Confused on how to buy CBD? Well, you are not alone. In fact, this is very common. With the popularity of CBD growing tenfold we also see an ever increasing amount of people wanting to know more about how to buy CBD. We see questions like: How do I know this product is legit? How much CBD is in each dosage? Is it pure? Are there other additives? WILL I GET HIGH? Will I fail a drug test? just to name a few. In this CBD Buying Guide, we will break these down by use, dosage, strength, brand, manufacturing, and types.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a safe, naturally occurring compound. The World Health Organization states that “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” Many people ask the question, will I get high? The answer is NO. CBD products from Hempfulness have little to no THC. If you would like to learn more about the difference between these cannabinoids, check out CBD vs THC.
How to Use CBD
Confused on how to use CBD? You have options! There are several ways to use CBD but the fastest absorption application is ingesting it under your tongue. Other applications include swallowing a capsule or softgel, applying the oil topically to your skin or blending it in a smoothie.
CBD Oil Tinctures
One of the most common and effective ways to get your daily dose of CBD is sublingually using a tincture. Simply drop the desired amount under your tongue and hold for 60-90 seconds, then swallow. This application is very effective and you may start to notice the benefits in as little as 30 minutes. Everyone’s situation is different but under normal circumstances, the relief can last 4-6 hours.
CBD Capsules
A convenient and discrete way to get your daily dose of CBD is with capsules or softgels. You may need to wait just a little longer to notice the benefits but they typically last longer than a sublingual dose. Potentially 6-12 hours.
CBD Topicals
If you are looking for more targeted relief of sore joints or even arthritis, topicals are the way to go. Use these just as you would any lotion or pain cream and wait for the incredible anti-inflammatory effects to kick in. This can about an hour but results normally last 4-6 hours depending on strength and dose.
Dosage
Now that you know the most common applications, how much do you use? Can you take too much, or not enough? The rule of thumb: Start small and go up in small increments.
Hempfulness Guidelines
At Hempfulness we can provide general guidelines but keep in mind that these are not recommendations and you should always check with your physician before starting a new dietary supplement.
General Health/Homeostasis
2 – 16mg CBD per day
Pain & Discomfort
2 – 25mg CBD per day
Sleeping Problems
25 – 150mg CBD per day
Can I take too much CBD?
You may be concerned about taking too much CBD but there is no need to worry. CBD is considered to be safe and non-toxic for humans, even at high amounts. Unlike most pharmaceutical drugs, there is no danger of a CBD overdose. According to the National Cancer Institute “cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brain stem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.”
Starting Slow, Increasing Based on Need
Since there is no Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for CBD, we can only give you a reference on dosage. We recommend to start with a low dosage and increase in small amounts to your personal preference and desired results. We recommended keeping a record of dosage and results so you can find that optimal level. Each brand will have its own strength per bottle but we try to make it easy to identify which products are right for you. Make sure you start low then build your way up. If you move to a different brand, start low again as that brand may have a different strength.
Strength & Potency
You want the STRONG stuff right!?! Wrong! Don’t go after the one hitter quitter. That’s not how you use CBD. You want to take the right strength for your particular ailments. After all this is medicine. It’s the same rule of thumb as for dosage: Start small and move up.
Low Strength CBD oil (250 mg – 500 mg)
This relatively low-potency oil is a good option for individuals who may be sensitive to CBD (and/or cannabis in general). Some people have a more active endocannabinoid system than do others, so they will naturally not require as strong of an oil. A low-strength 250 – 500 mg bottle is also a good option to take as a daily supplement; many people take a single daily dose of it for increased immune health, homeostatic balance, and general disease prevention. This is a great place to start and you can move up in strength if you feel you need to reach the desired result.
Recommended Low Strength CBD Products
Medium Strength CBD oil (500 mg – 1,000 mg)
Many use this strength for more moderate cases of anxiety, pain, inflammation, and digestive issues. This may also be a good starting place if you are looking for relief related to sleeping issues.
Recommended Medium Strength CBD Products
High Strength CBD oil (+1,000 mg)
Of course, the +1,000 mg CBD oil is the highest-strength option. People have used it successfully in the past to treat cases of insomnia, depression, anxiety/panic attacks, chronic pain, and/or as a buffer while weaning off drug or alcohol addiction. It’s not recommended that first-time users start out with this tincture.
Recommended High Strength CBD Products
Brand
I want the NIKE of CBD right? Well, not necessarily, New Balance is arguably a better shoe at half the price. Same goes with CBD. Pay for the product, not the marketing costs behind the product. Find one you like and trust. There are currently hundreds of brands and more coming every day. How do you know which ones are good and which ones are not? Hempfulness carries a curated list of brands that we love and have carefully vetted for you and is why we wanted to provide you with this CBD Buying Guide.
Brands we love
- Palm Organix
- Elixinol
Manufacturing
You may think all CBD is created equal but this is not the case. Manufacturing practices differ from brand to brand. The steps to create CBD for use is a very intensive process. It takes months to go from seed to medicine. Each phase of the production life cycle is as important as the others in bringing a clean, pure, and quality product to market. We highly recommend finding a knowledgeable source that has already done the intense amount of research to know and understand if a Brand has a quality manufacturing process. The difference between brands could be the difference of successfully achieving what you are striving for as a consumer.
CBD Types
This topic is pretty cut and dry, right? WRONG! Types are very important. Know what you are taking. There are 4 types of CBD each one having different results. Know and understand these before you decide what is right for you. Here is a brief overview.
Isolate
Some products contain CBD isolate, which is a purified CBD molecule. CBD isolate is white and powdery in its appearance. It does not contain other phytocannabinoids like full or broad spectrum.
Full-Spectrum
Full Spectrum refers to cannabis-derived from the whole plant that contains CBD and other phytocannabinoids such as THC, CBN, THCA, CBC, and CBG.
Broad-Spectrum
Broad Spectrum contains all phytocannabinoids in the plant but does not contain any detectable amount of THC.
Nano CBD
Nano CBD is a compound where the molecules of CBD are shrunk down to extremely small sizes (less than 100nm) and turned into a water-based form. This process allows the CBD to pass through skin much more easily and quickly than any oil-based form.
We Can Help!
Do your research to know what you are buying. If you don’t have time to do the research, use a good source like this CBD Buying Guide on Hempfulness to get the information you need to make the right choice. It is important for us that every person in the Hempfulness community has the information they need. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Hempfulness is happiness and we stand by our words.
Now go get some CBD!
When buying CBD, it might feel a bit overwhelming. But you only have to learn once. Take the time to know what CBD can do for you and what uses, dosages, types and brands work best. Try different ways. What works for one may not have the same effect on others. We hope this CBD Buying Guide helps you figure out what is right for you!
