As more people learn about the benefits of CBD, the popularity of these products continues to grow. Millions of people wish to know more before purchasing one of these products, as they want to ensure CBD is safe and will provide the expected benefits. Other people know nothing about CBD and want information. Regardless of why a person searches for this information, they find the following guide to be of great help.
CBD products haven’t been around long, as the federal government only legalized them in 2018. For this reason, many questions still remain. For instance, natural and synthetic versions of CBD vary greatly, and men and women must know this when they are looking for quality cbd products. Two similar items, one made with natural CBD and the other with synthetic CBD, differ in key ways, and consumers need this information.
5 Ways to Differentiate Natural From Synthetic CBD to Ensure You Get a Quality Product
Natural CBD
Natural CBD derives from the hemp plant. When harvesting this plant, a manufacturer takes it through several processes. It must undergo extraction from the plant, using the ethanol, olive oil, or CO2 extraction method. Once this is complete, the plant undergoes additional processing.
Full-spectrum CBD contains THC, the substance found in marijuana plants that provides the high this substance is known for. Broad-spectrum contains no THC, and many users believe full-spectrum CBD provides more benefits. Experts believe this is due to the entourage effect.
Users ingest CBD in a range of ways. They may choose a capsule, tincture, topical product, edible, or CBD oil for sale. The method used to refine the CBD for ingestion depends on the means of ingestion. The manufacturer may add or subtract chemicals based on the production method used.
Natural CBD, however, always derives from the hemp plant. The only time manufacturers add or remove chemicals is when they must refine the substance for the preferred method of ingestion. This process allows consumers to have natural CBD in the way that works best for them.
Which also leads us to question how does CBD help animals? This is a great question, studies have shown there are a plethora of benefits in animals including joint and pain relief as well as helping those animals of a nervous disposition to calm down.
Synthetic CBD
Synthetic CBD does not come from the hemp plant. In fact, manufacturers use no hemp in the making of products containing synthetic CBD. In many cases, consumers take in nothing more than a mix of manufactured chemicals that produce similar results to those seen with naturally produced CBC.
Consumers must take care when using these products. Scientists cannot definitively say what impact synthetically produced CBD will have on a person, and current research shows the use of this CBD comes with potential health complications.
The Journal of Medical Phyto Research released an article that examined CBD use among two groups. One group ingested products made using naturally sourced CBD. The second group used products made with synthetic CBD. They found extremely high levels of certain enzymes responsible for removing synthetic CBD. As a result, a person might unintentionally overdose when using synthetic CBD products.
Why is it hard to make CBD? Scientists find it difficult to copy the synergistic actions of natural CBD oil, and the chemicals used in the process of trying to do so can do harm to the user. For this reason, the researchers responsible for the study recommend people avoid synthetic CBD products. Furthermore, some states now ban the sale of synthetic CBD, while the federal government has banned a certain variant.
Regulation
The Food and Drug Administration lacks regulations when it comes to CBD products. Nevertheless, the agency issued a warning back in 2018. This notice warned individuals to avoid ingesting synthetic CBD and other synthetic cannabis products.
The agency states synthetic CBD products and synthetic versions of other cannabinoids could leave a person feeling sleepy, dizzy, irritable, or confused.
In addition, the use of these products could bring about long-term health issues. This includes psychiatric problems as well as physical ones. Some people have lost their lives as a result of using these products.
Distinguishing Between Natural and Synthetic CBD Products
Consumers must know how to differentiate between natural and synthetic CBD products. As previously mentioned, the FDA does not regulate CBD or products made using this substance. However, the agency states it is in the process of developing regulations, but the process could take years.
At this time, it falls on the consumer to distinguish between natural and synthetic CBD products, and doing so remains a challenge. A study conducted in 2017 found that approximately 70 percent of CBD products tested did not have accurate information on their labels. As a result, consumers could not know what they were actually putting into their bodies. How can a consumer ensure they are getting a quality product?
Consumers need to read product labels carefully when purchasing any item containing CBD. Some products state they contain synthetic CBD clearly on the label, but that is not the case with all. Request a certificate of analysis. This certificate shows the product underwent independent, third-party testing to make certain all information on the label is accurate. This paperwork shows every item in the product, so consumers know whether they are getting hemp-derived CBD or a synthetic version of this substance.
Caution is Needed
Producers of synthetic CBD often try to claim the substance comes from a natural source. For this reason, a person should see the certificate of analysis regardless of what the label says. If the company cannot or will not produce this document, refuse to buy the product. This failure to share pertinent information with consumers suggests the label isn’t accurate. Therefore, the consumer cannot truly know what they are ingesting.
Consumers often find it challenging to distinguish between natural and synthetic CBD and the products containing these substances. However, this information remains available if a person knows where to look. Any company that does not put its products through independent testing may be trying to hide something.
Avoid buying any products that lack this document and feel better knowing that you won’t be harming your health as you try to improve it. Furthermore, you’ll get the expected benefits and obtain the relief you desire, which is why you were buying the product in the first place.
