Being able to certify that a CBD product is in fact made from organic grown hemp may not seem like something that seems very important. In this article we are going to discuss why organic hemp CBD is important, and what the benefits are.
Choosing organic products, and products grown using organic practices reduces your exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals. Many people looking to limit their exposure to chemicals and pesticides are typically also interested in natural health and wellness products. This is what leads them on a path to discovering the many health benefits of CBD and CBD products.
Since CBD is a natural supplement, it has an extensive list of potential health benefits due to its ability to mimic the functions of the neurotransmitters produced naturally within your body. Since CBD is a plant extract, it’s important to be sure the products you select are of the highest quality, and while it is important to select products derived from plants grown with organic methods, there are other important considerations when choosing a CBD product.
As we’ve discussed many times before, CBD can be extracted from all forms of cannabis plants; however we guarantee that all of our products are made from hemp-derived CBD. Since CBD sourced from hemp contains only trace amounts (less than 0.3%) of THC, you get all the potential health benefits of cannabis without the risk of feeling “high.”
Supplementing with natural cannabis products can support your endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is the system of neurotransmitters and receptors that facilitate communication between your body and your brain. While the function of this system is not entirely understood, researchers believe that this vital system potentially regulates and stabilizes the processes in your body known as homeostasis; the tendency of a system, especially the physiological system, to maintain internal stability, owing to the coordinated response of its parts to any situation or stimulus that would tend to disturb its normal condition or function. Some of the functions regulated by your ECS include:
- Immune system function
- Pain and inflammation
- Mood, memory, and learning
- Temperature regulation
- Cardiovascular
- Neurodevelopment and neuroprotection
- The reproductive processes
- Digestive processes
Ideally, your body would produce all the neurotransmitters necessary to keep this system functioning efficiently. However the neurotransmitters made by your body tend to break down quickly, and when these messengers are depleted, the communication system can essentially fail. CBD is able to supplement your ECS by mimicking the functions of the messengers (endocannabinoids) produced naturally by your body.
If you’ve done any research into different CBD companies, you may have noticed during your investigation, that you often see manufacturers highlighting the fact that their product is sourced from organic hemp, or hemp grown using organic practices. These are significant statements, and for good reason. The soil which hemp grows in needs to be free of harmful chemicals and pesticides. Since hemp plants have the ability to draw contaminants from the soil it grows in, you want to make sure that the hemp a company uses is grown in soil that is free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Otherwise those compounds will make their way into the plant, and once harvested, can find their way into the finished product. Reputable CBD manufacturers insist upon using hemp plants grown with organic farming methods, and those practices typically involve:
- Growing hemp in soil proven to be free of existing toxins
- Growing hemp without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides
- Planting seeds that have not been genetically altered (non-GMO)
- Planting seeds that have not been exposed to or modified by chemicals
- Growing crops without the use of antibiotics
- Growing and processing hemp without radiation
After decades of banning the cultivation of hemp, the US Farm Bill of 2014 once again allowed for hemp cultivation to be legal in the US. Although hemp can legally be grown in many states, the organic certification process for hemp and hemp products is still a source of controversy and confusion. Because of this, hemp crops are typically not certified. Although many cannabis growers have taken a particular interest in having their crops certified as organic, many accredited agents are hesitant to actually certify these crops. Many believe that the hesitancy comes from the lack of clarity in the approval processes regarding hemp, and it could also be due to the confusion surrounding the federal jurisdiction of hemp and hemp products.
CBD is a natural product, so you’ll want to be sure that your product manufacture adheres to the best possible practices. While CBD products cannot be labeled certified as “USDA Organic” due to FDA regulations, you will still want to be sure that your CBD is made from non-GMO, pesticide-free hemp. To ensure the safety and potency of your CBD, rely on retailers who are willing to disclose their batch testing results and extraction methods. You should also look for CBD products that contain natural carrier oils.
To read our previous blog: CBD For Your Pets by clicking here.
