Buying CBD
When thinking about stocking stuffers for the upcoming holiday, consider picking up a CBD product. CBD, or cannabidiol, has been found to provide users relief from chronic pain and symptoms of arthritis, reduce anxiety, promote a calm mindset, and improve sleep. There is such a wide variety of CBD products on the marketplace that choosing the perfect one for somebody can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. This will serve as a guide to your journey through all the CBD products available.
How to tell if it is good quality CBD
The CBD market has exploded over the past few years, and there are now thousands of vendors to choose from, which can be incredibly overwhelming for consumers when entering the market. Not all CBD products are created equally. Lower quality CBD products will often have different levels of CBD than what they are advertising on the label, which makes it nearly impossible to dose, and may contain contaminants such as mold and heavy metals. By using a tool like CBDvalidator.com, you can search through brands that have been rated by a third party website, based on aspects such as transparency, dosage consistency, cost and quality.
One thing to look for on the product label or on the website is a Certificate of Analysis, or COA. This means that the product has been tested by a third-party laboratory for cannabinoid levels, including CBD, THC and other secondary cannabinoids. It also tests for contaminants such as microbes and heavy metals. COA’s should be available on the company’s website and some products even have QR codes on the packaging that will bring you to the COA for that specific product. If a CBD product doesn’t have a COA, consider finding another company to buy from, as that product has not been tested by a third-party lab.
CBD products that are certified organic are produced using hemp plants and processing facilities that are under strict standards set by organic certifying bodies, like NOFA-VT.
Full Spectrum CBD VS Broad Spectrum CBD VS CBD isolate
While browsing through CBD products, these three terms will come up again and again. They describe the different types of CBD extracts used in CBD products, which vary in the levels of the cannabinoids and compounds found in the extract.
Full spectrum CBD provides the closest chemical profile to the hemp plant itself, and the high levels of terpenes and secondary cannabinoids contribute to the entourage effect. Products that use full spectrum CBD can have up to the legal limit of .3% THC by weight. The flavor is stronger than broad spectrum or isolate, with an earthy, grassy taste. Although the amount of THC found in full spectrum is not enough to produce a high, it can still show up on a drug test if you have been using a full spectrum CBD product frequently.
Broad spectrum CBD has the same terpenes and secondary cannabinoids that are found in full spectrum, but the THC has been removed after the initial extraction. The levels of the terpenes and secondary cannabinoids are lower in broad spectrum due the extra processing, which results in a lighter flavor. Some broad spectrum can still contain trace amounts of THC, but at a much lower level than full spectrum.
CBD isolate is a form of pure CBD without any of the terpenes and secondary cannabinoids that appear in full and broad spectrum CBD. Isolate does not have a distinctive smell or taste, which some users may prefer. For those that are worried about drug testing while using CBD, isolate would be the best option, as it contains no THC or other cannabinoids.
Potency and dosing
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a product is potency. The amount of CBD in a product can vary from 10mg per dose to upwards of 200mg per dose. So what potency should you start off with? It’s generally recommended that you start off with a lower dose, around 15-20mg per day, and to increase by 5mgs after a week until you find the right dosage. Some users may find that a lower dose works better for them, while other users may find that higher potency products are more effective for relieving their symptoms.
Now that you know how to separate the good from the bad, here are some of the types of CBD products you’ll encounter while shopping.
Types of Products
Oils and Tinctures
Oil based tinctures are some of the most popular forms of CBD available. With oils, it is simple to measure a specific dose when using a dropper and come in a wide range of potencies, making it easy for the user to dial in the right dosage. The oil is taken sublingually, or put under the tongue, and absorbed through the tissue there. CBD oils can come in almost every flavor imaginable, from apple pie to zesty lemon. Some are unflavored, where the ingredients are just the CBD extract and the carrier oil, which offers an unadulterated taste of the CBD extract that some users may enjoy. Secondary compounds found in hemp plants called terpenes, can also be added into the oil or are already part of the CBD extract, which can add to the flavor and contributes to the “entourage effect” in which CBD is found to be more effective when combined with terpenes. Some tinctures are infused with herbs and other botanicals to promote a specific effect, such as better sleep, relieving pain or providing an uplifting feeling.
Lotions and facial oil
CBD is also often found in lotions and skin care products. CBD and other cannabinoids can be absorbed through the skin, so CBD infused lotions can provide localized pain relief for people with symptoms of arthritis or other chronic pains. Research has found that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce skin redness and has an effect on the production of sebum, which causes acne.
Edibles
Gummies and other candies like truffles and chocolate bars are some of the more popular types of edible, but why stop there? There’s CBD infused honey, coffee beans, seltzers, gum, protein powder, teas and so much more. Depending on the form of the edible, getting an accurate dose can be difficult compared to tinctures. Edibles are one of the best options for people that don’t like the hempy taste of CBD extracts
Vape
CBD vaporizers offer the quickest way to get CBD into your system. CBD vaporizers and vape carts are often flavored with terpenes, which can give them unique flavor profiles similar to cannabis flower, where flavors range from citrusy to piney to earthy, depending on the combination of terpenes. Vaporizers are not recommended for people with respiratory issues.
Flower
Last but certainly not least is CBD flower. The quality of CBD flower is the highest it’s ever been in terms of flavor, strain selection and potency. CBD flower can be used for smoking either by itself, or, provided you are in a state where it is legal, it can be mixed in THC flower to provide a more mellow high than just the THC would provide. Smoking flower has a similar uptake time compared to vaporizers, just not at as high a concentration. CBD flower can also be used to make CBD edibles at home, for those that like to experiment in the kitchen.
How experienced is the person you’re giving it too?
When buying CBD for somebody else, it is important to consider what their experience is with CBD.
If you’re buying for somebody who has little to no experience using CBD or other hemp products, low potency oils or edibles are a great place to start. Low potency oils contain around 500-750mg per 30ml bottle, or 16-25mg/ml, which is around the recommended amount to start with. Edibles that can be easily broken up or are already in separate doses, like gummies or chocolate bars, are also a good starting point as you can get an accurate dose. Lotions and skin care products can be a good option for somebody who is interested in CBD but is still wary of using a cannabis product.
If you know that the person you’re buying for is a frequent user of CBD, higher potency oils and edibles are the way to go. Higher potency oils have a range of anywhere from 35 mg/ml up to 200mg/ml, so unless you know that they like extremely high potencies, something under 100mg/ml would be a safe bet. If you know that they have a brand or product that they already enjoy, see if that company offers a monthly subscription for that product, as these subscriptions usually offer discounted prices. CBD flower or vapes are a great option for somebody who already smokes.
When buying CBD for somebody else, it is important to consider what their experience is with CBD.
If you’re buying for somebody who has little to no experience using CBD or other hemp products, low potency oils or edibles are a great place to start. Low potency oils contain around 500-750mg per 30ml bottle, or 16-25mg/ml, which is around the recommended amount to start with. Edibles that can be easily broken up or are already in separate doses, like gummies or chocolate bars, are also a good starting point as you can get an accurate dose. Lotions and skin care products can be a good option for somebody who is interested in CBD but is still wary of using a cannabis product.
If you know that the person you’re buying for is a frequent user of CBD, higher potency oils and edibles are the way to go. Higher potency oils have a range of anywhere from 35 mg/ml up to 200mg/ml, so unless you know that they like extremely high potencies, something under 100mg/ml would be a safe bet. If you know that they have a brand or product that they already enjoy, see if that company offers a monthly subscription for that product, as these subscriptions usually offer discounted prices. CBD flower or vapes are a great option for somebody who already smokes.
CBD for pets!
Don’t forget your furry friends this holiday season! CBD can have a similar effect on cats and dogs as it does on humans, helping to reduce anxiety and chronic pain. CBD is great for older pets that are starting to show signs of arthritis and other chronic pain, but younger animals can benefit from the calming effects of CBD as well. It is easy to incorporate CBD into your pets diet, as there is a wide array of CBD tinctures and treats specifically made for pets. Dosage is typically much lower than a human dose, as cats and dogs are much smaller than humans, but a reputable seller will have a weight chart that you can use to figure out initial dosage.
