Trying different CBD products on a daily basis has allowed me to learn so much about what to look for, but turn back 2 years ago and I felt absolutely clueless. For anyone that’s starting out and trying to work out the difference between the vast range of CBD tinctures on the market, it can feel overwhelming, so I’ve written up the following tips to help you make the right choice.
Study the Certificate of Analysis
All CBD brands should have got a third party lab test on a batch of their products before selling them, while most brands will make this available as a PDF from the product page. You should have a read through of the lab results, to make sure the product has the stated levels of CBD, not to mention other cannabinoids to make it full-spectrum (if stating it is).
The test will also highlight that there were no traces of heavy metals, pesticides, or residual solvents. These are critical as hemp is highly porous, so if the plant isn’t properly looked after, these nasty ingredients will pass through to the oil in the extraction process.
Of course, if you can’t find the certificate of analysis, you can contact the CBD brand to request it and they will happily provide it unless they have something to hide. If they don’t provide the lab results, it should ring alarm bells.
I like to opt for brands that also have high levels of CBG, or cannabigerol, which has a huge number of potential benefits, from pain relief to helping deal with neurodegenerative diseases.
You should also look at when the test took place, as some brands show test results performed years ago, which makes me anxious as I feel they should be kept up to date in order to continuously prove you’re keeping to high standards.
Are You Drug Tested
Many people have to be drug tested for work and the consumption of THC, the psycho toxic element that gets you ‘high’, will lead to you fail the drug test. If the product contains THC, it will be labeled as a full spectrum. Your two alternatives are isolated, meaning just CBD, or broad-spectrum, which means it contains other cannabinoids but no THC.
Having said that, I’d always sway on the side of caution when brands state they contain no THC, as many private studies have shown this to be inaccurate.
How Much CBD
Many people opt for a 500mg CBD tincture for their first purchase, being more fairly priced, which is probably a good starting point. Any lower and it might not have the desired effect. As you test your body’s tolerance, you can then go up from this number to a 1,000 or 1,500mg version.
I’ve highlighted Montana Wellness as the best CBD oil in the UK, which is a 1,500mg version, but I’ve consumed a large quantity of CBD oil over time and I require something a little stronger.
Flavoured or Unflavoured
I personally don’t mind the taste of CBD oil, however, get a group together and 8 out of 10 would say they struggle with the taste. This is why flavored CBD oil is growing so much in popularity. The different flavors available are also rapidly expanding, from the traditional flavors like mint or lemon to interesting new options such as lychee or cherry.
Carrier Oil
All CBD tinctures will contain some form of carrier oil to ensure the highest level of bioavailability after consumption. MCT oil is the ideal carrier oil, which many brands use, however, some will use cheaper alternatives such as olive oil.
Price Shouldn’t Be a Deciding Factor
The price of CBD oil can vary quite drastically, despite offering the exact same product, while often I have found a cheaper product can work just as well as a premium-priced CBD oil. You therefore shouldn’t just assume a more expensive option will work better, it will take a bit of experimentation and higher mg CBD oil will always cost more, but make sure to shop around and read plenty of reviews.
Oil or Edibles
You’re no longer limited to CBD oil, there is a wealth of options available, including gummies, teas and coffees, capsules, sprays, honey, and vaping. If you want to gain results quickly then vaping works rapidly, often kicking in after around 10 minutes. On the other hand, gummies tend to take quite a bit longer. If you’re taking CBD oil to help you sleep, you should look to take it 45 minutes before going to bed.
Hold It Under Your Tongue
Once you’ve finally taken the plunge, it’s time to actually take some. Follow the instructions on the back and you will be told to put a few drops under your tongue and hold it there for a period of time before swallowing the rest. A large number of brands will state you should hold it under your tongue for 20-30 seconds, however, numerous studies have shown that you should actually hold it there for 1-2 minutes, so remain patient and keep it there for a bit longer.