How To Take CBD
While there are several cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, one in recent years is truly standing out as having potential benefits, and that is cannabidiol or short CBD. The research into CBD is ongoing, with still much to be determined.
Some current studies show CBD to be helpful in various ways, It's no wonder in recent years, CBD has been trending in many American households, with more people becoming interested in its benefits by the day!
One of the first questions that come to many people's minds when they think about taking CBD is, well, what's the best way to take it? There are four primary ways to take CBD: Edibles, Sublingual, Topicals, and Inhalation. Below we will review each method.
Before diving into how to take CBD, first, let's quickly discuss a few things to look for in any CBD product.
Aim For A Full or Broad Spectrum
Look for a full or broad-spectrum CBD rather than isolate. As full-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids, including very trace amounts of THC (not enough to give any psychoactive reaction or "high") Follow this link for more information on full-spectrum CBD vs. isolate CBD.
Ensure It's Lab-Tested
As mentioned, CBD is not currently regulated by the FDA, making it essential to verify that the CBD product you want to buy has been lab-tested by a 3rd party. Thus allowing you to see exactly what it is you are putting into your body.
Organic Cannabis Grown In The U.S.
The reason for opting to go organic is, much like any other organic food, you want to avoid unneeded pesticides and other chemicals. However, it is equally as important to make sure it's sourced in the United States. The U.S. has agricultural regulations making it so no full-spectrum CBD product can contain more than 0.3% THC.
Now that you understand some of the basics about what to look for in the CBD you buy let's discuss the various ways in which you can take it.
Edibles
CBD edibles have grown in popularity to a large degree over the past couple of years and are the favorite method for Best Buds CBD Store owners, as you can see here in our collection of CBD gummies. Eating edibles is an effortless way for people to consume CBD.
The types of food that can be infused with CBD are almost endless. However, the more popular edibles include gummies, truffles, cookies, even mints. And for the most part, any "weedy" or "earthy" taste is covered up. In fact, in some of our more popular products like CBD gummy worms, CBD cubes, and CBD neon gummy bears, customers report tasting nothing but the delicious taste of the candy itself.
The only downside to edibles is they can take an hour or more for any effects to be felt as they are digested like food. A common mistake many new CBD users make is to eat more than they need to. While you cannot overdose, your body will only absorb so much CBD at a time. Meaning a lot is unused or wasted.
Sublingual Products
For some very diet-conscious people and wish to avoid any sugar or preservatives, sublingual products may be the way to go. These products are designed to be absorbed under the tongue, allowing the effects to kick in rapidly. These include tinctures, sprays, oils, and lozenges.
Topical Solutions
There are CBD-infused lotions, balms, creams, salves, and transdermal patches. All of these methods are meant to be applied directly to the skin. The primary advantage of CBD topicals is that you can apply them to precise areas.
Vaping And Smoking
Smoking is perhaps the method that most people are familiar with. CBD is so often associated closely with marijuana, and most people associate marijuana with smoking it. You can directly smoke high-CBD cannabis flowers, or you can use a vaporizer that vapes the contents of a cartridge that contains CBD oil.
The plus side is that this is the fastest way to get CBD into your bloodstream. Therefore the effects will be noticed much quicker.
However, it must be noted that the jury is still out regarding the long-term damage done by vaping. It is known that smoking can be harmful due to the carcinogens from smoke. If you decide that vaping is for you, be sure to avoid CBD vape cartridges with thinning agents or carriers like fractionated coconut oil (MCT), propylene glycol, or vegetable glycerin. A recent study showed these agents might cause harm to the lung tissue.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are a variety of ways in which you can take CBD. When CBD first hit the market, it was mostly in tincture form; however, edibles have taken a significant leap in recent years. If you are entirely new to CBD, it may be advisable to speak with your doctor first to get advice on which method would be best suited for you. Either way, ensure due diligence on any CBD product before buying, ensure they are lab tested, and organically grown in the United States.