Cannabidiol, or CBD, is proving a truly remarkable compound. Its proven abilities to treat, even heal, some of the worst medical problems safely and effectively, without the side effects of prescription drugs, are fast becoming mainstream knowledge.
However, its products are free of all regulation. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have yet to approve CBD, there is no official quality standard.
Fortunately, as more people use CBD oil medicinally and with heightened awareness, this is changing. Consumers are cautious, rightfully so.
Abundant studies now conclude the many medicinal properties of CBD, and scientists are continually discovering more. Despite this, you need to do some research, and at the very least, remember these seven shopping tips before buying CBD oil:
CBD isolates are vastly different to full-spectrum CBD oil products. Although both are highly concentrated extracts, isolates contain CBD exclusively, nothing else.
Full-spectrum CBD extract, on the other hand, contains a variety of different cannabinoids, including CBD, as well as terpenes and flavonoids too.
All offer their own medicinal properties, but CBD isolate offers only its own. If you are using CBD for medical reasons or just for healthier living, then full-spectrum CBD oil products offer the most benefit.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, having different cannabinoids working together gives you the full “entourage effect” of maximum healing. Because CBD isolates have only CBD to offer, its therapeutic uses are somewhat more limited and less effective.
Whether you buy CBD oil online or get it from a store, there are ways to be sure to get what you need and pay for. It should state clearly on the label if a product goes to an independent laboratory for third-party testing.
If yes, you will know the exact levels of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that you are getting, as well as whether there are traces of pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants or not.
Most CBD oil products derived from industrial hemp, but although quasi-legal and somewhat transparent now, hemp grown in the United States is free of regulation.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, some states impose stricter quality control measures than others do, usually those with a legal marijuana market.
Legal states provide more funds to regulate, test, and control resources more efficiently. However, the best hemp grows in Europe, where it grows under stringent protocols set out by the European Union.
The EU does not permit genetically modified hemp, pesticide use, and other potentially harmful practices, so it does guarantee the highest quality source for CBD extractions.
For all the variety of CBD extract that you find on the market today, there are just as many different potencies. These products themselves come in varying sizes, and most crucially, at all sorts of concentrations.
What you choose should meet both your needs and budget, but be cautious and avoid the less potent, completely ineffective ones. Potency costs more, but you use much less of it.
When figuring out the best dosage for you, consider what you are using CBD for in the first place. If you treating mild issues, then you do not need as much as someone treating life-threatening disease.
Start slowly if you are new to consuming CBD. You can increase your dosage gradually according to the effects it has on you. Additionally, one drop of a potent CBD extract equals several of a weaker one.
Not all suppliers are equal either. The CBD market is growing so quickly that identifying the good from the bad is challenging.
Until the FDA regulates and mandates widespread analysis of CBD oil products, unscrupulous companies will take chances wherever they can.
Look for quality guarantees. Companies that offer them operate transparently and comply with all safety and quality measures.
Established suppliers, with trusted and reputable histories, source only the finest hemp cultivated under strict conditions.
They display laboratory results on their products with pride, and they typically offer a wide enough selection that caters to different consumers.
Scrutinize suppliers carefully. You do not want to get a weak CBD solution, especially if you pay for medical-grade quality and potency.
You should treat bargains with suspicion, no matter how tempting they are when shopping for CBD oil. Prices range from affordable to outright robbery, but while credible suppliers to promote their products with coupons, bargains, and other specials, most just use this as an avenue to get rid of inferior items nobody otherwise pays for.
Quality costs money. Just complying with legal requirements makes it pricy. Extracting CBD oil of high quality is expensive. It costs to cultivate, extract, and otherwise produce these oils. Investments are huge, risks frightening.
Furthermore, hemp grown on foreign soil will also raise the price, since there are import and shipping to consider too. If you do find good bargains, then be extra vigilant about them coming from only trusted companies.
Hundreds of CBD oil products are available these days. The selection is huge, overwhelming even for newbies, connoisseurs too. Finding the best one for you should not cause too much stress, as you should expect to do some experimenting. Trial and error is the only way.
Try some isolate and see how you feel. Try full-spectrum and then decide. There are edibles, vapes, capsules, CBD joints, even tinctures to try.
You can find CBD oil products anywhere, but it is important to ask these questions before you buy. They will help you to remember what is important when choosing CBD oil.
You can even order weed delivery from licensed companies, so relax, do some research, and then enjoy the experience. Just make sure you can see laboratory results easily, and always check it is free of solvents, toxins, and other dangers.