7 Key Things to Know Before You Buy CBD Online
Knowing how to buy CBD online is not always straight-forward. With so many brands flooding your search page, with so many differing products, identifying the right CBD for you takes a bit of know-how. To make things easier, we have listed 7 key questions & answers to help you buy CBD online like a pro!
- What is CBD and how does it work with the body?
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a highly useful naturally occuring compound found in hemp. It's a naturally occurring substance that's used in products like Broad Spectrum CBD oils and CBD edibles to impart a feeling of relaxation and calm.
Cannabinoids like CBD are thought to impact the ECS (endocannabinoid system) like our bodies's own endocannabinoids. One of the primary roles of the ECS is to maintain homeostasis, which is a state of balance within the body. Active ingredients, CBD, Vitamins, Co-Enzymes are a great way to support your daily life.
CBD has become an increasingly popular choice for anyone looking to support their general health & well-being and active lifestyle.
- Does the company selling CBD online provide transparency?
One of the first thing to look for before buying CBD online is whether the brand conducts testing through unbiased, outside laboratories.
Reputable CBD brands will always readily provide independent third-party lab reports to verify the quality of their CBD products. If the CBD brand doesn’t provide independent, third-party lab testing, or if they don’t make their lab reports available, then you can’t guarantee the CBD product contains the ingredients promised. We recommend you steer clear of brands that do not provide transparency in this area!
Additionally, when shopping for CBD online UK, make sure you look for CBD companies that comply with international standards such as GMP and ISO. This will guarantee that your CBD product has been manufactured in accordance with rigorous industry standards.
- Is the CBD Broad Spectrum or Isolate? What is the difference?
CBD isolate is effectively pure CBD extract, with no other cannabinoids present. On the other hand, broad spectrum CBD contains a blend of other cannabinoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, terpenes, and vitamins from the hemp plant. With all of these compounds working in tandem, the benefits of CBD are thought to be enhanced. This is known as the ‘entourage effect’.
Whether you choose to buy CBD Broad Spectrum online or CBD Isolate online will depend on your prior experience with CBD and the benefits/affects you are looking to achieve by taking it.
- How much CBD does it contain?
Another key factor to consider when buying CBD online is making sure your CBD oil, or CBD chocolate has the levels of CBD claimed on the packaging.
Dr Watson solutions, CBD oils, CBD Chocolate, CBD Gummings, and skincare contain what is called Broad Spectrum hemp extract. This contains several active ingredients and not just CBD.
Avoid full spectrum CBD products online as they should not be sold in the UK. This is another reason why checking independent third-party lab reports is crucial when buying CBD online!
- What type of CBD product works best for you?
CBD products online come in a variety of different forms; including CBD Oils, CBD Edibles & CBD Vapes. Knowing which type is best for you will depend mostly on personal taste.
Vaping CBD e-liquids is the most efficient way to take cannabidiol because it bypasses the digestive tract and liver allowing CBD to be readily absorbed through the thin membranes that line the alveoli where it enters directly into the bloodstream. This concept is known as bioavailability, which refers to the amount of an ingested compound that makes it into circulation and has an active impact on the body. Converting CBD into vapour increases its bioavailability due to the large surface area created by the dispersion of molecules.
However, vaping isn’t for everyone, so CBD edibles and CBD oils are also very frequented options when buying CBD online UK;
CBD edibles, such as CBD chocolate or CBD gummies, are particularly popular CBD products online as they are easy to use when you’re out on the go and can taste delicious (if you’re getting them from the right place!). The speed of absorption with CBD edibles is slower, so the effects won’t be as instantaneous as CBD vapes, but are likely to last much longer.
CBD oils are both rapidly absorbed when taken sublingually and have long lasting effects, making CBD oil online one of the most popular CBD products in the UK.
- What is the price and strength of the CBD?
Understanding price and strength is also crucial when buying CBD online UK.
The strength of a CBD product refers to the concentration of CBD, typically shown as a percentage or ‘mg’ on the lab report. If it is your first time buying CBD online, it can be difficult to predict how it will affect you. We therefore advise that you start with a small dose and increase incrementally after a few weeks until you are satisfied that you have achieved your desired effect.
When buying CBD online, you will notice the price of CBD has a lot of variation between brands, and it might be tempting to go for one of the cheaper options. However, it is important to acknowledge that cheaper isn’t always better, particularly when it comes to your health! It is worth investing in a quality CBD product from a trusted brand, even if it costs slightly more.
- Is the company making health / medical claims?
When shopping for CBD online, frequent Google searches include “health benefits of CBD”, “benefits of CBD”, “CBD oil health benefits”, “CBD oil benefits”. However, although there is a ton of information published about the health benefits of CBD, brands that make such claims are in violation of MHRA guidelines. Be cautious when buying CBD online from such companies!