There are a number of factors that a smart shopper wants to look for. Firstly, make sure you are actually buying CBD (Cannabidiol) and not just plain Hemp Seed Oil. In fact, if you buy on Amazon, chances are you are only getting Hemp Seed Oil, as the sale of CBD and other cannabinoids is prohibited on Amazon.
Remember all CBD is Hemp but not all Hemp is CBD. If a bottle is labeled as Hemp, be careful. It may not be CBD. CBD offers medicinal benefits because it contains valuable cannabinoids and terpenes.
To be certain, the CBD you purchase should have a QR code on the label that takes you directly to the third-party testing of the product. This certificate will confirm that the amount of CBD claimed on the label is exactly the amount that is in the bottle. Reviewing the product’s COA should reveal no pesticides, microbes or metals in the product. This is essential because Hemp is a very absorbent plant.
In fact, Hemp was actually used to help clean up the waste in the aftermath of the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl! It was discovered that the Hemp plant was an excellent choice for phyto-remediation, making the soil fit for habitat and agriculture again. However, this fact informs us of the necessity that the CBD you use personally is grown from only the purest Hemp.
That’s why it’s very important to only use CBD that has been grown in a clean-air State such as Colorado. Colorado has very stringent organic farming regulations. The problem with getting CBD from an unknown origin, is the possibility that it was grown in a location with impurities in the air and soil (such as China).
4 Types of CBD
There are 4 types of CBD: Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, Distillate and Isolate. By far, the most effective CBD is full spectrum. Yes, there is less than point three percent (.3%) THC in a full spectrum product. THC is the part of the plant that causes a psychoactive response. But when the amount of THC in your CBD bottle is lower than point three percent, it is not enough to get you high, but it is enough to activate the other healing cannabinoids in the plant.
In other words, scientists have found that what makes the CBD effective is what’s known as the Entourage Effect. This is the effect of the whole plant that give it its full value. The sum of the entire plant is greater than any one of its parts.
The Entourage Effect
The Entourage Effect is what allows CBD to stimulate and activate your body’s own Endocannabinoid System. The Endocannabinoid System has receptor cells throughout your body that, when activated (by the CBD and other phyto-cannabinoids), effect how you rest, think and eat. This is why CBD is known to help in so many areas.
Drug Testing
If you are concerned about drug testing, then its best to avoid full spectrum. Even though the amount of THC in full spectrum is negligible, it could build up in your body enough to trip a drug test. Broad spectrum is the next best thing to full spectrum, because it still is made from the whole plant. Only the THC is removed.
What is Distillate?
Distillate is not preferred. A distillate is made from poor quality hemp. Therefore, an extra distillation (heat and chemical) process is required to “clean up” the hemp. A true full spectrum CBD should be made from much higher quality bulk hemp, in which case no distillation is required. Avoid products with the word “distillation” on the label.
Why You Want to Avoid CBD Isolate
Finally, isolate is to avoided at all costs. Most products that brag: THC free, are made from isolate. Isolate is not desirable for two reasons. The first is, as the name implies, it is derived from an isolated part of the plant via a chemical extraction. It does not allow for the Entourage Effect, since it is only one small part of the plant.
FDA Warnings
Secondly, the FDA has issued warnings about ingesting synthetic CBD isolate. The problem is when you see very high potency numbers on a CBD label, such as 3000 mg CBD or 4500 mg CBD, we know that the product has to be spiked with isolate. But we do not know if that isolate is even from the Hemp plant or just a synthetic compound, made in a lab. Avoiding isolate altogether allows you to eliminate that risk.
How do You Find a Reputable CBD Seller
Make sure you purchase CBD from a reputable source. All the certificates of analysis should be visible on the website and the site should allow you to ask any questions, assuring you of complete transparency.
Medical Marijuana vs. CBD
If you have a medical marijuana card, you can purchase CBD at a dispensary. But be careful! If you want to get high, that is fine. But if you do not, be aware that CBD sold at a dispensary could contain much higher levels of THC. This puts you at risk for an unwanted psycho-active experience. The dispensaries are not required by law to make sure the THC is less than .3%.
CBD Extraction
Finally, the CBD manufacturer who you purchase from should reveal their extraction method. Cold sub-zero extraction is preferred because it does not use chemicals or heat (only kosher alcohol that is later evaporated off) thereby leaving the valuable qualities of the plant intact.
In summary, when purchasing CBD, make sure of the following:
You are buying CBD—not medical marijuana (which will give you a psychoactive effect because of elevated THC levels), and not plain Hemp (which may just be Hemp Oil from the seeds, which does not offer medicinal benefits).
If you are not concerned about drug testing, get a full spectrum product. You will see the best results with full spectrum and it is the most-pure form of CBD.
Know where your CBD was grown, and even where the seeds originated. Only purchase USA grown CBD products, and preferably from Colorado, where mold is not an issue (dry climate), and the organic farming regulations are strictly enforced.
Look for organically grown CBD and third-party testing, insuring your product is pure and that the amount of CBD claimed on the label is in the bottle you are purchasing.
Look for a QR code on the label that leads to the manufacturer’s third-party testing. You should even be able to see the 3rd party testing of the soil, to make sure there were no contaminants in the location your CBD was grown.
Research the extraction method for the CBD you are about to purchase, and verify that the extraction process is not using high heat or chemical solvents.
Learn the ins and outs of CBD for real results
For top quality CBD, visit our shop at Rena’s Organic. Or, get my free book for a limited time, CBD for Health & Wellness: Questions You Should be Asking HERE.
My goal is to help you feel your best, mentally, physically and emotionally. I’ve been teaching health & wellness for 30+ years. Please reach out to me anytime for support or with questions.
