Cannabidiol which is commonly known as CBD, has seen a surge in popularity for its ability and therapeutic potential. As the demand continue to rise, so also does the need to understand how to store CBD products properly and effectively.
Ensuring that CBD products maintain their efficacy and don’t degrade prematurely is very important to get the most out of your investment and commitment to the product.
This article will provide very helpful tips on how to properly store CBD products, thereby ensuring longevity and retaining potency.
Also Read – Debunking Myths: The Relationship Between CBD and The “High” Feeling
Understanding CBD and Its Shelf Life
CBD is an organic molecule, and like many other organic molecules, it is highly prone to degradation over time.
While CBD products usually and typically have a shelf life of one to two years, factors such as the product’s quality and storage conditions can influence how it can quickly deteriorates.
CBD products, particularly CBD oil, do indeed expire over time. The expiration date on the product, however, is more of a guarantee, even of the product’s stability and safety up to that date. In so many cases, with appropriate storage, a CBD product can last as long as beyond its expiration date.
Tips For Proper Storage
- Cool, Dark Place: One of the foremost and topmost tips for storing CBD is to keep it in a cool and dark location. You can even store it in a dark room, it help for easy access, or for extended storage and to ensure a maximum longevity, consider also placing your CBD products in the refrigerator.
- Avoid Sunlight: Sunlight can highly increase the degradation of CBD. This is why most of the CBD products are often packaged in amber or blue dropper bottles that is designed to help protect them from the harmful effects of UV rays.
- Air-tight Containers: Exposure of CBD product to air can increase the degradation of CBD, as the oxygen in the air can oxidize CBD over time. As a result, always try and ensure that the container is sealed very tight after every use.
- Monitor the Carrier Oil: most CBD products, especially oils, often contain a carrier oil to enhance CBD’s bioavailability. Different carrier oils have different shelf lives. MCT oil (derived from palm or coconut oil) has also shown promising results in terms of not showing signs of oxidation, which can be very beneficial for the longevity of CBD products.
How To Tell If Your CBD Has Gone Bad?
It is very important to know and understand when your CBD product has lost its efficacy and ability to work effectively. A change in the aroma, most especially if it turns rancid, is a very clear indication.
If you are able to find that the CBD product is not providing the desired effects that it was designed for or that it needs a higher dosage than usual, it might be past its prime.
Additionally, if the CBD oil become dark or becomes cloudy, it’s a sign that its potency is highly decreasing.
However, you should note that refrigerating your CBD oil can also make it look cloudy; in such cases like that, holding the bottle under lukewarm water should very well restore its clarity.
Also Read – How to Take CBD Sublingually
Conclusion
To ensure Proper storage of CBD products you should make sure that you get the maximum therapeutic benefits from your purchase. By adhering and paying attention to the storage guidelines provided above, you can also ensure that your CBD remains potent and effective for as long as possible. Always remember to check the product’s expiration date and try to detect any changes in its appearance, smell, or effects as indications of its shelf life.
Dr. Jason O’Donnell works at Holy Cross General Hospital. He is a General Practitioner with extensive experience in cardiology, geriatrics, adult medicine, and internal medicine. Dr. O’Donnell studied at the UCL Medical School and holds a Doctor of Medicine in London in the UK. He also completed an internal medicine internship at London Imperial College. From here he went on to complete a residency in internal medicine at St. George’s London University. He is currently practicing adult medicine, cardiology, geriatrics, and internal medicine at Holy Cross General Hospital. Before he performs any operation, he first assesses the patient’s medical goals and concerns. After the surgery, he monitors the recovery of the patient and makes adjustments to the treatment program, when necessary. Dr. O’Donnell is also a proud member of Health for Humanity where he volunteers his skills in medicine for people in need across the globe.
