By now, you have probably heard a lot about CBD and it’s potentially life-changing health benefits. These potential medical benefits have seen an explosion in its use. Hundreds of CBD brands have started up, all aiming to promote CBD usage and sell their CBD products.
You may have heard about the positive effects of CBD and be curious to give it a try. How can you know if it is safe to buy CBD from an online CBD shop, though? With so many around online, how can you know who to trust? Is CBD even safe itself?
If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place. We answer these questions and more in this article.
Is CBD Safe?
There over 100 active ingredients in cannabis, which is why it has so many effects. The two main ingredients are THC and CBD.
THC is the ingredient that gives cannabis its psychoactive effects. THC is what affects people’s mood, supplies the munchies, and gives cannabis users the “stoned” effect it is famed for. CBD affects the body differently and predominantly affects physiological processes. It has little to no cerebral effect. There is some preliminary evidence to suggest CBD could be of real
benefit to a whole range of medical issues, including inflammation, diabetes, muscle spasms, nerve pain, and more – but ultimately, more research is needed. On the whole, people report very few adverse side effects from CBD. It is generally considered safe. Mainly, feedback centers on the genuinely life-changing help it can provide to people dealing with severely debilitating problems.
Some side effects are reported, though. These include:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Interacting with medications
- Exacerbating Parkinson’s Disease
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
It is important to note that these side effects are usually mild if reported at all. Still, they are something to bear in mind if you are considering trying CBD.
Is CBD Legal?
Like many marijuana-related issues, the legal status of CBD in the US can be confusing. The legality depends on the CBD source and the THC content.
If you are purchasing CBD derived from hemp plants, this is fine and is legal in every state in the US. This is because hemp plants contain close to zero levels of THC, usually 0.3% or less. These incredibly low THC levels then translate into the products, and they are legal. The US government classifies any cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC as marijuana. The legality of marijuana is state-dependent. If a CBD product is made from marijuana as opposed to hemp, it wouldn’t necessarily be legal, as it may have high levels of THC.
This situation is highly unlikely, however. Cannabis plants high in THC are typically low in CBD, making it an uneconomical option for CBD producers. CBD companies get the highest concentrations from hemp plants and no legal issues.
This information applies to the USA. If you are unsure as to the legality of CBD in your home country, conduct a little research online. There is enough information freely available for you to find out.
Things to Look for from a Reputable Online CBD Shop
So now we know that CBD is usually safe and legal, how do we know who to buy from? Unfortunately, with so many CBD providers available online, there are a few cowboys out there who are not to be trusted. Luckily, there are a few easy things to look out for that help determine if it’s safe to buy CBD from an online shop.
These are:
- Is their CBD derived from hemp? This is important for the legal reasons we outlined above. As mentioned, it is highly unlikely a CBD product wouldn’t be made from hemp, but it is still essential to check.
- Does the company have a third-party laboratory test their products? CBD providers conduct chemical tests to analyze the contents of their products, thereby ensuring the correct levels of CBD and other substances. The very best have outside parties with no vested interest conduct these tests.
- Are these test results freely available for you to view? It is all well and good for a CBD shop to test their products, but what use are they if they don’t freely share the results? The best brands have their test results readily available for you to view on their website, showing they have nothing to hide.
Does the shop have good reviews? When purchasing anything online, most people look at reviews left by others. CBD is no different. Have a look and see what others say about the product you are interested in. There are many brand reviews available online to find out more about a company before you buy from them.
Final Thoughts: Is It Safe to Buy CBD Online?
There are some dodgy online CBD shops out there, but follow our tips above and you can spot them a mile off. As well as the main four we have spoken about, there are other steps companies are taking to prove you can trust them.
These include using only natural ingredients to ensure organic classification, producing all of their products in-house so they know exactly what goes into them, seeking accreditation from state bodies vouching for their production process, and more. Look out for these, though, and you can’t go far wrong. So what are you waiting for? Go and experience the benefits of CBD for yourself today!