How to find a good CBD oil?

We've done the research to help you find a good CBD oil.

Cannabidiol or CBD is an extract from cannabis plants. Although found in marijuana, CBD oil is most commonly extracted from agricultural hemp. This variety of cannabis contains less THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol), the famous psychoactive molecule that can get us “high”. Cannabidiol offers many wellness benefits , similar to those of medical marijuana. The fact that there is no “high” effect therefore makes it particularly interesting (Harvard study in English here ).

Like any manufactured product, one of the best ways to ensure quality is to use high-quality materials. This is particularly important in CBD oil due to the “hyperaccumulator” characteristic of the hemp plant. This means that it easily absorbs anything present in the soil. So, if the plant grows in rich soil, it will be of high quality and can produce better oil.

Being a hyperaccumulator, however, has a major drawback. If the plant is grown on soil loaded with heavy metals, the oils may have harmful effects on the body and health.

Some CBD oil manufacturers sometimes choose this polluted hemp because it costs them less. They do not care about the consequences on health, nor the image that this gives to the entire sector. A tip for finding good CBD oil: choose hemp grown in Europe. European farmers are required to be certified by the European Union and the THC level is controlled.

Another characteristic of quality oil is that it is made from the whole plant. Cannabidiolisolates are becoming more and more popular, but in reality, it is a cheaper material than whole plant extracts.

Using the entire plant in Full Spectrum oils ensures that the oil contains not only cannabidiol, but also the full range of the plant's primary and secondary constituents. These include terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids. These molecules work synergistically with cannabidiol, making the benefits exponentially higher than isolate.

You can also opt for broad spectrum CBD oil. This oil does not contain THC but retains the other components. So check the labels on the product to determine if the manufacturer uses the whole plant in their products, or check their websites for information.

Due to the young age of the CBD oil industry, there are not yet any regulations controlling the manufacturing process. This means that depending on the producer, CBD oil extraction methods may vary. Some companies, especially those that sell their products at a very low price, usually use cheap methods to extract CBD oil. This can lead to the use of toxic hydrocarbon-based solvents, dangerous for our health, such as propane, hexane, pentane or butane.

More ethical players are opting for pharmaceutical grade organic ethanol to process cannabidiol. Ethanol, a grain alcohol, is used to remove toxins and unnecessary residue from the base hemp plant. This extraction method is considered the extraction process that produces the highest amount of cannabinoids among the different refining processes. It is even considered one of the safest extraction methods.

CBD oil can also be obtained through a process called “supercritical CO2 extraction”. This process involves using carbon dioxide under high pressure in an extremely cold environment. Supercritical CO2 extraction requires expensive equipment, a more complex refining process and an advanced level of production expertise, but it ensures that the product maintains its purity throughout the process.

To find a good CBD oil, we therefore advise you to research the seller's production methods on their website or by contacting their customer service directly. In summary, we suggest that you favor cannabidiol treated by extraction with ethanol and/or supercritical CO2. To ensure this, do not hesitate to request a certificate of analysis provided by a third-party laboratory. To find out more about extraction methods you can also consult this study (in English).

A high-quality CBD brand will always provide third-party lab results to its consumers. These independent laboratories can guarantee that the product is compliant, with a high level of cannabidiol, low THC content and an absence of impurities harmful to consumers. A good CBD oil brand should have recent lab results. Some provide them on their website, while others include them in the packaging.

The existence of customer service is also a reassuring signal; they will be able to provide you with information and send you these results if necessary. You will understand that not all brands are equal and that it is important to find out about the seller and their production methods before purchasing their products. While we wait for regulations to progress, simple checks will help you find a good CBD oil.