How to Read CBD Oil Labels

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical found in hemp and marijuana plants that can be extracted and used to ease pain, reduce stress or anxiety, and lower the chance of seizures without giving you a high. When you buy CBD oil, check the label on the packaging so you can see if it’s good quality. Each package of CBD oil has a different potency, so make sure you know the strength of the oil you’re taking. Continue reading the label to find out how the company manufactures the product to determine if it’s safe to use. With a little bit of research, you’ll be able to pick a CBD oil that works for you!

Steps:

Determining the Potency

1. Find the amount of CBD in the oil listed in milligrams. The amount of CBD will be clearly labeled on the front of the package so you can easily find it. Check next to the number to see if it’s the amount in the entire package or per serving. If you’re trying CBD for the first time, choose an oil with less CBD so you can get used to how it affects your body.
   • The amount of CBD in the package is not the same as the package size.
   • Some CBD oils may be mislabeled and could contain more or less CBD. CBD oil’s manufacturer and pick one that lists accurate amounts.[2]
2. Compare the package’s size to the amount of CBD to learn the concentration. Look near the bottom of the label to find the total amount of oil in the package. Divide the amount of CBD by the size of the package so you know the oil’s potency. Compare the potencies of multiple oils so you can choose one that works best for you.[3]
   • For example, if a 15 mL bottle contains 500 mg of CBD, then the equation would be 500/15 = 33.3 mg of CBD per mL.
   • CBD oil affects everyone differently. While it may only take you 1 dose of oil for you to feel it, another person may need multiple doses or a higher potency to feel the same effect.
3. Make note of the serving size on the nutritional label. Check the supplement information listed on the back or side of the package to find the serving size. CBD oils usually have serving sizes of 0.5 or 1 mL, but it may vary depending on the product you’re using. The label will also list how many servings are included in the package.[4]
   • Don’t use more than the serving size listed until you know how CBD oil affects your body.
   • Too much CBD can give you adverse reactions and make your conditions feel worse.
4. Check if the CBD oil contains any THC. Since CBD oil is extracted from hemp or marijuana, it may contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical that gets you high. Look on the label near the amount of CBD or on the nutritional panel on the back of the package to find the amount of THC. Usually, high-quality CBD oils will have less than 0.3% THC and will not give you a high. If you can’t find the amount of THC listed on the package, avoid getting the oil since it may be low-quality.[5]
   • Check the laws and regulations on CBD in your area since they may vary.

Checking the Manufacturing Process

1. Look for full-spectrum or isolate to determine if the oil uses the whole plant. Full-spectrum oil contains other chemicals from hemp plants to help enhance the effects of the CBD. Isolate oils only use pure CBD from the plant, but they may be less effective. Check the front of the package or near the nutritional information to see what kind of CBD oil you have.[6]
2. 
   • Some labels may say “whole-plant” instead of “full-spectrum.”
   • Full-spectrum oils may contain trace amounts of THC while isolate oils will not. If you are drug-tested on a regular basis, choose an isolate oil instead.
3. Check for the oil’s extraction process to make sure it’s safe to consume. There are multiple ways to extract CBD oil, but some of them use toxic chemicals that aren’t safe to use. Check near the nutritional information to see if they list the extraction process on the package. If they list CO2 or ethanol as an extraction process, the oil will be safe for you to use. However, if they use a chemical like butane, then it may not be safe to use.[7]
4. 
   • If you can’t find the extraction process on the label, look on the product’s website to see if it’s listed there.
   • Don’t buy CBD oil if you aren’t able to find the extraction method.
5. See if the label lists the percentages of each ingredient. Check on the nutritional panel for a list of the ingredients included in your CBD oil. If you have a good-quality oil, then each ingredient and their amounts should be on the package. If you don’t see an ingredients list on the package, then there may be additives in the oil that could be harmful.[8]
6. 
   • If you don’t see cannabidiol in the ingredients or it only says “hemp oil,” then there it may have a lower amount of CBD than what’s listed on the package.
7. Search for the batch number so you can check lab reports on the oil. Manufacturers usually have third-party labs test the CBD oil to check the purity and make sure it’s safe to consume. Check for a batch number printed or stamped onto the package. Look up the product and the batch number online to see the lab results so you know what’s in the CBD oil.[9]
8. 
   • If you don’t find a batch number or third-party lab testing listed on the package, then the CBD oil may be low-quality.
9. Pay attention to the expiration date. The expiration date is usually printed on the side or bottom of the CBD oil package. If you’re close to the expiration date, avoid getting or using the oil since it will start to lose its effectiveness. Only buy the CBD oil if you think you’ll use all of it before the expiration date.[10]
10. 
    • If you don’t see an expiration date on the package, then don’t use the CBD oil since you don’t know if it’s still effective.

Expert Advice

Keep these warnings in mind when choosing a product:

• Do not buy a CBD product from a company you don't know anything about, or any product that isn't sealed or labeled.
• Smoking or vaping any substance, including CBD, will irritate your lungs and could result in the development of lesions or other respiratory issues.
• Do not rely on CBD to treat significant psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar. Instead, work with a licensed therapist who specializes in those conditions.

Tips

• Many CBD oils have customer service lines listed on the package so you can call a representative and ask any further questions you have.

Warnings

• Talk to your doctor before starting CBD oil since it could have negative interactions with other medications you take.[11]
• Side effects of CBD oil may include, nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, and irritability.

References

1. https://cbdoilusers.com/read-cbd-oil-labels/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5818782/
3. https://echoconnection.org/guide-rea...res-need-know/
4. https://today.uconn.edu/2019/06/fact-fiction-cbd-oil/#
5. https://cbdoilusers.com/full-spectru...il-vs-isolate/
6. https://www.verywellcbd.com/how-to-b...ing-the-label/
7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-l...e/faq-20446700
8. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/...-2018082414476

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