Hemp-derived CBD oil has many health benefits and is well tolerated. So, the demand for CBD oil is naturally increasing.
The increasing demand of CBD has tempted many companies to create products. Now there are large numbers of products and brands available of CBD oil. But can you trust all of them? Absolutely not.
Health is an important asset for a happy life. You need to be careful before choosing any products including medicine and food supplements.
So, how to choose a CBD product? How can you decide which CBD product is best for you? How can you select the perfect brand among so many of them?
Well, I am here to help you. Without being biased, I am going to tell you about some general criteria that can help you decide which CBD company to trust.
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
Finding out the best CBD product is not that difficult. You need to check several things with patience. It is better to be patient than using harmful products, isn’t it?
So here are the things that you should check before buying a CBD product:
1. CBD Ingredients
Best quality ingredients are 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
- 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 CBD products contain such ingredients that you should avoid. They are harmful for your health. For example:
a. Thickeners
Pure CBD extract is thick and heavy. So, many companies use vitamin E acetate to thicken the cartridge liquid. You should avoid such CBD oil. It can cause lung illness.
b. Polyethylene Glycol
Pure 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 includes:
- Upset stomach.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Gas.
- Diarrhea
- Bloating etc.
c. Parabens
Parabens are used to preserve cosmetics. But many researchers think it can disrupt hormone production.
3. Hemp source
Knowing the source of hemp in your CBD oil is critical. It determines the quality of the hemp.
You should buy only products made from hemp grown in the U.S.A.
U.S.A hemp is:
- tested and certified.
- safer,
- less expensive,
- better quality,
- grown using federal standards
- and help support the U.S. economy.
The best companies only use 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 methods are not equally as good and 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 more 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 the final product testing solventless.
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 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. 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 COA of a product before buying it.
COA or Certificate of Analysis is a certified laboratory’s 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?
A company should have some morals and values. Before choosing a product, you should check for those qualities too.
1. Brand Uniqueness
You can buy CBD oil almost anywhere these days, so, what sets a brand apart from the herd? Consider the following things:
- Is the brand creative and have a unique product?
- Does the brand stand for something?
- Does it support a local charity or animal rescue?
- Is the brand woman or minority owned?
- Does it offer eco-friendly packaging?
- Do they provide product education?
- Do they fill a certain niche?
- Or does it have a vibe you like or a special product?
These are the things you should consider before choosing a brand.
2. Customer Assistance
Customer assistance shows the friendliness of a company. It also signifies that they care about you.
You should be able to reach a representative of the company easily and conveniently.
Ideally, contact forms are on the website, along with emails, phone numbers or social media.
Some of the best companies list their social media handles. You can directly message them for the quickest responses.
A good company should
- respond quickly
- give honest recommendations and answers to you questions
- provide you with accurate information
If you need to reach a representative before buying any product. It ensures your safety.
3. Honesty and Transparency
Honesty is the best policy. You cannot trust a dishonest business.
Some shady brands today are exaggerating about their products and misleading consumers. They only showcase the positives of their products and hide the side effects.
But a good brand is honest and transparent. They provide you with all the necessary information. They do not intend to mislead or trick you into buying their products.
Rather, they want you to make an informed decision. They have the confidence that they are good.They do not have to lie.
So, make your choice. Which company should you go for? The honest and transparent one or the other ones?
3. Check Authentic Reviews
The internet has one big benefit in store for you. When you shop, you can discuss with other customers.
There are many CBD brands now. To find the best ones, you should check reviews. Check if the previous customers had a good experience or not.
Some companies also enlist product reviews given by their customers. This is another sign of a good company.
What is CBD used for
There are many health benefits of CBD. Here are 10 medical benefits of using CBD:
1. Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Most people use CBD for this reason. CBD can calm yourself quickly and improve your depression.
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 health conditions. PTSD symptoms include:
- flashbacks,
- nightmares
- anxiety,
- uncontrollable thoughts of the event.
The journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine conducted a small research. They studied 11 people with PTSD. Along with routine psychiatric treatment, they gave them CBD. The treatment went for eight weeks.
The result was satisfactory. 10 out of the 11 persons informed that their nightmares have reduced as well as other symptoms. and CBD did not produce any side effects on them.
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 get affected by it. As a result, the affected person loses muscle control.
ALS symptoms usually include;
- Difficulty in walking
- Falling and tripping
- a 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
- Causes change in behavior
Research suggests that CBD can help in such conditions. In 2019, some patients with ALS were given both THC and CBD. It improved their condition.
The patients experienced reduced clumsiness.
4. Relief from Pain and inflammation
CBD works effectively in removing pain and inflammation.
From the early 2000s, continuous research 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, you can take some steps to reduce the pain.
A 2006 study discovered that CBD based botanical drugs can improve the condition. The study involved 58 patients with Arthritis. 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 many bad impacts on the human body. It-
- makes people restless
- can damage liver
- Causes paranoia
- Causes respiratory depression
- can damage brain
- A higher dose of opioid can cause death.
One study shows that the combination of THC and CBD is quite helpful for such drug 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 some side effects to patients. Mostly it is nausea and vomiting. CBD can help reduce such side effects. An article published by The British Journal of Pharmacology supports this.
10. For Epilepsy Syndromes Treatment
Infants and children are often affected by Epilepsy. It delays their development.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of CBD for Epilepsy treatment in 2018. For this the patient needs to be at least 2 years old.
Where to Buy the Best CBD Product?
If You are thinking to buy the Best CBD products and you are confused about where you will get them? Then, Cowgirl Soss will be your best choice for getting the best CBD Products.
Conclusion
CBD oil has many medical benefits. But you won’t get them if you buy impure products.
Now that you know how to choose a CBD product and company, choose your products wisely. It may seem a bit troublesome to vet CBD companies but it is the safer way. Do not put your health at risk. Your health is your biggest asset. Be careful about it.
