If you are looking into hemp-derived CBD oil or other CBD-infused products and wish to include them in your everyday regime, many questions may be occupying your mind. As there are myriad products available in the market, finding an appropriate CBD product may seem like a never-ending task. But fret not, we are here to help you!
While you are working to narrow down your choices, you must take several aspects into consideration, which includes the reasons why you wish to incorporate hemp CBD, the usual time when you would be consuming it each day, your general lifestyles such as physical exercise and work, your age, type and size of your body, and your general health.
Let us look closely at some CBD products, in order to find an appropriate CBD product that aligns with your characteristics and desires. We will also discuss the positive attributes and disadvantages of each type of CBD product.
Who should CBD be used by?
CBD oil is ideal for you, if you want to enhance your general wellness or deal with a topical issue.
Many people prefer CBD for the treatment of an array of ailments, as it is obtained from plants and is not chemically manufactured. Some reasons why people consume CBD oil are:
- Mitigating symptoms of anxiety
- Pain relief along with the fight against inflammation
- Tackles nausea and insomnia
- Works as a useful resource to manage symptoms of PMS and menopause
- Prevents muscle spasms
- Decreases stress-related symptoms and decreases hypertension
- Facilitates a sense of calmness
Please note that in a few CBD oils, there are minor amounts of THC. Hence, refrain from offering such products to children, as it is illegal. Do understand relevant local and state laws and consult your doctor, and always remain cautious if you are administering it on children.
If you live with children, keep your CBD products out of their reach.
Although there hasn’t been adequate research regarding the potential side effects of CBD consumption, the WHO has recently determined that the toxicity levels of CBD are relatively low and it does not cause adverse reactions in humans.
Why should you use CBD products?
Several studies have deduced that CBD’s healing properties are related to their engagement with a body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This is being researched in relation to the body’s signaling systems.
Let us look at various reasons why they are popular, which can help you in finding an appropriate CBD product based on your needs.
1. Natural
Today, people are becoming increasingly aware of the chemical constitution of drugs that are prescription-based and over-the-counter medicines. Hence, it is unsurprising that many are opting for medicines that are not only effective in terms of performance but are also natural and safe. CBD oil is primarily preferred as it is natural and effective. The oil is obtained from the cannabis plant and the only additive added in CBD products is a carrier oil which is used for dilution. Hence, almost anybody can use it; however, if you are currently pregnant, please do not consume it. If you are taking any other medication, check with your doctor if there can be any negative effects upon combining both.
2. Lacks addictive properties
CBD oil, unlike prescription painkillers and opioids, is not addictive physically. Hence, this is a great alternative if you are seeking pain relief but do not wish to deal with the potential side-effects of opioids, which include physical addiction and consequently, issues of substance abuse.
3. Treatment of myriad ailments
CBD oil is useful to fight against myriad health issues and mitigate symptoms. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it functions as an effective agent to reduce pain related to arthritis, migraines, multiple sclerosis, and so much more. Moreover, it can also help reduce the pain that arises from chemotherapy treatment. This can also help in the revival of appetite for patients in chemotherapy patients and decreases the amount of nausea that they experience. Moreover, CBD oil is renowned for its ability to treat epileptic seizures, and for this purpose, it has received approval from the NHS as a prescribed form of medicine.
4. Other health benefits
CBD oil can help in treating many other mental ailments, such as anxiety and depression. That is because it impacts the brain’s part that influences mood and social interactions, which can help mitigate your stress and anxiety. Moreover, it is also effective in enhancing sleep pattern and is ideal for those combatting sleeping problems such as insomnia. If you are dealing with a loss of appetite or undesired loss of weight, CBD can help in tackling them efficiently.
Onset Time and CBD’s Bioavailability
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of this particular topic, we must understand a few important aspects that are closely associated with it: bioavailability and onset time.
Bioavailability basically sheds light upon the impact of CBD on your body, based on the amount that is present in the product. On the other hand, onset time refers to the time required for any CBD-based product to demonstrate or showcase any kind of effect on your body. These two factors are different for each product. For instance, it is important to understand that the onset time of edibles is usually longer than vaporizers, while their bioavailability is lesser. Both of these categories of products come with a few benefits and downsides of their own, which you must consider before choosing an appropriate CBD product.
Бионаличност
The primary problem with bioavailability is related to the fact that CBD is an oil and on the other hand, blood is water-based. Needless to say, both of them do not combine very well. Since CBD is an oil, it is absorbed by the fatty tissues very easily, wherein it is locked up and metabolized before it serves its purpose.
Onset Time
When it comes to onset time, the primary factor is the path that the CBD takes to enter a system. If you use a vape pen to inhale it, CBD bypasses the digestive system. On the other hand, if you opt for oral consumption, you will notice a substantial decrease in bioavailability, while the onset time increases, as CBD must go through the digestive system. When compared to capsules, the onset time of tinctures is slightly faster.
Let us look at various products and their bioavailabilities and onset times:
| CBD екстракт | Бионаличност | Време на начало |
|---|---|---|
| Vaporizer | High | Fast |
| Capsule (nanoemulsified) | Среден | Среден |
| CBD Oil Drop/Tincture | Среден | Medium-fast |
| Капсули | Low-medium | Slow-medium |
| Edibles | Low | Slow |
| Suppository | High | Fast |
| Лосиони и мазила | Low | Medium-fast |
| Drink | Среден | Среден |
In the aforementioned dataset, the bioavailability and onset time figures are merely basic guidelines. If you wish to determine both these factors accurately, substantial research is required. Moreover, the results may be different for each product.
Types of CBD products
Since there are many products available in the market right now, you could try out different alternatives. However, do note that while this particular medicine is not toxic, it still functions as a medicine and it must be consumed with caution. There are pros and cons associated with every CBD product and the effectiveness of some is better than the others. Hence, let us look a little closer at each product.
1. CBD oil, tincture, drops
Almost everybody uses CBD tinctures, which are the industry standard. As they are quite versatile, you can also use them as ingredients while cooking and as skincare products. If you place CBD oils under your tongue, the compound reaches all your body parts, and your entire endocannabinoid system is bolstered.
Typically, this product comes in a small bottle with a dropper and the liquid is made up of many components:
- CBD Extract or CBD Isolate Base: This specific base contributes to the medicinal properties of the product, as it provides the phytocannabinoid and terpene profile of the tincture. Usually, an extract base either has a full or at least a broad-spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, along with other plant material. Moreover, single-molecule CBD content is provided by an isolate.
- Carrier Oil: Within a tincture, the carrier either combines with the extract or the isolate in order to balance the potency and ensure that the CBD, as well as other molecules, are provided to you. Often, these oils are made up of hemp seed oil or MCT oil, as they help in the absorption of CBD into the walls and membranes of the stomach. Sometimes, alcohol or vegetable glycerine is used as carriers.
- Optional Additives (Sweeteners, Flavors, Terpenes & more): Sometimes, tinctures may include a few additional additives. Commonly, sweeteners or flavoring agents are added to suppress the grassy flavor characteristic of the extract. There are several health benefits associated with these additives, such as additional terpenes and essential oils.
How Effective are Oil-Based CBD Tinctures?
The consumption of CBD tinctures is carried out via sublingual administration. Before swallowing, put these oils under the tongue for about 1 or 2 minutes, as the mucous membranes present under the tongue help the bloodstream absorb the oil molecules, making sure that they act quicker. On average, the onset time of sublingual application is about 20-40 minutes, before the effects are observed. The effects can be experienced for up to 6 hours.
2. Capsules
CBD capsules are essentially like pills that most of us consume often, but they contain CBD extract. They are supposed to be swallowed, similar to any other supplement. They come in the form of softgels and sometimes, as a two-piece capsule. Primarily, there are two types of capsules, which are liquid-containing oil-based capsules and powder-containing capsules.
This particular product type comes with the following benefits:
- Precise Dosage
- Easy to Use
- Discreet
- Absence of ‘Marijuana’ Taste
- Effects are Long Lasting
How Effective are CBD Capsules?
Oral consumption of CBD allows the compound to pass through the liver, which decreases its overall concentration. Therefore, just a part of it becomes a part of the bloodstream and is used by your body. This particular concept is commonly known as bioavailability, which is nothing but the measure of the amount and rate of absorption of a substance by the body.
Among the various methods of consuming CBD, oral consumption of oil-based capsules is barely bioavailable in comparison to the majority of others. This means that when you consume such capsules, only a small portion of the product is absorbed by the bloodstream. Therefore, you will be required to consume a higher dosage of these capsules in comparison to other ingestion methods such as a sublingual tincture or the use of a nano emulsified product.
While this may seem like a major disadvantage to you, there are several pros associated with this ingestion method as well, making it very viable. For instance, for most of us, the easiest way to consume CBD is through capsules. Moreover, the effects are long-lasting and the benefits that you enjoy will be higher. When the dosage of the capsules is increased, you can easily enjoy the same benefits as any bioavailable method; but you may notice that the price point is a disadvantage.
3. CBD Edibles
If you are repulsed by the idea of getting a taste of CBD, edibles are a great option. These products are produced by incorporating either an extract or an isolate into different food products such as candies, chocolate, cookies, etc.
Why use CBD Edibles?
As stated above, better taste is the best advantage that you can enjoy with this method. Needless to say, not a lot of people would mind consuming a gummy bear, chocolate bar, cookie or sucker. Therefore, practically anybody can try it out. However, there would be some people among us who may be concerned with the amount of sugar that is used in many of these edibles. Moreover, remember to look at the ingredient list to check for allergens or animal-based products, when using edibles. This is not a problem with the majority of CBD products as most of the CBD oils are free of gluten and vegan. However, this may not be the case with edibles.
How Effective are CBD Edibles?
There is a wide range when it comes to the effectiveness of CBD edibles and it largely depends on their contents. Two factors primarily cause low effectiveness:
- As you liver processes edibles, their concentration is lower. Incorporating more oils and fats into edibles will increase the absorption of CBD by the bloodstream.
- Typically, these products are created using CBD isolate. Its benefits are lesser than a high-quality full-spectrum extract.
4. CBD Drinks
Cannabidiol, in its natural oil or isolated state, is hydrophobic. That is, it does not combine with water. However, advancements in cannabis extraction technologies have led to the creation of some water-friendly CBD. These products are referred to as ‘water-soluble’ and you can now use products that have incorporated CBD into liquids in a stable form. Right now, CBD can be found in several liquid products such as CBD water, energy shots, and powdered drink mixes.
Why use CBD drinks?
All of us can agree that it is easy to access and administer CBD drinks. Moreover, in a water base, regulating dosage is easier and hence, its bioavailability is greater.
When it comes to water, the majority of brands incorporate very low levels of CBD (2-5 mg). You must consume at least 15 mg of CBD every day to experience its actual benefits. Moreover, the shelves in stores are exposed to light and air, thereby degrading CBD particles. Lastly, the content of CBD is lesser and the products are expensive.
5. CBD Vape Products
Vaping CBD is not very different from vaping any other product. Basically, you must use a vape pen to vaporize a CBD extract or isolate and inhale it. Because of this method’s high bioavailability, the ingestion method of inhaling comes with the fastest onset. There are several CBD vape products such as Disposable Vape Pens, Vape Cartridges, or Vape Oil/eLiquid
Why use CBD vaping products?
The process of vaping CBD can be quite effective and the effects are experienced very soon when compared to oral consumption. Therefore, you will notice the effects of stress relief and enhanced mood almost immediately.
However, there is inadequate research regarding vaping CBD oil. The majority of clinical trials pertaining to CBD largely focussed on other methods of ingestion such as oral capsules, sublingual sprays, or oral solutions.
There is also close to no information regarding the long-term health effects of vaping. However, if you already have pre-existing lung conditions, you are strictly advised not to vape and all of us should wait for more research on this method. Lastly, the cartridges that vape pens use might hold certain chemicals including polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol. These may act as irritants and lead to allergic reactions.
6. CBD Suppository
It is safe to state that the least glamorous method of consuming CBD is the suppository. However, it has been devised to help those who really need it. The advantages of suppositories are that it is an extremely bioavailable method and you can enjoy effects that are long-lasting.
The product is ingested anally and it is a pill that is in the shape of a bullet. The bloodstream directly absorbs its contents. Typically, they are oil-based and hence provide lubrication during administration.
Why Use a Suppository?
The primary reason for using a suppository is because of its bioavailability, which is the highest among all the available methods.
Within 10-15 minutes of insertion, your body will absorb the product and the effects last for up to 8 hours. Although suppositories are not meant for everyone, their benefits are sought by several people.
7. Topicals / Balms/ Rubs
The positive effects of cannabinoids can also be leveraged using other methods. It is important to note that the endocannabinoid receptors are present in the brain, across the nervous system, as well as in the skin. So you can apply topicals on the skin- particularly on an area that is sore or irritated to enjoy localized relief.
CBD-based topicals are sold in the form of balms, salves and other products and provide specialized benefits.
What are CBD Topicals Used For?
While the aforementioned products are used for several reasons, a few common reasons for use include:
- Soreness of muscle
- Massage Oil
- Lubricants
- Skin Conditions
Final thoughts on finding the appropriate CBD product
When it comes to finding an appropriate CBD product, it comes down to personal requirements and choices. The fact is that you may have to experiment to a certain extent before finding an appropriate CBD product that best suits you. Thankfully, there are abundant options. If we have missed out on some vital information, drop a comment, and help out others!
