By 2027, the global cannabidiol (CBD) market could reach $39.99 billion. Despite the growing popularity of buying CBD products, not all CBD is made equal.
It’s important to do your due diligence when buying CBD online. Otherwise, you could purchase a low-quality product. Some products are even full of harmful fillers. With these tips, you can find high-quality products and achieve your health goals.
Don’t rush to shop from the first CBD store you find online! Instead, use these 14 tips for an effective search.
1. IDENTIFY WHY YOU WANT TO USE CBD
About 62% of CBD users report using CBD to treat a medical condition. The top three medical conditions included pain, anxiety, and depression.
Before buying CBD products online, consider what you want to use them for.
CBD interacts with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for regulating a variety of functions, including:
- Pain
- Sleep
- Appetite and digestion
- Muscle formation
- Stress
- Skin and nerve function
- Metabolism
- Mood
- Immune system response
Scientists are still learning the potential health benefits CBD might have on the body. It’s important to note that everyone has a different experience with CBD, too. Maintain realistic expectations before you start buying CBD online.
A few potential health benefits CBD might offer include:
- Chronic pain relief
- Reduce inflammation (helping patients with multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and other conditions)
- Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms (reducing the need for prescription medications that cause numerous side effects)
- Alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatment (nausea, pain, vomiting, etc.)
- Reduce acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
- Offer neuroprotective properties (benefiting patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy)
- Benefit the heart and circulatory system (reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and metabolic syndrome)
- Antipsychotic effects (helping patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders)
- Anti-tumor effects (preventing the spread of breast, brain, colon, lung, and prostate cancer)
- Diabetes prevention
- Substance abuse treatment (reducing heroin-seeking behavior and morphine dependence)
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CBD PRODUCT
About half of CBD consumers use oils, lotions, and gummies as their preferred method of delivery. Before buying CBD online, consider what CBD form you want or need.
CBD Oils and Tinctures
Consider the benefits of using CBD oil. CBD oil includes a carrier oil like olive, MCT, coconut, or hemp seed oil. You can take these products either orally or sublingually.
Taking CBD sublingually can bypass the first-pass metabolism process, absorbing CBD straight into your bloodstream by placing it under your tongue. You should experience benefits faster as a result.
You can also find CBD tinctures.
Tinctures use alcohol as the carrier base. During the manufacturing process, the alcohol is burned away. These products usually have a longer shelf-life.
You can either swallow tinctures or take them sublingually.
CBD Capsules or Pills
Some people prefer capsules or pills. Although these often take longer to metabolize, they are easy to work into your daily supplement or medication routine.
CBD Topicals
You can also purchase topicals to treat specific areas. These products are applied directly to the skin and are believed to provide localized relief from pain, inflammation, and other conditions.
A few other common CBD products include edibles, which are more discreet, and vaping
3. CONSIDER THE TYPE OF CBD
Once you choose the product form you want, consider what type of CBD you’re interested in.
CBD isolates only contain CBD.
Full-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, contains other compounds, including:
- Phytocannabinoids
- Terpenes
- Healthy fatty acids
Full-spectrum CBD products could produce the entourage effect. The entourage effect indicates taking CBD with additional phytocannabinoids could offer additional benefits. One of these cannabinoids includes THC.
If you’re wary about THC appearing on a drug test, consider an isolate or broad-spectrum CBD instead.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains additional chemical compounds and phytocannabinoids, but not THC.
4. RESEARCH THE CBD BRAND
Once you know which CBD products you’re looking for, start researching different brands. You’ll need to determine which brands are genuine. Start by scrutinizing each website you visit.
Read all the information the company can offer.
Consider checking review websites and CBD forums, too. Other customers might help point you in the right direction. They can help you gather information about each brand as well.
Some online stores pop up overnight, then disappear. Look for a business that’s been around for a few years. Choosing an established business will give you peace of mind.
5. READ THE INGREDIENTS LABEL
The FDA has issued warnings to companies that market unapproved new drugs that allegedly contain CBD. In fact, the FDA has tested the chemical content of cannabinoid compounds in some of these products.
Many didn’t contain the levels of CBD the manufacturers claimed they did. Some products are marketed with unproven medical claims as well.
There’s currently only one FDA-approved, CBD-derived product for sale in the US. Epidiolex is used to reduce seizures.
As you explore each brand, check the labels of products.
For example, you might see a product named “Cannabis Sativa seed oil.” Many people assume these products are okay. However, these products might only contain hemp seed oil.
You might not experience the benefits of CBD with these products.
Check each label for:
- An expiration date
- Whether it’s full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or an isolate
- The concentration
Make sure the products meet quality control standards, too.
6. LOOK FOR THIRD-PARTY LAB RESULTS
Before buying CBD online, make sure to look for third-party lab results.
These results should appear on the company’s website. If they don’t, consider buying CBD products elsewhere.
Third-party labs aren’t associated with the company. They can verify whether or not the product meets quality standards. Labs can also indicate if any harmful chemicals were used.
Look for a Certificate of Analysis or lab reports on each website.
It’s important to note that companies can fake their lab results. Make sure the third-party lab is accredited. Determine when the certificate was approved, too.
Otherwise, make sure the products follow the International Organization for Standardization.
7. CHOOSE THC-FREE PRODUCTS
If you’re worried about THC showing up on a drug test, make sure to avoid products with THC.
Otherwise, make sure the amount of THC doesn’t exceed 0.3%. These products are considered safe to use. They shouldn’t affect your mental health in any way.
8. CONSIDER THE SOURCE
As you read the labels of products, consider where the hemp was grown, too.
Cannabis oil is extracted from hemp. A high-quality plant ensures a high-quality CBD product.
Look for brands that work with reliable suppliers. They should provide the highest quality on the market. These suppliers understand the importance of growing hemp plants in the right environment.
Some companies get their products from local farms that use organic fertilizers. These products are usually more expensive.
9. READ THE INGREDIENTS LIST
Don’t forget to check the list of ingredients as you read the labels of products, too.
A third-party lab should indicate if they find bacteria, mold, heavy metals, or pesticides. Even so, the brand might still claim its product is all-natural.
If the label lists ingredients you can’t pronounce, it likely isn’t organic. Instead, research those ingredients for yourself. Consider the side effects they might cause.
10. CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF CBD
Before buying CBD online, take the time to consider how much CBD is in every dose. You’ll need to determine the concentration before you determine your proper CBD dosage.
Otherwise, consider purchasing CBD capsules or gummies. These products are predosed for you.
11. CHECK THE COMPANY WEBSITE
The company’s website can tell you a lot about its legitimacy, too.
First, make sure the website has an SSL certificate. Look for “HTTPS” in front of the URL. If you don’t see “HTTPS,” that website isn’t secure.
A hacker could steal your credit card information if you make a purchase from an unsecured website.
Make sure the website has a privacy policy, too. You should also check the website for a return policy.
Try to avoid big retailers like Amazon. Instead, choose a business that specializes in CBD. They’ll prioritize offering high-quality products.
Otherwise, you might end up with a hemp oil product.
12. READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Online customer reviews can tell you a lot about each brand, too. Look for reviews from third-party websites.
Otherwise, there’s a risk the company faked the reviews they feature on their website. These reviews are often hand-picked to show the company in the best possible light.
13. AVOID OUTRAGEOUS CLAIMS
Don’t purchase CBD from websites that make any outlandish health claims. For example, avoid “cure-all” products. Instead, look for websites that list scientific studies.
If they make any medical claims, make sure they have the research to back it up.
Otherwise, the company should remain upfront about the limits of the CBD research available.
14. CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET
Before buying CBD products online, take a moment to consider your budget.
You might want to start small. Some companies offer sample sizes. Make sure the products suit your needs.
If they do, you can buy in bulk next time to save money.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Shopping online shouldn’t have to feel like a hassle. Instead, use these tips when buying CBD online. With these tips, you can purchase CBD from a brand you trust.
Then, you can start experiencing the benefits of CBD for yourself.
Searching for a reliable brand and high-quality CBD products? We can help. Explore our shop today to get started.
