Key Takeaways:
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Spring for pure, potent, and high-quality CBD oil
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Always ask for third-party testing results
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Read the ingredients list to ensure there are no added fillers, chemicals, or byproducts
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil seems to be everywhere lately—at your local grocery store, at the mall, and even at gas stations. But how do you know you’re getting safe, high-quality CBD oil?
One way to make sure you're getting a safe, high-quality product is to find yourself a company selling high quality products that are actually potent. Shopping online for CBD oil is often the better option—it allows you to take your time to do your research, read reviews, and weigh your options.
If you’re new to CBD oil and aren’t sure how to know you’re getting the right product, don’t worry! It can be a little confusing and risky to know what you're getting. Let’s take a look into everything you need to know about what to look for when buying CBD oil online including important terminology, choosing the right type, ensuring quality and safety, and pricing.
CBD Oil Terminology
Before we jump in, let’s introduce some terminology to get you started:
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Hemp vs. Marijuana: Hemp plants and cannabis, or marijuana, plants are often lumped together and used interchangeably because they’re two varieties of the same plant species, Cannabis sativa. Hemp plants are simply cannabis plants specially grown to have less than 0.3% THC.
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CBD vs. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): CBD and THC are both compounds, or cannabinoids, found in hemp plants. These are two of more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids that you’ll find in hemp plants. Both THC and CBD are technically psychoactive, as is anything that affects the brain, but CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it won't produce a high.
While CBD can act on the same brain targets as THC, it does so in opposite ways. CBD even has an additional unique set of brain targets.
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Terpenes and Flavonoids: Terpenes and flavonoids are two other compounds found in hemp plants that support the benefits you get from CBD and THC. They provide a unique aroma in addition to their therapeutic effects in higher doses.
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Carrier Oils: If you’re buying CBD oil in tincture form, it’s likely to contain a carrier oil, such as grapeseed oil, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, or olive oil. The main reason for using carrier oils is to improve the bioavailability, meaning it helps your body absorb the CBD oil more effectively and efficiently.
What To Look For When Buying CBD Oil Online: Your All-Inclusive Guide
Whether you’re trying to decide what type of CBD oil is right for you or you want to ensure you’re getting a safe, high-quality oil, you’ll want to do the following:
Understand the Different Types
First things first—understand the different types of CBD oil. CBD oil comes in three common forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD retains all compounds that naturally occur in the hemp plant. These oils will include other compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids.
When multiple cannabinoids are taken together, the benefits and effects are enhanced. This phenomenon—called the entourage effect—suggests that when CBD, THC, other cannabinoids, and terpenes are all taken together they become more effective and provide greater benefits than when taken alone.
Broad-spectrum is similar to full-spectrum CBD oil in that it retains additional cannabinoids. However, this type of CBD does not have THC. Isolate is exactly what it sounds like—it’s pure, isolated CBD with no additional cannabinoids.
Ask for Third-Party Testing Results
The FDA found that more than half of the CBD products they reviewed were inaccurately labeled—in many cases, the products contained significantly more or less CBD than indicated on the packaging. So, how exactly do you know what you’re getting?
Always ask for a Certificate of Analysis to ensure proper third-party testing has been performed. Not all companies provide this, but it’s the only way to know what you’re putting in your body.
Third-party testing ensures you get what you’re paying for in addition to providing peace of mind about the safety of the product. This testing establishes the purity and consistency of the oil and tests for things like cannabinoid potency, terpene potency, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, and residual solvents.
Read the Label and Ingredients List
Look for clear and transparent labeling on the bottle—the concentration should be displayed in addition to the full list of ingredients and THC content. All federally legal CBD oils must contain less than 0.3% THC. This should be labeled on the bottle itself as well as verified in the Certificate of Analysis.
When reading the full list of ingredients, make sure there are no added fillers, chemicals, or byproducts.
Not all CBD oils are created equal, and not all CBD oils will provide the same effects and benefits. You can find CBD oils in a wide variety of strengths ranging from as little as 200 mg up to 2400+ mg. One of the most common mistakes people make is buying an inexpensive option not realizing it may have a very small amount of CBD.
Don’t sacrifice quality and strength for price—look for products that clearly list the strengths and offer higher strengths. High-quality, high-potency CBD oils are likely to be a bit more expensive. If you want to experience the full range of benefits of CBD, you’ll want to opt for higher potency. We recommend looking for strengths between 600 and 2,400 mg.
Discover a Better Way To Feel Better With Feals
At Feals, we’re dedicated to providing a simple, healthy, and better way to feel better. We provide thoughtful, high-quality hemp-based full-spectrum CBD oils designed to help you feel better while maintaining a clear head. Our rigorous third-party quality and safety testing ensures we’re delivering the purest, cleanest product using only the highest quality full-spectrum hemp and USDA organic MCT oil. We provide full transparency on what’s in every bottle of The Feals tinctures. Simply scan the bottom of your Feals bottle to view the Certificate of Analysis.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
