CBD (cannabidiol) appeared in Europe very recently (2017 in France). At first very discreet, it is now widely found in many products. These are mainly found in online or physical stores specialized: CBD Shops. Whether it is intended for consumption or for skin application, a product containing CBD must meet legislative requirements because of its origin (cannabis). Moreover, it will be chosen, rather than another, according to the needs and desires of each one. Currently, one product stands out from the others because of its simplicity of use, its diversity in cannabinoid concentration and its quality. It is the CBD oil.
The curious will have already noticed its presence on websites marketing CBD or behind shop windows. But, they may potentially shy away from such a purchase not knowing which oil will suit them best. Indeed, the range is wide. In this guide we will try to highlight the differences that exist among these various cannabidiol oils offered. Thus, we will help in the choice of the product, a future consumer eager for the benefits of CBD but completely lost in front of this large existing range.
The origin of the CBD contained in the oils
Different factors can influence the quality and properties of a CBD oil. In order not to get lost, it seemed relevant to distinguish them from each other. This way, a potential buyer will be able to choose which one seems more important. Even if they all are!
The first factor that seems obvious, is the source of the CBD contained in a bottle of CBD oil. Indeed, it is perhaps still useful to recall that CBD comes from hemp. However, this plant is still too often controversial for good or bad reasons.
If it is true that cannabis causes psychotropic effects harmful to the health of the body and mind, it is important to understand that some of its molecules are responsible. In fact, the only cannabinoid really responsible for these deleterious effects is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It is necessary to then do particularly careful about the provenance of the hemp plants used to extract CBD oil.
Therefore, serious and responsible manufacturers will only use legal cannabis varieties with a THC concentration lower than 0.2% (threshold tolerated in France). A CBD Shop has therefore every interest in specifying this origin to highlight the quality of its products.
If nothing is indicated on the package or specified by the retailer, then the origin of the CBD may be questionable. It is then better to turn your back!
To stay relevant, like all plants, hemp absorbs nutrients from the soil but not only. Chemicals and heavy metals, if used in the crop, will inevitably end up in the plant. Therefore, they will be found in the oil that is extracted. As you can imagine, this is not the best in terms of health!
Also, to meet an optimal quality optimal quality of product, the best possible origin of the CBD of an oil is thus :
- extraction from legal hemp varieties
- plants from an organic agriculture according to European standards.
Choosing a CBD oil according to the extraction methods
There are different methods of extraction of cannabidiol oil. While some are more expensive than others, the real concern is their quality! Here again, it is necessary to pay attention to the information given by the
CBD Shops
on the technique used to obtain this oil.
The extraction of CBD oil by solvents
Some unscrupulous companies use extraction by solvents (ethanol, butane…).
Here, the cannabinoids naturally present in the original hemp are partially degraded by the solvents used. This method therefore diminishes their benefits. But above all, chemical residues remain in the finished product and can be extremely harmful to health.
If this method makes it possible to offer CBD oils at very attractive prices, the products resulting from this technique are to be avoided.
Extraction of CBD oil by supercritical CO2
It is then preferable to go to manufacturers where transparency on their method of extraction is de rigueur and which privilege the isolation of the CBD of hemp by supercritical CO2.
This advanced technique allows the isolation of cannabinoids and other compounds from the cannabis plant (terpenes and flavonoids) by putting it under very high CO2 pressure. The result is a quality oil:
- Purity and maintenance of components are maintained
- no toxic substances are used.
It is then called pure CBD oil (or raw CBD oil). This method is much more expensive than the previous one. As a result, the selling prices of these CBD oils increases. However, It is necessary to accept these rates to have a quality product free of any harmfulness to health.
Other methods of CBD oil extraction
Other types of extraction without chemical compounds exist but do not allow to know efficiently the dosage in molecule which results from it:
- vegetable oil extraction
- manual friction extraction
These techniques can be used to play lab assistant at home. However, the lack of information concerning the levels of cannabinoids present in the final product does not allow to market them seriously.
The best CBD oils
There are essentially 3 types of quality CBD oil on the European market that are extracted by supercritical CO2:
Full spectrum CBD oil
This CBD oil contains all the compounds originally present in the hemp plant. It is the purest oil (raw oil) found on the CBD market today. As its name indicates, it is complete, everything is there!
As the levels of active substances are preserved, it is therefore very important for its manufacture to use legal cannabis varieties (THC concentration lower than 0.2%).
Broad spectrum CBD oil
This CBD oil is almost similar to the previous one. But, with one exception:
- it is free of THC following an additional stage in its manufacture (extraction of THC).
This dayCBD is widely available on the market. Indeed, this type of oil avoids any risk of prohibition due to the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol. And this, even at low doses. There, it is 100% clean!
CBD isolate
The isolates or crystals of CBD allowing the manufacture of an oil of CBD confer to this oil a remarkable characteristic:
- it is composed of 100% CBD.
Its standard use in treatments or therapeutic tests against pain and insomnia is still under study. But, if many scientific researches have revealed its benefits, they also highlight its lesser efficiency compared to a full spectrum or broadspectrum oil. Indeed, CBD and the other cannabinoids of cannabis have a synergistic action called “entourage effect”. It allows the optimization of the effects of cannabidiol by acting differently on the receptors of the cells of the endocannabinoid system of our body.
As for choosing between this or that type of oil, here, quality is not the dominant factor because these oils are largely equal. The choice will be made according to the needs, expectations and taste of each person.
How to use CBD oil?
There is no better type of absorption of a CBD oil. Each method will have its own effect and will be intimately preferable to the individual:
- CBD oil is usually sold in bottles with droppers. This feature allows the exact number of drops of oil desired by the consumer to be placed under the tongue.
It is by far the most effective, quickest and most personal method of absorption in the sense that everyone can choose the dosage of their “treatment”.
- The CBD oil capsules are also very interesting since they allow a discreet and easy use. The effect of the oil will take a little longer to be felt and will be slightly less important because of the passage in the stomach.
- Vaporization has been very fashionable for some time. Inhalationn of the vapors of CBD thanks to a vaporizer allows gradual effects. Like the sublingual intake, it allows a personalized dosage of CBD absorption. However, it will not be suitable for all consumers. It is usually the habitual tobacco smokers who are the most likely to bes who prefer this method.
It is by far the most effective, quickest and most personal method of absorption in the sense that everyone can choose the dosage of their “treatment”.So the way to take CBD oil will be unique to each individual. :
- Some people will prefer the intensity and speed of the effects seen with cannabidiol (sublingual or vaporization)
- Others will prefer discretion and practicality (oil capsules).
It is therefore impossible to make a strict guide to determine how to consume this oil.
What concentration of CBD in an oil should I choose?
Generally, CBD oils are found in different concentrations. This amount is expressed in milligrams (mg) or percent (%):
- ranging from 5%, 10%, 15%, …, to 30% (or from 250mg to 1000mg)
It is obvious that a high concentration of CBD in an oil generates powerful effects. For all that, it is strongly advised for a novice, to begin the ingestion of CBD oil with a lower rate of cannabidiol (the lowest preferable). After a few days, if the observation of the results is not satisfied, it is then possible to increase the dose gradually.
An oil more concentrated in CBD is obviously more expensive. But, once the optimal dosage in CBD is found, it is interesting for the consumer to move towards bottles with larger capacity. Thus, it can benefit from a good quality / price ratio, for example:
- buying 2 bottles of 10ml is more expensive than one bottle of 20ml
How to choose a CBD oil?
Several answers exist: on the one hand, the quality of the product and, on the other hand, depending on the individuals.
The non-negotiable part of the answer is to prioritize CBD Shops open to the transparency of manufacturing information :
- extraction method
- origin of the varieties
- organic farming
A CBD shop that has nothing to hide guarantees that its product is clean and of quality!
Finally, the individual response part is related to needs:
- CBD content
- taste (mode of absorption)
- expectations (expected effects)
Once you have found the right CBD Shop, the choice of
cannabidiol oil
is thus specific to each one!
FAQ: Choosing a CBD oil
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