5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE TRYING A NEW CBD PRODUCT

Is it just us, or does it seem like CBD is pretty much everywhere now?  From oils to gummies, to chocolates, to ice creams, (to our R&R bites) - there are endless of ways to consume and experience the benefits of this buzzy ingredient.

With so many options, it’s becoming increasingly tough to decipher the differenct products and determine what's best. Read on for a list of questions that any savvy CBD shopper should ask before buying and trying.

Where is it grown?

Hemp is grown and harvested all over the world, and countries like Spain, Portugal, Ukrane, and Korea are all known to be top hemp-producing nations. Despite the options to buy internationally grown hemp, we recommend sourcing from the US or Canadan companies when possible.  Both the United States and Canada have regulations and quality standards in place that govern the type seeds available, legal limits of THC, and how the plant is harvested (Source).

In case you were wondering: The hemp we use in our R&R bites is sourced from Colorado and growth through the Colorado Industrial Hemp Program. This means the hemp was grown from licensed farmers adhering to strict growing standards that control the types of seeds used, clean harvesting practices, and the amount of THC in the plant (must be less than 0.3%). (Source)

How is it extracted?

There are many ways that CBD can be extracted from the hemp plant. The most common (and cheapest) extraction method utilizes a liquid solvent (usually butane, isopropyl alcohol, hexane, or ethanol) to remove the active compounds from the hemp plant and transfer them to the liquid. The carrier liquid then gets evaporated, but CBD extracted with liquid solvents often contain trace amounts of the extraction chemicals after the process is complete. Alternative (and cleaner) processes include CO2 extraction and vapor distillation. We like vapor distillation best because the CBD is removed from the plant through heated water vapor with zero chemicals involved in the process. Heated air is used to selectively vaporize and distill the active compounds of the hemp plant; the result is an ultra-pure, activated oil that is rich in terpenes and cannabinoids.

In case you were wondering… our CBD is extracted through the vapor distillation process - its the most expensive option out there, but why would we settle for anything but the best?

Is it full-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate?

Full-spectrum CBD means that other compounds in the plant are present, whereas CBD isolate is a pure isolated cannabidiol with everything else removed. Think of it like eating whole, nutrient-dense foods (full-spectrum) versus taking a vitamin (isolate). 

When you select a full-spectrum CBD product, you benefit from other plant compounds in the hemp plant working synergistically to provide maximum benefit. Beyond just CBD, full-spectrum hemp extract includes all 20 essential amino acids, Magnesium, Iron, B vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty acids. According to CBDistillery, “Many CBD enthusiasts believe that full-spectrum CBD products are the most beneficial to your endocannabinoid system and to your overall health. These compounds are all synergistic, meaning each compound interacts with the others to enhance each component, creating an entourage effect.”

In case you were wondering… we use a full-spectrum hemp extract. We also use third-party lab testing to confirm that THC levels are below 0.3% (considered the legal limit for hemp).  

How much CBD per serving?

Everyone has different sensitivities to hemp and CBD - for some people, larger doses are needed to feel the desired effects, whereas others only need a small amount to enjoy the benefits. If you’re new to CBD, we recommend starting with a serving size of ~10 - 15 milligrams of CBD per serving.

In case you were wondering… our R&R bites are made with 5mg CBD / bite. We recommend starting with 2 bites, but you’re welcome to increase or decrease your serving based on personal needs and sensitivities. Personally, we find that we really start to feel the calming effects kick-in after ~4 bites (but again, everyone is different!).

Besides the CBD... what else is in it?

Like everything we eat and put on our bodies, its all about the INGREDIENTS. If you’re consuming CBD in pill or tincture form, be mindful of the carrier oils, stabilizers, or filler ingredients that may be used. If you’re eating CBD gummies, be aware that many are made with animal-derived gelatin, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. 

In case you were wondering… here are the ingredients in our R&R bites: Dates, Cassava Flour, Coconut Organic Chocolate Chips, Cocoa Powder, Maple Syrup, Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract, Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt.