How to Choose a CBD Brand in 4 Easy Steps

If you’re like most people, you’re excited to try CBD. But because everyone’s needs are different and because CBD products aren’t created equally, it’s critical to do some research before selecting a brand or product.

What you want to avoid is reaching a disappointing conclusion that “CBD doesn’t work for me”; when in fact it was just the wrong type of CBD product or one made from poor quality ingredients. So, in this article, we want to share four keys things to look for when making your choice.

1. Double Check Accuracy of Product Potency

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate the CBD industry the same way it regulates pharmaceutical drugs, so it’s up to manufacturers and other watchdog groups to make sure product labeling is accurate; especially when it comes to a product’s CBD potency. In fact, you may find the accuracy of potency rather upsetting.

In 2020, the US Congress requested that the FDA investigate the CBD market to test for potency and adulterants. Remarkably, half the products tested contained the wrong amount of CBD by a margin of more than 20%. Additionally, watchdog groups have put a number of CBD brands to the test only to arrive at similar results. Check out this article published by Leafly - Are you getting the CBD you paid for?.

The take-away here, make sure the CBD product you selected has been tested by a third-party laboratory. A good manufacturer will make their third-party test results proudly known, so look for a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and double check that it came from an FDA accredited laboratory before buying it.

At UPSY, we test our products as we make them and adjust our formulation throughout the process to ensure our CBD levels are always perfect. When we arrive at our final stage, an FDA accredited lab double-checks each batch before we ship it to you. A QR code is displayed on all of our labels which take you directly to the testing information of the product you’re holding in your hand.

2. Understand Bioavailability

Bioavailability refers to how much a substance is absorbed into the bloodstream after it’s been introduced to the body – the more your body can absorb a substance, the greater the effect it will have. That said, it’s a well-known fact that oil and water don’t mix, and because our bodies are made up of about 60% water, it will naturally resist traditional CBD oil. This, in turn, greatly impacts its effectiveness.

Even when a label’s CBD potency is accurate, there’s still a strong likelihood you’re not getting all the CBD you paid for. Studies show that  81-87% of unprocessed CBD oil goes unabsorbed by the body. So, unless the manufacturer took the scientific step to improve their CBD’s solubility, your body isn’t absorbing much of it at all.  

At UPSY, we utilize the power of nano-technology to enhance our product’s bioavailability; leveraging a variety of scientifically proven processing methods commonly used within the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. If you’d like to learn more about our process, check out our article Why Some CBD Products Don’t Work.

3. Avoid CBD Impurities

Again, because CBD is loosely regulated, many products contain contaminants. There are three main causes of CBD contamination: pesticides, bad processing methods, and residual plant compounds like THC. In the FDA’s sampling study (noted above), about half the CBD products tested exceeded the legal limit of THC (which is 0.3% THC by weight for CBD products).

Large amounts of THC can make you feel intoxicated, but even minute amounts can show up on a drug test. If you’re subject to drug tests, make sure to avoid untested CBD products and any products labeled as “full-spectrum” or “broad-spectrum” - those are likely to contain THC. At UPSY, we only use research-grade CBD isolate in our formulation, so all our products are 100% THC-free guaranteed.

Pesticides or other harsh chemicals from bad production practices are other contaminants that may be found in some CBD products. Some companies process hemp with harsh solvents such as ethanol or hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbon solvents — like butane and propane — are volatile compounds which are unacceptable for a health supplement. At UPSY, we craft our products from certified, organic hemp that is USA grown and never exposed to pesticides or other residual solvents.

4. Know Why You’re Taking CBD

Are you seeking balance? A boost of energy? Comfort from aches and pains? Or, maybe a little bit of rest? Whatever the reason, while research suggests that CBD may help with all of the above, how you choose to consume it makes a difference for each.

For example, if you need relief from aches and pains caused from inflammation, sore muscles, or pinched nerves, a topical CBD formulation will be more effective than an ingestible one. Our central nervous system has a lot of CBD receptors, but you can also find them on our skin. So, when we apply CBD directly on the pain, our bodies absorb it directly where it matters.

At UPSY, we’ve made it easy for you to pick the right product - by formulating in ways that make sense and then segmenting them into 4 easy to understand categories. Our ALIGN category was designed for products that support balancing mood or easing stress and anxiety. Our LIFT category was designed for products that support improving focus and for boosting physical and mental stimulation. Our SOOTHE category is for products supporting your relief of localized aches and pains. And finally, our UNWIND category (coming soon), for products assisting with sleep and relaxation.     

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