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Nicole Gleichmann
As a science content writer, she uses her knowledge as an Organismal Biologist and pair it with her expertise in SEO content writing to create research-backed blogs, websites, and ebooks for her clients. Nicole's subjects of preference include Cannabis sativa, CBD, and THC, as well as nutrition and holistic health
CBD hemp oil is one of the trendiest supplements around, and with countless anecdotal reports and early studies touting its abilities to help those suffering from pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and more, its popularity is likely to continue growing.
However, not every CBD oil is what it claims to be. Without strict regulation, different products can vary in quality and transparency. In fact, in a 2017 study of CBD products, only 31% of products tested contained the amount of CBD (cannabidiol) that was claimed on the label.
So how can you be sure that what you’re buying is the real deal? In this article, we will share five tips that you can use to ensure that you are using the best CBD products on the market
1. Look for Posted Lab Results
Probably the most important thing that you can do when shopping for cannabidiol oil is to find a company that offers third-party lab testing, referred to as the certificate of analysis (COA), on every batch of every product.
CBD hemp oil is tested to confirm the following:
- The percentage of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids: This analysis reveals a lot about the product, as CBD and other cannabinoids are the primary reason that you’re purchasing hemp CBD oil.
- The terpene profile: Terpenes are another category of healthful phytonutrients found in cannabis plants. You will find these in full-spectrum products.
- Impurity screenings: Quality tests will look for heavy metals, pesticides, molds and yeasts, bacteria, mycotoxins, and residual solvents.
Many companies will post lab results directly on their website in a place that is easy to find. If you do not see lab results, you can always contact the company directly to see if they will provide them to you. Be sure that the lab results are for the most recent batch of products.
2. Use Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
There are two primary categories of CBD products: full-spectrum and isolates. Isolates are products that contain only CBD, while full spectrum products contain other healthful phytonutrients found in the hemp plant.
Research suggests that CBD may be more effective when taken in combination with other cannabinoids and plant compounds that are naturally found in the Cannabis sativa plant. This property of CBD working synergistically with other compounds found in the whole-plant extract is known as the entourage effect.
Because of the entourage effect, many experts recommend purchasing full spectrum CBD oil.
Shop CBD hemp extract by Calm by Wellness
3. Look for Quality Extraction Methods
Producing CBD oil requires extracting it from the hemp plant, and some extraction methods are superior to others. As it stands presently, supercritical CO2 extraction is considered the gold standard. This method is good at preserving the phytonutrients in the oil without using solvents that are questionable for our health.
4. Go with a Trusted Company
With the increasing popularity and legality of CBD hemp oil, new CBD companies are popping up all over the United States. While many of these companies will turn out to offer quality products, some will unfortunately earn a more dubious reputation from making false claims or providing poor customer service.
There are many companies that have earned a good reputation amongst their customers. By reading reviews and doing your research, you can find companies that have a good reputation.
5. Ask About the Hemp Plant
CBD oil is extracted from hemp plants, but not all hemp plants are of the same quality. Industrial hemp can be grown either for high yield or for cannabinoid concentration. The first is great for commodities like clothing or hemp seeds, but you want the latter for therapeutic CBD extraction.
To get a feel of what kind of hemp is used, call the company and ask them where their hemp is grown and if they can provide pictures of the farm. When the seller takes pride in where and how their hemp plants are grown, you can have greater confidence in their use of hemp bred and raised for therapeutic purposes.
Final Thoughts
With countless CBD oils on the market, it can be tough to find a quality product at a reasonable price. When it comes to overall quality, our top pick for the best CBD hemp oil is the CBD hemp extract by Calm by Wellness. With every product containing CBD extracted from organically grown, domestic hemp, and delicious flavors like peppermint and strawberry lemon-aid, their CBD tincture is one of the best available.