There’s a lot of buzz right now about cannabidiol, also known as CBD. The 2018 Farm Bill essentially legalized CBD production in the United States and the industry is now growing faster than anyone ever expected.
Sales of CBD products are projected to be valued at $20 billion by 2024 and more people than ever are taking this compound to naturally treat several conditions.
But, with all of this talk about CBD, there’s still some confusion about what CBD is and isn’t. Are you thinking about buying CBD but want to learn more about it first?
Read this guide to CBD oil for information on the cannabidiol compound, ways to take CBD, determining proper dosage, and tips on finding high-quality products.
What is Cannabidiol Exactly? Your Guide to CBD Oil
Everyone is talking about CBD these days and there’s a lot of misinformation going around. The questions most people ask are: what is CBD exactly and what are the benefits of CBD oil?
Cannabidiol is one of the active ingredients in the cannabis plant. Through limited animal testing and anecdotal evidence, it’s shown positive results in treating anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, and even certain types of epileptic seizures.
More research is being done on CBD but so far it has shown no harmful effects on users. There are also no signs of dependence or abuse, which is desirable for people looking to treat chronic pain without opioids.
CBD doesn’t get you high like medical marijuana. Although it’s extracted from the same plant, CBD doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that gets you high.
Depending on the type of CBD you buy, there may be trace amounts (less than 0.3% of THC by law) but nothing that should have you worried about failing a drug test.
Good CBD does offer what’s called the “euphoria effect,” an enhanced mood without the impairment from THC. This is a therapeutic benefit from more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes left in the oil.
Proper Dosage and Ways to Take CBD Oil
If you want to start taking CBD, the first thing you need to do is have a conversation with your doctor.
They can help you determine proper CBD dosage, evaluate the compound’s effect on your body, and ensure it won’t react negatively with your current medications.
CBD oil is offered between 20mg to 5,000mg. People respond differently so it’s important to start low and work your way up until you find the right dose.
How much CBD to take should depend on your body weight, what condition you’re treating, your unique body chemistry, and the concentration of the product. Oil is one of the most popular and effective ways to consume CBD but it comes in other forms as well.
Besides oil tinctures, you can take CBD as capsules, vapes, edibles, or lotions and creams. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Oil, for example, enters your bloodstream faster but capsules make it easier to track your exact dosage.
You also have three choices when buying CBD products: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or isolate. The full-spectrum contains all of the therapeutic compounds, including the trace amount of THC. Isolate only contains pure CBD and broad-spectrum is a mix between the two.
Calculating CBD doses can be tricky. Most oil tinctures will say on the label how many milligrams are in one dropper.
The oil is taken orally and it’s recommended that you hold the oil under your tongue for 30-60 seconds before swallowing to enter the bloodstream faster.
If you’re looking to get more exact with dosage, one drop of oil is about 0.05 milliliters. With this figure, you can calculate how many total drops are in a bottle and the CBD dosage per drop.
There have been no reports of people taking too much CBD. The only potential risk is how it interacts with your current medications.
At the moment CBD is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the market it’s treated as a supplement, meaning you should be careful when purchasing it to take.
Here’s How to Shop for High-Quality CBD Oil
As we said above, CBD is not federally regulated like many pharmaceutical drugs. The industry has also exploded in the last two years. There are many responsible CBD suppliers out there, yet the industry’s fast growth has also brought the risk of fraud.
There are a few ways to make sure you’re buying high quality CBD oil. Avoid shopping at large e-commerce sites offering CBD. Instead, buy direct from a reputable supplier.
Avoid CBD oils that are exorbitantly priced or too good to be true. As a consumer, you have the right to ask for an independent lab analysis of any product. If a company doesn’t have these reports, you know not to buy from them.
Many people buy CBD oil online and have it shipped to their house. This is perfectly acceptable, just be discerning when purchasing from any websites.
Does the website look legitimate? Does it offer reviews? Does it offer multiple points of contact? If a website seems shady, trust your gut.
The most important thing to remember is that not all CBD companies are the same. Always do your research and ask questions before purchasing anything.
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We hope this brief guide to CBD oil has prepared you to go out and buy your first bottle. Our biggest piece of advice is to discuss taking CBD with your doctor. And before you spend money on CBD, make sure you’re getting a high-quality product.
Do you enjoy reading about cars and lifestyle articles on travel, running a business, vaping, and even trying CBD oil? After learning everything you need to know about CBD in this post, check out more of our blog for the latest news and informative articles.
