How Clean Is Your CBD Oil? Here’s What To Look Out For

From wellness “trend” to now arguably becoming one of the most valuable natural remedies on the market today, CBD has become a go-to for those experiencing anxiety, discomfort and stress and the demand for it has not gone unnoticed. In fact, the entire industry is projected to be worth $22 billion by 2022. CBD’s resurgence has resulted in hundreds of new companies coming out with their own CBD lines, but as is the case with organic foods, some might not be as pure and clean-cut as they claim to be.

Not all CBD is created equal-certain strains may contain contaminants harmful to your health. Seeing as CBD, in general, has a reputation for being natural and holistic, people tend to assume that it’s 100% pure and responsibly grown. This is why it’s important to read labels, know what to look out for and make sure the CBD company you wish to try is third-party lab tested and discloses that information on their website.

What Are Possible Contaminants In CBD?

Pesticides or Synthetic Cannabinoids

One of the most dangerous substances that can be found in CBD products are pesticides-these chemicals are used to kill any insects or organisms that will be harmful to cultivated plants. If present on the hemp plant, pesticide residue can become concentrated in the finished product of CBD oil. Pesticides or synthetic cannabinoids could also be deliberately added to CBD oil in order to increase yield, weight or potency. If ingested over time, pesticides could possibly cause both acute & chronic health effects.

Residual Solvents

Solvents are used during the manufacturing process to separate and isolate active ingredients like cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. Solvents such as CO2 and ethanol are safe, but others like petroleum, hexane or benzene are toxic. If proper methods aren’t taken post-extraction, the residual solvents can remain in the extract, which would then be ingested. Repeated exposure of these toxic solvents could possibly have negative effects on the nervous system causing fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headaches and muscular weakness.

Heavy Metals

Through soil, water or even air, hemp plants can absorb all of the chemicals they come in contact with-this means that during the various stages of manufacture, storage and distribution, unhygienic practices may lead to unintentional contaminants such as heavy metals. Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements and while some like zinc and iron are essential nutrients, others such as mercury, arsenic and lead are harmful and can be toxic when absorbed at certain levels.

Microbiological Contaminants

Microbiological contamination refers to the accidental introduction of microbes such as bacteria, mold, yeast or fungi in a substance. Depending on the harvesting, processing and preservation of the cannabis plant, these microorganisms can end up in the final product and lead to potential health threats such as illness or infection.

Besides for unwanted contaminants, it’s also important you ensure the CBD products you’re researching contain less than 0.03% of active THC-the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces the feeling of being “high.” If a product contains more than 0.03% of THC, it cannot officially be a legalized hemp product and it could cause you to fail a drug test.

To receive all of the health benefits CBD has to offer, look for products in which the hemp used was grown in rich, fertile soil, the oil was manufactured in a food-grade facility and most importantly, tested by a reliable, third-party facility.

At Soul, our mission is to provide quality products, so our community can experience better living-we are third-party lab tested, USA grown, organically farmed, gluten-free and made with ZERO THC! Apart from our CBD Oil Drops, we have a variety of CBD products including gummies, bath bombs, topical creams and capsules-relief can be experienced SAFELY and EFFECTIVELY with our clean products and we have the tests to back up our claims!