Here’s What You Need to Know About Buying CBD Products
What’s all the fuss about cannabidiol (CBD)? You’ve probably seen it advertised for sale all over the place lately, but what is it, and what is it used for?
CBD is a cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana. CBD doesn’t have the same intoxicating effects as its cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But studies have found that it does have medicinal benefits. CBD has anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anticonvulsive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative effects. An FDA-approved medication containing CBD, Epidiolex, has been approved for the treatment of seizure disorders, and lots of people are finding relief from insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, and other conditions through the use of over-the-counter CBD products. Here’s what you need to know to get the right products for your needs.
Quality Control for CBD Products
CBD products sold over the counter are not regulated by the FDA, it’ll be up to you the consumer to choose high-quality CBD products. You can start by checking online for independent reviews of CBD manufacturers, and reviews written by other users who use the products for the same purposes you intend to use them for.
Any manufacturer of CBD products worth buying from will provide a certificate of analysis (COA) from a reputable third-party lab. The lab should be accredited by the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO. The COA should verify the potency of the manufacturer’s CBD products, and should indicate whether there are any contaminants, like mold, microbes, heavy metals, or pesticides, found in the products.
CBD companies usually make their COAs available on their websites. If you’re shopping in a store, look for CBD products with COA QR codes on them. Check the product’s quantities of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids, like cannabichromene (CBC) or cannabinol (CBN), to make sure the tested potency lives up to the manufacturer’s claims. Also verify that the product isn’t contaminated.
Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum vs. CBD Isolate
CBD and THC aren’t the only cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp. These plants also contain compounds known as terpenes. Terpenes are plant compounds that are typically responsible for giving a plant its unique scent, and they’re found in most plants – for example, lemons, grapefruit, oranges, and other citrus fruits contain a terpene known as limonene, which gives citrus its zesty citrus scent and flavor. Many of the terpenes found in cannabis have medicinal properties, too.
But not every CBD product contains all of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis. Full-spectrum products do contain all of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis, including trace amounts of THC, now that hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3 percent THC are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Due to something called the entourage effect, which theorizes that the full spectrum of cannabinoids is more medically beneficial than isolated CBD, full-spectrum CBD products may be the most effective. However, because they do contain trace amounts of THC, full-spectrum CBD products could make you fail a drug test, especially if you use them regularly.
Broad-spectrum CBD products are an alternative for users who want to benefit from the entourage effect but don’t want to ingest THC. Broad-spectrum products contain CBD and all the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis except for THC. If you want to see how well CBD itself can work for you, you can choose a CBD isolate product, which contains only CBD and no other cannabinoids.
Capsules, Tinctures, Edibles, and More
CBD can be delivered into the body by ingesting it, vaping it, or rubbing CBD-infused ointments and creams on the skin. Creams and ointments are a good choice if you’re looking to treat joint or muscle pain. Edibles, capsules, and sublingual tinctures or oils are a good choice if you need to use CBD discreetly – just because it’s legal in most jurisdictions, doesn’t mean you want everyone around you to know you’re taking it. It’s easy to discreetly pop a pill or eat an edible at work or at a family event, for example.
If you’re not concerned about discretion and you need to feel the effects of CBD immediately, you should choose a vape cartridge. Vaping delivers CBD into the bloodstream immediately, and is the fastest-acting form of CBD delivery.
CBD products have a wide range of health benefits for insomnia, seizure disorders, anxiety, chronic pain, and more. Choose the right product for you, and find out what all the fuss is about! You’ll feel better than you have in years.
Martin B.
Latest posts by Martin B. (see all)
- Can You Use a Disposable VapeWhile Charging? - September 21, 2024
- Geek Bar Pulse, Geek Bar Pulse X, and Geek Bar Skyview: The Ultimate Guide - June 14, 2024
- KS Quik The Convenient and Eco-Friendly Disposable Vape Pod Redefining the Vaping Experience - May 21, 2024