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Buy CBD Oil - 5 Considerations

Buy CBD Oil - 5 Considerations

January 20, 2021 Vitalibis Team

Buy CBD Oil – What Is CBD Oil?

CBD or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with a rich history as a medicine going back thousands of years. Today the therapeutic properties of CBD are being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world. A safe, non-addictive substance, CBD is one of more than 80 “phytocannabinoids,” which are unique to cannabis and endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is another well-known cannabinoid within the cannabis plant. THC is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects. Oil from industrial hemp has less than .3% THC by dried weight, so not enough to cause typical psychoactive effects related to consuming high quantities of THC.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that act directly and indirectly on cannabinoid receptors inside the body, to help the body maintain stability and health. Our bodies make their own cannabinoids – called endocannabinoids – to work on cannabinoid receptors within youe Endocannabinoid System. Phytocannabinoids can be supplemented to assist in promoting overall health, wellness and homeostasis. CBD and THC are just two of 80+ cannabinoids within the hemp plant. Other cannabinoids are, Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA), Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA), Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and many others typically in very trace amounts.

Buy CBD Oil – What Type?

There are many types of CBD products. CBD is really a product category vs a product itself. Below are the main categories for CBD products.

CBD Isolate

CBD Isolate is a pure, crystalline powder that contains only cannabidiol. All the plant matter contained in the hemp plant, including oils, waxes, chlorophyll, and more are removed during the extraction process, offering a finished product that's cannabidiol and nothing more. Cannabidiol Isolate products are typically clear / odorless and can be infused with terpene mixes and flavoring.

Full Spectrum

Full spectrum, phytocannabinoid rich hemp oil contains all the beneficial elements of the plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, chlorophyll, flavanoids, fatty acids, etc. Of the 80+ cannabinoids, the most abundant cannabinoid found in hemp is the non-psychoactive element known as cannabidiol.

Due to its full range of elements, including cannabinoids and terpenes, full spectrum oils are known to have an "entourage effect" - a wide ranging, synergistic effect that is potentially more therapeutic than isolate

Broad Spectrum

Broad spectrum is a bit of a mix between Full Spectrum and Isolate. Like Full Spectrum, the other compounds found within the plant are preserved in the extract; however, like Isolate, THC is completely removed. It is found in research that trace amounts of THC help agitate the cell receptors in the Endocannabinoid System for improved "entourage effects".

With this understanding, you will also see CBD products using varying marketing terms: water soluble CBD, nano-CBD, liposomic CBD, etc. along with many extraction processes. Do your research, ask lots of questions, speak to health professionals and google a bunch of articles.

Buy CBD Oil – What Strength?

If you feel shopping for a CBD oil is confusing – you’re not alone. As you can see, there are many types of products, and then those products have different potency levels (or strengths). Potency levels will fluctuate with price.

A 300mg full spectrum CBD product will be a very different cost and efficacy vs a 1200mg CBD Isolate product. We created a blog post to help with understanding CBD oil costs.

From our experience along with feedback from our customers, our best-selling CBD oil is our Signature 600. This oil has approximately 600mg of CBD oil per 30ml bottle. Meaning, 1 full dropper of oil includes around 20mg of CBD.

Buy CBD Oil – What Dosage?

How much CBD oil to take is a very common inquiry with many articles written across the internet. Many people falsely interpret that the higher the dose the better for the person. Each person’s Endocannabinoid System is different so finding the right dosage is important.

Before trying CBD, be sure to talk to your doctor about an appropriate dosage and any potential risks. If your doctor tells you how much to use, stick to their recommendation. If your doctor doesn’t provide a recommendation, it’s best to start with a smaller dosage and gradually increase it. Continue this until you feel that it’s effectively treating your symptoms. And keep track of how much CBD you’re taking and whether your symptoms are getting better.

Here is a blog post on CBD Dosing.

Buy CBD Oil – What Brand?

Brands selling CBD oil are making many claims, most of which they should not be making. Brands should be educating consumers, not making claims around sleep, anxiety, cancer, pain, etc. Additionally, look for a brand which follows industry standard labeling. Vitalibis labeling is a solid example of how a label should be designed. Also, look for brands who provide robust test results. Again, see our Vitalibis testing results as a solid example (Signature 600 Test Results). Finally, be wary of brands stating that their oil is organic. This can be very misleading. Yes, brands can purchase hemp biomass which is grown using organic practices, however unless you see a USDA or CCOF certified organic symbol on the packaging with supporting documentation, be wary of this as a marketing tactic. Brands you purchase from should be following the rules and acting ethically, not making claims which they cannot support.

We recently published a blog post on USDA Organic certified CBD oil for more information.