How to Choose the Right CBD Product - The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
If you are new to the world of CBD oil, you might be a little confused if you step into a store that sells CBD products. There are a variety of different concentrations, types and forms, and once you get through all of that, you then have to figure out which brand offers the best quality. This page breaks down a variety of different CBD products by category to help you come up with a short list of products that might be ideal for you.
For the purpose of this page, we will not focus on CBD products made from marijuana. Unless you live in a marijuana-legal state, if you want CBD oil with levels of THC higher than 0.3%, you will have to obtain a medical marijuana card. To do that, you will need a qualifying medical condition, and you will have to visit a dispensary to make a legal purchase. Our CBD oil comes from hemp, which means it is legal to purchase over the counter in most states.
As with any CBD purchase, consult your doctor about which type of concentrate and product are ideal for meeting your needs.
Types of CBD
There are three main types of CBD products, depending on how much of the cannabis plant is used. They are:
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum products use a plant extract that combines all of the cannabinoids present in cannabis to provide a potent, dynamic effect. By ingesting all of the compounds together, the user is taking CBD in a form close to how it exists in nature, and thus is getting a balanced dose. Furthermore, research shows that the additional cannabinoids present in cannabis tend to enhance the effects of CBD. (This is known as the entourage effect.) Remember: Full-spectrum products also contain THC. However, because legal CBD oil must come from hemp, THC levels must be lower than 0.3%.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum products follow exactly the same formulation and reasoning as full-spectrum products. However, they have no THC at all. There are a number of reasons why these products are made. One reason is that certain states only allow CBD oil when there is no (i.e. zero) THC present. Also, certain users may have a medical condition that does not react well to THC, like schizophrenia for example.
CBD Isolate
This type of CBD product is pure CBD. During harvesting, the manufacturer will chemically isolate CBD from the other compounds in the extract, and reduce it to a powder, liquid, or other stable form. This product exists because some users have very specific reasons for wanting to know and limit exactly what they put in their bodies. Also, this form allows people to identify exactly how much CBD they are consuming. CBD isolate is potent, and great for people who want a strong dose.
CBD Forms and Products
There are many different forms of CBD products. The form that is right for you is the form that works best for you and fits your budget. Make sure that the dose you are taking provides the results that you are looking for.
CBD Oil Concentrates
One of the most common forms that people purchase, oil concentrates simply combine the cannabis extract with a carrier oil that the body can easily absorb. Unrefined coconut MCT oil is an excellent option, as are hemp seed oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil. Taking an extract raw will not do your body much good, as it will fail to assimilate properly into your body. The right carrier oil makes the extract bioavailable so that it starts working right away.
CBD Isolate Powder
Pure Crystalline CBD often comes in a powder form that you can add to smoothies or other food items, dissolve in water, or even put into a vape pen and smoke. As stated earlier, CBD isolate is potent, and is useful for regulating an accurate dose.
CBD Capsules
Capsules are convenient; they provide a single, accurate dose, and are easy to consume. Wash one down with a glass of water, and you’re off and running.
CBD Edibles
Chewable candies are even more convenient than capsules, and are often combined with an energy component. They provide a little kick of sugar, and pack a strong flavor.
CBD Tinctures
Unlike an oil concentrate, a tincture uses alcohol as a solvent to absorb the CBD extract from the plant; the user then places a drop of the tincture under the tongue where it can easily absorb into the system. Tinctures can be 60 to 70 percent alcohol, which means that they last longer on a store shelf. If you are sensitive to alcohol, you may want to consider an oil concentrate instead.
CBD Vape Oil
As you might imagine, this is CBD oil in a smokable form, designed to be used in a vape cartridge. The vape pen vaporizes the oil, and the user absorbs it through the lungs.
CBD Skin Products
There are a number of skin products containing CBD that function the same way as traditional skin balms. CBD can be added to salves, lotions, oils, or other products that are designed to help them absorb into your system. If you suffer from an inflammatory skin condition, you may find these products especially useful.
CBD Hair Products
CBD manufacturers also have been known to design hair products that feature CBD. These products enable CBD to be absorbed by your scalp, and may help you have healthier hair.
CBD Pet Products
Like humans, your pets have an endocannabinoid system. That means that they also benefit from taking CBD. Pet products include oils, treats, and even shampoos.
Contact Sonny’s Wellness for Additional Information about CBD Products
Here at Sonny’s Wellness, we make every effort to educate our buyers on the different types and forms of CBD products available. We source our hemp from only the best growers, and utilize a manufacturing process that makes sure that you get more than your money’s worth. If you want to learn about the kinds of products we offer here at Sonny’s Wellness, please visit our product page here.
If you still have additional questions, please feel free to call us for more information.
*The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.