Best CBD Shops in Pittsburgh

How to Shop for CBD in Pittsburgh Tips on Choosing Safe and Effective Products

Since CBD is a new product, manufacturers face fewer regulations than food and drug corporations. Some companies take advantage of this fact to sneak in fillers, additives, and untested ingredients that may cause health complications. The lack of long-term studies creates another challenge for evaluating products.

Fortunately, you can evaluate products yourself with a little research and critical thinking. To start, search for brands online and see if you can find the following:

• A clean, professional website
• Product ingredient lists
• Third-party testing disclosures
• Customer service contact number or email
• Facts about their extract's source

If a brand doesn't have one or more of these, it might be hiding the truth. A sketchy brand doesn't want you to know that the manufacturers add harmful ingredients, buy extract from questionable sources, or refuse to undergo third-party testing. Luckily, you have hundreds of other brands to choose from.

Once you've found a company that looks reliable, here's how to evaluate their selection:

• Make sure that the product clearly states the THC percentage. CBD products contain no more than 0.3% THC. If you can't find the information anywhere, the product might be a THC hybrid with a completely different range of effects.
• Check the ingredient list and look up anything that you don't recognize. "Unfamiliar" doesn't automatically mean "toxic," but each cannabinoid produces a different effect, some benefitting you more than others. Likewise, make sure that the product contains no fillers.
• Search for reviews on third-party websites. If you can't find any, you might be dealing with a new manufacturer. This isn't necessarily bad, but established brands have a history of making trustworthy products.
• Look up the laboratories that tested the manufacturer's formulas. Make sure that the lab is truly objective and regulated with no conflicts of interest, such as investments in the brand in question.
• Review the brand's packaging. The package doesn't automatically reflect the quality, but legitimate brands invest in clean logos, branding, and marketing with sealed bottles and jars.

When you choose a product, always use a small amount before increasing your dosage. While CBD doesn't contain THC that gets you "high," some people have allergies or find that CBD reacts with their medication. Always consult your doctor before adding CBD to your routine.

Many brands offer CBD pet oils and treats for dogs and cats. Always make sure you're giving your animal a pet-friendly product--your regular product's ingredients might be safe for humans but harmful for animals.