6 Things To Look For When Buying CBD Products

CBD products seem to be the miracle products these days. Because of their purported benefits, it’s not surprising that many more have turned to using CBD products both for medical and recreational pure CBD prodoses. There are so many products out in dispensaries, such that if you don’t know what it is you’re looking for in one, you may get confused and overwhelmed with the many options you’re presented with.

Because of the widespread demand, it’s not surprising that there’s now a wide variety of CBD products from SUPA Naturals and other reputable brands. This means you have to be more strategic with your choices, so you’re guaranteed a good one. Surely, you wouldn’t want to settle for anything less than the best.

To narrow down your options, be sure to look for the following when buying CBD products

The Type Of CBD Product

CBD products are usually categorized according to how much CBD they contain. Generally, however, the main classifications are as follows:

  • Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the naturally available compounds of the cannabis plant, including THC. With a full-spectrum CBD product, the THC levels should be no more than 0.3% at its dry weight. 
  • Broad spectrum CBD contains all of the naturally occurring CBD, except that all or a very tiny amount left of the THC is removed.
  • CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD; it has no other compounds of the hemp plant but CBD. It also has no trace of THC.

So, which one should you choose?  There’s no accurate answer for this as you’ll have to decide according to your needs and your preferences. 

The Hemp Source

A CBD product, as you may already know it, is only as good as the manner it’s been sourced from. To have the best, you’ll want to ensure that the hemp is sourced from organic farming methods, or those which are entirely chemical-free. As much as possible, you’ll want to opt for those products that used nothing else but natural fertilizers.

This is very important, as plants can easily absorb harmful substances, which might interfere with the resulting product’s purity. It’s, therefore, necessary to ask about the hemp source.

The THC Content

When you’re using CBD products, typically, you’ll want to avoid the ‘’high’ that comes with high THC content. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, refers to the compound in the CBD plant that’s responsible for the ’high’ associated with marijuana use.

So, unless you want to get high, it’s best to choose CBD products with very little to no THC content. The maximum limit is usually pegged at 0.3%. Most importantly, this limit also has to do with the allowable legal limits by the law. Even in places where CBD use is now legal, usually, the pegged THC content is at a ceiling of 0.3%. Anything beyond that may get you into trouble with the law.

Third-Party Testing

Availability of third-party testing in CBD products is a very important standard to abide by to ensure your CBD products are top-quality. This means that reputable CBD products come with a certification to prove that they’ve been tested by a third-party or outside laboratory, which doesn’t have any stake at all in the products. 

Usually, there are three ways you can ask for this. When shopping in a physical dispensary, you can ask the seller for the certification, and they can show it to you. Or, some products may come with a QR code for you to scan, and then be led to the website that holds a copy of that certificate. If you’re shopping online, this third-party testing result should also be available and visible on the website itself.

Checking the third-party test results is very important for various reasons. These include:

  • Ensuring that the labels are accurate so that what a seller or manufacturer places on the label is proven to be true and free of any false claim
  • Checking the cannabinoid profile, which means assessing what cannabinoids and compounds are found in the product list itself
  • Asking for the availability of additional lab charts to check for heavy metal and pesticide analysis, if any.

The Dosage

Especially if you’re opting to use oral CBD products, it’s very important to double-check the proper dosage. You have to be certain of how much CBD you’re getting or how potent they are. Otherwise, if these pieces of information aren’t available to you, then you could be misusing CBD products or not achieving your intended results.

Typically, the rule of thumb is that if you’re still a new user, then you should always start small. Then, as soon as you’ve gotten used to CBD in your system, you can gradually increase the dose. As you do so, be sure to take note of any adverse reaction, which you must discuss with your trusted physician, who may also be a CBD advocate and expert.

Remember that while CBD may be natural, this doesn’t mean it’s allergen-safe for everybody. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to this plant compound, especially if you’ve never tried it before.

The Ingredients List

One of the main reasons why a lot of people are fascinated by CBD products is because of the natural benefits they promise to bring, as compared with chemical or synthetic products. Therefore, you must ensure that you’re getting the maximum benefits you ought to receive from your CBD products. This is the reason why you also have to double check the ingredients list.

Usually, CBD products do well when mixed with other pure, natural oils, like jasmine and lavender, among others. But, make sure that those oils are pure and aren’t unnecessarily mixed with other chemicals. Otherwise, the chemicals may interfere with your CBD oil’s purity and effectivity.

Conclusion

As you may have seen, there are many factors to be on the lookout for when choosing a CBD product. If you don’t know where to start, the choice can get overwhelming. Reading and understanding CBD labels are very important to ensure you have an overall understanding of what you’re getting in every product. If not, you may be shortlisting yourself from the promising potential benefits a CBD product can bring. Not all CBD products are created equally, hence, the need to learn how to check the labels. 

6 Different Types Of Cannabinoids: Their Uses And Effects

6 Different Types Of Cannabinoids: Their Uses And Effects

Consuming cannabis can cause a variety of effects on an individual’s body. These effects may range from simply making you high to helping manage cancer. Depending on the strain of the cannabis, it may also vary in the speed and duration of effectiveness. This diversity is mainly due to cannabinoids—the chemical substances found in the cannabis plant responsible for its effects.

The two most common types of cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, apart from these two, cannabis plants are known to produce over 100 more types of cannabinoids, and this number is expected to grow as more research is being done on cannabis. 

For that reason, the best way to enjoy a specific benefit from cannabis is to choose a strain that contains a specific type of cannabinoid that stimulates a particular effect. Of course, that won’t be possible unless you know how each type of cannabinoid works and its effects. On that note, below are five of the most popular types of cannabinoids. 

  1. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 

The most popular type of cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This cannabinoid makes up most of the composition of cannabis plants, and it’s the component responsible for making you high when consuming cannabis. This effect is mainly because THC attaches to receptors that affect memory, coordination, perception, and pleasure.

Scientists suggest that THC can potentially have the following effects on the body: 

  • Makes a person ‘high’ 
  • May minimize unpleasant experiences, such as nausea and vomiting 
  • May increase the appetite
  • May improve memory 

There are several types of THC, but the most popular ones are the Delta 8 and Delta 9 versions, both of which carry similar properties and effects, although some things may differ. Delta 8 THC, for example, is more lightweight and doesn’t get you high as much as Delta 9 does.  

Hence, one can enjoy its benefits without being high, which can be handy for work. Of course, that also means that its others effects are slightly reduced, but it’s an appealing option nonetheless. Since it only became popular recently, you should do your research before consuming Delta 8-rich cannabis, such as how the substance works or how Delta 8 is made

  1. Cannabidiol (CBD) 

The second most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis is cannabidiol or CBD. Unlike THC, CBD isn’t psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t cause a ‘high’ to individuals. It accounts for up to 40% of the composition of a hemp plant, making it the most abundant cannabinoid, which might be the main reason why it’s one of the most popular despite not causing a high, unlike THC.

But, apart from its accessibility, CBD is also known to have the supposed effects: 

  • May relieve pain 
  • May reduce seizure activity and other neurological problems 
  • May minimize the appearance of acne 
  • May help manage depression and anxiety 
  • May alleviate cancer symptoms 
  • May improve heart health 

Cannabidiol is most commonly used to help reduce inflammation and pain, making it perfect for senior citizens, blue-collar workers, and pretty much everyone who often experiences pain. 

  1. Cannabinol (CBN) 

When THC breaks down due to UV light, heat, and oxygen, it creates a new substance that’s no longer as psychoactive as before, and that would be cannabinol or CBN. Of course, it’s still psychoactive, but its effects on that department are negligent.

Despite being called a discount version of THC, CBN shows promise in the health department due to these purported effects: 

  • May relieve pain and inflammation all over the body 
  • May help you sleep better 
  • May promote bone growth 
  • May slow down the growth of harmful bacteria 
  • May reduce the frequency of seizures 
  • May stimulate the appetite of individuals 
  • May reduce nausea and vomiting 

One can say that CBN lives in the space between THC and CBD, as you can see from its effects. But, among these benefits, CBN is believed to be a potent cannabinoid for promoting sleep, which may help those suffering from insomnia. Perhaps, its main difference is that it doesn’t have neurological benefits, like helping minimize anxiety and depression. 

  1. Cannabichromene (CBC) 

From here on, you’ll notice that the rest of the entries in this list have not been a part of the CBD trend. However, that’s not to say they’re entirely useless. Cannabichromene (CBC), for example, may have several effects similar to THC and CBD, such as the following 

  • May slow down bacterial growth 
  • May eliminate weak viruses 
  • May minimize the appearance of acne 
  • May minimize pain caused by migraines 
  • May help fight depression and anxiety 
  • May stimulate brain growth 

Despite the purported benefits, CBC is best known for being the cannabinoid with the strongest antibacterial property, so it may be effective in helping manage disorders caused by bacterial infections. 

  1. Cannabigerol (CBG) 

Although not as popular as the previously mentioned types, every cannabinoid starts out as cannabigerol (CBG), making it the primary type of cannabinoid. But, despite being the precursor of THC, it’s not psychoactive. The main reason why it’s not as popular as CBD or THC is that since most cannabinoids evolved from CBG, most cannabis strains don’t contain much CBG, making it one of the least accessible cannabinoids.

Apart from its role as the predecessor of all cannabinoids, it may also have the following effects: 

  • May slow down the growth of bacteria or ultimately kill them 
  • May reduce inflammation and pain 
  • May inhibit the growth of cancer cells or tumors 
  • May stimulate bone growth 
  • May cause a feeling of relaxation, but not enough to get you high 

Due to its supposed effects on tumors and bacterial growth, it may be the best cannabinoid to help manage glaucoma, psoriasis, and many other disorders. 

  1. Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) 

As you may have guessed, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is directly related to THC, and that’s because it’s the homologous version of the most prevalent cannabinoid. For your reference, homologous means having the same structure, but it’s worth noting that THCV results in different effects from THC.

Here’s a look at its potential effects: 

  • It may get you high and give a stimulating buzz 
  • It may dull the appetite 
  • It may regulate blood sugar levels 
  • It may reduce the frequency of panic attacks 
  • It may curb anxiety attacks 
  • It may promote bone growth 

THCV is also psychoactive, like THC, except it lasts for a shorter duration and is more intense. Furthermore, if THC increases your appetite, THCV dulls it, making it the perfect substance for weight loss enthusiasts. So, as you can see, even if the two have the same structure, their effects aren’t identical as you’d think, although there are some similarities. 

Conclusion 

Different strains of cannabis contain different types of cannabinoids, and in varying levels, too. For example, one strain may contain 20% THC, and the rest are made up of other cannabinoids, while others may contain only 10% THC. If you’re looking to get high, the former would be the better option, and you’d be right. In other words, knowing what each cannabinoid does would help you determine which strain is best among several choices.