Understanding CBD: Safety, Trustworthiness, and What Every Mom Should Know

In nearly every situation, you need to feel your best to give your best. That's something far easier said than done while navigating the complexities of parenthood. Moms often feel considerable pressure to maintain an immaculate home, create Pinterest-worthy meals, and excel in the workplace while also nurturing the physical, mental, and emotional needs of their littles, not-so littles, and partners. The result? Overwhelming fatigue, muscle tension, sleep difficulties, and more. 

If you're far too familiar with the physical and emotional toll of striving for parental perfection – if your body aches, you're losing sleep, or you just can't seem to relax – your search for a safe, natural solution has probably led you to numerous sources highlighting the possible benefits of CBD. But with so many reports of companies charging astronomical prices for inferior products, you may be dealing with a healthy dose of skepticism. No worries. This CBD guide focuses on product safety, vendor trustworthiness, and several other important details every mom should know. 

CBD Overview: Exploring the Its Origins and Possible Benefits  

CBD (cannabidiol) is the most abundant of more than 113 cannabinoids in hemp flower. After the cannabinoid-rich oil is extracted and distilled, it's used as an ingredient in an impressive selection of products – CBD oil tinctures, topicals, softgels, gummies, and more. Most experts credit the cannabinoid's impressive list of possible benefits to the way it asserts its influence on the receptors of the largest regulatory system in the human body, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

First identified in the early 1990s, we now know that ECS signaling is involved in nearly every crucial function – everything from emotional regulation and stress responses to muscle movement and the perception of pleasure and pain.¹ Based on decades of study, cannabis researchers believe supporting ECS function with CBD helps promote homeostasis.²  When internal or external stressors threaten essential balance, it's the processes of homeostasis that restore equilibrium.³  

Understanding the Safety Considerations and Regulatory Concerns  

According to a recent Forbes Health survey, the majority of U.S. adults, 60%, use (or have tried) CBD.⁴ Although the number of people using CBD continues to increase year after year, hemp-derived products are not FDA-approved. The agency does, however, monitor product manufacturers in an effort to protect public health.⁵   

A detailed report published by the World Health Organization, on the other hand, found no evidence of "public health-related concerns."⁶ But side effects are possible. Some CBD users report unexpected fatigue, dry mouth, stomach upset, diarrhea, or changes in appetite. Most of their reported symptoms are mild and resolve with smaller serving sizes.⁷ 

But that in no way suggests CBD is the best option for every mom. Although several high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest CBD has a "remarkably safe" profile,⁸ the cannabinoid could cause complications for people diagnosed with certain medical conditions. CBD can also interact with medications. Contact your physician if you have questions or concerns.   

Safety & Trustworthiness: How Informed Shoppers Evaluate CBD Products  

Finding CBD is easy. Hemp-derived products are sold just about everywhere. But after reading some of the warning letters sent by the FDA to an alarming number of CBD brands over the years, it's clear that industry-wide concerns about quality control standards and labeling issues are justified. With that in mind, you'll probably want to resist any temptation to purchase the first product you find on the shelves of your local convenience store, specialty shop, or gas station – at least until you've done your homework. 

If the buyers selecting the CBD products sold in your area don't know enough about hemp cultivation and product manufacturing to make informed purchasing decisions, you could end up with something quite unlikely to deliver the results you're hoping for. Instead, take a few minutes to visit the manufacturer's website. Brands that understand the connection between transparency and consumer confidence will not hesitate to share the following details. 

Cultivation Practices  

Hemp is a well-known hyperaccumulator, a plant that absorbs heavy metals, pesticides, and other potentially toxic substances from the soil as it grows.⁹ While this is a desirable trait when hemp is used to clear toxic waste from the environment, plants farmed for human consumption need to be planted in pre-tested soil and cultivated using natural farming practices to ensure consumer safety.¹⁰   

Extraction Methods  

There are multiple solvents that can be used to extract CBD. CO2 extraction is considered the "gold standard." Carbon dioxide gas liquefies under pressure and is released once the pressure and temperature normalizes.¹¹ It's an extraction method that's non-toxic, non-flammable, renewable, and ideal for preserving the plant's cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.¹² Food-safe ethanol extraction, on the other hand, is best for CBD isolate powder.¹³ 

Batch Testing and Certification  

Reputable brands rely on third-party testing to confirm product purity and potency. Of the 75% of CBD brands labeling their products as third-party tested, however, only about 13% batch test at least 90%.¹³  You can protect yourself from any misleading assertions by looking for a Certificate of Analysis (COA), the documentation that verifies you're choosing a hemp-derive product that contains the amount of CBD you're paying for and has been tested for heavy metals, pesticide and extraction residue, mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria. You should see a batch number, sample number, collection date, and report date.   

Choosing the Best CBDistillery® Product to Support Your Healthy Lifestyle  

There are multiple ways CBD could help you reach your health and wellness goals, provided you're choosing high-quality products made by a reputable brand. Moms who choose CBDistillery® products appreciate our commitment to providing high-quality, third-party tested CBD made with 100% clean ingredients – quality-assured products backed by a 60-day hassle-free satisfaction guarantee. 

Based on a 2019 CBDistillery® survey of 1,900 customers, most CBD users report positive results using their favorite products for pain, stiffness, and inflammation after physical activity, better sleep, relaxation, and mild or temporary anxiety within 7-14 days of consistent use. Whether you prefer starting your CBD journey with a versatile CBD oil tincture, the convenience of CBD softgels, fruit-flavored gummies, or a soothing CBD topical, consider refining your search based on the type of hemp extract you prefer. 

Full Spectrum  

When you choose CBD oil tinctures, softgels, and gummies made with full spectrum extract, you'll have the advantages of the synergistic relationship between hemp's many minor cannabinoids and terpenes. The 15-20:1 CBD to THC ratio ensures there's no risk of feeling intoxicated.¹⁴ Many moms feel they get the best results from products made with full spectrum hemp extract because of the way the cannabinoids and terpenes unleash the potency-optimizing potential of an "Entourage Effect".¹⁵ 

Broad Spectrum  

With broad spectrum hemp extract, you get many of the same additional cannabinoids and terpenes. A process called chromatography, however, is used to reduce the small amount of naturally occurring Delta-9 THC to non-detectable levels. Although broad spectrum hemp extract has the active plant elements needed to initiate an "Entourage Effect", some (not all) CBD users feel that removing the small amount of THC from hemp extract diminishes its impact.¹⁶ 

CBD Isolate Powder  

CBD isolate is a highly concentrated powder that has 0% THC. Although you won't have the additional cannabinoids and terpenes needed for an "Entourage Effect," there's really no cause for concern. In a 2020 report, investigators reviewing the results of human trials specified that most of the data evaluated for their research detailed the effects of the "pure form" of CBD.¹⁷ Since refined CBD powder is flavorless and odorless, it's most often preferred by moms who don't care for hemp's distinctively "earthy" taste.  

Could Adding CBDistillery® CBD to Your Daily Routine Help You Feel Your Best?  

CBDistillery® was founded by a group of Colorado natives who believe people have a right to high-quality, fairly priced hemp-derived CBD products. Today, we have more than 2 million satisfied customers, our products have more than 43,000 verified reviews, and we've never wavered from our commitment to providing the type of information consumers need to make informed decisions about supporting their wellness journey with CBD. 

If you're interested in trying CBD but aren't quite sure where to begin, consider requesting a personal consultation. Our products are made with non-GMO U.S.-grown hemp, 100% clean ingredients, and distilled by our expert botanist. You can verify our commitment to quality by viewing the downloadable Certificate of Analysis on our product pages or scanning the QR code on every label. 

Resources 

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3. Bergland C. (2023) What Is Homeostasis? VeryWell Health. 

4. Jesner L. (2023) CBD Isolate: What It Is, Benefits And Risks. Forbes Health. 

5. Warning Letters and Test Results for Cannabidiol-Related Products. (2023) Food and Drug Administration Public Health Focus. 

6. World Health Organization. (2020) Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report. PDF https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/controlled-substances/whocbdreportmay2018-2.pdf?sfvrsn=f78db177_2 

7. Bergamaschi M, Mateus R, et al. (2011) Safety and Side Effect of Cannabidiol, a Cannabis Sativa Constituent. 6(4) Curr Drug Saf 237-49. https://doi.org/10.2174/157488611798280924 

8. Arnold J, McCarney D, et al. (2022) The Safety and Efficacy of Low Oral Doses of Cannabidiol: An Evaluation of the Evidence. 16(1) Clin Transl Sci 10-30. doi: 10.1111/cts.13425. Epub 2022 Oct 19. PMID: 36259271; PMCID: PMC9841308. 

9. Montoya Z, Conroy M, et al. (2020) Cannabis Contaminants Limit Pharmacological Use of Cannabidiol. 11 Front Pharmacol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.571832 

10. Chiara C. (2021) Hemp and Cannabis Plants Can Clean Heavy Metals from the Soil, But Is All That Metal Ending Up in Your Weed? Cannabis.net. 

11. Valizadehderakhshan M, Shahbazi A, et al. (2021) Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp)—Review. 11(5) Agriculture 384. ttps://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050384 

12. Wilcox A. (2019) Ethanol Extraction vs CO2 Extraction: What Is the Best Way to Make Hemp Oil? Herb. 

13. Harrington A. (2021) 25% of CBD Products Are Not Tested for Purity. Forbes. 

14. Jenkins, B. (2018) Is Full Spectrum CBD Really Better? Terpenes and Testing Magazine. 

15. Jikomes N. (2023) The "Entourage Effect": Does It Really Exist? Leafly. 

16. Wilkins T. (2022) What Is the "Entourage Effect"? How This Enhances CBD Effects. Marijuana Takers. 

17. Larsen C, Shahinas S. (2020) Dosage, Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Administration in Adults: A Systematic Review of Human Trials. 12(3) J Clin Med Res 129-41 doi: 10.14740/jocmr4090