CBD Safety
No matter what form or brand of CBD you use, know the facts on how to take it safely.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 14% of American adults take some form of CBD. The same report states that cannabis-derived CBD is used for pain, anxiety and sleep. CBD is derived from hemp plants that have high levels of cannabidiol (CBD). The extract has gained massive popularity but like any other supplement, caution should be used when taking any form of CBD. Whether your considering taking CBD for the first time or are already enjoying its benefits, check out these tips for the safe consumption of CBD.
- Consult your physician before beginning a CBD regimen. You want to be sure that CBD does not interact with any other medications you may already be taking. For example, CBD can interact with some blood thinners and some types of chemotherapy. Best to give you physician a call and let them know you’d like to take CBD. Many physicians are versed on CBD and can help you to stay safe with your current medications and supplements.
- Be sure to dose properly. CBD can be ingested in many forms such as oils, vapes, gummies and other edibles. Each form can have different milligram dosages as well. For example, a recommended dosage when using a CBD tincture is to start with a small dose, like 10 mg. You may not feel an effect until you reach 30 mg per day for at least a week. No matter what CBD form you try, start with the smallest dose taken regularly and try increasing over time. Also understand labels. A 1000 mg bottle doesn't mean that you are consuming 1000 mg of CBD. It means that the bottle contains 1000 mg and each serving is 30 mg.
- Buy your CBD from a reputable source. It’s very important to find your CBD products from a reputable source, preferably one that includes a certificate of analysis from a third-party testing lab. Legal dispensaries sell these types of certified products that have endured lab quality testing. Other reputable sources will publish and/or make available their third-party lab testing results. If you buy from a dispensary, your budtender should be knowledgeable about the CBD products they carry and can be a great resource for information about different products.
- Use care if you are pregnant or nursing. While CBD has been reported to help with inflammation, cannabinoids can be passed from mother to fetus. There is not a lot that is known about the long-term effects on a child’s brain so best to err on the side of caution.
- CBD extraction methods. Most CBD is extracted from the leaves, flowers and stalks of the cannabis plant with solvents or heat extraction. Solvent extraction, uses solvents like carbon dioxide or harsh chemicals like ethanol, butane or kerosene. A gentler technique is using steam is used to extract the oil from the hemp plant. This causes less damage to the plant during the extraction process to maintain the integrity of the CBD and other plant compounds.
CBD can be a very beneficial addition to your health but be sure to play it safe.
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