A guide to finding the right CBD product for you

From quality to effects and cost, not to mention taste, aroma and flavour. There are many factors to weigh up before you choose a CBD product. 

Has your internet search left you with more questions than answers?  You’re probably wondering, ‘how much should I spend?

What does a good CBD product look like? How do I know if it will work? What’s the difference between taking a tincture and vaporizing?’ 

Don’t panic, and don’t let the confusion throw you off. Whatever your budget or lifestyle, there is a CBD product out there for you. 

Use this easy guide to find the right product for you and get the best quality for your money.

What does a good CBD product look like?

When shopping for a new multivitamin or supplement, you expect a certain standard. The same expectations apply to the realm of CBD products.

First, you’ll want to see the origin and concentration of active ingredients clearly outlined on the label or packaging. Is the star ingredient from an isolate or broad-spectrum source? Does the product even contain CBD?

If it’s not on the ingredients list, walk away before you’re disappointed.

Next, you’ll note any added ingredients like preservatives or terpenes, and whether these come from natural hemp sources or if it’s synthetic. (Natural is always best).

Other questions might apply specifically to your lifestyle, like is this product vegan friendly? Is it suitable for coeliacs? Is it caffeine and sugar-free? Will it make me more alert in the mornings or support my sleep cycle at night?

With any CBD product, you will want to take your research one step further by viewing what’s known as a Certificate of Analysis. Any product manufacturer of good repute will make this readily available to show exactly which cannabinoids are in their formula, and importantly, the ones which aren’t present.

A COA is a verified document that analyses and profiles the cannabinoid make-up of a product based on the findings of an independent lab.

The ideal scenario for any CBD product worth its salt would be positive confirmation for CBD and other cannabinoids like CBG and CBC which assist in the Entourage Effect. What should not be detected are THC and CBN, both being controlled substances rendering them illegal except for medicinal use.

Why are some CBD products more expensive than others?

Let’s look at some of the popular product types, what they contain and what they cost.

A quick scan of Handpicked CBD, the UK’s leading online CBD marketplace, shows that there is a bottle of oil drops (tincture) out there for all budgets. But it’s vital that shoppers understand that the most expensive option isn’t always the best. CBD One’s
range of CBD Oils vary in price range which is influenced by quantity and strength of the required CBD Oil.

The cheapest product in this category is £8 and contains 280mg of CBD in a 10ml bottle. This means that the concentration of CBD in this product is 2.8 per cent. While it won’t break the bank, this small bottle of oil is unlikely to last very long.

At the lower end of the sale, this CBD Brothers 2.8 per cent oil costs £8.

The most expensive CBD oil on the site is a ‘gold edition formula’ with a concentration of 40 per cent, which will set you back a cool £256. While potent, this is once again in a 10ml bottle. For most, the price tag and volume isn’t going to be suitable for everyday use in the long term.

1CBD 40 per cent Gold Edition CBD Oil on Handpicked CBD

What about capsules and gummies?

The same principles should apply to your CBD search, no matter the format. However, when swallowed in the form of a capsule, food or beverage, CBD isn’t guaranteed the warmest welcome from the body.

Our internal natural processes can destroy some of the active ingredients, leading to a lower rate of absorption, and in turn, less of an impact. This mainly occurs first in the digestive tract and then in the liver, in what’s known as the first-pass metabolism.

While many find gummies a sweet way to try CBD for the first time, it is almost impossible to calculate and monitor how much CBD you are ingesting.

So, what makes a good CBD product? The differences between the good, the bad and the average can be broken down into three key elements.

The quality of the CBD – has the manufacturer used isolate or broad-spectrum extract?

The concentration of active ingredients – generally speaking, the higher the concentration of CBD, the higher the price.
The presence of additional ingredients such as terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins or adaptogenic herbs

How much should I spend on CBD?

There is no ideal amount when it comes to spending or consumption when it comes to CBD because no two people are the same. We are all unique, and this terminology also applies to the individuality of the Endocannabinoid System.

Incorporating CBD into your life is a very personal experience. What works perfectly for one person might not be enough – or maybe too much – for the next. One way of identifying the right amount of CBD for your day-to-day life is to start with a small dose, increasing the amount gradually over time.

Just as you would keep a journal of progress at the gym or as your watch records how many steps you take each day, it’s important to keep a CBD diary too. You’ll need to record what works for you so that you have a base to build from.

The British Food Standards Agency recommends healthy adults cap their CBD intake at 70mg per day. Roughly speaking, this works out at the equivalent of taking 28 drops of a 5 per cent CBD oil daily. That’s a lot of CBD for everyday use, far more than most people would consume in one go.

With all of this in mind, how much should you spend on CBD? The correct answer is to find a product that fits your budget, lifestyle and needs. Remember why you want to invest in CBD in the first place. Then focus on the delivery method, for example, do you want something mess-free or will you be comfortable counting out oil drops? Shop for quality, convenience and effects before reaching for a product from the top shelf.

What does anyone want from a new purchase? Usually, it’s premium quality in an easy-to-use format, that’s good value with noticeable effects. That’s not asking for too much, right?

CBD Vaporization

Research suggests that when it comes to CBD, there is one format that trumps the rest for delivering an accurate dose to the bloodstream, and you’ll be glad to know, it’s great value for money and it couldn’t be easier to use – vaporization.

Investing in a top of the range vaporizer with a variety of compatible, high-grade vape cartridges is a guaranteed way to get a return on your CBD investment.

One product that should be at the top of your list is the VapePod by Kanabo. The world-renowned medical cannabis researchers at Kanabo have developed the first-ever medical grade vaporizer device for everyday CBD use.

Shop the VapePod Starter Kit from Kanabo, £129 exclusively available from Handpicked CBD.

The VapePod is easy-to-use and it provides rapid onset via the lungs with noticeable effects in minutes. Available in the UK exclusively from Handpicked CBD, the Kanabo VapePod Starter Kit is priced at £129.90.

This set includes the medical-grade, reusable, pen-style vaporizer – the first of its kind in the world, plus three cartridges expertly formulated to help you, Reload, Relax and Repair.

Each interchangeable cartridge measures just 0.5ml of CBD-rich oil, plus a unique blend of terpenes and other cannabinoids and hemp compounds for maximum benefit. As you inhale the VapePod will cut out after 1.5 seconds, providing a perfectly measured dose of 1mg CBD every time.

Perhaps most impressive is that this intelligent device is so advanced, it can measure and deliver more than 300 doses, with each cartridge lasting around six to eight weeks.

For less than £130, you’re buying up to 24 weeks of CBD supply. That’s almost half a year, costing as little as £5.40 per week.

When you’re not using your new vaporizer, it can be discreetly stored in a pocket or purse. It charges wirelessly too, taking the chore out of charging.

Finding the right CBD product for you is a process. But don’t be put off by the sheer vastness of the marketplace. Yes, there is an abundance of products out there, but all it takes is a few questions and some listening to your body to find the perfect product for you.