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There has been an absolute explosion of interest around CBD in recent years, particularly in the UK. The US CBD market was valued at $2.8 billion in 2020 and this number is expected to exceed $15 billion in the next 5 years. The numbers are truly staggering, and we are seeing the UK market move at a similarly rapid rate, albeit perhaps a year or so behind in terms of the maturity of the market. This has led to an influx of online CBD stores where you can buy CBD online in a number of forms.
This increase in popularity has seen an, at times, the overwhelming abundance of varied delivery methods, from CBD oil in a tincture format, to topical CBD creams, transdermal CBD patches, and CBD e-liquids.
While there are of course pros and cons to each of these delivery formats, and merits that will make them more suitable for some than others, there is no single product that is ‘better’ than others. It is always down to the user themselves and finding the right product for them.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is just one of the 113 phytocannabinoids that we are currently aware of exist within the cannabis plant. This number may well be higher!
CBD is a close cousin of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC as it is more commonly known. Unlike THC however, CBD does not possess psychoactive properties – i.e. it does not have a psychoactive effect on the user. IT is in fact THC that is responsible for producing the ‘high’ typically associated with cannabis in popular culture.
The World Health Organization state that “there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” This explains why there has been such a rise in popularity for CBD as the potential benefits far outweigh the, at worst, benign side effects.
CBD was first recognized in 1940m when American chemist Roger Adams successfully isolated CBD from cannabis via ethanol extraction. The proceeding years have seen sparse research until the recent boom.
We now know there are 3 main types of CBD that are defined by their extraction processes.
What are the Different Types of CBD?
While the world of CBD can be confusing at times, particularly with such an array of products on offer, the three main types of CBD available are actually fairly straightforward:
- Full Spectrum CBD – Full spectrum CBD contains a ‘full’ range of compounds found within the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids terpenes, and flavonoids. Full-spectrum also contains THC, but this must be below the legal limit of 0.2%.
- Broad-Spectrum CBD – Broad spectrum is essentially the same as full-spectrum CBD, but with the absence of THC.
- CBD Isolate – CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. This often comes in a crystal or powder form and contains CBD with no additional compounds.
While it can be difficult to decide which of these are the right choice for you as an individual, there are a few basic points to consider.
Full-spectrum CBD is the best choice if you want to experience the full range of effects associated with cannabis. This is known as the entourage effect, which means that the various compounds work together to provide a more potent effect than if you were just to take one. One should not be hugely concerned about the presence of THC as the legal limit is 0.2%, which is not enough to intoxicate the user unless they consume an irresponsibly large dose. The user should take into consideration any drug test that they may have to undergo, however. The presence of THC means that you are likely to be flagged as having used cannabis. For those operating heavy machinery, or participating in professional sport, full-spectrum CBD is probably not the best option.
Moving on, broad-spectrum CBD does not contain THC, so any potential intoxication is bordering on impossible. The downside is that you do not enjoy the added benefit of the aforementioned entourage effect due to the absence of THC. That’s not to say there are no additional benefits, however, as there are still other terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids present.
Finally, CBD isolate is the purest form is CBD and is typically used in beverages and food due to the lack of taste and odor. As previously mentioned, anyone who undertakes drug testing or who drives for a living may want to opt for CBD isolate products. This is because it is the purest form and does not contain THC or any other cannabinoids, flavonoids, or terpenes for that matter. While the effects may be lessened, it is certainly the ‘safest’ option.
Cost is Important
While the inbound novel food legislation on March 31st, 2021 should weed out (no pun intended!) some of the more nefarious actors in the CBD market, there will no doubt be a few straggling chancers that slip through the net.
This is why it is important to take note of the cost. The extraction and production processes of CBD products are costly procedures, and this will be reflected in the price of any legitimate product. Seeing a bottle of CBD oil or CBD e-liquid for a price below £10 for example should always set alarm bells ringing.
While there undoubtedly a number of vastly overpriced products, there is certainly a ‘sweet spot’ that you should be looking at. Pricing between the ranges of £25-£50 for a 1000mg bottle of CBD oil is reasonable for a quality product.
If you are ever in doubt, any self-respecting vendor should have independent third-party lab reports to hand so that you can see the ingredients for yourself.
Take Note of Reviews
Reviews are of course an important measure of any e-commerce vendor in the modern-day. While it is possible to ‘game’ simplistic review systems such as Google Reviews, there are far more robust alternatives such as TrustPilot who offer a far more reliable picture of any business.
It is also important to note that many people still don’t understand the nature of how CBD acts on the body. Many reviews will claim that they tried the product once, or perhaps even for a week and it did not work. This is unsurprising. CBD builds up in your system through sustained use over a prolonged period of time and most medical experts postulate that it takes between 8-10 weeks of use for notable changes to occur.
One should also be aware of any hyperbolic reviews that chastise the product unnecessarily. The CBD industry is something of a battleground at times and it is not uncommon for competitors to cynically ‘review’ the products of their competition.
Experiment with Products
As mentioned earlier in the article, there is an awe-inspiring galaxy of delivery methods available to buy and this variation will only continue to diversify.
It is important for the user to understand what exactly they are trying to use CBD for, as all products work differently.
For example, a user would need to take CBD oil or CBD capsules 3-4 times a day (dependent on the product itself) for best results. On the other hand, a transdermal CBD patch can be applied to the arm and then consistently delivers CBD into the bloodstream over a 24-hour period.
As previously mentioned, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ product, it’s all about experimenting and finding the right product that works for you and fits in with your lifestyle.
Always Seek third-party Lab Reports
Independent third-party lab reports provide a trustworthy breakdown of exactly what is contained within that particular product. These will be produced by a laboratory with no affiliation to the vendor, thus it can be taken at face value.
There are no legitimate CBD companies in the UK that would not be able to produce this documentation, so any denial of this should set alarm bells ringing.
While it is important to be aware of the exact breakdown of ingredients from a cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid perspective, we also want to ensure our own safety. This means that you should always check third-party independent lab reports to confirm the absence of harmful additives such as heavy metals or pesticides.
Opt for GMP Certified CBD Products
GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices. This is a form of certification that is awarded by the Department of Health to manufacturers who are in accordance with the highest manufacturing standards.
The UK Government website states that products must:
- Be of consistent high quality
- Be appropriate to their intended use
- Meet the requirements of the marketing authorization (MA) or product specification
Essentially this is ensuring that the entire manufacturing process, from seed to bottle, is of the highest possible standard. The presence of such certification should fill the buyer with confidence and assure them that the product is of the highest quality.
Conclusion
As outlined in this article, the CBD industry is a rapidly evolving one and the array of products can often be overwhelming. This is not helped by a number of nefarious actors hoping to earn a quick pound before the introduction of the Novel Food Legislation at the end of March 2021.
However, this article should stand in your good stead for making a far more educated decision when it comes to choosing the right CBD product for you.
The variety of products should be seen as exciting, rather than overbearing, as there is likely a product for everyone’s particular requirements!
The key takeaways from this article are; don’t buy cheap, experiment with different products, and always seek independent third-party lab reports!
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This content is brought to you by Alex Harber.
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