Everyone and their grandmother seems to be selling CBD these days. Here’s your guide to finding high-quality, trustworthy CBD oil brands and choosing the right oil for you.
The popularity of CBD oil has skyrocketed, fuelled by growing public awareness and increased research into its effects and benefits. But with so many products on the market, how do you know which options are safe and will work for you?
Before you buy CBD oil, there’s a bit of research you should do to make sure you’re buying the best quality stuff. CBD oil products are sometimes mislabeled or contain unnecessary ingredients, so take some time to dig into what you’re being offered.
To make sure you’re only using top-shelf CBD oil, here are the questions you should be asking.
Is it third-party tested?
One of the most crucial things to check before buying any CBD product is whether it has been tested by a third-party lab. If it has, you should be able to find lab reports on the company’s website. A reputable brand should have their products tested for things like pesticides, solvents, cannabinoid profiles, terpene profiles, and heavy metal contamination. If they claim their CBD oil is organic, look for certificates to prove that it actually is.
If you can’t find lab reports on the website, that’s a pretty clear red flag. Contact the company and ask if they have lab reports available. If they don’t—or if they don’t even respond to you—you should think twice before buying CBD oil from this company. There are plenty of legitimate sellers out there, so don’t waste time and take unnecessary risks with potential scammers.
What's in it?
As with any substance you put into your body, you should find out what exactly is in it. Consider whether the CBD oil is full-spectrum or isolate:
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Full-spectrum CBD products contain small amounts of other cannabinoids (including THC) and flavonoids and terpenes. The entourage effect theory suggests that taking CBD and THC together, along with terpenes, may be more effective than taking either one on its own.
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Broad-spectrum CBD products on the other hand don't include THC at all. There's none. Therefore giving you all the CBD goodness without the entourage effect.
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CBD isolate products go through further refining, so they contain only CBD and don’t have the entourage effect.
Does it claim to be a “cure” for anything?
If the company says that CBD oil “cures” any diseases, or if they make any other unrealistic, lofty claims about their products, be extra careful. Any CBD seller with integrity will be honest about what the products can and can’t do. CBD oil has health benefits, but it’s not a magical potion that will fix everything in your life.
If they imply it’s a miracle cure, they’re being irresponsible—and giving you a sign that they are willing to bend the truth to make a sale. So how would you know they’re telling the truth about everything else? Look for honest, transparent claims and explanations about what CBD oil actually is and does.
Does the company care about you?
When you’re picking out the right CBD products and oils for yourself, it’s only natural that you will have questions. In fact—you should be asking any questions if they’re not already answered on the company’s website. If their customer support can’t or won’t answer those questions for you, take your business elsewhere.
CBD oil is supposed to make you less anxious, not more. So a good CBD company will want you to feel safe and at ease buying their products. They should have plenty of content available on their site to educate and help you make the best choices. Their customer support should also be responsive and eager to help out when you can’t find an answer to your question.
As a rule of thumb, a trustworthy company will make it easy for you to find sourcing methods, ingredient lists, and other key product information. If they don’t, something is probably fishy.
What do other people think about this company?
Before you buy, look for reviews. Obviously, another person’s experience doesn’t guarantee that yours will match theirs, but predominantly positive reviews are an encouraging sign. If they’re serious about their reputation, a company will probably have real reviews on their website. In addition, a quick Google search will go a long way and help uncover any potential scams or serious problems with the brand you’re researching.
Here's a little clip we to make things even more simple.
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Make sure your read our Beginner’s Guide to CBD Oil: Benefits, Side Effects, and the TL;DR of the Science to educate yourself even more. Doing your research and choosing the right CBD oil is one of those things that starts with a bit of a time investment that will pay off in the long run. So do yourself a favor and dig around a little bit before you commit—the right brand that cares about you will come along to sweep you off your feet.