New to CBD?

CBD affects everyone differently. If this is your first venture into CBD, start with a small dose and see how it affects you, then build up slowly over time.

Strength?

The strength of a CBD product refers to the amount of CBD per dose. The higher the CBD content, the less product you’ll need to achieve the desired effects. However, it’s not quite as simple as looking at the number on the label.

Speed or Stamina?

How quickly do you need to feel the effects of CBD and how long do you want them to last? If you’re more concerned with fast results, choose a vape-friendly CBD isolate oil. If duration is most important, choose capsules for a slower but longer-lasting effect. Tinctures and oils provide a happy medium, taking up to 30 minutes to kick in and lasting 1-6 hours.

Dosage control?

If it’s important for you to tightly control your dosage, a CBD isolate would be your most accurate option as it’s almost entirely CBD. However, if you want the additional benefits of a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum product, a CBD capsule delivers a more accurate dose than a tincture or cream. Whatever you choose, always check the lab report to get the exact CBD content.

Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or CBD isolate?

Cannabidiol is just one of hundreds of compounds in the hemp plant. A full-spectrum CBD product contains all of them, while a broad-spectrum contains all of them minus THC. A CBD isolate contains only CBD.

CBD is thought to have additional benefits when taken together with all of these other compounds (known as “the entourage effect”). However, if you’re only interested in pure CBD, you may prefer an isolate instead.

Bioavailability?

Bioavailability refers to the proportion of CBD taken that is actually absorbed into your bloodstream and used by your body. Essentially, the higher the bioavailability, the more CBD you’re getting for your dose.

CBD oils have the highest bioavailability, going directly to your bloodstream from under your tongue (or your lungs, if you vape). On the other hand, capsules and edibles have to pass though the digestive system first, and topical creams have to pass through the skin, so their bioavailability is much lower.

Taste?

Not everyone is a fan of CBD’s natural, earthy taste! If it’s a deal-breaker for you, consider CBD capsules, creams, or flavoured oils. You might also like a CBD isolate, as the compounds responsible for the herbal taste have been removed.

THC or no THC?

The UK’s legal limit for THC in CBD oil is 1mg  of THC per product — nowhere near enough to get you ‘high’. However, if you’d rather not consume any THC at all, choose a broad-spectrum or CBD isolate product that contains zero THC.