Not All CBD is Created Equal: 5 Questions to Ask
I’m going to jump right in… CBD! Ah, it’s everywhere. It’s infused in your fancy lotions, it’s an extra $2 for a drop in your latte, and it’s takin’ the wellness world by storm. With so many CBD brands poppin’ up, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start and which brand to trust. So, for today’s post, I am diving into the questions you can ask to do your own research and make sure you know what you’re getting is high-quality. Let me also preface by saying that I’m solely speaking of hemp-derived CBD oil that has no THC (a.k.a. it’s non-psychoactive). Hemp and hemp-derived products are legal across all 50 states (Farm Bill).
Disclaimer: This post is simply my personal experience, thoughts, and research on CBD as a conscious consumer. I am NOT a doctor or medical professional, and the below information should not be taken as medical advice.
Why I Take CBD Oil
I first started taking CBD oil in the fall of 2017 as part of my gut healing protocol from my functional medicine doctor. I had also just quit the birth control pill after being on it for 9 years... another step in my protocol. To make a VERY long story short, most of 2018 was me figuring out my body again and understanding what supplements work, what doesn't, what foods are ok with my gut, and how to manage my anxiety and mood swings from PMS that the pill had masked.
Now that I've had my gut issues under control for the past year (2019 = the year me + my gut became friends again), it has been really good for me to simplify my routine now that I know pretty darn well what my body needs. I mean, I’ve earned it at this point.
After all that, CBD oil is one of the few supplements I've continued to take. Why? Because a dropper-full at night under the tongue helps me relax and sleep more soundly on the nights I need it. And a few drops in my morning matcha helps me focus when I feel anxiety starting to set in. It also helps my body manage inflammation from frequent travel or from enjoying foods I know I don't digest well (oops). I've been able to test and truly isolate how CBD benefits my life after this entire gut-healing saga, and I’m happy to use a brand that really aligns with my own values.
Not all CBD oil is created equal
There's not a lot of regulation in the industry, so when you're buying CBD oil make sure you take the extra time to do your research + ask ALL the questions + and be picky! The best brands will have no problem being 100% transparent with you. My personal favorite is Beam, which you’ll learn more about through this post as well.
Here are 5 questions I’d make sure to ask:
1. What is the amount of CBD per serving?
The dosage you need is completely individual, and it takes some time to figure out what works best for your body. However, be on the lookout to make sure you’re not shelling out $$$ for a bottle that barely contains any CBD. It generally comes in three strengths: low-potency (500 mg), mid-potency (1000 mg), and high-potency (1,500 mg). However, I’ve seen brands that are 250mg bottles (about 8.33mg of CBD per serving) priced as high as bottles that have double the potency. So, just be on the lookout - it's a good plan to start with a lower dose and gauge how your own body reacts to it first.
2. Where is the hemp grown or sourced?
The origin of the hemp is very important. I personally go for products where the hemp is responsibly and organically-grown in the United States (specifically Beam’s hemp is sourced from Colorado). American-grown hemp is generally safer than hemp grown overseas, because of our higher cultivation standards and nutrient-rich soil. Since hemp absorbs everything that's in the soil around it, it can soak up contaminants, toxins, heavy metals, etc. That’s why third-party testing is super important… onto my next point.
3. Is it third party tested?
You want a brand that is transparent and actually share’s their third-party lab results that tests for things like pesticides, toxins, heavy metals, and potency. Without a lab report (and no regulation to enforce), labels can say anything. Beam's products have been third-party tested for quality and to ensure that their products are THC-free. You can read their reports here.
4. Is it broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or isolate?
This one was super important for me when considering what brand of CBD oil to use. All of Beam's products use a patented CO2 extraction method that preserves not only a pure, THC-free CBD oil from the hemp plant, but also maintains a range of terpenes and other botanical compounds that help our products work better. For this reason, Beam's CBD is considered broad-spectrum due to the complete removal of all traces of THC, but the cool thing is that it maintains the ability to produce an effect like a full-spectrum oil would. It's a really great option for anyone wanting to make sure they don't introduce THC to their bodies while still getting the whole-plant benefits.
CBD isolates are more widespread and also usually cheaper. Just keep in mind, you get what you pay for. Isolates don’t have the natural terpenes, flavanoids, or other cannabinoids that are naturally found in the whole plant, as they are more processed to remove these compounds, so with isolates you’re only getting the CBD.
5. Are there simple, quality ingredients?
There can be so much confusion about what’s actually in products, so you want to find a brand that is straightforward with their labeling and information. Beam uses very pure and simple ingredients - Organic Phytocannabinoid-rich CBD Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, and Grape Seed Oil. It's been really effective for me in relieving sore muscles + taming inflammation (I even rub it on my stomach when I'm feeling bloated).
Whatever brand of CBD you are buying, you should be clear on what you’re putting into your body. Find a brand that is is upfront, educational, and committed to transparency. I've been approached by hundreds (I'm not kidding) of CBD brands, but Beam is the first and only brand I've ever agreed to enter a partnership with. Their products are super high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade, and simply put, I trust them.
If you want to give Beam a shot, you can snag 15% off with the code ‘Jules15’.
