The cannabis plant contains many cannabinoids. Most individuals know of THC, one cannabinoid found in the plant, and quite a few know the term CBD. However, they aren’t as familiar with this cannabinoid, which many men and women use for treating certain medical conditions. CBD, or cannabidiol, comes from hemp and marijuana plants and benefits those suffering from seizures, anxiety, pain, and countless other conditions. However, CBD doesn’t make the user high, as THC does. When a person tries CBD as part of their treatment plan, they need to ensure they get a quality product. What is CBD used for, and what should a person consider when determining the purity of CBD oil?

Uses for CBD

Read a magazine, turn on the TV, or browse the internet, and you will probably see ads for CBD products. Research shows this cannabinoid provides countless health benefits, and experts predict they will identify more in the future. People use CBD to treat childhood epilepsy cases that don’t respond to conventional treatments. It helps men and women suffering from insomnia and anxiety. In addition, CBD helps those suffering from chronic pain and inflammation. However, individuals need to ensure they obtain the purest CBD oil to get the desired benefits.

As CBD has been proven effective for many conditions, researchers continue to explore novel ways to use it. Topical CBD products appear to help those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and the oil may be good for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. These are only a few of the conditions scientists are researching to see how they benefit the patient when they include CBD in their treatment plan.

The Manufacturing Process

Consumers should research the manufacturing process before purchasing CBD oil. Manufacturers use extraction to remove the oil from the plant, but this process has yet to be standardized or regulated. It falls on the consumer to know which method the manufacturer used and how each affects the purity of the oil. For example, certain manufacturers use toxic solvents when extracting the CBD oil, and these same gases appear in butane and propane along with other consumer products.

The purest CBD oil comes from manufacturers using the supercritical CO2 (carbon dioxide) extraction process. What does supercritical mean in this situation? The manufacturer uses carbon dioxide under higher pressure in freezing conditions. However, this process costs more than the solvent method, and consumers should expect to pay more to get a pure product. The manufacturers use high-grade equipment and employ experts to ensure they produce an outstanding product.

Certain companies use organic, pharmaceutical-grade ethanol to extract CBD from the plant. Using this process, manufacturers get the highest output of oil. Furthermore, experts agree this remains the safest way to produce oil for use by humans, as the ethanol used removes any toxins from the plant.

How the Plant is Grown

Plants absorb minerals from the soil. However, they absorb other toxins when doing so. For this reason, individuals purchasing CBD products must know where the plant grew and what was in the soil. This helps determine the purity of the oil is purchased. Rich soil produces plants of excellent quality, which means the CBD extracted from the plant will be of high quality. Evidence of organic growing conditions provides the consumer with confidence when purchasing.

The Presence of THC

Men and women purchasing CBD oil need to know the THC concentration in the product. Under current law, products labeled as CBD oil or CBD treatments cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC. THC is the substance found in marijuana that produces the many high people chase, and CBD users aren’t looking for this.

Independent Testing

Manufacturers offering pure, high-quality CBD products have these products tested by an independent source. The third-party labs validate the contents of the product and the manufacturing processes used. The labs verify this information against what the manufacturer prints on the label. As consumers want a high-quality product with no impurities and the allowable concentration of CBD, they prefer knowing an outside source is overseeing the labeling process. If the retailer cannot provide the lab results, call the manufacturer and request a copy. Don’t simply take the company’s word that they have conducted this testing.

One benefit of requesting this information is that it shows companies consumers want and need this information. A reputable company might avoid testing to keep costs down. When they see customers want to know that the products they buy have obtained this independent verification, they agree to the testing. They understand doing so can help generate more interest in the products and more sales.

Ingredients

Consumers must also understand the difference between isolated CBD oils and full-spectrum CBD products. The industry consensus at this time is that full-spectrum CBD products are more effective. Nevertheless, testing continues to ensure this holds true for all products. Researchers recognize things change with time. Producers continue to expand on their knowledge base to keep up with these changes and ensure they provide consumers with the information needed to make a purchasing decision.

Full-spectrum products use all parts of the plant, which means the consumer receives the benefits associated with the cannabinoid and the flavonoids, the terpenes, the phytonutrients, and other cannabinoids present in the plant. They work together to provide medicinal benefits, just as whole foods do as opposed to isolated supplements.

Individuals who want to avoid any THC in their CBD products because they worry about getting high or failing a drug test need to choose isolated CBD. Every product label needs to provide information on the CBD and THC concentrations in the product. When the label doesn’t share this information, consumers should select another brand to purchase.

While it takes time to research different CBD oil providers, this work pays off over time. A consumer finds they don’t have to do similar research in the future because they already have a reputable provider to work with. When consumers purchase from reputable brands, the industry becomes stronger, and all individuals have access to outstanding CBD products that benefit their lives.