If you’re browsing a store that sells CBD (either online or in-person), you’ve undoubtedly come across a myriad of CBD products. Businesses have started selling almost any conceivable product with added CBD since its recent surge in popularity. You can buy products like oils, bath bombs, lotions, creams, and edibles, with even more options available. Most online and in-store retailers sell a wide variety of products because each product caters to a different market and consumer preference. Someone looking for the potential anti-anxiety benefits of CBD may want an oil, whereas someone with joint pain might be looking for a lotion to rub on the sore spot to possibly ease the pain.
However, such a wide variety of products may appear to be complicated and create some confusion. It can be easy to assume that some of these products are more or less the same (like two CBD lotions are similar, for example). In the world of Cannabidiol-infused products, this isn’t quite the case.
So, let’s break it down for you to help out when browsing a CBD store online or in-person.
1. Not All CBD at a CBD Store is the Same Quality
The first, most important piece of information to know is that not all CBD is equal. At this time, the FDA does not regulate CBD like it regulates other food ingredients, cigarettes, etc. Without strict regulation, it may be difficult to verify that the product you’re purchasing contains the amount of CBD that it says it contains. The label could say 10% CBD, but it might only contain 5%. It stands to reason that manufacturers of CBD should follow the rules of dietary supplements; a manufacturer of these supplements “are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded,” per the FDA.
Panacea Life has taken the lead in being the pioneer CBD company that takes on and incorporates FDA regulated processes to ensure quality in their products. Whilst regulations will undoubtedly change in this direction. Panacea Life has set forth new initiatives to be one of the first to invest the time, money, and resources in quality processes. Even though the FDA requirements are not yet required, many other CBD companies at the time of the publication of this blog do not manufacture the quality standards that we do. All Panacea Life CBD products ensure quality and honesty within the labeling of products CBD content, which is why the Panacea brand is quickly becoming the standard in the industry.
To see the testing quality of Panacea Life products, please feel free to visit us here.
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Therefore, when purchasing Cannabidiol-infused products, whether they’re oils or creams, double-check that you are purchasing from a reputable company. Trustworthy companies are transparent and will openly explain where they source their Hemp and how they extract the CBD. They will provide you detailed information about the manufacturing process. Companies that try to pass off and sell suboptimal CBD products or who fail to respond to questions typically hide much of that information.
Before purchasing a CBD product, do your research and ensure that you’re buying from a reputable company that uses the finest-quality Hemp ingredients.
2. Is the product CBD Isolate or Full-Spectrum?
Once you’ve found products you’re interested in that come from a reputable source, you’ll want to understand what “type” of CBD you’re purchasing. There are two primary types we will highlight here; CBD Isolate and Full-Spectrum CBD.
Products labeled as CBD Isolate contain only the CBD compound. The Cannabis plant contains multiple Cannabinoids, 113 identified to date, and each of them may have different health benefits. CBD, and THC, are two of those Cannabinoids, each having unique effects. Manufacturers can purify and isolate the CBD compound to produce a crystalline powder, which can be dissolved into oil that can then be added to a CBD product.
Conversely, products labeled as Full-Spectrum contain all Cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. You’ll receive Cannabinoids like CBN, for example, which is similar to CBD but has a slightly different effect on our systems. Generally speaking, some CBD users consider Full-Spectrum products to be “better.” The research indicates that the Cannabinoids work together in our Endocannabinoid system to produce therapeutic effects. Researchers have called this “The Entourage Effect.”
However, CBD Isolate has its purpose as well, particularly if you want a potential health benefit that CBD alone can offer. Researchers also use CBD Isolate extensively because it allows them to attribute a particular effect to CBD instead of another Cannabinoid.
3. Where do CBD Stores Get Their Product?
In the United States, the CBD sold in stores and online must come from the Hemp plant. Hemp is a type of Cannabis plant that has one critical property; for a Cannabis plant to be “Hemp,” it must have a THC content of less than 0.3 percent. THC is the psychoactive component of Marijuana that gives you the “high” feeling. The government classifies any Cannabis plant with THC levels above that threshold as Marijuana, which is still federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act.
The CBD product that you’re looking at in the store needs to come from Hemp to be fully legal across most of the United States. If it comes from Marijuana, it is legal in the individual states that have legalized recreational or medical Marijuana use. However, you cannot legally transport it across state lines since that would violate federal law.
Before your purchase, do your due diligence to triple check that the product you’re spending money on comes from Hemp, not Marijuana. If it comes from the latter, you may be unintentionally intaking something you didn’t want.
4. Beware of Hempseed Oil
Sometimes manufacturers will sell Hempseed oil and lead people to believe that they are buying a CBD product. This is completely false. Hempseed oil is simply oil derived from the seeds of the Cannabis Sativa plant. This oil contains little to no CBD. Some unscrupulous manufacturers bottle Hempseed oil and label it with a Cannabis plant graphic to lure people into thinking they are buying a CBD product. Oftentimes, these same unscrupulous manufacturers will put the letters “CBD” onto the label. But those same unscrupulous manufacturers will not print the amount of CBD contained in the product.
If you want to ensure that the product you purchase is genuinely full of CBD goodness, look for phrases like “Cannabidiol,” “Full-Spectrum,” “Hemp oil,” or “PCR” (phytocannabinoid-rich) on the label or product description. The label should include the quantity of CBD contained in the product. Labels with Cannabis Sativa seed oil won’t have the CBD you want.
5. Light and Oxygen Destabilize CBD
As with many natural products, light and oxygen are the kryptonite of CBD. When the CBD compound is exposed to light, either artificial or from the sun, it begins to break down and loses its effectiveness.
The compound becomes significantly weaker after light exposure. If you see CBD products in transparent or glass bottles, you may want to rethink buying them. The CBD might not be as potent as you would like it to be. However, clear bottles that have been sealed in a case preventing light exposure should have a longer shelf life as well as when it is sitting on your kitchen counter.
It is worth noting that once you bring your CBD products home, you should also take care to store them in a cool, dark, low-oxygen place. The CBD becomes destabilized due to oxidization. Storing CBD products in their original containers should be okay since most CBD products are packaged in dark, sealed containers. A CBD product like a bar of soap, for example, could be constantly exposed to air, so consider storing it in an airtight container in a dark cupboard.
Keep your CBD products away from oxygen and light as much as possible to keep the potency of the CBD compound.
6. Know Which Type of Product You Want at the CBD Store
Before stepping foot in the CBD store, or ordering online, know which benefits you’re looking for. Then, you can find a product that matches your needs. All CBD products may have positive health benefits, but some may work better for certain situations than others. For example, oil might be particularly good at helping to relieve anxiety, while a CBD balm might be the way to go if you want pain relief from sore joints.
Taking CBD daily for anxiety, depression, generalized pain, etc. is typically easiest with oil, edibles, or soft gels. These types of CBD products work to provide a smooth, continuous supply of CBD to your body for consistent “whole-body” benefits.
Vaping CBD usually gives a shorter-lasting but more instantaneous effect. While people claim that vaping could provide quicker relief, much of the act of vaping over the last few years have substantially shown it is not the best method for CBD intake and could potentially have some unintended side effects like pneumonia from the additives and antioxidants in the formulation, many of which are not suitable or tested for inhalation (e.g., Vitamin E oil).
Finally, a balm or cream might be best as an option when it comes to topical use. Using a cream takes away any disadvantage that CBD may taste like. This method is easily accessible for those not interested in ingesting CBD in any way.
7. The Best CBD Source Locations
Consider your retail source when buying CBD, and pick quality retailers who are carrying quality products from a quality manufacturer like Panacea Life, especially if this is your first time using Cannabidiol. You’ll definitely want a product that’s legitimate and not something like Hemp seed oil disguised as CBD.
To this end, the best CBD products are not dirt cheap; beware of the price that is too good to be true. Quality products require quality processes that do not cut corners, and that costs money to produce, distribute, and market. Look for the expiration date to ensure the product is fresh. Beware of inexpensive, off-the-shelf CBD products at the local gas station or supermarket. You’re probably better off investing a little bit more so you can genuinely enjoy the benefits of Cannabidiol!
8. Consider the Amount to Take
When choosing between Cannabidiol-infused products, consider the amount of CBD per use. You’ll want a product with enough CBD to allow you to feel its effects.
Prescription Epidolex, the only CBD-based drug for epilepsy cleared by the FDA, has the following recommended dosage:
- The starting dosage is 2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day).
- After one week, the dosage can be increased to a maintenance dosage of 5 mg/kg twice daily (10 mg/kg/day).
These amounts of daily use are much higher than most daily users of CBD are using. Safety studies of high dosages of CBD during the Epidiolex clinical trials have indicated some possible connection with liver damage at levels higher than shown above. This information provides the general-purpose CBD user with some boundaries, but very few people need to use CBD at these levels. Studies on CBD have used varying doses, ranging from 10 to 1,500 mg per day. Contact your doctor to find out which dosage they might recommend.
For topical creams, ointments, and balms, the dosage varies more since it goes onto the skin rather than directly in the body. This will take some trial and testing to gauge whether this will work to benefit you in the way you are seeking.
It’s worth noting that it is very challenging to overdose on CBD. You might feel sleepy or a little nauseous, but you likely won’t experience any severe complications from taking too much CBD. Before buying a CBD product, take a look at the label and make sure the amount you take matches what you’re looking for or what your doctor recommends.
9. Some CBD is Better Than No CBD
Avoid getting so caught up in the analysis of finding the “right” CBD product that you don’t find one at all. When researching various CBD products, remember that some CBD may be better than no CBD. Cannabidiol is a beautiful substance that may have significant health benefits. Ultimately, you’re likely better off consuming a CBD product than if you left it on the shelf. Whether you take CBD as an oil, buy a slightly less potent version, or buy Isolate instead of Full-Spectrum, you might find that CBD is beneficial for you. Just make sure that the product you purchase contains CBD as claimed on the label, and buy quality products from trustworthy manufacturers like Panacea Life Sciences.
Be Smart at the CBD Store, but Also Have Fun!
CBD shopping should be fun and fulfilling instead of being an arduous process. Remember the basics when browsing a CBD selection.
- Seek out high-quality CBD products from a reputable manufacturer and vendor.
- Ensure that the product you’re buying comes from Hemp and not Marijuana. While Marijuana-derived products are legal in some states, they are illegal at the federal level
- Know your objectives and the goals you want your CBD purchase to help you achieve.
Once you find the right product for you, enjoy CBD’s potential health and wellness benefits for yourself!
