CBD goods have become more popular over the past couple of years. We’ll start this CBD buyer’s guide by talking about one of the most popular is CBD oil. CBD oils are essentially made up of two components: a carrier oil and CBD. It’s called a ‘carrier oil’ because it’s essentially the vehicle that brings CBD to your system. This oil can be anything from olive oil to vegetable oil.
CBD oils and tinctures are administered by placing one or two drops beneath the tongue and holding it there for a few minutes. Why underneath your tongue? Well, that area of your mouth is affluent in capillaries like tiny veins that absorb substances very quickly. So, by placing the CBD oil underneath your tongue, you can make sure it absorbs much faster and has a quicker, more long-lasting effect.
What Is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the natural compounds that the Cannabis sativa plant (phytocannabinoids) has. It has several health benefits, like reducing anxiety, stress, and even chronic pain. Despite coming from the marihuana plant, CBD does not make you high. Contrary to THC (the primary psychoactive chemical compound of the marijuana plant), cannabidiol does not induce the euphoric ‘high’ sensation often associated with marijuana use. CBD manufacturers will often source their CBD from low-THC, CBD-rich cannabis strains from retailers like Zamnesia to ensure an end product that provides the wellness benefits of CBD without the high.
CBD products will usually not get you in trouble unless they contain traces of THC, which can occur more often than you think. That is why the answer to ‘does CBD show up on drug tests’ is so complicated.
Various CBD products can contain traces of THC either because they are fabricated in the same lab as THC products like edibles or other forms of recreational marihuana or because they’ve come into contact with other products that contain THC.
Are There Different Types Of CBD?
The short answer is yes, yes there are. There are three major types: Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD, and CBD Isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD is highly beneficial since it contains other compounds which can interact with CBD to get better results. Also called whole-plant CBD, the whole spectrum has traces of THC, but not an amount that leads to ‘getting high.’ Hence, if you need to take a drug test, it’s best not to use this one. However, if you don’t and you’re just afraid of getting ‘high,’ then don’t worry, it won’t do anything like that!
Broad-spectrum CBD is the highest kind you can get. Its different cannabinoids are beneficial to you and work great with CBD but don’t contain any traces of THC. According to Health News Today, Broad-spectrum CBD has several natural cannabis compounds but does not include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
It is fantastic since you can get all the benefits without failing a drug test!
CBD Isolate is recommended for CBD purists. Any product cataloged as ‘CBD isolate’ usually has multiple extraction methods to get THC out and only leave CBD. That is your top option when you need to take a bi-monthly drug test.
Nevertheless, not every extraction method is the same. For instance, chemical extraction uses solvents that are difficult to remove and might be toxic. The CO2 extraction, on the other hand, converts CBD into a solvent that can be removed so that it contains no traces of it and still leaves only CBD. It’s also better for the environment, so ensure that the products you buy are made with CO2 extraction!
Different CBD Products
CBD itself doesn’t taste very good, but it is incredibly versatile, which is why there are a vast number of CBD products out there! These include:
- CBD Hemp oil tinctures
- CBD Gummies
- CBD Soft gels
- Muscle & Joint Cream
- Pet Products
Yes, you read that right, Pet Products! Now, if you’re starting to feel anxious for your furry friend, don’t worry. You have nothing to stress about! CBD causes so many significant effects by working with our Endocannabinoid System, an extensive system of receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes that spread throughout our body.
How To Determine CBD Product Quality
Before buying you should check the quality of CBD products. Correct hemp oil testing must be performed periodically to confirm potency and check for impurities. It is necessary to check that the product you’re buying is lab-tested by a third party. Such tests guarantee the amount of CBD written on the label is what the product has. Plus, they confirm that the legal level of THC (0.3%) is not exceeded.
How Much CBD Is In Your Product?
It depends on the kind of product that you get. “The label should always state the amount of CBD in the product.” The amount of CBD taken should be the total CBD written on the front, divided by the number of servings.
However, if you want a product with a lot of CBDS in it, then you’re better off buying oil or a tincture since it’s as close to raw CBD as you’ll ever get. They make these products from CBD and add flavoring from a carrier oil (like vegetable or olive oil). That is why they tend to contain the highest amounts of CBD.
How Was The CBD Extracted?
There are two ways to extract CBD: CO2 and chemical extraction.
Chemical extraction uses solvents to extract CBD from other plant compounds. That method is usually cheaper but comes at a higher price since it’s almost impossible to remove these chemical solvents after extraction altogether, and traces often stay in the CBD itself. It can be pretty dangerous since chemical solvents are highly toxic to humans, and even traces of them can make you very ill.
The second method, CO2 extraction, is a little more expensive but much better in the long run. CO2 is liquid to turn into a solvent, and they can use that chemical to extract the CBD from the other products. After that, it is much easier to remove altogether, ensuring the consumer’s health and safety. CO2 extraction is also better for the environment since it leaves behind a much smaller carbon footprint.
That is why you should always check the website that you’re buying the CBD from so you can make sure it uses CO2 extraction, which is better both for you and the environment.
CBD capsules are a completely different story. While the extraction methods are the same, adding CBD to a gelatin mixture can be tricky if your religious beliefs are against eating meat or pork. That is because they use pig’s bones to make gelatin, so it does technically contain pig. That may also be a concern if you’re vegan, so keep looking for any capsules labeled vegan.
What Strength Do You Want?
“The concentration of CBD in a given product is the overall strength of the CBD, which is to say it refers to the overall amount of CBD by product weight.” When looking at a CBD store, you want their products to have an excellent potency range, from 300mg up to 1000mg, which is much more than you’ll get out of most other CBD brands out there! It depends on the dosage that the product has.
If you’re trying out CBD for the first time and you’re still not sure what kind of dose would work best for you, 300mg is a great place to start. Not so low that it won’t do anything but also not so much that it will knock you out for ten hours and you miss your meeting, just right, like Goldilocks would take her CBD if she was over eighteen! That wide range is also good since it serves both rookies and CBD pros alike.
Can CBD Make You High?
No, it can’t. As mentioned previously, CBD does not make you high; THC does. Although they can both be in the cannabis plant, THC creates psychoactive effects by interacting with specific brain receptors, while CBD only interacts with your endocannabinoid system. Therefore, it doesn’t cause a high sensation other than feeling relaxed and dissipating negative thoughts.
Is CBD Legal?
According to a Healthline article, hemp is no longer part of the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) still classify CBD as a Schedule I drug. So yes, yes it is!
What does it mean? Well, it depends on the state. Some of them, like California, are very loose when it comes to regulating both CBD and THC. Others, like Alabama, are stricter and ban both altogether.
Nevertheless, CBD tends to be much safer legally since it’s not considered a heavy psychoactive drug. On the other hand, THC has more stigma around it, so it isn’t allowed in some states.
In any case, it’s always a good idea to check your state’s laws to see if the products you’re buying are legal or not, mainly so you can avoid another huge bill plus legal trouble. After all, crime doesn’t pay!
Final Thoughts
CBD is a very beneficial compound that comes in various forms and can help with a wide range of issues. CBD reaches its maximum efficacy if used consistently, much like a daily multivitamin supplement. If you’re curious about CBD, consider giving it a try, and don’t forget to ask your doctor if you have any questions!