Want to join the CBD hype but you’re not sure what you should and shouldn’t do? This article will provide you with all the important dos and don’ts you need to go from CBD newbie to CBD savvy.
CBD is a hot topic in the health and wellness space and has been so for quite a while now. This three-letter chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant has managed to gain rapid popularity in the past few years. It started out with oils and tinctures and, all of a sudden, we have CBD creams, balms, vapes, pet treats, and edibles lining store shelves and further fueling the green hype. To say that things escalated pretty quickly would be a huge understatement.
But the rapid growth of the legal cannabis industry also brought a lot of confusion among consumers. That’s what happens when there’s a lot of interest in a range of products, but not enough information to guide consumers on why or how to use them. Unfortunately, although the legalization and sale of cannabis are advancing rapidly all across the world, the cannabis landscape is still plagued with contradictory information and myths that make it difficult for people to gain a better understanding of these products.
A lot of CBD newbies are still struggling to find answers to their questions: how should CBD be consumed? How much to take? Can CBD get you high? These are just some of the issues that run through the mind of a person who’s eager to jump on the CBD bandwagon but doesn’t know where to start. So, in order to make matters easier, we’ve compiled an expert-approved list of CBD dos and don’ts that should help you start your CBD journey on the right foot.
Whether you want to give CBD oil a try or enjoy CBD-infused chocolate, the one thing you should always do when considering consuming a CBD product is to carefully read the label. The label should provide essential information on the product such as the manufacturer or distributor of the product, the full list of ingredients, CBD concentration, dosage, warning statements, and other recommendations. If the product comes without a label or provides insufficient information on the product’s ingredients and properties, that’s a big red flag warning you to stay away from it and look elsewhere for your CBD.
With so many CBD products on the market, it’s easy to assume that not all will be of the same quality. But how can you distinguish the good ones from the average or poor ones? It’s simple, you should look for a COA when shopping for CBD products. A COA or certification of analysis is an accredited laboratory document that proves the product has been tested by a third party. The COA reveals exactly what's in your CBD product, so you’ll know for sure what you’re getting, and rest assured there are no harmful ingredients to worry about.
You should be able to access the COA by scanning the QR code on the product’s label, or you can usually find it on the company’s website. If you can’t seem to find the COA, you should email the company and ask them to provide it.
CBD products are known to have very few side effects, but that doesn’t mean everyone reacts the same when consuming CBD. That’s why it’s best to talk to your health provider if you’re planning to introduce a CBD product into your routine, especially if you’re suffering from a medical condition and your goal is to treat its symptoms. Your doctor is the only qualified person to advise you on health matters and help you make an informed decision.
With the passage of the Farm Bill in 2018, the cultivation and sale of hemp were legalized at the federal level, meaning that hemp-derived CBD is also legal. However, certain states have put restrictions on the commercialization of CBD products, so CBD legality varies from one state to another. If you don’t want to make sure it’s legal to purchase CBD in your area, you should consult with your local authorities about it.
A lot of people are afraid that consuming CBD will get them high. This is a common concern among users stemming from the confusion between CBD and his famous cousin THC, the cannabinoid responsible for the high experienced by users. As long as the CBD you’re consuming is derived from hemp (which contains less than 0.3% THC), there are no chances of you getting high. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating, so you can enjoy all its health benefits without any euphoric effects.
A lot of people expect CBD effects to kick in immediately after consuming a product. However, the length of time you have to wait until you can experience CBD effects varies a lot, based on the consumption method and dosage. Also, just because you’ve taken CBD once and you haven’t felt anything, doesn’t mean CBD isn’t working for you. In most cases, people have to go through a trial-and-error process to find the right product and dosage that will help them get the results they’re looking for.
All the hype surrounding CBD has got many people thinking it’s some sort of magical ingredient that can help with everything, but that’s not the case. Although CBD has many potential health benefits and people use it for all sorts of reasons, it is far from being a universal panacea. It can’t help you solve all your health-related issues and it most certainly can’t help you get your life together. So, instead of waiting for CBD to be a miracle worker, you should read some studies about it and find out what scientists say it can and can’t do.
Photo: Pixabay
