How to Choose a CBD Product and Company

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What Does CBD Stand For?

CBD stands for Cannabidiol which is a chemical found in the Cannabis Sativa Plant. It is also called cannabis or hemp.

Sativa plants include both hemp and marijuana. But there is a significant difference. Marijuana contains a high amount of THC. For this reason, it gives people a high. However, hemp has less than 0.3% THC and won’t make you high.

How to Choose a CBD Product?

Evaluating the best CBD product is not difficult, but there are a few must-haves you need to check. My mom used to say, “It is better to be safe than sorry,” and she was right. It is better to use no product at all than a harmful one.

So, be patient when vetting good companies, and you will be rewarded with a quality product that is safe and works for you. With this in mind, I recommend you check the following things before buying a CBD product:

1. CBD Ingredients

Best quality ingredients are the the #1 aspect to look for when choosing a CBD oil. Always check the ingredient list. You should check:

what is in the product,
what it leaves out (artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, etc.)
number of ingredients,
natural flavoring and coloring

You should look for products made with

U.S. grown hemp,
plant-based supporting ingredients,
natural flavoring and/or coloring
and free of synthetic dyes and artificial flavor.

2. CBD Ingredients to Avoid

Some shady CBD products contain ingredients that you should avoid as they can be harmful to your health. For example:

a. Thickeners

High-quality, Pure CBD extract is naturally thick and heavy and is perfect the way it is. Compare that with deceptive companies who artificially thicken their “CBD oil” with vitamin E acetate. Avoid any product with this ingredient, as it can cause lung illness.

b. Polyethylene Glycol

Pure, naturally thick CBD extract is too thick to use in an ordinary vape pen. So, some companies use Polyethylene Glycol to thin the extract. Polyethylene glycol has numerous side effects that include:

Upset stomach.
Feeling nauseous.
Gas.
Diarrhea
Bloating etc.

c. Parabens

Parabens are used to preserve cosmetics. However, many researchers think they can disrupt hormone production. Avoid CBD products that contain Parabens.

3. Hemp Source

Knowing the source of hemp in your CBD oil is critical. It determines the quality of the hemp.

You should only buy products made from hemp grown in the USA as they are:

tested and certified.
safer,
less expensive,
of better quality,
grown using federal standards
and helps support the U.S. economy.

The best companies use only U.S.A.-grown hemp grown without herbicides, pesticides, or other harmful toxins..

4. Hemp Extraction

Numerous CBD extraction methods are used to obtain hemp-derived CBD oil. All extraction methods are not equally as good nor as safe.

Simply put, the botanical extraction process has a direct impact on the quality of hemp oil.

Solvents are passed through botanical material to extract the medicinal qualities from the plant that will end up in the oil.

The solvent is then recollected at the end of the process and disposed of. The best solvent for extraction is pure ethanol. USP or HPLC grades are preferable since they are the purest forms of ethanol.

Top grades of ethanol:

are non-denatured (contain no additives)
evaporate quickly
and meet the goal of testing the final product solvent less.

The best extraction facilities perform rigorous in-house testing during extraction and on their final cannabinoids before selling them to a manufacturer. This testing ensures safety, quality, and compliance standards are met.

All test results should be available upon the customer’s request. Testing transparency is the best way to maintain credibility. It builds trust in the competitive cannabinoid extraction world.

5. Third-Party Testing

It is important to know exactly what you are getting when you purchase CBD oil products.

Several studies have shown that up to 70% of online CBD products are mislabeled. Shockingly, some of them do not have CBD at all!

Therefore, a third-party testing CBD report (COA) is important. It ensures that what a manufacturer claims on the label is valid and true.

You should search online for the COA of a product before buying it.

COA or Certificate of Analysis is a certified laboratory document. It verifies cannabinoid quantity and other measures of quality control.

The COA contains:

the report date (check to make sure it’s less than 1 year old,)
the name and contact information for the accredited laboratory,
batch number,
cannabinoid profile (major and minor cannabinoid content,)
THC content,
pesticide report,
and a residual solvent report.

All brands’ test results should be available as a downloadable PDF on their website. Some brands have a QR code link to the testing you can pull up on your phone.

Take the time to check for the COA certificate. Steer clear of any company that does not disclose their testing results.

Which CBD Company to Trust?

When it comes to choosing a CBD product, I suggest you consider more than just the ingredients—you should also look at the company behind the product. A brand’s morals and values speak volumes about its integrity and commitment to its customers.

In a CBD market filled with options, what makes one brand stand out from the others? As you get closer to making your decision, think about these factors:

Does the brand use safe, simple ingredients?
Is there dosing information provided on the label?
Is the product made in the USA with USA-grown hemp?
Can you access 3rd party testing Certificates of Authenticity (COA) on the company’s website?

1. Brand Uniqueness

Not that you should, but you can buy CBD almost anywhere these days, even in a gas station! This leads me to ask what sets a brand apart from the herd. Consider the following things:

Is the brand creative and has a truly unique product?
Is the brand woman or minority-owned?
Does it offer eco-friendly packaging?
Do they provide product education?
Does the brand stand for something?
Does it support a local charity or animal rescue?
Or does it have a vibe you like or a special product?

2. Customer Assistance

Customer assistance shows the friendliness and intentions of a company. It also signifies that they care about you. When you need them, you should be able to reach a representative of the company easily and conveniently.

Ideally, contact forms should be on the website, along with emails, phone numbers, or social media. Some of the best companies post their social media handles, and you can directly message (DM) them for a quick response.

A good company should

provide you with accurate information.
respond quickly
give honest recommendations and answers to your questions

3. Honesty And Transparency

Unfortunately, some shady brands mislead consumers and are dishonest about product ingredients. In contrast, a good brand is honest and transparent. They provide accurate information, either written or verbal. And they make you feel safe, informed, and confident. Companies like this also make it easy for you to order, receive, and make any returns if necessary.

4. Check Authentic Reviews

Entering the CBD world for the first time can be overwhelming, but here’s a pro tip that can make it easier: use something you use every day to hear what other people are saying- the internet. When shopping online, take the time to read the reviews to see what types of experiences other customers have had. With so many CBD brands available, reviews can be invaluable to identify which brands truly stand out. Look for feedback from people who have already tried the products—did they have a positive experience? Were they satisfied with the quality and results?

A trustworthy company usually showcases reviews from its customers on its website. This transparency is a strong signal that they are proud of their product, stand behind the products, and value their customers’ feedback.

What is CBD Used for?

As you look at different brands and read customer reviews to find one you can trust, it’s also important to understand what CBD can do for you. Here are 10 potential medical benefits of using CBD:

1. Potential Reduction in Anxiety and Depression

Many people use CBD for this reason. CBD has the ability to calm and elevate your mood.

The Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry did an experiment on 57 men in 2017. The men were to participate in a simulated public speaking test. They were given different doses (150mg, 300 mg and 600 mg) of CBD. And some were given placebo.

The result was in favor of CBD. People who took 300mg of CBD performed the best. Their anxiety reduced significantly.

2. CBD for PTSD nightmares

PTSD refers to post-traumatic stress disorder. Experiencing or witnessing a horrific event triggers such a condition. PTSD symptoms include:

flashbacks,
nightmares
anxiety,
uncontrollable thoughts of the event.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine conducted a small study of 11 people with PTSD. Along with routine psychiatric treatment, they were given CBD. The study was eight weeks long.

The result was remarkable. 10 out of the 11 people reported that their nightmares were reduced as well as other symptoms. Also notable, CBD did not produce any side effects within this group.

3. Reduce ALS Symptoms

ALS refers to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which is a progressive nervous system disease. Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are affected. As a result, the person loses muscle control.

ALS symptoms usually include;

Difficulty in walking
Falling and tripping
Weakened ankle, foot, or leg
Clumsiness or weakness of hands
Slurred speech
Twitching and cramping in arms, shoulders, and tongue muscles
Sobbing, laughing, or yawning without cause
Changes in behavior

Research suggests that CBD can help in such conditions. In 2019, some patients with ALS were given both THC and CBD and both reduced clumsiness and improved the patients’ condition.

4. Potential Relief from Pain and inflammation

CBD has been shown to work effectively in lessening pain and inflammation.

From the early 2000s, continuous research on these topics has been conducted in the USA. These studies show that CBD is quite effective for treating chronic, non-cancer pain.

A study in 2020 showed that patients treated with CBD experienced better results than Placebo.

CBD can reduce intense pain and itchy sensation. The participants did not experience any side effects. CBD is also a very good solution for menstrual cramps.

5. Ease Diabetics Complications

Diabetes and its complications are usually preceded by high glucose levels. CBD aids in reducing the impact of high glucose levels.

Researchers are hopeful that with further studies on CBD, they can come up with a great solution for Diabetes patients.

A small study was conducted on 13 diabetes patients. They suffered from type 2 diabetes and were not on insulin treatment. Researchers administered 1 group CBD and the other group, insulin. They found that CBD decreased the level of insulin resistance.

Resistin is a protein that regulates blood sugar levels. It causes a resistance against insulin. Since CBD reduced resistin, blood sugar results were better and CBD provided a better result versus insulin.

Several other studies showed a similar outcome. Researchers believe CBD could be a natural treatment for diabetes along with insulin.

6. CBD to Prevent Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is a medical condition that causes swelling, pain and stiffness. It also decreases the range of motion in your joints. Arthritis can cause mild to severe pain.

Sadly there is no known way to prevent Arthritis. However, some steps can be taken to reduce the pain.

A 2006 study discovered that CBD based botanical drugs can improve the condition. The study involved 58 patients with Arthritis. The outcome showed that CBD helped them get relief from the pain.

Another study in 2018 claims that patients who were given CBD had stopped taking other pain killers.

7. CBD to Treat Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction has horrible impacts on the human body. It-

makes people restless
can damage liver
causes paranoia
causes respiratory depression
can damage brain
high doses of opioids can cause death.

One study shows that the combination of THC and CBD is quite helpful for such drug addiction.ug addiction.

8. Inflammatory Skin Conditions

Some cannabinoids contain properties that are-

anti-inflammatory,
anti-itching,
anti-aging,
and anti-cancer.

Some experts believe that these effects occur when the drug interacts with the skin’s endocannabinoid system.

CBD can also help in skin conditions like-

Atopic dermatitis
Acne
Skin cancer caused by psoriasis
itchiness of the skin
pain

9. Reduces Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy often causes side effects to patients. Most often are nausea and vomiting. CBD can help reduce these effects as supported by an article published by The British Journal of Pharmacology.

10. For Epilepsy Syndromes Treatment

Infants and children affected by Epilepsy can experience developmental delays and other health problems. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of CBD for patients 2 and older as an Epilepsy treatment in 2018.

Conclusion

CBD oil can offer many health benefits, but those benefits can only be realized if you choose high-quality, authentic, pure products. Now that you’ve read this article, you know how to choose a CBD product from now on. I know I have asked you to put in a little extra effort

References

Tonya Laden

Tonya Laden is the heart and soul behind Cowgirl SOSS, where she shares her passion for holistic wellness and natural remedies. Her collaborations with experts like Dr. Julie Marchiol allow her to bring medically and scientifically backed information to her readers, ensuring that everything she shares is inspiring and trustworthy. For Tonya, it’s all about helping people feel their best—whether that’s through better sleep, boosting creativity, managing stress, or just connecting with nature a little more.

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