CBD Ordering - What to Watch Out for When Ordering CBD Oil?
It’s no exaggeration to say that the past 5-6 years have seen a genuine cannabis revolution unfold worldwide, and it’s still ongoing. Even countries that previously found the idea unimaginable are opening up to legalization; in some places, severe prison sentences were once imposed for even minimal cannabis possession. Thailand is a prime example, where the government has taken significant steps towards decriminalization and, in 2022, paved the way for the plant’s medical use.
The popularity and social acceptance of cannabis products are gradually increasing in other countries as well, thanks to a previously little-known compound called cannabidiol, or CBD. CBD is one of the most abundant natural compounds found in cannabis. It has no psychoactive effects, does not cause addiction, and even in high doses, no harmful health effects have been identified.
SO, WHAT IS CBD GOOD FOR?
Hemp containing CBD was one of the first cultivated plants from which humanity utilized every part. Its fibers were used to make rope and canvas (the English word “canvas” itself derives from cannabis), and its leaves and flowers were often brewed into tea. Back in 2737 BC, the Chinese Emperor Sheng Neng referred to it as medicine that relieves pain, arthritis, malaria, gout symptoms, and improves memory. The modern revival of cannabis and its components owes much to reports and videos shared online by parents of epileptic children treated with CBD. CBD can act as an effective anti-seizure agent, even in cases where conventional medications have failed. (For example, GW Pharma, an English company, has registered a high-CBD pharmaceutical specifically for epilepsy treatment.)
CBD isn’t a miracle cure, but it’s capable of amazing things by indirectly influencing one of our body’s key regulatory systems: the endocannabinoid system, which controls many vital biological processes including appetite, sleep, pain perception, and even mood regulation.
It’s no coincidence that in recent years there has been huge demand for CBD Oil, extracts, and CBD-infused foods, reflected by the proliferation of online and offline stores selling CBD-containing products. Alongside this growth, the number of CBD products has surged, many of which are unfortunately of poor quality.
HEMP SEED OIL OR CBD OIL
Hemp seed oil is not CBD Oil! Hemp seed oil is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, not the flowers, so it contains only trace amounts of CBD. Yet, there are products that boldly display the word “CBD” in large letters on their packaging, but if you look closely at the label or detailed description, you’ll find they contain 100% hemp seed oil only.
Hemp seed oil is a very good carrier oil for diluting concentrated cannabis extracts, which is why many CBD Oils are based on it, but on its own it has no therapeutic effect. Any legitimate product will have a clear ingredient list on its label. Only buy products that clearly state which cannabinoids (CBD, CBDA, CBDV, CBG, CBN, CBC, THC, etc.) they contain.
BROAD-SPECTRUM OR FULL-SPECTRUM?
Unfortunately, many sellers advertise CBD Oils as full or broad spectrum when in reality they only contain CBD isolate dissolved in some carrier oil.
These products have much less therapeutic value because they contain no other useful compounds besides CBD, but the manufacturer/distributor makes extra profit since isolates are cheaper to produce than fully authentic oils.
CBD works best when accompanied by other beneficial compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant. A product is considered broad-spectrum if it contains at least 2-3 additional cannabinoids besides CBD, along with plant-specific essential oils called terpenes.
Full-spectrum CBD Oil, similar to broad-spectrum, contains multiple cannabinoids and terpenes, but also includes trace amounts of THC below 0.2%.
WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME? BROAD OR FULL-SPECTRUM?
In general, full-spectrum drops offer a wider therapeutic range, but their use comes with more restrictions due to the minimal THC content. Full-spectrum CBD Oil is not recommended for athletes subject to WADA testing, those who require periodic drug tests for work, and it should be used with caution in dogs as they are far more sensitive to this component than we are.
Read our latest article about the application of full and broad-spectrum oils here: https://www.cannadolcbd.eu/hu/tudasbazis/teljes-spektrum-vagy-szeles-spektrum
HOW CAN I MAKE SURE IF MY CBD OIL IS BROAD OR FULL-SPECTRUM?
The best way is for the responsible manufacturer to provide a certificate of analysis in the product description, showing the cannabinoid profile and listing the beneficial compounds detected in measurable amounts. If a product has such a certificate, it is usually easy to download or view online, clearly showing the presence of other cannabinoids (CBG, CBDA, CBDV, CBN, THC).
Here is a sample certificate with the nine cannabinoids present in this product highlighted in yellow.
cannabinoids-b7400023-lista.pdf
It’s important that the cannabinoid certificate is not issued by the distributor or manufacturer, but by an accredited cannabis-testing laboratory specialized in this field. In Europe, the two most reputable labs are the Spanish Fundacion Canna and the Austrian IFHA.
PAY ATTENTION TO CONCENTRATION!
That is, how much beneficial compound is contained per unit dose. You can only know this if the product label clearly states it. This is a crucial detail because it helps you determine and track the amount you use. We’ve noticed some confusion here, as many sources list inaccurate drop counts. To clarify: a 10 ml bottle contains approximately 300 drops, so a 30 ml bottle holds about 900 drops of oil. If the active ingredient amount per drop isn’t listed, simply divide the total mg amount by the number of drops. Always choose a CBD Oil whose label clearly shows the amount of beneficial compounds in mg!
WHICH CBD OIL SHOULD I BUY?
Over the past 5-6 years, the number of CBD products has steadily grown, and with it the number of CBD stores as well. Most CBD Oils currently available are imported, passing through several layers of the supply chain before reaching consumers, which partly explains their higher price. Manufacturer wholesale prices include higher labor costs (such as those paid to Swiss or Austrian employees), shipping fees, wholesale markups, retail markups, and suddenly a 1000 mg product can cost 15-20,000 HUF.
We have seen posts suggesting that a CBD Oil is only good if it’s expensive, associating high price with high quality. That’s not the case. Some manufacturers/distributors— including CANNADOLTM —process raw materials locally and produce the end product themselves, significantly reducing costs and enabling lower sale prices. The quality of CBD Oil depends on the quality of the raw materials used, the ingredient list, and amounts, which responsible sellers make available on the product packaging or website. Check those certificates and compare! Choose an oil with a cannabinoid certificate that contains as many beneficial compounds beyond CBD as possible!
CBD OIL DRUG INTERACTIONS
Before purchasing CBD or cannabis oil, it’s important to consider that CBD can affect the absorption of several medications, and some medicines in turn affect how CBD works. Read our comprehensive article to find out if you can safely use CBD alongside medications you are currently taking.
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