Buy CBD Oil (Important Things You NEED to Know Before Purchasing CBD)

Buy CBD Oil

Are you looking to buy CBD oil? With the latest surge of cannabis products on the market, buying CBD and choosing the right one can seem like finding a needle in the haystack.

You might want to buy full spectrum CBD oil?

Maybe you considered buying CBD isolate?

Hey, we just want to buy CBD! What are these things? Well, there is so much to choose from.

I will cover what all these things are and what to look for so you can buy CBD oil with confidence, plus you can check out my recommended CBD products to buy.

If you want a list of our top 10 CBD products click here. If you’re looking for a product to help with a specific ailment, use our CBD Product Finder Tool.

Let’s talk about buying CBD oil extracted through the CO2 extraction method vs. the solvent method.

Buying CO2 Extracted CBD vs. Solvent Extraction Method

Typically cannabis distilleries will employ either of two main methods when extracting CBD oil. This is the first thing to consider when buying CBD oil.

Extraction is used to get cannabinoids (or CBD specifically) in the maximally concentrated form possible.

It can be carried out on cannabis or hemp.

Species containing a high quantity of CBD and low quantity of THC are favored in order to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.

The CO2 extraction method is the most commonly used extraction method because it’s safe and provides the purest possible CBD.

CO2 extraction uses CO2 to help extract cannabinoids from cannabis. The CO2 acts as a solvent in which the cannabinoids can be dissolved and extracted.

After the CO2 is passed through the cannabis, it is separated into the cannabinoid extracts and CO2 solution again.

CO2 extraction is very safe because it only involves the use of CO2 and no other harmful chemicals.

It also produces a pure product and is highly effective at extracting what’s required without introducing contaminants.

Also:

Another extraction method commonly used is the solvent extraction method.

In this method, a solvent such as an alcohol (for example ethyl alcohol) is added to the cannabis plant.

The same process occurs, by which the cannabinoids are extracted in the solution.

The problem with this method, however, is that some undesirable compounds may also be extracted along the way.

These include chlorophyll and other contaminants, which may produce side effects in the user.

That’s why it is generally preferred that you purchase CBD oil that’s extracted using the CO2 extraction method.

The only downside to CO2 extracted CBD is that it’s generally more expensive than CBD oils extracted via other methods.

CBD from US-Grown Hemp vs. Other Countries

When purchasing CBD oil, you want to buy CBD derived from organic US-grown hemp.

This way you can guarantee that the hemp you buy lacks any pesticides or traces of toxic (heavy) metals.

The US has strong agricultural regulations that disallow the use of certain pesticides.

Some of these pesticides are otherwise allowed in other countries such as those in the European Union (EU) or China.

Now:

Hemp, in particular, is a dynamic accumulator plant.

This means that it gathers chemicals in its surroundings such as those in the soil and accumulates them over time.

If hemp is grown in an environment that contains dangerous pesticides and ions, it will accumulate them, and once you consume or smoke the derivates, you’ll be ingesting these harmful chemicals.

CBD Oil Lab Testing

When buying CBD oil, it’s good practice to look for laboratory reports to confirm that you are receiving high-quality CBD oil, and to validate any claims a company makes.

The main compounds you want to look for in lab testing are:

• CBD
• THC
• Other Cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, CBG, CBN, CBDA, etc.
• Heavy metal content
• Solvents
• Pesticides & Microbes

You obviously want the CBD content in the lab testing to be high. The amount of CBD and other cannabinoids is usually reported in two standardized forms.

The first is weight percent (abbreviated wt%). Weight percent means the percent weight of the compound in comparison to the total weight of the solution.

Weight percent can be difficult to interpret because of the variability in the concentration of different CBD formulations, but you generally want CBD to be present in high weight % (for example 0.80% CBD) and THC at below 0.03% (within the legal limit).

Also:

Another unit used is mass concentration. This is the weight (in milligrams) of CBD per volume (in milliliters) of the solution. You also want CBD to have the highest concentration (for example 8 mg/ml of CBD compared to 0.5 mg/ml of THC).

Other cannabinoids will also be present, albeit in lower weight %.

As for pesticides, different methods are used to detect them such as chromatography which checks to see if any compounds in the oil match the profile of common pesticides. You want to see a result of “ND” or “Not Detected” for pesticides, obviously.

CBD Product Types

CBD is sold in a variety of forms.

CBD Tinctures:

The most common form is CBD tinctures. These are CBD liquids that are taken through an oral route.

You generally want to take the recommended dosage of CBD by the brand and place it in your mouth (sublingually) for a minute or so.

The reason you want to place it sublingually is because absorption of CBD can occur the most below the tongue, although some absorption does take place in other areas of the mouth.

After the CBD is swallowed, it can be absorbed by the digestive tract.

Tinctures can generally act relatively quick as the sublingual absorption means the CBD enters your system almost immediately, albeit in small amounts.

Many tinctures are flavored because of the undesirable earthy taste of hemp.

If you’re looking for a tincture to treat a specific symptom, try out our CBD product finder.

CBD Pastes:

But what if you want a stronger CBD product?

CBD pastes and concentrates are the answer.

Just like tinctures, they are also fast acting.

What differentiates them is the high concentration of CBD. They’re made to deliver high quantities of CBD.

They’re also a great value for the price.

One disadvantage of pastes and concentrates, however, is the strong flavor of hemp that many have, as they’re often not flavored.

CBD Vape

Now:

If you’re a fan of vaping, then CBD vape liquids are the CBD product of choice for you.

They consist of CBD oil which is then heated by the vape device until it evaporates and can be inhaled.

Just inhale the CBD vapor and you’re set.

One big advantage of CBD vape oils is that they are the fastest acting form of CBD. They enter your lungs and are then absorbed via tiny capillaries directly into your blood, and quickly.

This means they don’t have to enter your stomach and wait to be digested and absorbed.

Just like most tinctures, most CBD vape oils are also flavored, if you prefer not to experience the earthy taste of hemp.

You do however require a vaping device to use them, so keep that in mind. If you want a simpler, no-fret way of experiencing CBD, then a tincture, paste, or other form of CBD may be better.

But if you want to experience the fastest relief, then they are your go-to.

CBD Topicals:

If you’re looking for relief of external aches and pains, and more specific targetting of certain areas of your body such as your neck, knee, etc., then topicals are your friend.

CBD topicals are basically balms infused with CBD. Some of them may contain other anti-inflammatory or anti-pain ingredients mixed in as well.

To use CBD topicals, rub the affected area, making sure to cover it entirely.

You should begin to experience relief within an hour, or more.

Topicals are great because they offer targetted action. They also last longer than other forms of CBD because the CBD slowly diffuses into the skin over a prolonged period of time.

Unlike other CBD forms, however, they can’t help as well with some mental symptoms that CBD can relieve such as social anxiety.

They are also amongst the slowest acting forms of CBD.

CBD Capsules:

CBD capsules provide a quick and convenient way to get your CBD.

After they are ingested, they get absorbed in the stomach.

The benefits of capsules are that they are tasteless and convenient. If you don’t enjoy the taste of hemp, then they may be a viable option.

They also last long as they generally tend to provide a higher dosage of CBD compared to other CBD products.

The disadvantages of CBD capsules include the fact that they can be pricier than other products.

The dosage is also harder to control with capsules as compared to tinctures where you can control your dose by taking a specified amount of drops.

CBD Edibles:

If you like candy (such as gummy bears or chocolate), then you’ll enjoy CBD edibles.

After ingesting CBD edibles, they will get absorbed in the digestive tract.

This means that it will take longer for their effects to kick in because they’re not directly absorbed sublingually or through the lungs like tinctures/vapes.

Compared with other CBD products of similar concentration, they also tend to be more expensive per serving.

On the other hand:

The benefits are that they have long-lasting effects because of their absorption in the stomach.

They also come in a variety of forms such as chocolate or chewables, with distinct flavors. So if you don’t like the taste of hemp, then they’re a good alternative.

Many are infused with high concentrations of CBD too, so you can guarantee a high potency.

Costs of CBD:

A typical rule of thumb for any product is, you get what you pay for. In short, this is true for CBD and not exactly true at the same time. 

There are a lot of great products at lower price ranges. A lot of factors are involved with the cost of CBD products. Most costs are based on aforementioned factors in this article, like where is the hemp sourced from, which extraction methods were employed and what form are you getting the CBD in.

Generally a CBD that meets all the preferred criteria will tend to be on the more expensive side.

With that said:

Most CBD products are somewhat expensive to begin with.