Is Popularity The Same As Quality In The CBD Oil Marketplace?

If a brand is appealing, well-known, and successful that must mean it’s comprised of good products, right? If so many people are buying what a company offers and they continue to choose them over other options, that should be a testament to the real value of their brand, shouldn’t it?

That may be sound logic for choosing a seller in a perfect world but in the real life CBD marketplace, a brand’s popularity doesn’t always equate to its quality. Consumer Reports recently reported on a study that found potentially dangerous substances in a popular brand of CBD vaping liquid. The findings speak to a need for better regulatory and quality assurance practices in the CBD marketplace.

CBD May Be Low Risk, But Contaminants Are Not

One of the most popular sellers of CBD vapes, edibles, creams, and other products, and also a public traded company, was put in the hot seat after Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found a synthetic marijuana compound, known as 5F-ADB, and dextromethorphan, a cough drug ingredient, in several of the seller’s CBD products.

The researchers decided to test products from the specific seller after a buyer alerted them to their experience, which included feelings of being high and other unexpected side effects.

When confronted by Consumer Reports, the seller provided assurances that the products were subject to third-party testing, but new testing would be completed as a result of Virginia Commonwealth University’s findings.

This is far from the only instance of popular CBD brands being called to answer for impurities, mislabeling, and other lacking quality assurance practices. Even CBD dominant oil products that claim to be manufactured from hemp are not exempt from contaminants and mislabeling. Misrepresenting CBD oil healing benefits and marketing products with unsubstantiated health claims is another major issue throughout the marketplace, and one that the FDA is trying to crack down on.

Treating CBD Oil As Legitimate Medicine

If there’s any hope for CBD to be considered a legitimate medical option for people who are most likely to benefit, then it should be evaluated and regulated accordingly—with all health claims carefully vetted under a scientific lens. However, there are a number of issues that must first be resolved before that can happen.

The limited legality of cannabis-derived medications is a major obstacle for consistent regulation. State-limited legalization is also a major hindrance to wider studies of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids. This is part of the reason why nailing down the true, clinically confirmed effects of CBD oil can be so difficult.

As long as anecdotal support exists for just about any health claim, dubious CBD sellers may not have the slightest hesitation in marketing their products as a cure-all for anyone willing to buy.

Lack of regulation and the prevalence of disreputable practices can be just as dangerous as toxic ingredients. This isn’t only a problem for the CBD marketplace, but the health and natural supplement industry overall. Too often, consumers become caught up in a list of benefits and claims, they forget to look deeper and exercise healthy skepticism. As they daydream about all the positive outcomes that may await them, they may also fail to consider the risks and take caution.

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

So what can consumers do to protect themselves as they consider buying CBD or any natural health supplement, particularly those that lack regulation?

Do your research beyond a seller’s website and social media. Look for scientific studies that back up a specific claim associated with a substance. If a seller appears to be the first and only source for a health claim or benefit, take that information with a grain of salt. Remember that if a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Talk with your doctor before trying any course of treatment that may affect your health. A medical health professional can help to determine if a substance is right for you and alert you to the potential risks while guiding you towards the best possible outcome for your specific condition.

Insist that sellers provide details on their third-party testing claims, including full documentation and COAs (certificates of analysis). A reputable seller will be proudly sharing these details to show they’ve done their job as a trustworthy provider. If it’s a fight to get such assurances, move on to a different seller.

You should also know where the hemp used to make the CBD oil was grown, the extraction or distillation method, and the compounds that should and should not be in high-quality, high purity CBD oil, as well the right concentrations. If you need to, ask the seller to explain their documentation and the proper way to use a product. A reputable seller should know what they’re selling inside-and-out and be eager to educate you.

Research the laws and limits where you live. If cannabis is legal for medical use, reach out to your lawmakers and demand they take action to get regulatory laws enforced and provide more funding for cannabidiol studies. CBD is in high demand, and if the public takes action to protect themselves in the process of making cannabidiol-based medicine more accessible, regulation and quality assurance measures will improve.

Original Article Source: https://blog.puredosage.com/cbd-oil-benefits/is-popularity-the-same-as-quality-in-the-marketplace