Who would have thought that CBD would become the holy grail of the wellness product segment, and considering its craze in public, it’s going to rule this segment for years to come?

It’s now available in different flavors and product types, like oils, gummies, tinctures, and even topicals. Its use cases are many, and its non-intoxicating nature and nil side effects make it a perfect product for both the young and the elderly.

Thousands of anecdotal reports from people and countless scientific studies have proven that CBD is effective against anxiety, stress, pain, sleep issues, and neurological conditions. To capture this growing segment, more and more CBD brands have emerged in the market, which can be overwhelming for both newbies and seasoned users. 

So how does one pick the best CBD oil out of this sea of different brands with their own unique claims about product efficiency? Well, that’s exactly what we will explore in this article, so giddy up and get ready to pick up all the information you need before your next CBD haul.

Source: cobocbd.com

What Is CBD?

Cannabis sativa plants, i.e., hemp and marijuana, have hundreds of naturally occurring compounds known as cannabinoids, and CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of them. 

It’s non-psychoactive in nature and has higher concentrations in hemp plants, whereas its intoxicating fellow cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) has higher concentrations in marijuana plants. 

As per the 2018 farm bill, only hemp-derived CBD products with no more than 0.3% THC are legal for production and consumption at the federal level.

Almost all states have accepted these guidelines, and now you can easily buy CBD products online or offline without any prescription, regardless of which American state you live in. 

CBD is now actively replacing opioid-based pain medications, as one cannot get addicted to or overdose on them easily. People use it for all sorts of health issues, including trouble sleeping, severe anxiety, chronic pain, low appetite, or even general stress and recovery. 

It mainly works on the endocannabinoid system, which is present in all mammals, and makes it more efficient. This endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining a state of balance in our body; hence, CBD consumption makes us feel more relaxed, focused, and in control of our thoughts and bodies. 

It also has a positive impact on our mood and circadian rhythm, both of which are essential for good mental and physical health. Let’s now take a look at the essential things one should look for to pick the best CBD product. 

Factors To Consider When Picking Best CBD Products

The market is full of CBD brands, and every other day a new brand pops up with some unique aesthetics and marketing tactics. 

But this segment is still largely unregulated, which increases the chance of inferior products finding their way onto your shelves. So let’s take a look at some important factors you should consider when filtering out the best CBD products. 

Certificate Of Analysis  

A certificate of analysis is the very first thing you should check before buying a CBD product. It’s a lab test report of product samples sent by a brand to a third-party laboratory for testing. 

It confirms which cannabinoids are in the products, what their concentration levels are, and whether they are free from contaminants like heavy metals or some other adulterants. 

This report should be of the latest date and must match the product’s batch number. Why? Because the FDA still doesn’t regulate CBD products properly, some brands use inferior quality ingredients and make false claims about concentration levels on the label.

Pick The Right Kind Of CBD 

There are mainly three types of CBD products. First, we have full-spectrum CBD. These products contain a complete hemp profile and have all the healing and therapeutic cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in them. 

This means that they also have 0.3% THC in them, which might not be suitable for those who are sensitive to it or have an upcoming blood test. For them, we have a new category called broad spectrum CBD. 

These products have everything the same as the full spectrum except THC, which is completely removed through an additional filtration process. The last category is CBD isolates; these products don’t have any other cannabinoid than CBD; you can say they’re the purest form of CBD, and they are generally made in labs through heavy filtration techniques. 

Extraction Method

The extraction technique used for getting the CBD out of hemp plants can affect its quality and efficacy. Your aim should be to opt for products made with the CO2 extraction method; it’s the safest, cleanest, and most scientific method only used by top-notch brands. 

It requires quite some capital, expertise, and complex machinery. The second best method is alcohol-based extraction. This is mainly used by some old and traditional brands and is a bit cheaper than the C02 method. It’s good, but not as good as the C02. 

Then there’s the solvent method; you should completely predict what will be made using this, as it can leave harmful residues in the product.

Brand Reputation And Service & Testimonials

At the end, it’s all about where you are buying your CBD product from. You should determine a brand’s commitment to quality by going through reviews from real customers on third-party sites like Yelp and Trustpilot. 

Then talk to their customer support, ask them questions about the product, and confirm what kind of return policy they are willing to offer. Why? Because everyone is different a CBD product may work for your friend but not for you, in that case, you must have some kind of return or refund assurance from the brand. 

Also check if the brand has all the required certifications, like GMP and American Hemp Society certification. The source of hemp can make a day or night difference, so try to go with brands that use organically grown American hemp. 

The End Note

To sum it up, it’s essential to go through certain checks before spending your hard-earned money on CBD products. There are over two thousand brands in the USA now, and surely all of them don’t make high-quality and safe products. 

Plus, the lack of FDA regulation and high demand for cheap products in this industry makes it easy for some inferior products to enter the market. To avoid this mishap, you should only buy CBD from brands that provide you with the latest certificate of analysis, use organic hemp, have good customer support, and use CO2 extraction methods. 

One good example of this is Colorado Botanicals, a CBD brand that has gained both trust and approval ratings from customers across the states. Last, but not least, make sure to start your CBD journey with a low dose and allow your body to adjust to it before making it a full-fledged part of your wellness routine.