The Best CBD
The Best CBD –
Since CBD became legal in Indiana on March 21st, 2018, it has soared in popularity. For many, that led to questions and concerns. What is CBD? How does it help with pain? Is it safe? Can my pet take it? How do I use it? Will it help me sleep? Does it show in a drug test? How do I know which one to buy? Is it just another fad? What is the best CBD?
These are all great questions to ask before putting something ‘new’ into your body. However, CBD (hemp oil) is far from new. Scientists have traced the origins of hemp back to 8,000 BC. Throughout the years it has been used for rope, building materials, and as a healing plant. Further research has sky-rocketed in the last 20 years to help shed more light on its medicinal properties.
“Weeding” Out the Competition
There are literally thousands of CBD brands in the world. How does one even begin to research to find the best CBD company? There is so much information, almost too much. This can be daunting and overwhelming to most.
The truth is that there is no ‘best CBD company’. That’s right. However, there are some important things to look for when researching CBD:
Ingredients
Less is more. Generally, a high-quality CBD oil will only have 2-3 ingredients, including a carrier oil. MCT (coconut oil) is a good one because it is clean and may boost heart health. Also, pure and unflavored is generally preferred. A quality CBD oil shouldn’t taste like mints or berries. It should have a mild ‘earthy’ taste.
Potency
500mg in a 1 oz. bottle is generally considered to be low-normal potency. A high potency in the same size bottle would be 1,500mg-2,000mg. The average serving for most is 15mg-20mg/day. Doing the math, a 500mg bottle will yield about 30 days. For comparison, some companies may sell a 200mg bottle for only $19.99. This seems like a bargain, but that bottle will only last 11-12 days. A 30-day supply would be nearly 3 bottles…nearly $60! Also, beware of bottles containing 3,000mg+. CBD in such high concentrations has to go through much more processing which can greatly reduce the quality and efficacy.
Extraction
There are several ways to extract CBD from the hemp plant. The most popular are Sub-Zero, C02, and Ethanol/Butane. In a nutshell, using a solvent can leave behind trace amounts of certain chemicals and give an “odd” flavor. Solvent-less extraction, like C02, produces cleaner extracts than solvent-based methods. Sub-Zero involves freezing, filtering, then reheating to preserve the CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Third-Party Testing
Make sure the product you use has been tested by an unbiased, reputable third-party lab. Look for a QR code on the bottle or link in the company website.
Claims and Gimmicks
Beware of any company making false claims that their CBD cures disease or illness. Many also say their CBD is “formulated” for pain, sleep, or anxiety. This is done by adding things like melatonin, Valerian root, or turmeric. These are great herbal options but not needed when using a quality CBD product.
Water-Soluble
Because oil and water aren’t compatible, they must be mixed and processed with chemicals and detergents for it to become soluble. Trace amounts of these can remain in the finished product, which may be harmful to the body.
The Next Step
When looking for a quality CBD, it is also important to check into the company. Are they reputable? Have they been around a few years? Do they have a website with clear, concise information? Have family/friends used them? Do they meet all or most of the above criteria? Are their prices fair and reasonable? Does the product label contain good, accurate information?
Companies like Green Balance strive to offer the best quality products and provide simple information about their products. Proud to be celebrating four years in business this month, Green Balance works passionately to help their customers find relief.
These are all things to consider as you are searching. While there may not be a “best” CBD company, there is certainly the best one for you!
