’t want to defeat this purpose by mistakenly finding out that your CBD product is, in fact, laden with unhealthy chemicals.
For instance, CBD oils are usually mixed with melatonin or MCT oils, which also has its own benefits. There are some CBD products with harmful chemicals such as vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol as well. These two components are generally found to be present in some vape oil products. You should also be wary of artificial flavoring. These are unnecessary chemicals that don’t provide any additional health value.
- The dosage information is another important factor for you to look into so that you’ll know how long a particular CBD product is going to last you. Generally, you wouldn’t want the CBD product to be kept with you for too long, as you’ll want to ensure to make the most of the product before expiring. With CBD products that are packaged too large, but have a very little daily dosage of the cannabidiol itself, you may not be allowing yourself the maximum benefits that you ought to enjoy from the product.
If you’re confused about how to determine the dosage based on the information provided on the label, do ask from the sales representative. When you’re buying from a reputable source, the sales individuals should also be knowledgeable enough about the proper dosage requirements and contents of each of their products.
The Source Of The Hemp Plant
When you wish to ensure the overall quality of your CBD product, you must go deeply into the source of the hemp plant itself. The plant has to be sourced healthy and clean for it to be processed into healthy and fresh products. Note that the hemp plant has a great ability to absorb what’s in the air, soil, and water. You’ll want to ensure that everything the help plant absorbs is clean.
That said, do ensure that the hemp plant isn’t exposed to any harsh chemicals. These include pesticides and other synthetic substances. When you look through your CBD products, double-check the provided agricultural guidelines. In so doing, you’re better able to ensure that as much as possible, the plant is free of any unwanted chemicals.
Something that may be worth noting is the soil quality where the source plants were planted. It’s through the substances in the plant, which the cannabis itself can be seriously affected. The soil in itself should be free of any possible pollutants and contaminants. After all, this is where the plant is growing on.
The THC Content
The THC content of any CBD product that you’re using should be well within the limits of the law. Note that this THC level, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound in the CBD product that gives users a “high”. Hence, the laws are very stringent on the allowable THC content per product.
Generally, for a CBD product to still be considered legal, it has to contain only less than 0.3% THC. If you’ve got a product with a THC level higher than that, then you may fall into trouble with the law. Even more importantly, this can also reduce the benefits of the CBD product. THC is psychoactive, and when you’re using CBD products, you’ll want to ensure that you aren’t taking in anything that could give you any unwanted effects.
The Extraction Process
All thanks to today’s advancements in technology, there are many ways to go about now with the extraction process of CBD from the hemp or cannabis plant. But, this isn’t to say that all of these processes are equal and alike. The extraction process is very important because this can affect the overall quality and purity of the CBD product.
Of the many extraction processes that you can potentially choose from, one of the best is the C02 Extraction Method. In order to isolate the cannabidiol from the hemp or cannabis plant, the plant itself is placed under high pressure. This process helps ensure that the quality of the cannabidiol that’s extracted is preserved. Better yet, it’s through the C02 Extraction process that no toxic substances are involved in trying to come up with the final CBD oil product.
Generally, when you’re choosing from among different extraction methods, you’ll want to go for the C02 extraction method. But, when this isn’t available, the other methods are just as viable for as long as you know that they’re using non-toxic substances. The second best option to choose from is the full spectrum method. Here, the entire extraction process involves the entire plant. Hence, you’re not only taking cannabidiol as it is. You’re also collecting other compounds such as flavonoids and terpenes.
Checking for the extraction process shouldn’t be too difficult. The best and most reputable companies will be willing to give full disclosure about this. Generally, this information is also included in the product description and packaging. If you can’t find any of this information there, then perhaps you’re better off choosing another product brand instead.
The Presence Of Third-Party Testing
CBD manufacturers are required to go through a stringent process of third-party testing. This is to ensure that whatever the manufacturers put out on their labels is real and truthful information. Otherwise, there might be some manufacturers that’ll only try to mislead their customers about the truthfulness of their labels. This checking and assurance process is best done through third-party laboratory testing.
Similar to the extraction process, reputable manufacturers and dispensaries will always be transparent about this fact. Whenever you ask for it, the information should be disclosed about the accredited laboratory that also tested the product. Then, this information should prove that indeed, the subject CBD product is safe and is free of any toxic substances.
Conclusion
While there are many sham CBD products out in the market today, this shouldn’t be enough reason to dissuade you from buying CBD products. The benefits that it can bring are undeniable, even more so that it’s an entirely natural health medication. When necessary precautions are taken, it’s not impossible to find anything short of quality products. Hence, these tips. Keep these in mind for the next time that you ever head out to buy CBD products.
Lisa Crogan is a blogger who produces content about the different innovations and discoveries in the healthcare industry. Lisa strives to inform the general public about how easy and convenient it is for everyone to take care of their health today – all thanks to the advancements of the healthcare industry!