CBD is everywhere, there’s no doubt about it. The increasing demand for CBD over the last few years has resulted in a huge assortment of CBD products — from edibles to skincare, the options are endless.
But, how do you know which CBD products are the right ones for you? Here are a few factors to consider when purchasing CBD products.
Know the different kinds of CBD products
CBD isn’t a one-size-fits-all option; each form has different effects. For instance, all CBD products require certain methods of delivery, and those provide different bioavailability. Some can act faster than others as well.
But ultimately, it comes down to personal preferences. Some people love edibles, others enjoy lotions and creams. And some prefer tinctures and oils.
Before deciding on a product, figure out what exactly you want to use CBD for. If you’re looking for pain relief, muscle recovery, or if you’re treating a skin condition, topical formats like serums, salves, and lotions are your best bet. If you need a more consistent supply of CBD throughout your day, try out capsules or edibles. For instant effects, tinctures and suppositories work the best.
Choose a product that best suits your lifestyle
If you’re going to start regularly using CBD, you have to figure out how you can easily add it to your everyday routine. And of course, different products work better for different lifestyles. Some options can be used quickly, which are perfect for those who are always on the go. Other products require a bit more time, so patience is key.
If you have more of an active lifestyle, capsules and edibles are great and easy to take on the road. Gummies and chocolate bars are not only convenient, but tasty options to carry with you wherever you go.
If you prefer to take CBD at home first thing in the morning or right before bedtime, oil tinctures are a nice option because you can store them right in your nightstand or medicine cabinet. Edibles, capsules, and tinctures are discreet and easy to use, and they offer pre-measured doses of CBD, so you don’t have to calculate a dosage each time you use it.
Figure out the CBD extract
Aside from coming in different product formats, there are four common types of CBD extract: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, isolate, and PCR.
Full-spectrum extract keeps the full properties of the hemp plant intact. In addition to CBD, it includes terpenes, cannabinoids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, phytonutrients, and any other materials extracted from the hemp plant, including the allowed amounts of THC (0.3%). Both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum extracts support a theory known as “the entourage effect,” which suggests CBD and other components of hemp work together to improve absorption, amplify therapeutic effects, and have a more positive impact on the human body.
Broad-spectrum CBD is basically the same as full-spectrum; it contains an array of cannabinoids and terpenes, except it does not contain THC. This type is the perfect CBD extract for those who want to receive all of CBD’s beneficial cannabinoids, but might have a sensitivity to THC, or are worried about failing a drug test. Because multiple cannabinoids and other compounds are preserved in broad-spectrum CBD, it can provide the enhanced benefits of the entourage effect, without the psychoactive effects of THC. A great example is our Hemp Oil Care tincture, which provides the benefits of full-spectrum hemp oil but is also THC-free.
CBD isolate is considered the purest form of cannabidiol, containing no additional cannabinoids, terpenes, or plant components. CBD isolate is a great choice for those who want to experience the positive effects of CBD but do not want or cannot take THC. Isolate has no taste or odor, and it can be used to create a variety of CBD products, like edibles and topicals.
Phytocannabinoid Rich (PCR) is a term that’s most often used to describe hemp oil containing a wide array of different cannabinoids and zero THC. In other words, PCR is a common alternative term for broad-spectrum hemp oil. However, it’s very important to note that PCR is often a term used loosely, and it could refer to a full-spectrum product, which contains up to 0.3% THC.
Check the CBD concentration
CBD products come in different concentrations, which is nice for both beginners as well as those who are already familiar with CBD. The general rule of thumb is to start off with a lower dosage and to slowly increase it until the desired effects take place.
Make sure you monitor how specific doses and products affect you, that way you’ll have more information on adjusting future doses. When it comes to adjusting, oil tinctures make it fairly easy to tailor the serving to your needs and identify the minimum effective supply. Once you have the right CBD strength, you can switch to other products that are available in the concentration you need, or you can just buy a CBD oil with higher potency.
Make sure your CBD products have been lab-tested by a third party
With an overflow of CBD products out there, it can be difficult to identify which products are reliable and which ones are harmful and fake. Make sure you check for third-party lab reports and a Certificate of Analysis (COA) when purchasing CBD products.
Proper testing of hemp oil must be performed periodically in order to confirm potency and check for impurities. These tests ensure that the amount of CBD on the label is what is in the product. They also confirm that the legal level of THC (0.3%) is not exceeded. Proper testing shows the company’s transparency in their practice, and all of this data can be found in the COA.
At Made By Hemp, we provide you with the most reputable sources of CBD on the market. We’ve done the research for you and give easy access to lab test results. Each of the brands we carry were chosen for their quality and integrity.
Are you ready to try out a CBD product or two? Check out our shop for all of your CBD needs.
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