What to Consider when Deciding on a CBD Product?

There is so much choice in this world. What kind of bread would be more beneficial: non-gluten, whole-grain and with seeds or with dried fruit? What toy should you buy to be a loving parent: an exciting game or Angry Pigs Plush Dolls? By the time the choice is made, you may feel completely exhausted. Obviously, there is no need to worry that much when deciding on minor things such as ice-cube trays. However, when choosing products such as food additives or medicines, the rates are higher. Below you’ll find the manual on how to choose a CBD product, one of the most popular tools for managing chronic pain, reducing stress and anxiety symptoms.

How does CBD interact with the body?

Cannabidiol is the most well-known natural compound found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Generally, this plant contains more than 100 phytocannabinoids, which may interact with our body.

As you may know, there is an endocannabinoid system in each of us. This sensitive network of cannabinoid receptors is responsible for the homeostasis of all physiological functions. The system controls metabolism, mood, sleep, digestion, immunity, and temperature.

Cannabinoid receptors are located on cells in the body. Two major cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 occupy different areas.

CB1 receptors are spread mainly in the brain and the central nervous system. Receptors are responsible for motor functions, stress reaction, pain perception, and memory support. Endogenous neurotransmitters stimulate CB1 receptors alongside naturally occurring phytocannabinoids.

CB2 receptors are spread mainly in white blood cells, the tonsils and the spleen. These body parts are responsible for the cardiovascular, muscular and immune systems.

When CBD infused products are consumed, phytocannabinoids activate CB2 receptors and send signals to the brain. To control panic attacks, relieve stress, or pain. Our body can get the same effect both from naturally produced cannabinoids and phytocannabinoids from the CBD products.

How to choose the appropriate CBD product?

No worries. Selecting the right CBD product is not a challenging quest, but an easy and exciting adventure. However, as long as it concerns your health, you should know how to get the best and the healthiest option. 

Here are the things you should keep in mind when choosing the right product:

• health condition
• CBD type and CBD product
• CBD dosage
• regular application
• side effects
• THC content
• legal matters
• tests and certificates

See, you’re not in any difficulty. Just keep reading, and you’ll know how to choose the right option.

Health benefits of CBD products

CBD has a variety of useful advantages. It can be beneficial for managing chronic pain, relieving stress and anxiety, and even alleviating cancer-related symptoms. However, numerous studies have suggested that the list doesn’t end there. CBD products have been known to help with the following problems:

• Anxiety. Various tests showed a positive effect of CBD in anxiety treatment. CBD interacts with receptors in a human brain and reduces feelings of nervousness and tension.
• Depression. CBD can act as an antidepressant and provide relief from mental imbalances. CBD products can be used as a more natural alternative to other antidepressants. It is always recommended that you discuss any changes in medication with a doctor.
• Insomnia. Regular use of CBD may improve the quality of sleep. CBD activates sleep-promoting chemicals such as melatonin, which helps to deal with insomnia. 
• Pain. Using CBD products can effectively relieve pain. It reduces inflammation, which can cause pain. CBD can also alleviate muscular pain after an intense workout by activating the anandamide production, which relaxes and calms the body.
• Other health conditions. A wide range of CBD-infused products are available. Some may be useful in treating various ailments. A number of studies have been performed to determine if CBD may be helpful in the following cases: nicotine withdrawal, convulsions, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, skin issues, diabetes, etc.

CBD types

CBD types define which kind of CBD type is used in a product. Each CBD type is beneficial in its own way and may be appropriate for different conditions. Understanding the difference is important for every cannabinoid user. The full range of cannabinoids is the “cannabinoid spectrum.”

Here are the main CBD types and their benefits:

• Full-spectrum CBD. This CBD type contains the natural compounds of the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids and other cannabinoids. When working together in the body, they create the so-called “entourage effect”. Full-spectrum CBD may contain THC, a psychoactive compound which may cause side-effects and be detected on a drug test. It may produce an intense aroma and flavour as it includes a full spectrum of plant compounds. Full-spectrum CBD is a good option if you need a stronger effect or have more severe conditions that other CBD types could not ease.

• Broad-spectrum CBD. This type contains all cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes of the plant but no THC. Broad Spectrum CBD has all the benefits of the cannabis plant and provides “entourage effect” with no psychoactive side effects. This type is the best choice for individuals who are unsure about THC usage or are sensitive to THC. This is a good option for those who live in areas where THC usage is forbidden.

• CBD Isolate. This is the purest type of CBD as it doesn’t contain any other compounds. CBD Isolate doesn’t produce psychoactive effects and is considered to be safe. However, when buying a CBD isolate, it’s important to check its purity. The majority of them are in the 99.9+% range of purity with no detectable traces of THC. However, there are also lower purity options such as 99.5% or less. THC traces may show up on a drug test. CBD Isolate has no flavour. It is mostly suitable for first-time users, individuals who are sensitive to other cannabinoids such as THC or undergo drug tests. CBD Isolate is recommended to those who need to consume high doses of CBD.

• Nano CBD. It’s a compound where CBD molecules are less than 100nm. Due to their small size, they get absorbed or pass through the skin quicker, and you get therapeutic effects faster. With higher bioavailability of Nano CBD, you receive the full potential of the cannabinoid. While your body has to filtrate other particles of CBD, Nano CBD is completely absorbed. Taking less CBD, you enjoy the same benefits.

CBD Products

Different ways of consuming CBD provide different effects. Product type impacts the speed of absorption and treatment results. It’s better to research various forms of CBD products and find the most effective for your condition. Usually, it takes time before you find out what works best. However, it’s worth researching available products because what helps someone else, might not work for you.

Here are the most well-known CBD Products:

• CBD Edibles. CBD infused gummies and chocolate are delicious and widely accessible. By adding CBD edibles to your daily meals, you get both pleasures from having a dessert and potential health benefits from CBD. It can act as an inflammation or stress reliever, tastes excellent and cheers you up after lunch.
• CBD oil or tincture. They’re considered to be easy and effective ways to consume CBD. Oils are placed under the tongue, don’t pass through the lungs or liver and, therefore, get absorbed directly into the bloodstream. In such a way, oil keeps unique potency and helps to deliver the most out of CBD products.
• CBD Syrups. It’s a flavoured concentrate made to provide complete relaxation. The syrups come in a range of different flavours, colours, and strengths. CBD syrups can help to alleviate insomnia, daily stress, and some mental disorders. They can be mixed with your favourite food or beverage. It’s a convenient way to consume CBD and measure its dosage.
• CBD topicals such as lotions, balms and shampoos are applied in a way that doesn’t enter the bloodstream. Skin cells have receptors that can be directly stimulated. Topicals are used for localized treatments in cases including muscle pain, inflammation, or skin issues.
• CBD Vapes. Vaping is a trendy way of consuming CBD. You can use this method by vaping a vape juice or a cartridge. CBD compounds immediately enter the bloodstream and produce an immediate effect. So far, it’s the quickest way to consume CBD, and the peak levels are achieved within a couple of minutes after CBD inhalation.

CBD Dosage

All bodies are different, so everyone will have unique reaction to CBD consumption. There is no established dosage for CBD products, but the general recommendation is to start from lower dosages and increase it gradually. 

To achieve a more favourable effect from CBD, increase the dosage from time to time to reach the required result from treatment.

However, don’t take more than 150 mg of restore CBD extract within 24 hours.

The dosage that will meet your needs depends on many factors:

• The unique body attributes, such as age, weight, and diet
• Tolerance toward CBD and other drugs
• Health condition severity
• CBD concentration
• CBD product

There is an important thing to remember — an optimal CBD serving changes throughout the lifetime. Suffering from chronic pain requires higher doses than consuming it to manage anxiety. 

Frequency of CBD Use

Consuming CBD regularly can make you feel more relaxed and calm your mind. It can also gradually reduce chronic pain, anxiety, stress, and discomfort and helps to achieve more stable results.

With the regular use of an addictive product, the body gets used to the constant supply of dopamine, gradually lowering its natural production. This makes a person continuously consume this product to get the required level of dopamine. CBD does not cause such an effect. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that CBD is non-addictive and safe for human consumption.

CBD Side Effects

According to the WHO, the use of CBD products, even in large quantities, is considered safe and non-toxic. Side effects that can occur due to consumption of high CBD dose are mild and disappear immediately. The common side effects are dry mouth, low blood pressure, and drowsiness. No cases of CBD overdose have been reported.

In 2011, scientists studying the use of CBD in humans proved that even regular consumption of large doses, up to 1,500 mg CBD per day, was well-tolerated.

Furthermore, CBD-infused products can be incompatible with some supplements or medications, so you need to be extra careful in taking CBD products at the same time. We recommend consulting your doctor before purchase. Make sure you have no allergy to CBD components.

Tests and Certificates

When searching for high quality CBD products, inquire about tests confirmation  or certificates from the manufacturer. It acts as a confirmation that you are buying legal CBD products and that they won’t be harmful for your health.

Manufacturers should provide a particular document – Certificate of Analysis (COA), which is usually found on the company’s website or upon client’s request. The Certificate shows the full list of components and the amount of each ingredient, its legality and absence of any harmful ingredients or THC. It confirms the non-psychoactive effect of the product.

Only accredited laboratories provide test results of CBD products to ensure the analysis is independent and accurate. A certificate acts as an actual confirmation of the high quality and natural origin of the product. You can check the COA results of a product you are interested in on the website or ask a manufacturer.

Precautions and Warnings

CBD products are popular due to their ability to potentially relieve symptoms and alleviate various diseases. However, like all medicines, it has specific limitations. Individuals under the age of 18 years are forbidden to purchase such items. Cannabidiol safety for pregnant or breastfeeding women is still not confirmed. In these cases, you should refrain from taking CBD products.

Prescription CBD products have been approved for children as young as 2 years of age, but may be safe for their daily use. The accurate dose is vital, because higher doses may cause side effects.

Some researchers proved that high doses of CBD might result in muscle movement and tremors in people with Parkinson’s disease.

CBD Legality

The regulations for THC vary in different countries. The 2018 Farm Bill in the USA turned hemp from a controlled and banned plant to an agricultural commodity. This means hemp is legalized federally, and farmers may get licenses, loans for hemp cultivation, and federal crop insurance to grow cannabis. However, the legislation in each state also varies.

EU regulations allow for growing industrial hemp legally if it has less than 0.2% of THC. Hemp or CBD-infused items should get approval before being placed on the market. If the product meets particular and strict standards, the CBD product is considered legal for selling and purchasing.