The term “CBD oil” has bloomed as many people have begun to discover the many benefits that are associated with the cannabinoid. In fact, a Forbes report claims that by 2020, the CBD industry will have grown up to a $2.1 billion market in consumer sales. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Another well-known chemical in the cannabis plant is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol for its psychoactive properties which can induce a high. Although these two components both come from the same plant, cannabis, it is important to note that only THC is responsible for creating a high. Quality CBD products are derived only from the hemp plant, a variety of Cannabis that is high in concentrations of cannabidiol and very low in tetrahydrocannabinol.
Some of the most commonly known health benefits of adding CBD oil as a supplement to your diet include pain relief, anti-acne, seizures, and epilepsy, anti-nausea, reducing the risk of diabetes, reducing inflammation, and as an antidepressant.
As Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has become popular and continues to increase in popularity as a natural alternative to many common conditions, it is essential to find the right CBD oil. With a vast number of products and brands on the market, it can be a bit challenging weeding out the good from the bad.
Here are 10 things you need to know before buying CBD Oil.
1. Where and How was the Hemp Grown?
The source of your CBD matters! Hemp is highly prone to absorbing chemicals, and that includes pesticides, herbicides, or heavy metals from the air, water, or soil. It is crucial that you are aware of where your CBD oil comes from, and that it comes from a reliable and organically grown source.
For decades, Europe has been considered the ideal leader when it comes to hemp production. In the 1990’s, many countries in Europe lifted the ban on hemp production, which has given European farmers the best-equipped experience for the best practices to produce quality hemp. This high standard set for quality is why many reputable CBD-infused manufacturers source exclusively from European countries.
It is essential to steer well away from sellers and manufacturers who fail to provide transparency, especially regarding the use of Pesticides and Herbicides. A 1997 study has found the following cancers to be linked with the use of Pesticide/Herbicides:
- Cancers of the brain, breast, lip, lung, skin, stomach, and prostate
- Leukemia
- Multiple myelomas
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Soft tissue sarcoma
2. How Much THC is in CBD Product?
The standard for hemp to qualify as legal is that it must contain less than 0.3% THC. You can rest assure that CBD oil won’t induce the highs as they do in marijuana due to the very low THC content. However, if you have to undergo drug tests at work, you may want to keep the amount of THC to a bare minimum to avoid trouble. There are plenty of reputable companies out there who offer CBD-infused products with absolutely zero percent THC if you are looking to keep even the smallest trace amounts of THC out of your system.
3. What Is The Concentration of CBD?
The concentration level of CBD Oil matters because it ensures you’re getting exactly what you’re paying for in terms of mg. Some unreliable companies actually seek higher profits by falsely advertising that customers get more concentrations of CBD at a lesser price. You’ll want to make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of CBD per ounce of the bottle you are purchasing.
Here’s a handy formula to use when calculating the concentration of CBD if it is not already listed on the website:
4. Is The CBD Pure and Potent?
The last thing we want is to simply take a company’s word that their products are 100% safe and free from contaminants. The only way to ensure the safety, quality, and potency of a product are to have the CBD tested in a third-party accredited laboratory to rest assure that the company does not fiddle with the results. A company who willingly provides a Certificate of Analysis is much more reliable than one who does not indicate a reference to an analysis report of their products.
Accredited Third-Party Laboratories Will Test CBD Products For Contaminants Such As:
- Bacteria and fungi
- Foreign matter
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Residual solvents as a result of the extraction process
5. How is the CBD Extracted?
Some companies, especially the ones that sell their products for an extremely low price, are able to do so if they use cheap extraction methods. These cost-efficient extraction methods require the use of harsh and toxic solvents that can greatly danger our health, leave a chemical residue, and these include butane, hexane, and propane among others. You may be familiar with these substances being commonly used in stoves and petroleum.
One of the safest and most reliable extraction methods is through CO2 Extraction. This method uses carbon dioxide (CO2) under high pressures and extremely low temperatures to extract as much CBD as possible without having to introduce solvents or contaminants. The carbon dioxide is relieved of the intense pressure and evaporates, leaving only the extracted CBD.
CO2 extraction requires expensive equipment and machinery, production expertise, and a much more complex refinement process unlike the cheaper methods, but it ensures that the extracted CBD oil remains uncontaminated and maintains purity throughout the entire process.
Before attempting to purchase any CBD product, your best bet is to research the company’s production process. Are they using the CO2 extraction method? Or are they extracting their CBD using solvents? If the company is accountable and transparent, this information can be found on their website and product descriptions, otherwise, by contacting the company’s customer service representative.
CO2 Extraction Benefits:
- Guaranteed high quality
- Does not contain a trace of harsh solvents/chemicals, such as butane, hexane, propane, or ethanol.
- CO2 is a standard extraction method widely used for both food and dietary supplements
6. What about Accountability?
As the availability of CBD products continues to grow online, so does the number of unreliable companies eager to make a sale rather than be concerned for the health intent of their customers. You’ll want to keep an eye out for easy ways to contact the company before ever making a purchase. If they don’t easily provide contact information such as a phone number, location, email, or social media, chances are that the company does not take accountability seriously. An easy way is by checking their phone number and making sure you can easily reach real representatives, not be stuck with an automated answering system. Doing this step and asking questions is a great way to check the seriousness of the company in providing answers to your questions before you make a purchase.
7. Does the Company offer Transparency?
Transparency is important when searching for CBD products. Transparency offers reassurance that the company sells their products legally and ethically. There are numerous businesses selling with false claims and low-end, inferior quality products. A company who offers transparency is the first step in the right direction because they have nothing to hide from their customers.
8. Is Cheaper Better?
Generally, cheaper is not always better, and the same applies especially to CBD oil. The production costs of quality CBD oil generally just isn’t cheap. When extracted using the CO2 extraction method, complex equipment, and high expertise is required for the efficient production of quality oil. Cheaper (and easier) methods tend to use chemical extractions methods to cut production costs, which can produce residue from toxic solvents such as ethanol, butane, or propane. This is why most CBD oils on the market have a heavier price tag because it ensures quality, potency, and purity.
Causes of Higher-Quality CBD Oils to Cost More Than Others
- Extracted using the CO2 extraction method
- Organically Grown
- Grown in the United States
- Higher concentrations of CBD
- Tested in third-party labs
- Made from full-spectrum extracts with other beneficial whole plant compounds
- The company is following regulations/laws
9. What Are The Product Claims?
If a website claims that their products can cure or treat medical conditions, steer straight away! The Food and Drug Administration DSHEA guidelines have ruled it as a strict violation to make medical claims about the efficacy of CBD products in the treatment of medical conditions. Some website uses these claims to provide attractive offers, and although there are numerous research studies showing the promising benefits of CBD oil helping people in numerous ways, most legitimate CBD-infused products companies will refrain from direct medical claims.
10. What is the Total Amount of CBD in the Product?
This may seem like a repeat question, but the amount of CBD per ounce and a total amount of CBD in the entire bottle are different. You will want to ensure that the amount of CBD per ounce and the total amount of CBD match up. The total amount should also be clearly visible on the website and the product itself.
Conclusion
CBD provides an amazing array of therapeutic benefits, that’s a matter of fact according to the many scientific studies conducted on certain benefits for conditions such as anxiety, epilepsy, and pain.
However, it is important to be wary of this checklist and that you are well-educated and have done an ample amount of research before making your first purchase. Checking each of the questions provided in this article will ensure that you are getting the best quality intended for your overall health.
Our products here at VitaLeaf Naturals cover each essential factor you should be checking before making any CBD-infused purchase. Our quality and affordability are our top priorities, making us better than other competitors because we source directly from farmers in large volumes and have our own manufacturing facility to cut down middlemen costs. You may check out our Frequently Asked Questions as well as product reviews and contact us if you have any questions.
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