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CBD Oil Buyers Guide
Welcome to WellspringCBD.com
We would like to welcome you to Wellspring CBD, and our guide for you on purchasing CBD oil products online and in real life. We are pleased that you are taking the time to read this guide. It is very exciting that you are looking to improve your health through natural means using our favorite plant, L Cannabis Sativa.
For those looking to buy CBD oil, one will find that a large amount of time and energy is needed to sift through the volumes of information that is available regarding hemp extract. While the popularity of the plant is growing exponentially, finding solid information about the plant and the products made from it is increasingly difficult to find.
We wholeheartedly believe that customers who are most informed are the happiest with their purchases. This is why we feel that sharing this information with you will help you make an informed decision.
The information presented below will progress from the basics to more specific details, and we will do our best to make sure that information flows and builds upon itself. We are here should you have any questions. You can find us here.
And without further ado…..we present our CBD Oil Buyers Guide.
- Definitions
- Where To Buy CBD Oil
- Sourcing
- Analysis
- Extraction Method
There is a lot of buzz around the way CBD has made millions of people around the globe feel. Judging by the number of places that are starting to carry hemp extracts, you may be wondering why so many are jumping on board. Because the industry and products are so new, a lot of research is needed to be able to speak about them all. Here are some most reported benefits to taking CBD daily.
- Current Supplementation
- Your Budget
- Speed/Duration
- Taste
- Preferred Method Of Consumption
- Capsules
- Dabs/Waxes
- Drops/Tinctures
- Edibles
- Lotions/Creams
- Oils/Extracts
- Pet Products
- Vape Oils
- THC Free
From here, you will want to go over the items you considered above, and come to a decision whether you feel supplementing with CBD rich hemp oil is right for you.
1. CBD Basics
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a compound readily produced in the cannabis plant. It is considered to generally be non-psychoactive, meaning there is not a ‘high’ feeling consuming it. From here, we will provide a glossary of terms that will provide the seeding of the foundation for the upcoming content.
Cannabis: A group (genus) of flowering annual plants containing 3 species: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. This is the scientific term for the plant known as hemp or marijuana.
Hemp: A legal term used to describe a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% Δ9-THC by dry weight post harvest. This is the plant all of the products we carry are made from.
Cannabinoid: This is a term used to describe a class of compounds that are known to interact with our bodies own endocannabinoid system. Additional Info
Endocannabinoid System: ECS for short, this is the term for our own biological system dispersed throughout our body whose receptors are designed to interact with cannabinoids that are produced in cannabis (phytocannabinoids) and within ourselves (endocannabinoids). Additional Info
Cannabidiol: CBD for short, this compound is the purpose for this site’s existence. Discovered in the 1940’s, CBD works with a variety of receptors in our body to help regulate our mood, immune response, as well as acts as a protective agent for the nerves in our brain. Additional Info
THC: The shortened way to say delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. It is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, as it attaches itself to receptors associated with memory, pleasure, thinking, and coordination. Also associated with it’s own health impact. Additional Info
Sublingual: This is a term used to describe the method of consumption of CBD, where one puts their desired CBD product under the tongue where it is held for 60-90 seconds. This allows for rapid absorption through the oral mucosa membranes in the mouth.
Decarboxylation: Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that releases CO2, carbon dioxide, during the process that removes a carboxyl group from raw cannabinoids, like CBDa and THCa. Decarboxylation generally refers to the reaction of carboxylic acids that remove a carbon atom from its carbon chain.
Extraction: The process of pulling, or drawing out, a desired product from within a whole product. In our case, this refers to hemp oil extracted from the hemp plant. Examples of this are CO2, ethanolic, cold press, rosin, hydrocarbons (like butane, propane), etc. The resulting resin/oil after extraction is called the extract. Additional Info
Full Spectrum: This describes the cannabinoid makeup within a given product, notating that the product has not had any cannabinoids removed, and that the product may contain trace amounts of THC.
Broad Spectrum: This, too, is a description of the cannabinoid content of a given product. This will generally mean that the THC was removed during processing, and thus should be THC Free.
Isolate/ Crystaline: CBD in it’s purest form has a crystalline structure to it, and is why CBD isolate is structured either into chunks or into powders similar to how salt appears. Isolate is generally 99.5% or more pure CBD. No fatty acids or other plant compounds nor cannabinoids are found in CBD isolate.
Where Do I Buy CBD Oil?
The places you can find CBD products has grown dramatically over the past year, and is expected to continue to grow in the coming decade. The experiences people like you are having is driving the desire to have this incredible extract in their supplement cabinets. Because of this rapid growth, finding safe and reputable to buy CBD oil can be daunting and confusing for both those who are starting their hemp journey and for seasoned CBD consumers. Knowing where to look and what to look for is vital information in obtaining the best CBD for your situation.
Here is a small sampling of where you can find CBD oil available for sale:
- Retail Stores – There are hemp CBD specific stores opening across the country. Regular outlets are also starting to carry CBD, like grocery stores and home stores.
- Dispensaries – For those who are in locale with medical cannabis, you may be able to find CBD on their shelves.
- Online – online CBD stores like ours are a great resource to find a variety of brands and products without having to travel store to store trying to find something you may be interested in.
– Sourcing
Being able to know the source location of your hemp products is important, as it can be an indicator of quality. On our site, each product with contain information about the state or country the hemp for that product was grown. Some examples are: Oregon, Colorado, European Union, North Carolina, etc.
For our sourcing, we will only choose suppliers who practice practice organic farming techniques, and have for a long time. Because of the amount of time and practice that has gone into growing hemp, Europe’s regulations and traditions are the industry standard, and are being replicated here in the states.
– Analysis
Appropriate testing of hemp products is an important role in the self regulating nature of the industry as it currently stands. These 3rd party analytics are called Certificates of Analysis. They ensure that what is labeled on the product is what is contained inside the product. For instance, that a 500mg tincture truly does have 500mg of CBD within. This also demonstrates that the level of THC is below the threshold suitable for a hemp CBD product.
For each product that we carry, we do make the attempt to either test the product ourselves or we communicate with the 3rd party labs to provide us with the Certificate of Analysis. You will find those test results on the product page within the product description area under the title: Test Results. Should you find a product you would like to have, and we do not have the analysis listed, please contact us and we will obtain that for you so that you may make an informed decision about that product.
– Method of Extraction
As the saying goes, “there is more than one way to skin a cat.” There is also more than one way to extract the resins and oils from a plant. As our industry evolves, innovations in efficiency and quality are bound to be found and improved upon.
We carry products that utilize different versions of their ideal way to perform a hemp oil extraction. Some of those methods are: Sub-critical CO2 extraction, ethanolic, and spagyric. There are also methods like cold press, rosin, hydrocarbon gas (butane, propane, Ntane, etc), among others.
There is much debate over which method is superior. Each has it’s benefits and disadvantages depending on what the desired extract outcome is. Because we are selective with the brands and products that we represent, we only choose from the most premium of each extraction method.
2. CBD Benefits
The reason we all take supplements like CBD is so that we can improve the way we feel. Whether that is to help us manage pain, improve our mood, or any of the myriad reasons folks like yourself decide to use hemp extracts. Here are some benefits to taking hemp CBD.
Pain and Inflammation management
Cannabidiol does not have an affinity for binding with either the CB1 or CB2 receptor sites within our bodies. Those are a part of our endocannabinoid system. However, it does have the ability to modulate several non-cannabinoid receptors and ion channels, like the vanilloid receptors.
The vanilloid receptors are often referred to as TRPV1, and is named after the vanilla bean. Vanilla produces eugenol, which is an essential oil that has analgesic properties, and vanilla beans have been historically used as a natural method of alleviating headaches. CBD also binds to the TRPV1, which may influence pain perception.
Many studies have been presented and analyzed by Dr Ethan Russo researching cannabinoids as analgesics through the endocannabinoid system.
Stress and Mood Support
5-HT1A is a serotonin receptor that is found in the central nervous system as well as in several peripheral systems. In high concentrations, CBD and CBDa, the raw form of CBD, was demonstrated to directly activate the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A.
Another example of stress support is this study in which CBD was given to some people who are prone to stage fright prior to a public speaking event. Their stress levels were lower than those who did not take CBD.
Sleep support
In lab tests involving rats, CBD was given in high concentrations. In that study, the amount of total sleep time as well as the latency in sleep were increased in those who were given higher concentrations of CBD.
Stress is often a primary suspect when it comes to finding the cause of sleep disorders. Thanks to the previous section, about stress and mood support, stress relief can help improve quality of sleep.
3. Things To Consider
The products we carry come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, types, concentrations, and flavors. What works for you may not work for someone else, and vice versa. Here are some things to keep in mind while you are considering a product.
Current supplementation
Are you currently taking medications or supplements? What type of delivery method are those (capsule/drops/edible/etc)? The only way they, along with CBD, are effective is if you are taking them. Period.
If you are already accustomed to taking capsules, it may be easier for you to fit CBD into your regimen in capsule form. The same can be said with liquid drops, or external applications like lotions and balms. Perhaps you prefer to vape your CBD and are acclimated to that process.
Consistently consuming CBD is the best way to be able to find out whether what you are doing is helping you improve your situation.
Your Budget
The cost of CBD products can vary quite a bit. We carry products starting at only $6, and go up from there. During your initial search, you may run into a product that does not fit what you are looking for, and that is perfectly okay.
If you are beginning your journey with CBD with us, we always recommend that you start on the lighter side of CBD. For some, a small amount is plenty to achieve their goals. And with a lighter concentration product, it is always easy to take more of it to replicate a product that is more concentrated with CBD.
If you are on disability, social security, or are a military veteran, and are having trouble affording the products, do let us know and we will do our best to help accommodate you.
Speed of Absorption/Duration of Effects
How quickly do you wish to feel the effects of CBD? Do you want those effects to last a longer time? There are some correlations to these thoughts and the types of CBD products you are looking at. In the following section, we will go over the differences between CBD products. In this section, we will go over the speed of absorption of those different product types.
– The fastest delivery method is, by far, the inhalation method. Whether this is done through a vaporizer or a nebulizer, taking in the CBD within a vapor form directly into the lungs will deposit the cannabinoids directly into your bloodstream. The effects will be felt virtually immediately to within a few minutes. However, the speed of delivery also indicates the speed at which the CBD will be processed by your body. The effects may be felt for roughly several hours.
– The next fastest consumption method is via sublingual delivery. Cannabinoids like CBD are able to pass through mucus membranes in our body, and underneath the tongue is the oral mucosa membranes, and are generally associated with CBD drops and CBD extracts.
The effects are usually felt within 20-45 minutes, and are generally felt for four to six hours.
– Ingestion by eating/swallowing can take some time for those effects to become prevalent. By swallowing a capsule, eating an infused gummy candy, or using drops without holding them under the tongue, it can take anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes to begin, and lasting four to six hours.
Taste
For some, the flavor of their products is extremely important. Hemp extracts are generally bitter and astringent to our taste buds. If how the product tastes is important, do make sure to look for the flavor selector on each product page, and be sure to choose a flavor that you feel will taste the best. For some, the natural flavor of hemp is delicious, while many choose some sort of a flavor.
We carry products in a wide range of flavors. From Pineapple Express and Sour Diesel to Mint and Strawberry. The taste of our products is important to us, and we strive to carry the best variety of flavors and sweetness levels to satisfy virtually everyone.
4. Types of CBD Products
While the hemp CBD market is fairly young, the medical cannabis market has been around for much longer. Because of that experience, the variety and types of CBD products available for sale has blossomed quite rapidly.
Like we mentioned above, consistently taking any supplement is the only way to know if it is working for you, and for it to continue to work. Finding a method of consumption that is enjoyable and convenient will help you to reach your goals.
The following section will give a brief explanation regarding the different product types that we carry, and that you will find in most real life and online CBD stores.
CBD Capsules
Generally tasteless and odorless, CBD capsules are the most common method of consumption, in our experience. Because they need to digest and pass through into the intestines, they can take up to 2 hours to begin to take effect.
CBD Dabs
This describes a type of hemp extract that is formulated for use in a vape pen or dab rig, or taken orally. They tend to be highly concentrated and, when inhaled, is extremly fast acting. Great for those looking for instant relief.
CBD Drops
CBD Drops, also known as tinctures, are a versatile and simple way to orally or topically take CBD. They are made by dissolving hemp extract into a carrier oil, like MCT or Olive Oil, into a standardized quantity for easier serving management.
CBD Edibles
The most delicious version, CBD edibles take the cake when it comes to the enjoyable nature of treats. Gummy bears, honey, chocolate, baked goods…the variety of products that are available today is numerous.
CBD for Pets
Did you know that nearly all mammals have an endocannabinoid system? Our pets, like cats, dogs, horses, and ferrets, can benefit greatly by taking hemp CBD. We carry a variety of products that are formulated to be safe for consumption for our fur babies.
CBD Flower
For those looking for the most natural way to use hemp, buying CBD flower is the way to go! During the hemp life cycle, the end of it’s life culminates in the production of sets of flowers. When dried, cured, and trimmed, they are called buds. The glands, called trichromes, contain high levels of terpenes and cannabinoids.
CBD Hemp Oil
CBD Hemp oil is the pure extract from the hemp plant. They generally come in three forms: raw, decarboxylated, and filtered. Raw extracts have not gone through the heating process to decarb the cannabinoids. Decarboxylated has gone through the heating. Filtered has gone through extra processing to remove plant compounds like chlorophyll.
CBD Skin Care
Great for localized relief, CBD topical applications like balms, salves, lotions, patches, and creams are quite popular. Many are infused with great smelling botanical oils like lavender. Extremely simple to use: rub small amount on desired area, let absorb, and enjoy! Many are also great for giving and receiving massages.
CBD Superfoods
Superfoods are mostly plant based foods that are nutritionally dense, and are thought to be good for one’s health. Using the principle of the Entourage Effect, combining hemp CBD extracts with other super foods can help super charge each others’ effects on the body.
CBD Vape Oil
Vape oils, also known as e-juice, are similar to CBD drops in that CBD oil is blended into a carrier oil. In this case, they are formulated to be consumed through a vaporizing device. Great for immediate effects, and durations anywhere from one to six hours.
Terpene Infused
Terpenes are the natural compounds that give plants their unique smells and effects. Different formulations will be able to help you relax, or focus, or fall asleep faster, or wake you up. Customize your experience with CBD using these unique creations.
THC Free
For some of you, being able to use CBD without consuming THC is critical. And we’ve got you covered. Products made with either a broad spectrum extract or an isolate that is free of THC fall under this category. Professional athletes, drivers, teachers, and many others love these products!
5. Decision Making
We hope that this guide has provided a good foundation for you to be able to come to a decision about what might be the best CBD product for you and your situation. Each person is different in their preferences and desired outcomes, and there are no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions to using CBD.
If you found yourself asking, “Who is ‘we’?” learn more about us here.
After reading this guide, you should have a basic vocabulary, understand some basic benefits to taking CBD, are aware of some of the items you should consider in your purchase, and have an understanding about the types of CBD products that are available in our shop as well as other shops you may visit in your journey.
We appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to read our buying guide for CBD oil. We also hope that this helps you make the best decision you can regarding CBD products and your health.
If you have any suggestions to improve this guide, or if you have any other questions, visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form. We would love to hear from you.
If you found this guide helpful, please help us get the word out by sharing this page. You never know who might benefit from taking CBD!