Consumer Report article How to Shop for CBD in September 2018 is considered by the staff of BAK 2 Basics CBD Medical Consultants as an enlightening step-by-step guide of important information to purchase the proper hemp-derived CBD products. BAK 2 Basics follows these guidelines to offer the best CBD product regarding safe and proper medicinal therapy for our patients.
A Quick Summary of the Article
Understand the proper reason to use CBD medications and which form- Different forms of CBD such as pill, topical, drop, vape pen or edible, might be appropriate for different situations. Quick relief occurs with use of vape pens. For effects within minutes, oil drops under the tongue may be the best choice. Topical lotions, rubbed onto the skin, will vary from person to person with some feeling it right away while others may not for several hours. CBD in food products is likely to take longer, 30 minutes or more, to be absorbed into your system before effects are noticed.
Know if the CBD medication contains THC- Full spectrum CBD medications can have small amounts of THC with no higher level of a required 0.3 percent cutoff for CBD products made from hemp. The minimal amount of THC may be needed to enhance the therapeutic effect of CBD. Some research suggests that in some patients, CBD may work better when it’s combined with at least a little THC. However, more importantly, the small amount of THC (<0.03%) can be detected on drug testing for THC.
The source of hemp is important- The Agricultural Farming program performs spot-tests of hemp plants while they are still in the field to check THC levels and will investigate the potential use of any illegal pesticides based on complaints.
Search for CBD product’s certificate of analysis (COA)- COA documents the tests checking for CBD and THC levels, and the presence of contaminants. If an online manufacturer or a retail store doesn’t have the information, or refuses to share it, avoid the product and the retailer. All of our CBD products have a COA or lab result. Look for products that list CBD oil mg amount. If products do not include the CBD amount on their label, checking the COA, if they have one, is important. The lab result will document the amount of CBD and THC that the product contains. A good starting dose depends on the medical ailment treated.
Initial Recommended Dose for Medical Ailments
- PAIN– require dose of 20-40mg CBD oil depending on severity of symptoms and weight of the patient.
- ANXIETY– initial dose of 15-10mg CBD oil is recommended with repeat dose as needed for severity of symptoms.
- SLEEP– start with 50mg CBD oil and may need to increase to 150mg.
- GENERAL WELLNESS as to maintain healthy state of health or lifestyle- start with 25-30mg CBD oil 1-2x/day.
Know what other terms mean on the label- CBD products can describe themselves as including or coming from “hemp oil.” CBD oil is rich in CBD when made mainly from the leaves, resin, or flowering tops of hemp plants. But understand that “hemp seed oil” more often, and more properly, made from the seeds of the plant contains only very small amounts of CBD. That oil is often included in hemp-based soaps, and cosmetics. CBD oil and hemp oil extract from leaves, resin, flower of hemp plants have high concentration of CBD as in contrast to hemp seed oil which has very low concentration of CBD.
Summary of CBD Product Descriptions
- CBD mg oil is end point of all CBD products.
- Hemp seed oil has minimal to no CBD content.
- Hemp oil extract is the amount of hemp plant used in production of CBD products which is always a higher amount than CBD oil mg in a CBD product.
- CBD mg oil is the best description of CBD products as compared to hemp oil extract for better dose standardization and for allowing easier proper medical CBD dose understanding for patients and consumers since it is the end product of all CBD products.
Avoid CBD products that make sweeping health claims- Since 2015, the FDA has cracked down on dozens of companies selling CBD products online for making disallowed health claims.
Watch Out for Vaping Products With Propylene Glycol- When vape pens that contain propylene glycol burn at high temperatures, propylene glycol can degrade into formaldehyde, a chemical that can irritate the nose and eyes and could increase the risk of health problems. To avoid this problem, consider CBD vape pens that advertise “solvent-free oils.”
Contact BAK 2 Basics CBD Medical Consultants for any medical CBD questions. The proper use of medical CBD therapy is based on our clinical experience, patient interactions and research studies. We focus on each patient’s individual needs as it relates to the indication, proper dosing, intake and interaction/side effects with pharmaceutical medications.
Proper Medical CBD Therapy Is Our Passion
Listen to medical CBD education on “CBD Health Podcast- Medical CBD Talk with Dr Thomas Rocco”
Dr Thomas Rocco – Krystle MacDonald
BAK 2 Basics CBD Medical Consultants
2845 Post Road #103
Warwick RI 02886 (401) 678-6420