CBD Product Information

By op-ed Blogger Quinton Charles

When we go grocery shopping, it is fairly easy to figure out what is in the food that we buy. That is because the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers to list various things on food labels, such as calories, fat, and carbohydrates. This standardized system helps us determine whether we should buy something or not.

Unlike food, however, CBD isn’t regulated by the FDA. If you’re like the millions of Americans who are interested in CBD for its health and wellness benefits, you may be overwhelmed by trying to figure out what to buy. There isn’t a standard label for CBD products, so as you shop, you might find yourself scratching your head, wondering what exactly an aerial plant part is, or what the total CBD amount is per serving.

These labels can be confusing, but by breaking down the most common terms found on CBD products, you can shop like a pro. Below, we outline what you need to know about CBD so that you can learn how to read CBD labels.

Step One: CBD Basics

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds, known as cannabinoids, are believed to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS. Another well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive component of marijuana that makes you feel high or stoned.

When purchasing CBD, it is important to understand the difference between CBD and THC. Both hemp (from which CBD is extracted) and marijuana are cannabis plants. The main distinction between the two is the level of THC. Under U.S. law, hemp plants can contain no more than 0.3% THC, while marijuana plants (where legal) may contain up to 30% THC.

This distinction is important, both for understanding what CBD is, and for choosing the product that is right for you. As long as the CBD product is made from industrial hemp grown in the United States, it will contain no more than trace amounts of CBD. If you purchase CBD that is made from marijuana (which is legal in some U.S. states), it may contain higher levels of THC.

Step Two: Isolates, Full Spectrum, and Broad Spectrum

When you are shopping for a CBD product, you will have three basic options: CBD isolates, full spectrum CBD and broad spectrum CBD. Understanding what each of these terms means is critical to purchasing the product that you want.

Full spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including both CBD and THC, as well as the beneficial terpenes and flavonoids contained in the plant. Choosing full spectrum CBD allows you to take advantage of the entourage effect, which is a boost in the beneficial properties of CBD that comes from the combination of all of these components. While full spectrum CBD contains THC, it will be at trace amounts — 0.3% or less — as long as it is made from industrial hemp.

Broad spectrum CBD is similar to full spectrum CBD, except that the THC has been removed. In this way, you can get all of the benefits of the entourage effect, without any THC. This is a good choice for anyone who is worried about the (unlikely) possibility that CBD may trigger a false positive for marijuana on a drug test.

Finally, CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. It only contains CBD – not any other cannabinoids. It may also be referred to as 0% THC. It is tasteless and odorless and may be preferred if you want to ensure that you don’t get any THC with your CBD.

If you’d like to learn more, we have a great article here comparing full-spectrum and isolated CBD.

Step Three: CBD Concentration

One of the most confusing aspects of CBD labeling is figuring out exactly how much CBD you are getting per serving. There are two numbers that you will typically see on a bottle of CBD oil: the amount of oil in the bottle (milliliter, or mL) and the amount of CBD in the container (expressed as milligrams, or mg).

Most often, the amount of CBD is described as the total mg of CBD for the entire bottle or package. For CBD oils, you can look at the number of mg per mL to determine CBD concentration. If the mg/mL is not listed on the package, you can do the math yourself to figure it out.

For example, a 15mL bottle of Mary’s Nutritionals The Remedy CBD Oil Tincture contains 500 mg of CBD per bottle. This works out to 33.33 mg/mL of CBD (500 mg divided by 15 mL). A standard-sized dropper produces approximately 20 drops per mL, which works out to approximately 2 mg of CBD per drop.

Some products don’t list the total amount of CBD per bottle or package and instead list the serving size. Charlotte’s Web Hemp CBD Extract has 7 mg of CBD per serving for a 30 mL/ 1 fluid ounce bottle. Two droppers full of this product equals 1 mL of CBD oil, and 7 mg of CBD. Multiplying 7 times 30 brings you to 200 mg of CBD per bottle, or approximately 7 mg/mL.

In this way, you can figure out the concentration of CBD in a particular product. This can help ensure that you don’t waste your money on an expensive CBD product that actually has fairly low levels of CBD.

Step Four: The Ingredients List

CBD products often have other ingredients so that they are easier to consume. For example, a CBD edible or oil may contain a natural or artificial flavoring. While CBD doesn’t taste bad, its earthy or grassy flavor isn’t everyone’s favorite, which is why flavoring is important to a lot of people.

CBD oils typically contain a carrier oil, such as cold pressed hemp seed oil, MCT oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil. These oils help your body absorb the CBD and also work to stabilize and preserve the CBD. You can check the ingredients list to see what type of carrier oil is used in a particular product and choose one that you prefer.

You may also see terms like “aerial plant parts” or hemp extract. These terms have to do with how the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, as well as ever-changing laws and regulations on hemp in the United States.

The CBD that is legal under federal law is extracted from the hemp plant. The only parts of the hemp plant that contain CBD are the stem, stalks, leaves, and flowers — not the seeds. “Aerial plant parts” are the parts of the hemp plant that grow above the ground, and the parts of the plant that contain CBD.

Importantly, if a product is listed as being made from hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, or Cannabis sativa seeds, it probably doesn’t contain CBD. While hemp seed oil may be used as a carrier oil, it doesn’t have CBD. Be wary of any products that don’t mention cannabidiol, hemp extract, or the hemp plant parts.

Step Five: Independent Testing

As noted above, the FDA does not regulate CBD in the United States. This can make it incredibly difficult to know what you are getting. One way to ensure that you are buying a safe, high-quality product is by only purchasing CBD that has been independently tested.

Reputable CBD products will come with a Certificate of Analysis or COA. This COA means that it has been tested by a third-party laboratory. You can access the COA by visiting the manufacturer’s website and entering the code found on the product, or by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

These lab results contain three important categories of information. First, it will disclose the CBD and THC concentrations of a particular product. You can check to make sure that you are actually getting what you are paying for, in terms of CBD concentration, and that you aren’t getting THC that you don’t want.

Second, the COA will show you the cannabinoid profile of the product if you are purchasing full or broad-spectrum CBD. This list will include other cannabinoids that are in the product, such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabinol (CBN).

Third, the results will show the presence of other substances in the product, including heavy metals and pesticides. By reviewing this information, you will be able to tell if there are any contaminants in the product, and if so, if it is within safe levels.

Still Confused? We Can Help.

There is a lot of promising research on the wellness benefits of CBD. While the science of CBD is still in its early stages, many people are ready to give it a try and see how it can help boost their health. If you find yourself interested in trying CBD but unsure of how to read a CBD label or even where to start, we are here to help.

At Green Wellness Life, we aren’t doctors, and we cannot diagnose or treat any condition. What we can offer is our experience and insight on CBD, along with the latest research on what CBD may be able to do for you. If you have questions about CBD or simply need assistance shopping, contact us today by pressing the live chat button, calling (888) 772-7875 toll-free or filling out our online contact form.

Sources:

• https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-food-labeling-guide
• https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
• https://www.pnas.org/content/114/19/5005

We are NOT  doctors and we do not prescribe

If you’re into health and wellness, you have probably heard about CBD. This compound – found in the cannabis plant – is developing quite a reputation for how it may benefit humans and animals alike. But finding a CBD Oil Dosage guide can be impossible.  So lets start from the beginning. First it is important to understand that we are not doctors and we do not prescribe here at Green Wellness Life. We often get asked what “dosage” someone should take?  In the CBD industry we refer to this as serving size NOT dose.  That’s the short answer.

The more complicated, extensive answer regarding serving sizes can depend on many factors including your body chemistry, other supplements you’re taking, etc. This is one of the reasons that, even with the current wave of states legalizing medical marijuana, many physicians are hesitant to prescribe cannabinoids like CBD. Other reasons include:

1 – Doctors cannot prescribe (only recommend) cannabinoids, because there’s no recommended daily allowance (RDA) or universal dose for all people.

2 – Most medical schools never cover CBD/cannabidiol therapy in their pharmacology courses (the drug curriculum revolves primarily around substances that can be patented).

CBD bottles have recommended serving sizes

A good place to start is  to look at the recommended serving on the lab tested bottle or box that your product came in. Usually, it will have an amount, typically in drops for oils (one of the more common types of CBD products on the market), that is supposed to elicit the desired effect. Most starting serving sizes on bottles begins between 10 and 15 mg.  That’s a great mid-range place to start.  We usually recommend people start at that 10-15 mg and work up, only if they need to.  Many people do really well at a low serving size and don’t need to step it up.  It generally takes between 5 to 7 days for the full effect of CBD to be felt. If the desired effect is not felt we recommend increasing the serving size by doubling the amount for another 5 to 7 days. Keep adjusting, as needed, allowing your body that 5 days or so to adjust between changes.

One size does not fit all

The more complicated, extensive answer regarding serving sizes can depend on many factors including your body chemistry, other supplements you’re taking, etc. This is one of the reasons that, even with the current wave of states legalizing medical marijuana, many physicians are hesitant to prescribe cannabinoids like CBD. Other reasons include:

There is no one-size-fits-all serving size recommendation for CBD. Since one’s serving size is based on highly variable factors, since it is not that simple a CBD user is going to have to do a bit of extra work. Now, don’t panic, I’m not assigning a science fair project (no need to buy posterboard and baking soda for a cool, but labor-intensive paper mache volcano). Just like when determining if something in your diet is bothering you, all you’re going to need is a small notebook and a pen. Track those servings and how you’re feeling for at least a week so that you can see the patterns. Don’t let the leg work discourage you.  The goal is to find those results that you’re looking for with the minimum amount of any supplement. “At the end of the day, the majority of CBD users will take a daily dose between 10 and 75 mg, with fairly effective results.”

If you were to google search “how much CBD should I take?” you will find varying responses. I found one website conveniently recommends starting at “25mg of CBD, taken twice daily.” If it does not produce the desired effects, they recommend “ increasing the amount of CBD you take every 3-4 weeks by 25mg until you attain symptom relief (inversely, decrease by 25mg if symptoms worsen.

Another site states “Considering the endless amount of variables that are at play, it would be naive to dish out some random number (say 25 mg oral CBD taken twice daily), and say that that amount will be effective for everyone.” Yikes, I know it seems like everybody is saying different things and it can be confusing!  That is why we at Green Wellness Life recommend starting small and increasing over time until you are seeing the benefits that you’re looking for.  This can also keep your cost down because you may not need a lot of CBD to see results. So, we know we’re a broken record here, but start with that 10mg-15mg and hang with it for 5 to 7 days.  Double the serving size next week, ONLY IF YOU HAVE TO, and continue to step it up until you see the desired effect.

Can I become tolerant of CBD?

This is a good rule for starting out, but what about tolerance over time? Will I become more tolerant of CBD as I continue to use it, lessening its efficacy? Once again, there is no easy answer to these questions as there is not enough current research available to definitively say whether or not tolerance builds up in all cases; while one person experiences an increase in tolerance, requiring more CBD over time to elicit the same response, another may never need to increase the amount that they’re taking.  There are three main types of tolerance, which can occur in reaction to prescription drugs and other supplements, such as CBD:

• Cellular level: (Pharmacodynamic tolerance) where receptors become desensitized through constant interaction or there is a reduction in receptor density.
• Metabolic level: (Pharmacokinetic tolerance) Affects the process of metabolizing a drug or substance, it results in less amounts of a substance reaching the site it affects. Metabolic or pharmacokinetic tolerance is most evident with oral ingestion.
• Behavioral level: Where the individual becomes used to substance-induced impairment with repeated use. Behavioral tolerance is seen with the use of certain psychoactive drugs.

The World Health Organization has found in a 2017 peer review that “ no tolerance was observed at any of the doses of CBD administered.” There will be more studies, that shed light on the exact effects of CBD, and these studies will include analysis of tolerance. Right now, there is no documented evidence of CBD tolerances being built up in the body. This might change, or not reflect one’s personal experiences. The recommendation that I gave earlier, that each person should watch their own progress over time (break out that notebook!) and make adjustments based on personal experience is the best that we can offer at this time. And, of course, as always, everything should be used in moderation.

CBD products vary significantly in the amount of CBD per serving. So let’s take a look at the most popular types of CBD products and explain how you can figure out how much to take of each capsule, oil, or gummy.

Why Should I Take CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 60 naturally-occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds are known as cannabinoids. Unlike THC – another well-known cannabinoid – CBD is not psychoactive, so it won’t make you feel high or stoned.

While the research on CBD is still in its preliminary stages, scientists believe that it works by interacting with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in our bodies.

A number of studies have found that CBD may be effective in:

• Alleviating pain;
• Improving sleep;
• Reducing anxiety;
• Helping with acne;
• Reducing seizures;
• Boosting heart health; and
• Lowering the risk of diabetes.

While this research is promising, the science on CBD is still developing. While there are a number of potential benefits to taking CBD, only you can decide if you should take it. Be sure to consult with your doctor before adding anything to your diet, including CBD.

How Much CBD Should I Take?

In 2018, the United States legalized the production of hemp, a type of cannabis that contains high levels of CBD and other beneficial compounds. While CBD is now legal in the U.S., CBD is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As such, there are no official recommended serving sizes for CBD.

This leaves consumers to rely on manufacturer recommendations and their own research to figure out the right amount of CBD to take. The proper serving size will vary by person based on a number of factors, including your body weight, the benefits you’re looking to receive, your unique body chemistry, and the concentration of CBD in each drop, pill, capsule, or edible.

Before you start taking CBD, talk to your doctor about an appropriate serving size, and any possible interactions with any medications that you may be taking. If your doctor advises you on how much CBD to use, follow their recommendation. Otherwise, you will need to figure out the serving size that works best for you and your body.

While CBD is generally considered to be safe and effective, you should always start with a small serving size of 10 to 15 milligrams (mg) and gradually increase it by 5 to 10 mg each week, keeping track of how much CBD you are taking and how it makes you feel. When you find a serving size that seems to work for you, you can continue taking that amount.

Understanding CBD Serving Sizes

Whether your doctor gives you a recommended serving size or you start with a small serving of CBD to figure out what helps you the most, the amount that you take will depend on what product you are using. Each CBD product has its own recommended serving size based on its concentration of CBD. This means that you have to pay close attention to the label to make sure that you are taking the correct amount.

There are five main types of CBD products: (1) oils or tinctures; (2) capsules or pills; (3) edibles; (4) vape cartridges; and (5) topicals. Most of these products will list two numbers on the package: amount of CBD in the product as a whole, and amount of CBD per serving size. While both numbers are important, when it comes to determining serving size, you should focus on the amount of CBD per serving (per capsule, drop, or gummy).

Below, we’ll break down the CBD serving size for the various oils, capsules, and edibles that we offer in our store. These numbers can help you determine which product is right for you.

Oils and Tinctures

CBD oils can be purchased as either a raw oil extract or as a tincture. A tincture will have a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, along with the CBD oil. Each of these products will have a different concentration of CBD:

• Social Broad Spectrum Tincture: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 milliliter, mL)
• Social CBD Drops: 33.33 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Hemplucid Water Soluble CBD Tincture: 33.33 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Mary’s Nutritionals The Remedy CBD Oil Tincture: 2 mg of CBD per serving (1 drop)
• Method Organics CBD Beverage Drops: 33.33 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Method Organics CBD Oil Peppermint Drops: 33 mg of CBD per serving (1 dropperful)
• Plus CBD Hemp Oil Spray: 3 mg of CBD per serving (1 spray)
• Charlotte’s Web Hemp CBD Extract: 7, 17, or 50 of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Lazarus Naturals RSO CBD Oil: 100 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Lazarus Naturals Chocolate Mint CBD Tincture: 50 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• MedTerra Hemp CBD Immune Boost Drops: 30 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• MedTerra Broad Spectrum CBD Tincture: 33.33 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• MedTerra CBD Tincture: 33.33 or 100 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Entourage Hemp WholeFlower CBD Tincture: 3, 4, 6, or 8 mg of CBD per serving (1 drop)
• Papa & Barkley Releaf CBD Drops: 30 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Endoca Hemp CBD Oil Drops: 1 or 5 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Endoca Raw CBD/CBDa Hemp Oil Drops:1 or 5 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Bluebird Botanicals CBD Oil: 8.33 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Koi Naturals CBD Tincture: 16.7, 33.33, or 66.66 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL)
• Green Label Raw CBD/CBDa Hemp Extract: 3 or 3.3 mg per serving (size of a grain of rice)
• Blue Label Decarb CBD Hemp Extract: 5 mg per serving (size of a grain of rice)
• Gold Label Filtered CBD Hemp Extract: 8 mg per serving (size of a grain of rice)

When taking a CBD oil, it is important to keep in mind that most standard droppers contain 1 mL of liquid. Check the package to determine if the serving size is an entire dropperful – 1 mL – or a single drop. Some CBD oils come with droppers with lines to show half, quarter, and other measures of CBD oil to help you get the proper serving size.

CBD Capsules or Pills

The amount of CBD in CBD capsules can vary significantly by brand and product:

• Social CBD capsules: 33.3 mg of CBD per serving (1 capsule
• MedTerra Liposomal Sleep CBD Capsules: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 capsule)
• MedTerra Ultra Broad Spectrum Softgels: 50 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Charlotte’s Web Liquid CBD Capsules: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Softgels: 50 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Bluebird CBD Classic CBD Softgels: 15 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Bluebird CBD Complete Softgels: 15 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Koi CBD Softgels: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Pana Health Daily CBD Softgels: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Pana Health F.A.S.T. CBD Dissolvable Tablets: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 tablet)
• MedTerra CBD Softgels: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Entourage Wholeflower CBD microcaps: 50 mg of CBD per serving (1 microcap)
• Entourage Hemp CBD Softgels: 30 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Endoca CBD Starter Pack: 10 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Endoca Hemp CBD Oil Softgel: 10 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel) for medium option, 50 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel) for strong option
• Endoca Hemp Raw CBS & CBDa Oil Softgels:10 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel) for medium option, 50 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel) for strong option
• CBDfx CBD Softgels: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Plus CBD Oil Raw CBD & CBDa Softgels: 5 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Plus CBD Maximum Strength Formula Softgels: 50 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)
• Plus CBD Oil Gold Softgels: 15 mg of CBD per serving (1 softgel)

As you can see, the serving size for each individual product varies significantly, from 5 mg per capsule to as much as 50 mg per capsule.

CBD Edibles

As with oils and capsules, the amount of CBD in each edible will vary considerably by product:

• Hemplucid CBD Gummies: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 gummy)
• MedTerra Hemp CBD Gummies: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 gummy)
• Social CBD Gummies: 12.5 mg of CBD per serving (1 gummy)
• Charlotte’s Web CBD Gummies: 10 mg of CBD per serving (1 gummy)
• WYLD CBD Gummies: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 gummy)
• Koi CBD Gummies: 10 mg of CBD per serving (1 gummy)
• Method Organics CBD Maple Sticks: 25 mg of CBD per serving (1 maple stick)
• MedCBDx Chewing Gum: 10 mg of CBD per serving (1 piece of gum)
• MedCBDx CBD Mints: 5 mg of CBD per serving (1 mint)
• Endoca CBD Chewing Gum: 15 mg of CBD per serving (1 piece of gum)
• Green Roads CBD Coffee: 15 mg of CBD per serving (1 TBSP of coffee)

You will want to choose a product with a serving size that allows you to begin with a lower level of CBD and gradually increase it over time.

The amount of CBD you’ll want to take will also vary depending on the extraction level of the product. Isolate CBD products will require a larger intake when compared to full spectrum CBD products, because isolate products won’t produce the entourage effect. Typically, you’ll need 4 to 10 times the amount of a full spectrum product to receive the same benefits with an isolate CBD product.

Ready to Try CBD? We’re Here to Help.

After reading up on the potential benefits of CBD, you may be ready to give it a shot. Deciding what to buy is the next step – which can be difficult when there are so many new terms to understand. At Green Wellness Life, we are happy to assist you with finding a CBD product that is right for you. Our online CBD shop contains a wide variety of CBD oil products to choose from.

Because we aren’t doctors, and we cannot diagnose or treat any medical or mental health condition. What we can do is offer the latest scientific research and our own experience to guide you in purchasing a CBD product. If you’d like to learn more or get help, press the live chat button, call us between 9:00 and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, at 1-888-772-7875, or simply fill out our online contact form.

Sources:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19675519/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17157290/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16282192/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30328956/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27094344/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28538134/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16698671/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/