How to choose the right CBD product: 6 tips for beginners

CBD is being adopted by people of all ages and backgrounds due to its calming and pain-relieving properties that have the potential to treat a wide spectrum of health conditions.

With the explosion of the CBD market over the past several years, the number of products on offer can be daunting for people new to the supplement, especially if they are buying the product as a gift.

If you are buying a CBD product for the first time, for yourself or another person, there are several things to consider before buying a CBD product.

1. Administration method

The most common method for consuming CBD is oral ingestion. Oils, tinctures, edibles, drinks and capsules can all be consumed this way and give a relatively slow onset time of 30-60 minutes.

As the CBD has to make its way through the digestive and metabolic systems before entering the bloodstream, the absorption rate is lower than other methods, however the duration of the effects may last longer.

Sublingual ingestion, which involves holding a CBD oil, lozenge or spray underneath the tongue, is becoming increasingly popular as it bypasses the digestive system and reduces the time it takes for the effects of the CBD to kick in.

Topical and transdermal products allow you to apply CBD directly onto the skin. Studies have found that CBD has the potential to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Topical products work on the top three levels of the skin, which can make them a great option for people suffering with skin conditions.   

For people who are looking for targeted pain relief, transdermal products may be a better fit as they penetrate the skin allowing for the CBD to be absorbed into the muscles and bloodstream.

2. CBD isolate vs full-spectrum hemp extract

If you’re looking for higher quality, check the label for either “Full Spectrum” or “Whole Plant”. These both mean the same thing; the product is produced using the whole plant rather than using part of it.

As it uses the entire plant, full-spectrum CBD products will also include other compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids which are thought to enhance the benefits of the CBD.

CBD isolate is around 99% pure so it will not include any other compounds.

3. What is it being used for?

There are numerous potential benefits of CBD, including pain relief, relaxation and improved sleep. Knowing what you want from the product will help steer you in the right direction.

If you’re looking for targeted pain relief, a CBD cream may be for you. If you’re looking to reduce stress, a CBD oil may be a better option.

4. Dosage and concentration

It’s recommended that those who are new to CBD start on a small dose to see how their body reacts before gradually increasing the dose.

It is also advised to start with a lower concentration product. If you experience any adverse reactions, you should consider lowering the dose or concentration.

In most cases, concentration is expressed as a percentage of the total volume or as the total mg of CBD in the product.

5. Choosing a trustworthy brand

Unfortunately, CBD’s rise in popularity has also come with a rise in the number of companies ripping off consumers.

The lack of regulation in the CBD industry makes it surprisingly easy for a company to make false claims about its products, however a small amount of know-how will help you bypass these dubious brands.

A good brand should clearly display recent lab results from a third party, which makes sure the company’s claims are true. These results should be available on their website or on the label. If you can’t find any evidence for a third-party test, you may want to look elsewhere.

6. Manufacturing processes

Research the company’s manufacturing methods to make sure you aren’t buying a product containing dangerous toxins derived from cheap extraction methods.

One of the safest methods of extracting CBD is using ethanol. ‘Supercritical CO2 extraction’ is a more complex method which keeps the CBD in a purer state. Some companies may even use alternative methods, such as cold-pressing to create a more natural product.