Cannabidiol or CBD has been in the spotlight for quite some time now, so it’s hardly a secret that the CBD market is alive and thriving, and continues to grow at a rapid pace. There’s definitely no shortage of CBD shops, with thousands of products crowding the shelves, from the already famous CBD oils to CBD pet treats and everything in between. There’s something for everyone to try and the green rush is attracting more people by the day.
Long story short, the market is simply brimming with CBD products. That’s great news for consumers, since a larger variety of goods means they have more options to choose from and they don’t have to settle for whatever they can find. But there’s also a downside to it. As one can assume, not all CBD products are created equal, and with the market being saturated, it’s understandable that many of the products that are hitting the shelves are not exactly what one would call high quality.
Some producers are taking advantage of the fact that there’s a high demand for CBD everything, so they rush to launch products, leaving quality standards out of the equation. This makes it difficult for consumers to distinguish between good CBD products and the ones that aren’t worth their money.
However, this common dilemma shouldn’t stop you from giving CBD products a try. All you have to do is learn how to choose your CBD products the smart way. So, here’s a short guide on how to spot the best CBD products on the market and steer clear from those that are below average.
Learn more about CBD
Before you start shopping around, it’s a good idea to get educated on the topic and make sure you understand what CBD is all about. CBD is a substance derived from the cannabis sativa plant that has many potential health benefits. Several studies have shown that CBD might help manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, skin issues and a variety of other health issues.
Most products on the market use CBD extracted from the hemp plant, as it has very low levels of THC (the psychoactive ingredient that can give you a sensation of high). CBD can be consumed in different ways, so the type of products you choose depends on your personal preference and needs. Websites like OrganicCBDNugs.com provide a wealth of information about CBD, to help you choose the right products for you.
Growing standards
If you want to make sure you won’t ingest any nasty chemicals while using a CBD product, you have to inquire about the growing standards. Unfortunately, some cultivators use strong chemicals to protect their crops from pests. But while doing so they also compromise the quality of the final products, as certain substances they use are extremely toxic and impact the properties of the plant.
Manufacturing process
But it’s not just the growing standards you should check. The journey from plant to final product is only just beginning. And in the case of products like oil or tinctures the next step you should focus on is the extraction process. The extraction method used by the manufacturer plays a big part in the effectiveness of the CBD product. It’s recommended to buy CBD products from manufacturers that use superior extraction methods employing carbon dioxide, to ensure CBD purity.
Label
The product label remains for many consumers the primary source of information. As with any other product on the market, it’s important to check the label before adding it to your shopping cart. You should find there the necessary information to help you decide if the CBD product you intend on buying meets the expected standards and suits your needs. A label that provides little information about the product is a big red flag, signaling that you should keep on looking. Also, relying entirely on what’s written on the label isn’t a good idea either, as some producers might not be 100% honest about their products’ characteristics.
Broad spectrum
Another thing you should pay attention to is if the products you’re interested in are broad or full spectrum. Although products that contain isolated CBD are efficient, it’s recommended to look for broad or full spectrum CBD. That’s because CBD works best when there are other compounds like THC present, increasing the health benefits it provides. This is called the “entourage effect” and many experts agree it magnifies the effect that CBD has on the body.
Source
Doing proper research also implies checking the source of your CBD products. Hemp is cultivated in many parts of the world, and different countries have different standards and regulation in the field. In the US for example, hemp cultivation is regulated by the 2018 Farm Bill. Chances are that if you buy from a company that sources its products from the US, they will be compliant with the standards established by the Farm Bill. So, if you don’t want to put in extra effort to learn about other countries’ regulations, choosing CBD products sourced from US-grown hemp is probably the safest option.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is a key factor when it comes to the efficiency of any CBD product on the market. Bioavailability refers to the degree and rate at which CBD can be absorbed into the bloodstream. If you want to enjoy the expected benefits, it’s essential to choose a CBD product with high bioavailability. There are many providers out there that focus on increasing the bioavailability of their products, and inform their customers about the techniques they employ, so finding highly bioavailable CBD products shouldn’t be difficult.
Packaging
Last but not least, you should check the packaging of the products, and not for aesthetic reasons exactly. A proper packaging should preserve the properties of the substances it contains, that’s why most producers opt for glass containers. It’s also advisable to go for dark-colored glass packaging, as that will protect the product from the damaging effects of the UV rays.