The simple answer is to go to some website offering the CBD products you want, add them to the cart, and checkout. Nonetheless, it’s not that simple. When you spend money, ensure that it is going to the right place, and you’ll reap full benefits from it. This process requires some research
In retail, we often assume that a higher-priced product is of better quality. As it pertains to CBD oil, that may not be the case. Price and quality do not always correlate.
If you’ve never shopped for CBD products online, there are several things you should consider before you buy CBD online because, now that CBD is in hot demand, new manufacturers and products have flooded the market. While this is good news, not all CBD products are created equal, and it’s important to do a little research before you make that online CBD purchase.
What you should look for:
How and where is the Hemp Grown?
The way the hemp used to extract CBD oil is grown can greatly influence the final CBD product. When shopping for CBD online, knowing the source of a manufacturer’s raw hemp can help you rest assured that you are getting the safest and highest quality CBD possible and will protect you from inferior products when buying CBD.
How is the CBD Oil Processed?
When you buy CBD online, another place you will want transparency from your CBD products is how CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant. CBD oil can be extracted from the hemp plant using a number of extraction methods, and the degree of safety for each extraction technique can be vastly different, which is important to note as you look to buy CBD online.
Pharmahemp® uses a supercritical CO2 extraction process to safely and carefully pull the compound-rich oil from the plant. Other companies may use chemical solvents like butane, hexane, and acetone, which can linger in the extracted oil if not purged correctly and make the oil toxic and dangerous to consume.
Is the CBD Oil Tested for Safety and Purity?
When you shop online for CBD oil products, ask the manufacturer for testing certificates. Reputable, trustworthy businesses will happily provide
A certificate of analysis, or COA, is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a CBD product. Essentially, it is a form of quality control that confirms whether the product contains the quantities of CBD that the manufacturer claims or advertises. A COA should come from a third-party source and not the manufacturer or brand to ensure accurate and unbiased results. A third-party COA will generally have a few different sections. One section will typically detail how much CBD, THC, as well as other, less abundant cannabinoids, such as CBN or CBC, the product contains. These readings indicate the potency of a product. Another section will focus on possible contaminants in the form of pesticides or microbes in the product. A further section will list any possible contamination from heavy metals or chemicals, such as residual solvents. CBD company websites should also have a COA available so potential buyers can check out a product before making their purchase. It is also important that the COA comes from a trustworthy lab. If possible, check for accredited labs that followed the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guidelines. The easiest red flag is when companies just have a cannabinoid panel because they’re choosing not to spend the extra money to be transparent with their customers.
A COA may also include contents like terpenes (organic compounds associated with cannabis aromas), mycotoxins (mold toxins) and residual solvents (organic volatile chemicals)
Cannabinoids and terpenes
As well as cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains many other compounds, such as terpenes. Many plants contain terpenes, and they are generally responsible for a plant’s specific scent. Cannabis products may contain terpenes of varying strengths. Although scientists do not fully understand the role that some compounds in cannabis play, they think that terpenes might also offer some therapeutic benefits. However, this depends on the type of terpene present and its strength.
The ‘entourage effect’
The ‘entourage effect’ hypothesizes that the presence of multiple compounds from the cannabis plant and its extracts maximizes its health benefits.
Know the right potency
The potency of the CBD product is another important factor to consider, as it varies greatly depending on the individual’s needs. CBD products usually display dosages in milligrams (mg). However, it is important to remember that there is little human research to guide suitable dosing for various conditions. It is best to start with lower doses and slowly increase them to find the minimum effective dose with minimal side effects. Once a person has found the right dosage for their needs, they should continue to use it. The dose a person requires may vary according to their metabolism, tolerance levels, and the method of intake.
The reviews of products/websites
The first and foremost step is to look for reviews of CBD products and the online store itself. This very first step determines the authenticity of a brand in many cases. There’s no reason to look beyond a brand with reviews that reflect the complete trust and confidence of the consumers in the brand. Many companies publish their customers’ reviews on their websites. If they don’t, you can still find them on social media platforms and third-party review sites.
What you should avoid
First and foremost, unlike prescription drugs, CBD products cannot make health claims. Even claims for minor conditions like a relief for migraines would be illegal. The more dramatic a health claim is, the more skeptical you should be. Products that claim to cure things like cancer or heart disease should definitely be approached with skepticism, as there currently isn’t enough medical research or testing to back those claims. Therefore, keep an eye on this aspect to see if a company’s claims might be unrealistic and misleading.
It’s also recommended that you avoid purchasing CBD products at general stores like gas stations, beauty salons, and grocery stores. These stores are not experts in CBD and may not necessarily be selling trustworthy products. It’s highly encouraged that you purchase CBD products from a store that exclusively focuses on selling CBD products. These stores have dedicated their time and effort to researching their brands and carefully selecting which products they sell. They know their products inside and out, and they’ll be able to answer any questions you may have appropriately.
Risks
CBD is a natural compound. There is little risk to people who take CBD alone provided they are not taking any other medication. CBD may interact with a range of other drugs and lead to increased side effects. Anyone regularly taking prescription or over-the-counter medications should check with their doctor before using CBD. Some people may also experience mild side effects while taking CBD, including fatigue and an upset stomach.
Scientists do not yet know if CBD is safe for use during pregnancy, so pregnant women should abstain from CBD.
Conclusion
In the end, we know that buying CBD online has both its pros and cons. But if you are good at specific analyzing techniques, the pros will outweigh the cons.
Therefore, you can bookmark this page to review the tips to buy CBD online later on. You can also share this page with your loved ones who might need help with purchasing CBD online. Online shopping is comparatively hassle-free, time-saving, and energy-saving compared to shopping at physical stores. So once you learn to do it the right way, there’s no way to choose the latter.