How to Find Trusted CBD Brands (and Avoid "Snake Oil" Products)
CBD can be a great wellness tool! When we look at the scientific benefits of CBD, we can see that CBD is a molecule that can help us stabilize endocannabinoid tone, reduce inflammation, and even protect our brains.
So much amazing benefit with one medicine!
However, because CBD isn't regulated by the FDA, consumers do have to be cautious and thoughtful when they purchase CBD. Why? Because not all CBD products are created alike. While there are some great quality-conscious manufacturers out there, there are others that are less concerned with product quality and consumer safety and more concerned about raking in the profits.
So, when you're purchasing CBD, how can you ensure that you're getting "the good stuff?"
Buy from a brand you trust
As simple as this might sound, when purchasing CBD, it's about buying from a brand that you trust. Just like the supplements marketplace, which is not regulated by the FDA, the CBD marketplace requires that consumers align themselves with specific brands or company names that they have tried before, found benefits from, and have grown to trust.
So, as people start shopping for, buying, and trying CBD, they can essentially filter through brands and - over time - create a list of "trusted brands" they can return to again and again. And, this process of filtering through brands doesn't need to be done in a vacuum; the great news is that you can crowdsource information from others in the cannabis space!
As you speak with others who consume CBD, ask a few questions about what brands they use and why. You can also look for lists of approved brands by cannabis education companies and cannabis content creators that you follow. Pay attention when shopping for CBD, ask lots of questions of everyone around you (including CBD sellers), and be sure to spread the good word when you have found the CBD brands that you like and trust.
Want to know about my favorite and trusted CBD brands? I got you! Check out my blog post, “Bud & Blossom's Favorite CBD Products”.
Look for third party testing
When shopping for CBD, another way to avoid "snake oil" products is to ensure that the CBD you are purchasing has been third-party tested. Third-party testing is when a company has hired an outside lab to test and review their products, ensuring that the contents include what they say they do and also that there are no contaminants present (mold, heavy metals, or pesticides).
And a good "third-party" test ensures that this was an outside, professional review - not a test done by the manufacturers in-house or with the possibility that testers were paid off for producing complementary results. A good, third-party test allows consumers to consume their CBD with confidence. Reputable CBD brands will often have these tests accessible directly from their website, or from a QR code directly on the product package.
Want more information about the benefits of third-party lab testing for CBD? Check out this helpful article from Santé Laboratories.
Pay attention to how your body is responding to the product
Once you have done your homework and purchased a third-party tested brand that you trust, the last step is to monitor how the product feels in your body.
When you start a new CBD regimen, here are some good questions to ask yourself, "Is this helping me? Is the CBD allowing me to reach my health and energetic goals? Does this CBD help to improve my baseline experience?"
Along the course of your cannabis journey, it's all about combining good information, a positive intention, and then tapping into your internal intuition to find the brands, products, and CBD strategies that work best for you.
Get ready to ask, listen, learn, and feel better!
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