How Can You Tell If CBD Is High Quality?

There are various high-quality and poor-quality CBD products. It is harder to purchase high-quality CBD with increased CBD manufacturing companies. This article discusses CBD, choosing a high-quality CBD, and different CBD formulations.

There are many CBD products in the market. Hemp-derived CBD was legalized after Congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018. This led to the increased production of several CBD products, such as gummies, capsules, and tinctures. The overwhelming growth of CBD industries has made it harder for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate CBD products. Therefore, it has created a loophole for invading the market with counterfeits that do not fit the standard qualities. However, the FDA has ensured that CBD consumers are safe by enforcing product quality guidelines that guarantee the product's authenticity. Since the market is flooded with many poor-quality CBD products, consumers need to ensure they access high-quality CBD.

CBD: What Is It?

Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is the second most known cannabinoid after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp and marijuana have varying levels of CBD. Furthermore, the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances list since the plant contains more cannabidiol than marijuana, which has higher levels of THC. Watt & Karl (2017) suggested that THC has psychoactive properties that may adversely affect the user. CBD on its own does not make the user high. However, it is widely used due to its therapeutic effects on the body.

CBD can be full spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate. Full spectrum CBD contains all the compounds derived from the plant, including THC. On the other hand, broad-spectrum CBD has all the hemp compounds from the cannabis plant except THC, while CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, rated 98% pure. The legal amount of THC is below 0.3%. This is the approved amount by the food and drug administration, not intoxicating. Although many people avoid THC, studies show that the compounds work wholesomely with CBD to benefit the body by creating an entourage effect. Besides FDA regulations that dictate the quality of CBD products, here are some things to consider when purchasing CBD.

The Source of CBD

Hemp-derived CBD is emphasized because the plant has more cannabidiol than THC. Almost a handful of states legalize the use of marijuana-derived CBD. This will depend on your state's regulations on CBD and its products. Also, the region where the plant is grown matters in the source of CBD. This is because the cannabis plant tends to absorb compounds from the soil. Therefore, when many chemicals are used on the plant during cultivation, they will be present in the compound and thus lower the quality of the product. The FDA encourages using US-grown CBD because it is grown under strict agricultural regulations prohibiting inorganic farming techniques.

 Extraction Method

 There are many ways of extracting cannabinoids from the plant, but the most common ways are using CO₂ and chemicals. According to Rochford et al. (2020), CBD extracted by CO₂ is the best since the compound is not exposed to harsh chemicals which contaminate it, lowering its quality and putting the user at risk. Therefore, the product should indicate the method used to extract the cannabidiol.

Type of CBD in the Product

The products have three types of CBD: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. Therefore, the products should be clear on the type of CBD infused. People have different choices and preferences; some prefer having THC in the product, and thus the full spectrum CBD is the better choice. Isolate CBD would be suitable if you would like to benefit from CBD alone.

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

The manufacturer should be willing to show the Certificate of Analysis (CoA). It contains all the vital information about the products, from the source to the type of CBD and the extraction method. The manufacturer is unwilling to give out the CoA, which indicates misinformation about the product.

There are several CBD products in the market, and it may be challenging to purchase the right products due to numerous manufacturers. It is good to research different manufacturers by visiting their websites and social media pages. You can also go through different customer reviews to get more insight into the product's quality and the manufacturer's authenticity. Additionally, you can ask for more information from people who have used the manufacturer's product. This will help you get good-quality products that serve your needs and earn value for your money.

CBD Formulations

CBD products are formulated into topicals, vapes, tinctures, and ingestible edibles.

CBD ingestibles comprise gummies, capsules, foods, and drinks. They are taken into the body through the mouth. Gummies, foods, and drinks do not have an immediate effect since the compound is gut-processed. However, they are more reliable since they have longer-lasting effects. Teitelbaum (2019) suggested that CBD gummies can improve sleep and prevent insomnia.

 CBD vapes contain vape juice infused with cannabidiol. The vape juice is converted to vapor and directly inhaled into the lungs. According to Dababnehet al. (2020), vaping is healthier than smoking; thus, many smokers have turned to vaping as a way of quitting smoking. Furthermore, vaping has higher bioavailability, and thus the effects of CBD surface faster since CBD is not gut-processed.

CBD tinctures are CBD oils with an alcohol base. They are administered sublingually and absorbed into the body system directly. Furthermore, they have a natural, earthy taste that is often unpleasant to newbies.

CBD topicals include various skincare products that are infused with cannabidiol. Topicals are good for external use, for example, in treating skin problems such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. They are also used for reducing pain since they can be directly applied to the affected area to provide faster relief.

Conclusion

CBD is an organic product that has become more popular in recent years. It relieves pain and inflammation, reduces anxiety and stress, and increases concentration. Furthermore, it is non-psychoactive and is available in various products such as capsules and gummies. The tremendous growth of CBD products in the market has led to an increase in poor-quality CBD products. Consumers are subjected to access counterfeit products more than the original high-quality ones. Therefore, the FDA has developed regulations prohibiting such products from reaching the market. Users must be careful about the products they purchase by confirming the source of CBD, the manufacturer's reputation, the method of CBD extraction, compounds present in the products, and the Certificate of Analysis.

References

Darabseh, M. Z., Selfe, J., Morse, C. I., & Degens, H. (2020). Is vaping better than smoking for cardiorespiratory and muscle function? Multidisciplinary respiratory medicine, 15(1).

Rochfort, S., Isbel, A., Ezernieks, V., Elkins, A., Vincent, D., Deseo, M. A., & Spangenberg, G. C. (2020). The design of the experiment's approach optimizes supercritical fluid extraction of medicinal cannabis. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-7.

Teitelbaum, J. (2019). A hemp oil, CBD, and marijuana primer: powerful pain, insomnia, and anxiety-relieving tools. Altern. Ther. Health Med, 25, 21-23.

Watt, G., & Karl, T. (2017). In vivo evidence for therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 20.