If there’s anything the CBD world is full of, it’s options. When you’re shopping for the perfect CBD product — whether it be CBD tincture for providing physical relief or CBD lotion for arthritis — there’s bound to be a solution out there for you. However, how do you decide? How do you know what the best way to take CBD is?
Don’t worry! We understand that the CBD industry can be a bit confusing, and, as we mentioned, you have so many products to choose from! Because of that, today, we’re focusing entirely on the different ways you can take CBD. Then, when you’re done reading, you’ll have a great idea about what kind of CBD product is best for you and your health. Let’s get started.
Compared to other substances, vitamins, and therapies, CBD is incredibly versatile. As a result, manufacturers have found ways of infusing CBD into so many different forms, keeping the cannabinoid intact and working flawlessly. But, how is this the case?
The versatility of CBD has a lot to do with our bodies themselves. The human body contains a complex system of cell signalers that we call the endocannabinoid system or ECS for short. The ECS’s job is to ensure that all biological functions are working as they should, creating internal balance in the body. Once you obtain this balance, things like strolling the park, playing with your pet, or cooking a nice meal are done better than ever before.
Unfortunately, obtaining this kind of balance on your own isn’t always easy. After all, we live tough lives! Thus, CBD is here to help. This cannabinoid acts as a temporary stopgap, giving your ECS the support it needs to produce the hormones and enzymes it needs. When it does this, your body has a better chance of getting back on track and feeling amazing once again.
Because the human body naturally has an ECS, it doesn’t really matter how you consume CBD for it to work correctly. Different forms of CBD will simply provide other effects — but it will still work with the ECS! With this, CBD becomes incredibly versatile for those who enjoy it. Whether you’re digesting it orally, applying it to your skin, or infusing it into a gummy, the cannabinoids’ properties will still find ways to get to work.
However, just because CBD works in many different forms, that doesn’t mean its effects will be the same across all variations. How you consume or enjoy your CBD will directly affect how the CBD gets to work in the body, thus also affecting the results you feel. While all of these consumption methods and product types are beneficial, they do differ quite a bit. That’s why it’s crucial to take the time to understand the different types of CBD products and how they work in the body. This way, you’re able to choose a product that most appeals to you and your lifestyle.
The CBD industry understands that consumption methods are not one-size-fits-all. Instead, these methods are entirely unique to you! While some customers may not have an issue with orally consuming CBD, others may want to disguise the taste entirely. That’s precisely why so many options exist.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into these CBD consumption methods to help determine what works best for you. Here, we’ll discuss the unique attributes, benefits, and functionalities of these products, allowing you to get the whole picture of what CBD products have to offer. First, let’s start with the classic CBD tinctures.
CBD tincture for providing relief is one of the most common uses of cannabidiol out there. Manufactures craft CBD tinctures by destroying plant matter and isolating the extracts that contain cannabinoid profiles. Then, they take this oil and combine it with another carrier oil and sometimes other flavors or terpenes to create a CBD tincture.
These tinctures often come with a premeasured dropper to help you keep track of your CBD doses. To consume, you simply fill the dropper with your desired amount of CBD and place a few drops right under your tongue. Then, hold the CBD there for about 20-30 seconds before swallowing. This allows the cannabinoids to absorb into the bloodstream from under the tongue, helping effects kick in quickly and efficiently.
If you want to avoid the taste and texture of your CBD tincture, simply add your desired drops into your food or drink. This way, you won’t actually pick up on the flavors of your CBD, but you’ll still get the same effects. However, consuming it this way will take longer for benefits to arise, as you must first break down the cannabinoid through digestion. So, be patient!
Many people choose to consume a CBD tincture for relief because it’s straightforward and potent. You don’t have to deal with any tricky tools, products, or handiwork. Instead, you just consume a few drops and call it good — that’s all it takes! And, when consumed sublingually, effects are both quick and potent. What more could you ask for?
Another great way of enjoying some CBD for relief is through CBD topicals. CBD topicals are different from other products on the market simply because you don’t consume them! Instead, these products are lotions, creams, and serums infused with CBD, so you simply apply them to places of discomfort. (Trust us, you wouldn’t want to consume these, anyway.)
When you apply CBD topicals to your skin, the CBD acts completely different compared to consuming it. Topical application means that the cannabinoids within the product don’t actually cross the blood-brain barrier. Instead, they lock into your pores, hydrating the skin and helping with muscle tissue soreness and problems of the like. This is why people love turning to CBD topicals to provide symptomatic relief.
CBD topicals are the best way to take CBD if you are experiencing serious discomfort and other physical issues. Sometimes, traditional medications or even oral CBD cannot target these discomforts as directly as CBD topicals can, making them an excellent choice for those who want a natural alternative.
If you’re someone who is a little intimidated by the process of actually consuming CBD, these products may be a great place to start. But, again, you must keep in mind that the effects you get from CBD topicals are going to be vastly different than the ones you get from CBD tinctures or soft gels, as we’ll discuss. But, if you’re experiencing some discomfort you just can’t seem to target, definitely turn to a CBD lotion for pain.
For those more comfortable with traditional consumption methods, CBD softgels are the perfect product for you. Just as the name sounds, CBD softgels are capsules filled with CBD extract and a carrier oil. You simply take one (or maybe two) pills with a drink of water and swallow. It’s no different than an average capsule or dietary supplement.
CBD softgel capsules can be the best way to take CBD if you want a strong dose but don’t necessarily want to taste the plant-like substance. There isn’t a weird aftertaste or strong textures with these products — you just swallow and forget it. This consumption method is super straightforward and tends to be a bit less daunting than CBD tinctures for some consumers. But, the choice is always yours!
These products will likely work in the body in the same way that CBD tinctures do. However, you will have to wait longer for them to take effect, as your body must first digest them. After the body digests the capsule and breaks it down, the cannabinoids are released and get to work. Thus, you have to be patient! Give your softgel pills about an hour or so to fully feel the effects. If the results aren’t strong enough after that amount of time, you may want to up your dose and take another capsule. But, as always, these decisions are yours and yours only.
Do keep in mind that you cannot easily adjust doses with CBD softgels as you can with tinctures or edibles. For example, you cannot break open your capsule and adjust the amount of CBD inside. Instead, you have to find capsules that have your correct dose off the bat or one that can be created with the milligrams they have. Because of this, CBD capsules may be the best way to take CBD for more experienced consumers who know their dosage well.
Finally, if you just want to munch away without worrying about the taste of your CBD, CBD edibles are a great option. CBD edibles are foods infused with varying amounts of CBD. These products tend to be highly concentrated, typically offering several servings in just one treat. The most common CBD edibles are baked goods like brownies and cookies, but you’ll also likely come across CBD gummies and other candies too. It just depends on what you’re craving that day!
CBD edibles come in so many different forms. While you may be used to seeing CBD brownies, nowadays, you can also get your hands on CBD tea, CBD gum, CBD coffee, and so much more. All of these products help provide a concentrated dose of CBD in a super-tasty form. This type of CBD tends to be best for those who really do not want to taste their CBD, but may need a bit of a higher dose than others. As we mentioned, edibles tend to be quite concentrated and potent, so keep this in mind before consuming.
Another thing you should keep in mind with CBD edibles is the onset time of effects. Like CBD capsules, your body has to break down the CBD within these edibles through digestion. As soon as this happens, then you will begin to notice the benefits of cannabinoids. However, you must be patient. You don’t want to take more than your body needs, so wait at least an hour to two to see how you react to the full effects. Then, you can decide if you’ll need more or less next time.
With CBD edibles, make sure you keep them properly labeled and stored — they look just like your everyday snack! You don’t want anybody mistaking them for regular food, so proper storing and labeling is critical for these tasty infused treats.
So, what is the best way to take CBD? That’s entirely up to you. Some people enjoy the taste of hemp, opting for products like CBD. Others want to avoid consumption entirely, enjoying the ease that CBD topicals can bring. Then, of course, there are those who wish to their CBD within a delicious snack like with edibles.
The best way to find what CBD products are ideal for you is simply by determining what you want out of your treatment. For example, do you want to taste your CBD, or would you rather hide the taste? Do you want something more concentrated or something that produces more full-bodied results? Do you need results right away, or are you able to wait for the effects to kick in fully? All of these questions can help you decide what kind of product will be the best for your health and wellness.
It’s important to remember that every person’s health journey is different. Thankfully, CBD’s versatility makes it effortless to find the perfect product for you. However, make sure you do not try to base your experience on someone else’s, as we all react uniquely to cannabidiol and its benefits.
Once you find the best way to take CBD for you, you’ll be sure to notice an enhancement in your daily life. After all, cannabidiol is all about making you feel your best. So, take the time to find the ideal product for you, what you want from your CBD, and how you want to take it. Then, the perfect CBD product will be out there waiting for you.