So, you want to take the plunge and try CBD, but where do you start? You google “best CBD products” and it pulls up thousands of items. You’re instantly confused as you try to decipher this new lingo that you’re not familiar with––broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, isolate, CO2 extraction––what does it all mean? It’s understandable to be a little lost in such a vast world that’s growing by the minute, and that’s why we’re going to sort it all out, once and for all, so you can shop with confidence! Everyone has their own go-to company that they’ll suggest, but with such an influx of companies, CBDfx tincture is still the best. We’ll talk more about companies shortly, for now, let’s tackle the basics!
What Is CBD?
There are over a hundred compounds present in the Cannabis Sativa plant. CBD is just one of them and is short for cannabidiol. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound so it won’t get you high, it’s function is to provide therapeutic benefits. It can get confusing for people because CBD can be extracted from a hemp plant or marijuana plant, and although they have similarities, they also have some differences. CBD extracted from hemp plants contain less than 0.3%, where those levels in the marijuana plant can go well above 30%. Once the plant reaches the final maturation point, it is processed into an oil. These oils are then used to create a wide variety of products that provide a broad range of therapeutic benefits. When this oil is processed it can either be a full-spectrum oil, broad-spectrum oil, or pure CBD isolate. The base oil is a full-spectrum, but sometimes all traces of THC are removed (less than 0.3% ), and that results in a broad spectrum oil that is virtually THC free.
How Does It Work In The Body?
CBD is able to perform such remarkable tasks because all mammals are equipped with an endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD oil contains cannabinoids and they work naturally within the endocannabinoid system in order to maintain homeostasis in the body. It’s no coincidence–– they were meant to work together because cannabinoids literally lie within “endocannabinoid”! So nature obviously intended it this way. CBD works to alleviate certain issues within the body by using the ECS system to communicate and send signals to certain receptors, CB1 and CB2. Your ECS communicates with almost every system in your body!
How Will It Make Me Feel?
As we stated earlier, CBD is non-psychoactive so it won’t make you feel any of those intoxicating effects associated with THC. Most people report feeling total body relaxation. Pain and anxiety disappears, and some people even report that their mood improves. Drowsiness can be present at times, but sometimes that just means you may need to adjust your serving size. There are also some companies that create awesome products that are pre-measured in amounts as low as 5mg.
What Makes A CBD Product Better Than Others?
When you’re looking through different CBD products you might have a hard time discerning which product is superior to another. The first thing you should try to research is where the company grows their hemp and how they grow it. You should look for companies that grow their hemp in the US because hemp grown overseas can be a little sketchy. After you figure this part out, then you’ll want to look for the products certificate of analysis. This is also known as the product’s third-party lab results. A reputable company is going to test each and every product to provide proof that their product has the potency and the quality promised. Not only that, but a reputable company is going to make this information easy to find on their site. Last but not least, check out what other people are saying about the product you’re looking at. Think about it like this, when you go to buy something (maybe Amazon), do you check the reviews to see if it’s really as good as it’s hyped up to be? Most likely you do because it’s estimated that roughly 90% of Americans check reviews before a purchase, but if you don’t normally do this, it’s a good idea to start.
How Do I Know What Type Of Product Is Right For Me?
Now that you’re armed with all this new information, you’re ready to decide what kind of product would be best for you. CBD product categories look a little something like this:
- Topicals: These are going to be some of the best CBD balm lotions, salves, face masks, or any other product that is placed on the skin to address a target area. You might want to consider a topical if you’re seeking pain relief from using CBD. You can address pain right at the source with topicals.
- Tinctures: You might also hear this referred to as CBD Oil. These are drops that are placed under the tongue (sublingually). Tinctures are really versatile and that’s why people love them. They’re great for people looking to alleviate pain, anxiety, depression, and pretty much everything in between.
- Edibles: This category consists of everything from CBD gummies, drinks, or anything else in ingest. This category is also very versatile.
- Vapes: CBD vapes are super popular because they work in as little as a few minutes. Vapes are available in disposable pens or you can opt for a vape pen kit and just replace the cartridge each time it runs out. These are great for those who want a product they can take on the go and use discreetly.
Now you’ve got all the information needed to find the perfect CBD product for your lifestyle! If you’re new to CBD make sure you start out slow and work your way up if you see you need more to achieve the therapeutic effects you’re looking for. Enjoy your new product and the endless possibilities that CBD provides us with!
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