three do's & three don'ts of buying cbd

If you’re looking to purchase CBD for the first time, you may wonder what to look for and what to avoid when evaluating different products. What features indicate a high-quality product, and which ones indicate a low-quality one? To help any first-timers, here are some do’s and don’ts when buying CBD.

1. do your research 

Not all CBD products are created equal. Some use CBD derived from marijuana plants, while others use hemp plants. Others use chemicals and toxic solvents during the extraction process, while others do not. Make sure you do some research about brands that you’re interested in to ensure the product you’re purchasing is the one you actually want. You may also want to look for products that have won Purity Awards from the Clean Label Project, such as ourselves here at Pachamama, which shows a devotion to transparency and precision with all products.

2. don't purchase a product that doesn't provide lab testing results

As mentioned above, some CBD companies use toxic chemicals and solvents during the extraction process. These chemicals and solvents are usually filtered out during the manufacturing process; but not always. That’s why CBD companies send their products to testing labs to ensure there are no harmful contaminants.

Many CBD products will include a way to look up their testing results on their packaging. Some will have QR codes that you can scan and immediately pull up the test results. At Pachamama, we provide links on our website where our community can enter the batch number for the product and view the lab results.

If the product you’re considering doesn’t provide an avenue to view testing results, you should probably avoid it to ensure you know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

3. do learn the lingo 

There are many factors to consider when purchasing CBD. Do you want a CBD topical, tincture or oil? Are you looking for full-spectrum CBD, broad spectrum or isolate? These terms not only specify what product you’re getting, but also what’s in your product. For instance, full-spectrum CBD products contain THC, which may be something that you want to avoid. While researching the products and companies out there, you may also want to do a little research about the lingo and terms used in the CBD industry.

4. don't purchase from untrustworthy places

With the CBD industry booming, you can purchase these products just about anywhere. Stores selling CBD without knowledgeable employees who can answer your questions about their products should be avoided. The same is true for websites that don’t provide information about how their products are made, the source of their CBD or include links to their lab results. Stick to reputable websites and stores that help answer all your questions. Or, better yet, just head to our online store to find the best product that fits your needs.

5. do think about what you want cbd to help with 

CBD products do not all produce the same effects in users. Different products are designed to achieve different results. For instance, Pachamama produces several topicals meant to help with muscle aches or pains, whereas our tinctures are more designed to help with relaxation. If you’re looking for a product to help improve your mood, don’t pick up any CBD product and expect it to do the trick. Make sure the product you’re looking at will accomplish what you want it to do.

6. don't avoid thc  

Many people avoid CBD products that contain any traces of THC in them, and that’s not necessarily the right thing to do. CBD products that contain THC can actually produce stronger results through a method known as “the entourage effect.” Cannabinoids work together synergistically to amplify each other’s effects. So a product that contains a little THC will amplify the effects of the CBD. These CBD products contain only a minimal trace amount of THC, so users don’t need to worry about getting high.

Discover the right CBD products for you here.