It's hard to compete with the sheer convenience of buying CBD oil online. You can search, browse, comparison shop, and check prices, all from the comfort of your own home. No need to hunt for a local supplier, deal with the questions of salespeople, or stand in lines waiting to check out. All you need to do is run a search, order your products, and wait. In a matter of days, the CBD oil of your choice will be delivered right to your doorstep, and you can get started with the next stage of your wellness journey.
As with anything you order online, however, you'll want to do your due diligence. In order for this process to run smoothly, however, you'll want a reliable guide to buying CBD oil online.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying CBD Oil Online
To make sure you're getting the best possible products for your money, use these general principles as a guide to buying CBD oil online.
Step 1: Investigate the oil's origin.
As any farmer worth their salt will tell you, there's a definite link between soil, taste, and nutrition in the things they grow. Grass-fed cattle in New Zealand, for instance, produce a delicious butter that contains different flavors and textures than any other butter in the world. This is not simply because of the nature of the plants the cattle consume (grown in nutrient-rich, volcanic-ash-fed soil) but because New Zealand has stricter rules about antibiotics and hormones than other countries. The result? Unique, high-quality butter unlike any other.
What's true for New Zealand's butter can also be true for CBD oils. The quality of the oil is a direct result of the quality of the hemp from which its made, the guidance and standards under which the oil has been produced, and other individual factors.
There are actually three types of cannabis: Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. These "parent" types break down into many variations and hybrids, all of which have an effect on the quality and nature of the CBD oil you purchase.
The bottom line: just because many CBD oils are listed together on the same internet marketplace sites does not mean they have all been created equally. Whether the variations among them are major or slight, many of the differences find their beginnings in the oils' origins.
Step 2: Learn about processing and extraction techniques.
Most CBD oil is extracted from the leaves, stems, and flowers of the cannabis Sativa plant through one of the following extraction methods:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - This is the most commonly used method for oil extraction in the industry. Plant matter is put in a series of pressurized chambers into which CO2 is introduced. As the plant matter breaks down, the oil is separated from the leaves.
- Solvent Distillation - This is a cheaper method, largely preferred by those who distill at home. While some who use this method employ natural solvents to separate the oils from the plants, others use hydrocarbon solvents, which could create unpleasant tastes and smells--not to mention potentially toxic end results.
- Steam Distillation - Similarly to the CO2 method, hot water and steam can be used to separate plant matter and oils; however, this method is much less efficient. Furthermore, the heat can actually alter the chemical compounds (and therefore the therapeutic benefits) of the oils.
As you can see, the extraction method technique favored can have a major effect on the quality of the end results.
Step 3: Look into the testing protocols.
The USDA's guides and testing protocols are very clear. Sampling and testing for quality and THC concentration are required for hemp products.
The cannabis plant has a complicated biological profile. It includes more than 400 compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, fatty acids, etc. Teasing out and measuring one of those compounds, ∆9-THC, can be done using several different methods...[High] performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) is the most accurate and reliable testing protocol for measuring ∆9-THC concentrations in hemp. (Kight on Cannabis)
As you consider buying CBD oil online, bear in mind that unapproved products that do not demonstrate a compliance with testing methods and protocols should be treated with extreme caution. Without clear testing protocols, the oil's claims, dosing recommendations, and uses could be highly suspect.
Step 4: Weigh any potential risks.
By and large, CBD oils are well-tolerated by the human body.
While the dangers associated with applications of CBD oils are low, it's important to remember that as with anything in life, the use of CBD oils can carry some risks; and due to individual factors, those risks will be higher for some people than for others.
CBD use has been associated with the following potential side-effects:
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
Additionally, if you're on any medications (particularly blood thinners), the oils could interact with your system differently.
In making your decisions regarding CBD oils and products, it's always smart to check with your doctor and discuss pros, cons, and any potential risks that your doctor might be able to bring to your attention.
The Bottom Line
CBD oils are largely considered safe and effective. Because they do not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high, most people can feel free to add CBD oils to their health and wellness routines without too much cause for concern, particularly if they're consulting with their doctor.
You must always bear in mind, however, that all CBD oils are not created equally. Everything from the origins of the plants, the extraction techniques used, the testing protocols applied to the products, and the internal standards of the supplier could have an effect on the quality and effectiveness of the oils themselves.
When buying CBD oils online, always ensure that you're dealing with a reputable company with a proven track record.
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