The growth of Cannabidiol (CBD) products in the health and wellness industry is unparalleled. Despite being relatively new to the mainstream, CBD has made a name for itself in the marketplace.
Finding the right CBD brand isn’t easy. The potential of the industry prompted many people to start a CBD business that there are just too many brands. Sometimes, these companies will cut corners and get away with it.
Make sure that the product you’re buying is top of the line, or safe at least. Here are some tips that can help you narrow down your search for quality CBD products.
1. Check the Extraction Method
Most CBD companies extract CBD oil from hemp plants, especially in Europe, since this industrial crop has extremely low THC values and the only legal option.
When pressure is applied to the plant, its trichomes will burst open and start excreting CBD oil. After extraction, CBD companies will add the CBD oil to various CBD-infused products. It’s the method that these companies choose to apply pressure that makes the difference in the resulting quality of the CBD product.
There are many ways CBD can be extracted from hemp with carbon dioxide, steam distillation, or hydrocarbon or natural solvents being some of the most common methods. Every single one will have a different impact on the genetic makeup of the final composition.
However, the highest quality CBD oil companies use carbon dioxide or ethanol as a solvent to separate CBD from hemp, as it is the most effective and safe method. These all-natural solvents will make sure that all the cannabinoids and terpenes will remain intact without the use of foreign substances.
C02, especially, is a non-toxic, natural substance. Any leftover residue is considered to be completely safe for human consumption since the CBD produced from this method is extremely pure.
Avoid CBD oils that were extracted by heat as butane will be used in the process. When the chemicals in butane come in contact with the cannabinoids in the oil, they will have a chemical reaction that will alter the genetic profile of all compounds.
Butane is a hazardous material that can dilute the quality of CBD as soon as it interacts with the cannabinoids, even when distilled from the final product.
2. Find the Source of the CBD Products
The source of the hemp is a crucial factor to consider since it has a significant effect on the product’s purity. Hemp plants absorb all substances from its surrounding air, water, and soil during its growth. As a result, environmental aspects such as soil pH and climate can change the quality of CBD products.
Before you buy any CBD products, make sure to look for a product collected from hemp grown in a nutrient-rich environment.
3. Check up on Hemp Growing Standards
Consumers are strongly recommended to research the ingredients in their CBD products before buying one. Products from low-quality hemp may have been exposed to foreign chemicals. Sometimes, these chemicals are usually intentionally added to increase yield, weight, or potency.
Hemp has the unique ability to absorb everything in the soil around it, both nutrients and contaminants. These contaminants can end up in a concentrated form of the final oil. Toxic chemicals may harm the wellness-promoting properties of items, including CBD products.
4. Find the CBD form that works best for you
The market offers various kinds of CBD, but the main two verities are full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. While these products have similarities, there’s a significant difference between the two.
CBD exists as a part of a broad family of similar compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. However, these compounds can be stripped from the plant during the extraction.
The cannabinoid profile of your CBD oil can change depending on the cannabis strain used for the process. A full-spectrum CBD oil means that all phytochemicals naturally found in the plant. This includes terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other cannabinoids.
The combination of CBD and the additional compounds can work together and magnify the effects of CBD oil. This phenomenon is called “The Entourage Effect.” Each compound has its own purposes and benefits that can amplify the therapeutic properties of the others while mitigating their potential side effects.
5. Search for Third-Party Lab Results
Consumers should be confident that the CBD products they are purchasing are safe, with the advertised amount of CBD and without an illegal amount of THC. This is why third-party laboratory tests are essential.
These tests are performed by third-party laboratories who do not benefit from the manufacturers’ sales. As a result, consumers can ensure that the information regarding the contents of a CBD product is reliable.
In the spirit of transparency, plenty of brands made their lab results easily accessible on their website. Consumers need to take the time to read them thoroughly. Make sure that these documents outline the type of tests performed, including for potency, pesticides, solvents, and heavy material. They should also transparently share the result.
6. Ensure the CBD Products Have High Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to the amount and rate of any substance that gets absorbed into your bloodstream. CBD would have a more potent effect when more nutrients enter the bloodstream. However, the stomach acids break down any product a person consume before distributing the nutrients. As a result, most nutrients get lost before they get absorbed.
The value of bioavailability largely depends on the way you consume the CBD. There are many ways CBD can enter the system, from edibles to vapes and topical products. Each method has different bioavailability.
CBD oils, in particular, are often consumed sublingually using tinctures, sprays, concentrates, and lozenges. Sublingually consumed CBD has a slightly higher bioavailability compared to swallowed CBD as it brings the nutrients directly to the bloodstream and avoids the liver’s first-pass effect.
7. Avoid CBD Product with Unnatural Substances
CBD products get nothing from additives. But the taste of the product is a huge factor to consider for those taking CBD oil orally. Unflavoured CBD oil is an acquired taste as it has an earthy and somewhat grassy taste.
People will likely select the most palatable CBD oil so they can take CBD oil easily and regularly. As a result, brands that have a variety of flavours to choose from will be tops on the list for people who need their oil to taste like something other than CBD.
If your tastes require something beyond a grassy flavour, make sure to choose all-natural flavours like essential oils. Most people start with the basic and pleasing flavours like mint or citrus before moving to vanilla, berry, or coconut.
Additionally, you should also check for any potential allergens that are often included in the casing of CBD products.
8. CBD Products Need to Be Properly Packaged
The packaging is an essential aspect of nearly every product in the market. However, it’s even more critical for CBD products as the compounds of hemp are incredibly fragile. For this reason, the packaging should be designed to preserve the purity and potency of the CBD product for as long as possible.
Droppers with glass containers are a standard choice for containers because of their airtight nature. Even after being opened, these containers can protect the product from air exposure. Amber containers, in particular, can protect the product from light and heat as UV rays can’t penetrate through.
Another option is oil sprays. Users enjoy it since sprays are easier to use than droppers. They also leave less mess.
9. Check Out the CBD Company’s Customer Support
CBD is such a new aspect of the health and wellness industry that it’s natural to have many questions while picking out CBD products. Companies selling CBD products that are eager to explain how their product can amplify the customers’ health and wellness routine are an excellent sign that they understand their product, and they’re willing to help their customers.
If their customer support assistance is not readily available or can’t answer your questions for you, it’s best to go elsewhere.
10. Keep a lookout for Red Flags
One of the indicators that the brand you’re currently considering should be avoided is the lack of digital footprint. Strictly physical stores don’t often focus on quality. Some would usually sell oils with additives that don’t meet the testing standards.
Most authentic online CBD stores already know that their potential customers will want to research their products before making a purchase. Because of that, they’re transparent about their offer and publish the information ready on their website.
In relation, you should also steer clear of any products that don’t list a potency or per milligram dosing for their products. It’s an essential factor that people look for when they’re trying to understand their body’s reaction to CBD. This makes it easier to find a potency or dose that will work out for them.
Direct medical claims are also a red flag. CBD companies can’t claim that their products can cure or treat any medical condition like cancer, anxiety, inflammation, cold, and others. Any company that ignores these regulations aren’t putting their customers’ health and well-being in mind, but a quick way to make money.
The wide array of CBD options can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. It’s no good to buy a CBD product of the first company you come across, or you’ll end up with a poor quality CBD oil. It’s crucial that you do your research on the brand you’re considering before making a purchase.
Alternatively, you can always choose an established brand like Love CBD. Love CBD is a small family-run CBD shop that offers high-quality cannabis oil, establishing a leading brand for CBD capsules, balm, and sprays in the UK. Visit us at www.lovecbd.org or contact us at [email protected].
