Cannabidiol (CBD) has been taking the global health supplement marketplace by storm. Ever since it was legalized in the U.S. in 2018 as part of the Farm Bill, it has become one of the fastest growing industries in the world. In 2018, the global CBD market was around $1.5 billion, and it is forecasted to surpass $17 billion by 2026. 

This represents the huge surge in demand for CBD products, and at the center of it all is CBD oil. It is the basic, easiest, quickest, and most convenient product for people who want to take CBD for their health. With more research emerging over the years showing the everyday health benefits that CBD can offer for pain relief, mental health, sleep, and skin health, you may be interested in trying it as well.

If you are new to CBD oil and want to know what to know before you buy anything, here are three tips to get you started.

1. Types of CBD

There are three kinds of CBD that you will find used in different products: Full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate. According to Joy Organics, the difference is that full spectrum CBD uses more of the other compounds found in cannabis plants, including trace amounts of THC. To be legal, it has to contain less than 0.3% THC but if that is a concern for you, you will want to avoid it.

Broad spectrum CBD removes more of the other compounds, including THC but may still include some of the others for their health benefits. This is because when more of the compounds are used together, they enhance each other’s effects to be more potent than they would be on their own. This is known as the entourage effect.

CBD isolate completely removes all other compounds, so all you are left with is pure CBD. This may be safer for you to start with, especially if you work in a job that has drug testing and you are required to have 0% THC in your system.

2. Know Your Dose

You will also find CBD products listing different levels of potency of CBD, even in the same sized bottles of CBD oil. You can typically find a dispensary carrying anywhere between 500mg to 2000mg in one CBD oil bottle. However, some stores may sell it with less or more depending on the size of their selection.

Based on the amount of CBD in your dropper bottle, you will want to know how much of a dose you should take. If you are just starting to take CBD, it is a good idea to start with a lower dose and work your way up so you get a better idea of how your body responds to it. Start with a 500mg bottle, and use a CBD dose calculator to figure out the right dose for your body size and needs.

3. Lab Test Certification

In the early days of the CBD market, the quality of products varied greatly, and some people fell for scams or low quality products. A response to that by the industry was providing lab test certification for all of their products, to show proof that the CBD in the product being sold is safe and good quality. If you are shopping for CBD oil, make sure the product you find includes lab certification results in the packaging or on the brand’s website. If it doesn’t, you should avoid buying it.

With these three tips, you will have the foundational knowledge you need to buy your first CBD oil. Now it’s just a matter of choosing between different brands, doses, and secondary ingredients to add other effects, such as melatonin for sleep.