3 Questions to Ask When Buying CBD

Shopping for CBD can feel daunting. There are a lot of products out there, and it isn’t always easy to tell them apart. Here are three questions to help you feel empowered when choosing quality CBD.

1. Is it made with certified organic hemp?

This is one of the most important questions to ask, because the quality of a CBD product starts with the quality of the hemp. Hemp is a bioaccumulator, which means it takes up whatever is in the soil it grows in, including unwanted contaminants. Hemp grown to certified organic standards avoids synthetic pesticides and is held to strict rules about what goes into the soil.

At Moon Mother, our products are made with USDA certified organic hemp from small farms in Colorado.

2. How was it extracted?

Extraction is how raw hemp becomes a refined, easy-to-use product. Look for brands that avoid harsh hydrocarbon solvents like butane and propane, and choose CO2, alcohol or oil infusion instead.

Because we want to preserve as much of the plant’s natural character as possible, we use clean CO2 extraction for our whole plant hemp extract.

3. Are third-party lab results easy to find?

The FDA doesn’t evaluate CBD products before they’re sold, so independent testing matters. Lab reports from a third party are a sign of transparency, and they help you confirm that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle.

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) shows a product’s cannabinoid content and screens for heavy metals, pesticides and microbes. You’ll find ours on our Lab results page.

Take your time

Above all, do your research, and reach out to our team if you have questions about bringing CBD into your routine. You can also read what our customers have to say on Trustpilot.

How Much Does CBD Oil Cost? Are You Paying Too Much?

When you’re shopping for CBD, there are many factors to consider, from quality and ingredients to brand and price. And when it comes to the question “How much is CBD oil?” there isn’t one set answer.

CBD is a relatively young industry, and few standards have been set, so you’ll find a wide range of prices, from budget options to very expensive products. It can be hard to understand why those differences exist. As a brand that makes our own CBD products, we can share some insight into why prices vary from brand to brand, so you can shop with confidence.

Why do CBD prices differ so much?

Like any product, there are many ways to produce and sell CBD, and some cost more than others. Three main factors affect the price of CBD oil:

• The production process. How the hemp is grown and how the CBD is extracted.
• Quality and strength. The ingredients used and how much CBD is in each product.
• Branding. How much of the price reflects marketing rather than what’s in the bottle.

The production process

Growing and harvesting

How hemp is grown affects price, because some methods cost more than others. Earth-friendly practices like growing organically, without synthetic pesticides, take more time and resources.

Extraction methods

There are three common ways to extract CBD, and some cost more than others:

• Ethanol extraction. Uses high-grain alcohol to pull CBD from the plant. It’s common and efficient.
• Oil extraction. Uses a carrier oil, such as olive oil, to extract CBD. It’s simpler and less expensive, but produces a less concentrated extract.
• CO2 extraction. Uses pressurized carbon dioxide to extract CBD cleanly, with no petroleum-based solvents. It’s widely considered the gold standard for quality, and it costs more, which is often reflected in the price. It’s the method we use at Moon Mother Hemp.

Quality and strength

Most CBD products contain more than CBD. A tincture has a carrier oil, and a balm has butters, herbs and essential oils. The quality of those ingredients, organic or not, affects the price too.

Strength matters as well. With a tincture, you can choose different strengths, and the higher the concentration of CBD, the higher the price. Different types of products, from tinctures and topicals to softgels, edibles and inhalants, also contain different amounts of CBD. To learn more about each type, read our guide, What Is CBD?

Paying for quality, or paying for branding?

It’s natural to assume that a higher price means higher quality. That can be true with CBD, but some brands position themselves as luxury products simply to charge more. Fortunately, there are ways to cut through the marketing.

Look at the Certificate of Analysis

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a report from an accredited third-party lab that breaks down what’s in a CBD product: its cannabinoid content, and screening for microbials, pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals and mycotoxins. Reputable companies happily publish their COAs, and it’s a sign they’re transparent with their customers.

A COA shows whether corners were cut in production, for example whether pesticides were used on the hemp, or whether traces of solvents like methanol or acetone remain.

Find a company you trust

Companies that pride themselves on integrity and transparency make all the information you need to decide easily available on their site.

Compare the cost per milligram

The best product for you depends on what matters most to you. Clean, organic formulas and higher strengths usually cost more. To compare value across brands, work out the cost per milligram of CBD:

Total price ÷ total mg of CBD = cost per mg

CBD products from Moon Mother Hemp

At Moon Mother, every product is made with intention and care, for our customers and for Mother Nature. We’re committed to quality and to being kind to the environment.

We want to empower our customers with transparency, which is why we publish the Certificate of Analysis for every batch of every product. You’ll find it on each product page, so you always know exactly what you’re getting.

Does CBD Oil Expire? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

If CBD oil is part of your wellness routine, it can’t last forever, just like any supplement. Over time, the quality and potency of CBD oil and other CBD products can decline. How long yours lasts depends on how you use it and how well you store it.

Generally speaking, the shelf life of CBD oil is around two years, though that isn’t guaranteed for every product. After two years, a product is likely to have lost some of its potency. And that two-year estimate assumes the product has been stored in the right conditions and used correctly.

Does CBD oil go bad?

Like most products, CBD oils can expire. How quickly depends on a few factors:

• How long you keep it.
• How you use it.
• How you store it.

Light, heat and air can all break down cannabinoids and reduce potency, and anything that touches the product, like fingers or a dropper that isn’t clean, can introduce bacteria.

How long does a bottle of CBD oil last?

If you use CBD regularly, you’ll most likely finish a bottle in weeks or months, well before its shelf life is up. If you use it only occasionally, a bottle might last many months, which makes storing it well even more important.

The same two-year guideline applies to most CBD products, from tinctures and capsules to topicals and skincare, though a product’s formulation can affect its shelf life.

How to make your CBD last

Follow the instructions

It may seem obvious, but the directions on your label, box or product page describe the best way to care for each product, including details you might not have considered.

Keep it out of the sun

High-quality CBD oil comes in a dark bottle designed to protect it from light. Store it somewhere cool, dry and dark, like a drawer, pantry or cupboard, since direct sunlight and heat break down cannabinoids.

Limit air exposure

Oxygen gradually degrades CBD oil, so close the cap tightly after each use.

Does CBD oil need to be refrigerated?

You can keep CBD oil in the refrigerator, but it isn’t necessary. A cool, dry, dark cupboard works perfectly.

Caring for other CBD products

Topicals

With balms and skincare in jars, dipping your fingers in can introduce bacteria. To avoid it, wash your hands before use, or use a clean small spoon or spatula to scoop out the product.

Softgels and capsules

Store them like tinctures: in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, in a tightly closed container.

How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

How long does CBD stay in your system? Like many things, there isn’t one simple answer, because so many factors play a part. Let’s explore them, starting with how CBD works.

How does CBD work?

Humans have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of cannabinoid receptors, signaling molecules and enzymes found in the brain and throughout the body. Researchers are studying its role in many processes, including mood, stress, appetite and sleep. CBD and other compounds from hemp interact with this system. To learn more, read our guide, What Is CBD?

How does the form of CBD affect absorption?

The way you take CBD affects how it’s absorbed and how long it stays in your system. When you swallow CBD, your digestive system breaks it down first, so it takes longer to absorb. When you hold CBD oil under your tongue, some of it is absorbed directly, so it acts more quickly. CBD comes in many forms:

• Tinctures. An oil taken under the tongue or swallowed.
• Topicals. Balms, oils and lotions applied to the skin.
• Softgels and capsules.
• Edibles.
• Inhalants.

How long does it take to notice?

It varies with your size, the form you use and more. In general, a tincture held under the tongue is absorbed fairly quickly, often within about 15 minutes, while softgels and capsules can take one to two hours.

What is CBD’s half-life?

A half-life is the time it takes for the amount of a substance in your body to drop by half. Research suggests CBD’s half-life varies widely with how it’s taken and how often: from a few hours after a single low serving, to roughly two to five days for people who take CBD by mouth every day over a long period. Many factors play a part, including:

• Serving size.
• How often you take it.
• The form you use.
• Your body and metabolism.
• Whether you have eaten.
• Your age.
• Any medications you take.

Will CBD show up on a drug test?

Most drug tests look for THC, not CBD. Hemp products contain only trace amounts of THC, but those traces can build up over time, so it’s possible to test positive, especially with whole plant products like ours. If you’re drug tested for work or sport, talk with your employer or a medical professional before use. Learn more in our FAQ.

In summary

There isn’t a single answer to how long CBD stays in your system, because it depends on so many variables. There’s still a lot to learn about CBD, and experiences vary from person to person, which is why we always suggest starting low, going slow and paying attention to how you feel.