When you start to shop CBD products, it can be a little overwhelming. There are so many products to scroll through. Everyone claims to have high-quality goods that will help you manage symptoms and promote better health. But how do you know who to believe and which products are worth your hard-earned money? Here are some tips to make your next shopping experience easier.
1. Fully Disclosed Labels
Look for a detailed label that lists all the compounds and ingredients present. Look for the concentration of CBD, as different products will have different concentrations. If it doesn’t explicitly say everything that’s in it, reconsider your purchase.
2. THC Free Products
Depending on your location, CBD products containing THC may be illegal. If a product is an industrial hemp-derived there will be less than 0.03% THC present. A significant amount of THC means that it may be a synthetic additive or the CBD wasn’t derived from hemp.
3. CO2 Extraction
For quality CBD, it should be extracted by a supercritical CO2 extraction process. Organically grown hemp that’s processed with harmful chemicals like hexane to extract the CBD can negate the growing method. Some solvents are hazardous to your health.
4. Third-Party Tested
You want a product that has been independently tested by a third-party. This offers an unbiased profile of the product you’re considering. Check the website, a QR code on the product, or send an email requesting the findings of the independent lab’s testing.
5. Read Reviews
Reviews can tell you a lot about a product. Look at other places than the site you’re considering purchasing from. Most companies aren’t going to highlight negative reviews. Many people don’t consider the Better Business Bureau to be a review source, but it’s a great place to look for real reviews.
6. Know What You’re Getting
There is CBD isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum to choose from. Isolate is usually colorless, odorless, and only contains CBD. Broad-spectrum has CBD and other naturally occurring compounds, but no THC. Full-spectrum includes CBD, natural compounds, and THC. If the CBD comes from hemp, the THC should not exceed 0.03 percent.
7. FDA Warning Letters
Browse the FDA website. They list companies they have sent letters to that sell questionable CBD products. This includes products that have little to no CBD in them.
8. Big Claims
Supplements, vitamins, etc. aren’t legally able to say a product is a cure-all or other words that lead a buyer into thinking that what they’re buying is a replacement for the expertise and assessment of a medical doctor. This could be a glaring red flag.
9. Contact Information
The FDA requires that CBD products have contact information clearly stated on the label/packaging. If you don’t see contact information, there likely is a good reason why. Substandard companies only want your money, not your complaints or inquiries.
CBD differs across brands, and some are more effective than others. But now that you know what you should look for when shopping for CBD goods, hopefully, you will feel more confident in making a decision.
