What if you could take a simple step to improve your health and feeling of well-being without the need for drastic lifestyle changes? What if you had access to something that could be a great supplement to your current lifestyle and possibly even help with conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and depression? CBD may be just the answer.
An ever-increasing number of individuals are discovering the multitude of benefits that CBD can have when taken consistently, but with all the varying types of CBD products on the market, which is best for you?
Here are the different types of CBD, and some tips to help you find the best way to use it for optimum benefit.
How to choose the best CBD product
Selecting the right CBD product is essential for maximising its potential benefits. Everyone processes cannabinoids differently, so it’s important to first determine both the desired outcome and the best method for achieving it. With so many CBD options available, finding the best product for you can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for CBD products:
- Quality. Look for third-party lab results indicating that the hemp extract has undergone rigorous testing. Avoid products with extremely low prices as quality is often overlooked in those cases. CBD Canada is known to be a good source of high-quality products but you should still look for evidence of third-party lab reports before making your purchase.
- Source. In order to ensure potency and efficacy, purchase quality products from a reliable source. Ask manufacturers how they extract their CBD oil and always research online to make sure you’re purchasing from a legitimate company.
- Goals. Figure out what activities or goals you want to accomplish with CBD oil; this will help narrow down your choices. For instance, if you are looking to improve your sleep quality, choose a product with a higher amount of CBD per dose; but if you seeking relief from muscle pain, opt for topicals such as tinctures or balms.
- Dosage. Servicing size and dosage depend on each individual’s body weight and chemistry, so it may take some trial and error to discover the ideal dose for you. Start small and adjust according to how your body reacts until you’re satisfied with the results.
- Delivery method. The delivery method of CBD products is also incredibly important. Depending on their preferences and lifestyle needs, consumers might choose oral tinctures, capsules and edibles, vapes, inhalers or topical treatments such as lotions, creams, and salves.
At the end of the day, try not to get overwhelmed by all the selections out there – selecting the best CBD product ultimately boils down to personal preference and needs.
CBD products and forms
CBD can be found in a variety of different products and forms, each with its own unique set of benefits, advantages, and disadvantages. Oils, tinctures, and edibles are some of the most popular forms of CBD available today. These products are a great way to get your daily dose of CBD without having to rely on smoking or vaping.
Consuming CBD sublingually
Consuming CBD sublingually is a popular method as it goes directly into the bloodstream through the tissue of the mouth, providing swift benefits. While many report positive effects after consuming CBD sublingually, there are differing opinions regarding this method and its efficacy.
Those that are proponents of this method claim that it offers fast-acting relief and contains more concentrated levels of CBD than other products. They argue that consuming CBD sublingually provides higher bioavailability, meaning that more of the CBD is available for absorption into the bloodstream. Also, users don’t need to worry about an unpleasant taste or smell when using these products since they come in different flavours.
On the flip side, those opposed to taking CBD sublingually argue that it can be difficult to accurately measure doses as these products don’t usually contain exact mild dosages. They also argue that their absorption rate isn’t what some people may expect. Furthermore, if you have a sensitive mouth or gag reflex, using drops directly under your tongue may not be a viable solution for you.
Though there are two sides to the argument, the effectiveness of consuming CBD sublingually has been proven by various studies and reports from users. Now that we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of taking CBD sublingually, let us move on to discussing another popular way of incorporating CBD into our daily routine – ingesting CBD edibles.
Ingesting CBD edibles
Ingesting CBD edibles is one of the most popular methods of consumption among those who use cannabidiol (CBD) products. CBD edibles, also known as CBD-infused gummies, come in a variety of flavours and dosages ranging from low doses (generally around 5mg or less) to high doses (500mg and often more). Some people argue that when ingested, gummies offer longer-lasting effects due to their slow release into the digestive system. On the other hand, others point out that it may be hard to precisely measure an exact dose with edibles since these products usually contain multiple servings.
Since CBD edibles are generally mild with minimal side effects, they have become increasingly popular among those first-time users intimidated by smoking or vaping. For beginners, carefully reading labels and directions for product usage is critical to avoid overuse and unnecessary side effects. Additionally, because there is typically more work involved in producing edibles than in more traditional methods of consuming CBD such as vaping, the cost may be higher than in other forms of CBD.
While ingesting CBD edibles is a convenient and effective way to take advantage of the potential benefits of cannabidiol, it’s important to keep individual body composition in mind when deciding on dosage.
Smoking and vaping CBD
Smoking and vaping CBD has emerged as one of the most popular ways of taking it. Smoking or vaping CBD flower, which has a high concentration of cannabidiol, allows users to feel the calming effects of CBD almost immediately. While some may view smoking and vaping as unhealthy activities, utilizing them to consume CBD can provide many benefits due to the plant’s terpene profile and other phytochemicals.
The effects of smoking and/or vaping CBD vary among individuals, as it has a direct relationship with body weight, metabolism, and gender. Generally speaking, people who are lighter tend to feel the effects more quickly than those who are heavier. There are also differences in how long the effects last depending on the method used for consumption; for instance, the duration is shorter for smoking or vaping due to its fast absorption by the body.
On one hand, smoking or vaping CBD may be beneficial for some users due to their quick onset and short duration of action. Additionally, since you inhale rather than ingest it with an edible or tincture, there is no chance of experiencing any gastrointestinal discomfort. However, on the flip side, smoking and vaping can also expose users to harmful toxins such as carbon monoxide, as well as additional chemicals from fuel sources such as butane lighters or matches that are sometimes used when smoking cannabis flowers.
It’s important to keep in mind that careful consideration must be taken before deciding whether smoking or vaping CBD is right for you. Discuss potential risks associated with these methods of use with your healthcare professional first before experimenting with them.
CBD dosage
When it comes to CBD dosage, the amount you take will depend on your body and the severity of the medical condition being treated. Generally, the recommended starting dose for beginners is 10 milligrams per day, but this can be adjusted according to individual needs. Depending on the type and concentration of product used, there can be difficulty in accurately assessing how much is actually being consumed. When determining the best dose for an individual, factors such as weight and metabolism should be taken into account; a smaller person may require a lower dose than a larger individual.
The debate surrounding CBD dosage boils down to whether patients should start low and increase their dosage gradually or take a large single dose initially. For those attempting to use CBD medicinally, starting with a small dose and increasing incrementally may allow for greater safety, tolerability, and efficacy. However, since everybody processes CBD differently, some prefer to consume higher single doses rather than making gradual changes over an extended period of time.
Whichever method is chosen by the individual patient, it’s important to understand that more isn’t necessarily better when it comes to dosing with CBD. It affects everyone differently; what works well for one person may not have the same effect on another. Ultimately, determining the optimal dosage must take into account how each person responds to various doses and how likely they are to suffer from secondary side effects, especially in cases where large amounts of isolated cannabinoids are consumed.
Benefits of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis and hemp plants that has been speculated to have various therapeutic and medicinal benefits. While more research is needed to confirm the full range of its potential effects, CBD’s ability to reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and make skin look healthier are some of its known advantages.
Proponents contend that CBD has numerous positive properties, including reducing epileptic seizures, treating insomnia, relieving nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and possibly alleviating symptoms of chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Additionally, CBD may help improve mental health by aiding with memory loss, mood swings, and depression. Supporters support the use of CBD in treating conditions without causing unwanted side effects or dependence on pharmaceuticals
Final thoughts
When considering the use of CBD, it is important to remember that while it is generally considered safe, it is not risk-free. As with any dietary supplement or medication, individuals should always talk to their healthcare professional before beginning any new regimen. Additionally, research into CBD is ongoing and many of the potential benefits associated with it are yet to be determined.
There is, however, growing evidence that suggests that CBD can prove beneficial in treating a variety of conditions such as chronic pain and anxiety. In some cases, researchers have reported significant improvements in the quality of life in patients who used CBD over extended courses of treatment. While this largely positive outlook may leave some individuals feeling more at ease when using or considering the use of CBD, it is essential to keep safety considerations in mind and talk to your healthcare professional first.
Robert Haynes, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
