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NATIONAL CBD DAY!
Perhaps you or someone you love is struggling, or you've been made aware of the pressures faced by elite athletes like Simon Biles or Sha'Carri Richardson.
Have you thought of trying something new to alleviate your sleeplessness, pain, or anxiety? You're not alone. Here are 5 things you should look for in the best CBD products.
1. FULL-SPECTRUM CBD
Full spectrum CBD products contain all of the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant used to make the oil, in their natural ratios. They typically contain all of the natural hemp plant compounds including minor cannabinoids , flavonoids and terpenes . Full spectrum hemp extract also contains trace amounts of THC, but not enough to have any psychoactive effects.
Products containing all of the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant work better than THC-free products, often called "broad spectrum" or made with CBD isolate (which consists of only CBD and none of the other cannabinoids). That's why full spectrum products are known for something called the "entourage effect."
The entourage effect has to do with the endocannabinoid system, a recently discovered network of receptors that exist in all animals. These receptors react to endocannabinoids produced by the body to help bring balance to many of the body's systems.
The cannabis plant produces similar molecules called phytocannabinoids that can be used to supplement the body's endocannabinoids. These molecules appear to perform better when the CBD and THC are working together, rather than what CBD can do on its own. Hence, the entourage effect-- we're more successful with our entourage around us than we are alone. That's true about cannabinoids, and true about our company too.
2. FLOWER-ONLY™ CBD
All cannabis plants have a growth cycle that come in two stages: vegetative and flowering. In the vegetative stage, the plant is growing stems and leaves, stretching tall and bushing out.
Then comes the flowering stage. When the flowering stage begins, the cannabis plant senses the end of the growing season and responds by producing higher amounts of resin in her flowers to attract the season's last pollinators. That resin is where the CBD is-- not only that but the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids too. The stickier the flower, the more cannabinoids it contains.
Flower-Only™ CDB production involves harvesting only the flowers of the cannabis plant, where the CBD is made, after the plant has been dried, and not including stems and leaves in the harvest. All of the good stuff, none of the extra bits.
Most corporate CBD producers harvest the whole plant-- also known as the aerial parts. They dry and shred them and extract the CBD from that biomass. These companies are taking a shortcut while producing products that are bitter and grassy.
Cornbread Hemp's Flower-Only™ products are produced from rich, concentrated CBD and friends from the flower only. No need for artificial flavors — our oils taste great as they are.
3. CERTIFIED ORGANIC CBD
Companies all across the United States add the words "organically-grown" and "organic" to just about everything, especially CBD products, even when they're not technically organic. Without the USDA Organic seal, consumers can't trust that a brand is truly organic .
There's a lot of jumping through hoops to get that seal, but it's worth it for Cornbread Hemp as it better for the earth and our bodies. Only the best CBD brands have opted for the oversight of the USDA organic program, and that's what differentiates them in a crowded CBD landscape.
Cornbread Hemp currently offers 10 products that are USDA Certified Organic. We work with organic Kentucky farms to grow hemp strains with high CBD concentrations and produce the highest quality full spectrum CBD oil .
4. THIRD-PARTY TESTING FOR CBD
A third-party lab should produce Certificates of Analysis (COA's) for every batch of products.
Third-party lab reports are important because that means the product was tested in a facility that is unaffiliated with the CBD company. You can trust that the reports were not manipulated or tampered with in any way.
Cornbread Hemp puts scannable QR codes on all their products that lead directly to easy-to-read third party lab reports located right on our website. Just scan the code with your smart phone and the lab report will pop up.
In addition to potency tests, you will find a full safety check analysis detailing tests for residual solvents, microbial contaminants, heavy metals, and pesticides. You will also find the levels of CBD, THC and the presence of terpenes on the COA's.
5. HEMP THAT IS BORN IN THE USA
This isn't just a matter of national pride. CBD from the United States is safer and more reliable than CBD from hemp grown abroad because of nationwide regulations. Hemp is a bioaccumulator , which means it does a great job of absorbing chemicals from the soil. Many countries — most notably China — have been known to locate their hemp farms in industrial areas where the soil is contaminated with heavy metals, chemicals, and other toxins.
Kentucky is a particularly great place to grow hemp because Kentucky lies on the Earth’s 37th parallel, the same latitude line that crosses the Hindu Kush mountains on the other side of the world. This area is the birthplace of the Indica cannabis strains. They thrive in the light cycles found at that latitude.
The groundwater in Kentucky is what makes our bourbon the best in the world and what hydrates the fastest thoroughbreds in the world. We take a lot of pride in that.
Happy National CBD Day!
Five things can make or break a CBD oil:
- Full Spectrum
- Flower-Only™
- Certified Organic
- Third-party tested, and
- Born in the USA
If you find a CBD product that ticks all these boxes, you're pretty much guaranteed to have found a quality product.
Cornbread Hemp ticks all those boxes and is family-owned and crowdfunded — not corporate CBD. We take pride in every single product we send out the door.
Now more than ever it's time for self-care and a focus on mental health. Maybe it's time you added Cornbread Hemp to your self-care practice.