7 Questions To Ask Before Buying CBD

You've probably heard someone discuss CBD. Hemp-derived CBD products are everywhere, from health food stores to online ads, and for good reason. Studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) might help with mood, discomfort, and sleep issues.

A recent survey showed that nearly one in seven Americans has used CBD products. That's a lot of people! So, what exactly is CBD? Cannabidiol is a compound found in the cannabis plant, but unlike its cousin Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it doesn't make you "feel high."

CBD is typically extracted from hemp, a variety of cannabis that contains 0.3 percent THC. This lack of THC helps avoid psychoactive effects. With CBD's growing popularity, the market has exploded. Unfortunately, not all CBD products are created equal. Some may contain less CBD than advertised, or even harmful contaminants.

That's why it's crucial to be a smart consumer. Just as you wouldn't buy a car without checking its history, you shouldn't buy CBD without knowing where the oil is sourced from, how it's made, and more.

This blog is designed to be your guide. We'll break down the seven most important things to consider when buying CBD, so you can make informed choices and get the most out of your purchase.

 

1. Source of Hemp: Where Does Your CBD Come From?

When buying CBD, don't just get fooled by a pretty bottle. The quality of your CBD depends on the hemp plant it came from, and where it grew. Think of it like buying fruit: where it's grown matters.

Location, Location, Location

Just like certain places grow better oranges, some places grow better hemp. Countries like the US and Canada have stricter rules about farming, so their hemp is more likely to be clean and free of bad stuff. Be careful if a company doesn't tell you where its hemp comes from.

Organic vs. Conventional: What's the Difference?

You've probably heard of organic food. It means no nasty chemicals were used. The same goes for hemp. Organic hemp is grown without pesticides, which is important because those chemicals could end up in your CBD.

Transparency Matters

Good CBD companies are open about where their hemp is grown and how. They put this information on their websites and labels and are happy to answer your CBD questions. If a company is secretive about where its hemp is from, that's a red flag. You want to know exactly what you're putting into your body; a trustworthy company will make that easy.

 

2. Extraction Method: How Do They Get the CBD Out?

How CBD is extracted from the hemp plant matters for the quality of the final product. Think of it like squeezing juice; you want to get the good stuff without adding anything bad. CO2 extraction is the best way to do this. It uses super-cold, pressurized gas to clean the CBD, so you get pure CBD without any junk left behind.

Some companies use cheaper methods with chemicals like butane or ethanol, but this can leave those chemicals in your CBD, which you don't want. The way CBD is extracted affects how strong and clean it is. Companies that use CO2 extraction and tell you about it are usually more trustworthy because they value giving you a good, safe product.

 

3. Label Clarity: Knowing Exactly What You're Buying

Think of a food label. It tells you everything you need to know about what you're about to eat. A CBD label should do the same thing. You need to understand exactly what’s in the product and how much you’re getting.

What Type of CBD is Being Used?

The product label should clearly state whether it's full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate.

• Full-spectrum: Contains all the compounds found in the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%).
• Broad-spectrum: Contains most of the compounds, but with the THC removed. 
• Isolate: Contains only pure CBD, with no other compounds.

This is important because different types of CBD have different side effects. Full-spectrum CBD, for example, is thought to have a stronger effect because of the "entourage effect," where all the compounds work together. 

How Much CBD Are You Getting Per Serving?

The label should tell you the amount of CBD in each serving (e.g., 10mg per dropper, 25mg per capsule). This helps you control your dosage and figure out how much you need.

Total Amount of CBD Listed in Milligrams

This tells you the total amount the product includes (e.g., 300mg in a 30ml bottle). Remember, it is important to compare the price of different products and determine the product's overall strength.

Total Liquid Amount

This tells you the total volume of the bottle, such as a 30 mL bottle. Knowing the total liquid and CBD amounts allows you to calculate the concentration of CBD in the product. For example, if a 30 ml bottle contains 600mg of CBD, then there is 20mg of CBD per 1 mL of liquid.

4. Third-Party Lab Testing (COA): Your Proof of Quality

Like you'd check the specs on a new phone, you must verify what's in your CBD. That's why independent lab testing, shown in a Certificate of Analysis (COA), is so important. A COA is like a report card from a lab that doesn't work for the company selling the CBD. This report proves that the label's claims are true.

The COA also shows you exactly what's inside, like how much CBD and THC are present, if there are any terpenes (good plant stuff), and if there are any harmful things like pesticides or metals. Companies you can trust make their COAs easy to find, usually on their website. This lets you double-check the results. If a company doesn't have a COA or is hard to find, that should make you suspicious.

 

5. Product Type and Delivery Method

The selection of CBD product type and delivery method significantly impacts its bioavailability and onset time, requiring careful consideration based on individual health needs and preferences.

Oils and tinctures, administered sublingually, offer relatively rapid absorption, while capsules and edibles exhibit a slower onset because of the digestive process. Conversely, topicals provide localized relief, and vapes deliver immediate effects but raise concerns regarding respiratory health.

Understanding these pharmacokinetic variations and assessing specific health conditions is crucial for optimizing CBD efficacy and ensuring a personalized therapeutic approach.

 

6. Company Reputation and Transparency

When choosing a CBD brand, it's important to do some detective work. Start by checking out the company's website. Does it look professional? Does it give you clear information about where their hemp comes from and how they make their products?

Reading online reviews can also give you a sense of what other customers think. And don't be afraid to contact customer service with any questions you have. A good company will happily answer them and provide you with the necessary information. If a company hides information or avoids your questions, that's a sign you should look elsewhere.

7. Do They Offer a Satisfaction Guarantee?

When buying CBD, a company's willingness to offer a satisfaction guarantee is a big deal. It shows they stand behind their product and value their customers' experience. If a company offers a money-back guarantee or a return policy, they're confident you'll be happy with what you buy.

This is important because everyone reacts to CBD differently, and it might take some trial and error to find the right product and dosage. If a company doesn't offer any guarantee, it could mean they're not confident in their product or don't care if you're satisfied.

 

Sump It Up!

Knowing what to look for when buying CBD oil can feel overwhelming, but by keeping these seven key factors in mind, you can make informed choices and find the right products for your needs. Remember, quality matters: from the source of the hemp to the extraction method, and from label clarity to third-party testing, every step impacts the final product.

Your Path to Quality CBD with Zatural

When it comes to finding a brand you can trust, Zatural stands out. We prioritize transparency, sourcing our hemp from reputable growers and utilizing clean CO2 extraction methods. Our labels are clear and detailed, and we provide easy access to third-party lab results, so you know exactly what you're getting.

We understand that everyone's CBD journey is unique, so we offer a satisfaction guarantee. We want you to feel confident and comfortable with your purchase. By choosing Zatural, you're choosing a company that values quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction.

We're here to guide you on your path to wellness, providing you with premium CBD products you can trust. Make Zatural your go-to source for all your CBD needs, and experience the difference that quality makes.

Zatural CBD Products

For educational purposes only.

*FDA DISCLAIMER -These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.