Shopping for CBD products can be tough if you don’t know how to read a CBD product label. Unless you’re a chemist, you’ll probably come across terms that don’t make sense. Not to worry, though. In this article, we’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions on the best CBD products for you.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are unique compounds that grow within a cannabis plant, boasting all kinds of beneficial properties. CBD, or cannabidiol, is just one of them. Some others include CBG, CBN, and the notorious THC, the compound with psychoactive properties. While the type of cannabis commonly referred to as marijuana is bred to have high THC content, industrial hemp plants do not. In the UK, hemp plants are only legal if THC content stays below 0.2%.
Full Spectrum CBD vs. Broad Spectrum vs. Isolate
CBD oil comes in three different varieties: full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Full spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids of the hemp plant. This can include THC at levels above the legal UK limit of less than 0.2%. Broad spectrum CBD contains nearly all of the same hemp compounds, but with the detectible levels of THC filtered out. While some other compounds also get filtered out during this process, broad spectrum is still a robust oil, packed with plenty of cannabinoids and other goodies. Finally, CBD isolate is 99% pure CBD with all other cannabis compounds filtered out.
So, why does the type of CBD in your product matter?
Your Endocannabinoid System and the Entourage Effect
Inside all our bodies is an endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s an old evolutionary mechanism that exists in all animals that moderates various systems and organs in the body, helping to regulate such functions as sleep, mood, pain, and appetite. Plant-based cannabinoids work with the same receptors as your body’s own endocannabinoids, helping your various organs and systems to maintain homeostasis, or balance.
Through a phenomenon known as the “Entourage Effect,” the various cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids of the plant actually help to bolster one another’s effects on the ECS. So, if you choose a product containing broad spectrum CBD, all of those various compounds will work harder for you! One such example is our CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture, a broad spectrum CBD oil with added CBG.
Hemp Oil vs. Hemp Seed Oil
One thing you have to keep an eye out for, when you shop for CBD, is shady companies trying to pass off hemp seed oil as CBD oil. While hemp seed oil has some nice benefits for the skin, it doesn’t contain any cannabinoids (including CBD). So, make sure CBD (cannabidiol) is called out specifically in the ingredients.
You should be aware, as you study your product’s ingredients, that CBD is often paired with a carrier oil, such as MCT oil. This is simply to help your body better absorb the CBD.
What Else to Look for in a CBD Product
In the UK, it’s difficult for companies to legally proclaim a product is “organic”—even if it is organic! But you can still get a sense of how the hemp in your product was grown and manufactured, even without the organic label. Make sure the company you choose maintains safe practices, with no GMOs, pesticides, or herbicides. Since hemp absorbs chemicals from the soil extremely effectively, those things are likely to end up in your product if you don’t shop with a trustworthy CBD brand.
To verify the purity of your product (as well as the potency!), insist on products that come with a Certificate of Analysis. This is a third-party lab report that tells you everything you need to know about your product, including the types and amounts of cannabinoids, the presence of toxins, and whether or not your hemp was grown safely. These are essential details since they usually determine how well your supplement works.
Not all vendors have lab reports for customers to read. Steer clear of these brands. You don’t want to waste your money on a product that doesn’t work, or worse, doesn’t even contain real CBD. A little homework goes a long way.
Happy Shopping!
As new CBD gummies, tinctures, and other products sprout up every week, it becomes more and more important to understand what to look for when you shop for CBD. The more you know about your product, the easier it is to purchase the best one for you. We wish you all the best on your CBD journey!
