CBD chewables are popular and appealing because they are a discreet, delicious way to get your daily dose of natural relief. But considering how many headlines mention people getting sick from cannabis edibles, you may be wondering if there are potential health risks that come with enjoying your favorite CBD gummies.
While this is a completely reasonable concern, getting your CBD gummies from a reputable brand should help you set aside your worry about developing the kinds of side effects that make the news. In general, CBD is well tolerated, with mild—if any—side effects. This applies to most if not all forms, including edibles.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how to make sure you are getting a safe, pure product so that you can enjoy the goodness of CBD chewables worry-free.
What Kinds of Edibles Can Make You Sick?
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The kinds of edibles that generally make headlines with people going to the hospital are marijuana edibles with high concentrations of THC. In other cases, edibles that are tainted with toxins or other impurities can cause serious illness.
However, following some basic guidelines for buying CBD edibles online should ensure that the products you get are safe, pure, and effective for managing your wellness goals.
How to Find the Best CBD Chewables
1. Look for CBD Chewables Made With Organically Grown Hemp
Hemp is a bioaccumulator, which means it absorbs everything in its environment. This includes heavy metals from the soil and pesticides or other toxins from agricultural runoff. The first thing you should look for when you buy CBD gummies is how the hemp used to make the CBD was grown.
The most desirable conditions are organic, indoors, and in small batches. This ensures that the soil, water, and air are clean and that proper care and attention can go into cultivating plants with high concentrations of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
2. Find Customer Reviews Online
These days, it’s not difficult to find out if a CBD brand is reputable or not. When customers are not happy with a brand, they will take to the internet to call out the problems they experienced with the products, the customer service, the cost, or any other issues they may have had.
Conversely, if they are happy with a CBD product, they will rally behind that brand and post rave reviews. If you find a CBD company that has excellent reviews online, you can be confident that the products they put on shelves are consistent and satisfying.
3. Pay Attention to the Extraction Method
Growing hemp plants organically is not quite enough to make sure your finished product is safe and pure. There are several different methods for extracting CBD from hemp, and some of them include using solvents that can be left behind as residue.
Make sure you are getting CBD that is made using a solvent-free extraction method to ensure there is no residue in your finished CBD product.
4. Only Buy CBD That Comes With Third-Party Lab Results
It’s important to insist on only buying CBD after you’ve had a chance to review third-party lab results from the brand you are considering. Since CBD is not yet regulated by any government agencies, including the FDA, you need to make sure there are proper checks and balances being placed on the products you buy.
Third party labs that specialize in the analysis of cannabis extracts offer a way to confirm your products are safe. They have no vested interest in the results, they cannot be manipulated, and a certificate of analysis guarantees that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle.
5. Buy CBD Chewables With Verified THC Concentrations
A high or unexpected concentration of THC is almost always the culprit when someone gets sick from an edible. Fortunately, most of the CBD edibles you can buy online have 0.3% THC or less. Anything above this amount is considered illegal at the Federal level, so you generally can’t find products online with a THC concentration that will get you sick.
When you buy CBD edibles that come with third-party lab results, the amount of THC will always be listed. Taking a look at the lab reports will help ensure you don’t have more THC than you planned.
What are the Side Effects of CBD Gummies?
Gummies infused with CBD are generally seen as safe and well-tolerated. Most people experience mild, if any, side effects, which include the following:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
CBD may also interact with certain medications in a way that intensifies side effects. See a doctor before starting CBD if you take medication for or have a serious health condition.
How to Get Started With CBD Gummies
When you are just getting started with CBD products, you may be a little nervous about their effects. If you are using them for your wellness goals, you want to make sure you are doing everything just right.
The good news is that experimentation is part of the fun of starting a new routine with CBD. Just make sure you talk to your doctor if you have health concerns like a condition you are currently taking medication or being treated for.
The Best Way to Stay Safe With CBD Gummies
The best way to stay safe and prevent health risks associated with tainted CBD products is to follow the guidelines above when shopping to confirm you’ve got a safe, pure product. Then start with a very low dose and slowly work your way up to the dose that works for you.