Welcome back to another article in my series called CBD For Beginners. If you haven't caught the first couple of parts, you may want to get caught up before diving into this one.
Part 1:
@thelogicaldude/cbd-for-beginners-cbd-explained-the-introduction
Part 2:
@thelogicaldude/cbd-for-beginners-how-cbd-can-improve-your-life
If you want to continue moving forward, then let's get into the top 5 forms of CBD!
Top Forms of CBD
CBD is available in many different forms, so before you choose which one is best suited for you, here’s a quick overview of currently available options, there maybe more at this point, and someone may have some extra special way of consumption that I don't know about, but the following are the more popular forms.
Capsules
These are used for systemic treatment of conditions such as seizures or digestive issues. They are also ingested to help with a variety of other health problems, including acne, anorexia and even glaucoma.
Remember that you must allow enough time for the capsule to dissolve in your stomach and be distributed throughout your body by your blood stream.
When you swallow a capsule, it’s absorbed through your intestines and sent to the liver. It takes about an hour to feel the effects if you take it on an empty stomach, and up to three hours if you’ve eaten recently. This means don’t take more until after at least 3-4 hours have passed.
The psychoactive effects of a capsule subside after around six hours in the average person. Other effects may last up to twelve hours. This longer-acting effect makes capsules suitable for many chronic conditions.
Gummy Edibles
Like capsules, gummy edibles first must be digested and pass through the liver before they begin to take effect. Again, remember not to take more until at least three hours have passed.
Oral Spray
Many studies have shown that CBD, through oral spray specifically that has a combination of CBD and THC, have been proven to be a safe and effective way to reduce muscle spasticity in those suffering from multiple sclerosis. This is a more direct method than ingestion because it absorbs directly into your blood stream through the mouth, similar to tinctures, which we are discussing next.
Tinctures
Tinctures are made with a solvent like ethanol or sesame or olive oil. They’re applied into the mouth, or under the tongue. These doses are absorbed directly into the blood vessels in the mouth.
How it works (tinctures and sprays):
You spray or drop the liquid onto the skin in your mouth and wait at least 1-2 minutes for it to absorb before you swallow. If you just swallow immediately, it’s going to take much longer to have an effect, like a capsule or edible does. It’s best not to eat or drink immediately before or after taking a tincture.
Tinctures take between 15 minutes to an hour to have full effect. They last anywhere between six to eight hours.
Tip: Always start with the lowest dose possible if you are new to CBD. 2.5 to 5.0 milligrams are a good starting dose for most people. Always pay close attention to the label so you’ll be certain exactly how much CBD you’re getting per dose.
Vaping
Inhaling CBD is the fastest way of administering the drug. The chemicals are sent straight to the brain before they pass
through the liver, so they take effect within seconds to minutes.
Most effects usually dissipate within two to three hours. The short onset and duration make this method good for acute problems like nausea.
The fast onset also allows patients to adjust their dose quickly. Even if you do get a “high,” it won’t last very long and you can adjust the next dose accordingly.
One thing to consider, however: vaping has been shown to be a dangerous habit and carries unique risks as they are often dilutedwith other substances such as MCT, oils and fats that are typically derived from natural sources like olive or coconut oil.
And while these oils are safe to eat, it hasn’t been proven whether they are safe to vape, so proceed with caution. Or, more importantly, do your own research.
Creams, lotions, and gels
These topical products are rubbed onto the skin to provide quick pain relief for muscles and joints.
The CBD is not usually absorbed into the blood stream in any significant amount, so you don’t need to worry about getting “high” or causing side effects.
Important Things to Know
I encourage you to seek out products made from the unfertilized flower tops of high-resin, CBD-rich cannabis, which is better suited for extracting medicinal oil than is low-resin fiber hemp, or industrial hemp grown for seed oil or protein.
Plant breeders have been creating high-resin cannabis varietals with CBD levels over ten percent, while keeping the THC under 0.3 percent.
If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal, always buy your CBD from a licensed dispensary.
If you don’t live in such a state, you can still obtain CBD from the internet, but you must be far more careful. You can even purchase CBD though our online store on https://weedcash.store. We use high quality vendors and our products are top notch.
There is no regulation of these products and you usually have no idea how much CBD you’re going to be getting. Further, many hemp-derived CBD products are mislabeled.
A study reported in the American Medical Association journal reported that, out of 85 products tested, 69 percent had an incorrect amount of CBD listed on the label. Another survey found significant discrepancies among some of the leading hemp- derived CBD products.
They falsely claim full-spectrum CBD-rich oil is included in their products, but lab tests of several samples revealed that only a single cannabinoid (CBD) was present. This indicates that the products are made with CBD-isolate rather than the more effective whole plant CBD-rich extract.
Another problem is that some of the highly processed hemp products also contain toxic solvent residues, corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors, and other contaminants.
How can you tell which products are safe for use?
Consumer Reports suggests using products made in states where medicinal marijuana is legalized. Those tend to have stricter standards and regulations. If you live in a “CBD-Only” state, choose CBD products made with American-grown hemp. Choose full-spectrum, CBD-rich oil extracts instead of products labeled “pure CBD” or “no THC.”
Full spectrum means it contains several cannabis compounds, including a little THC. If THC is illegal in your state, look for “broad spectrum” CBD oil products that still contain other cannabinoids (but no THC).
Here are some things you should avoid when choosing a CBD product
- Companies that make grandiose promises or explicit health claims. This is not allowed by the FDA.
- CBD hemp oil vape cartridges made with toxic thinning agents like propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. Also, avoid flavoring agents and other toxic additives.
- Poor-quality CBD-infused gummies made with corn syrup and artificial colors.
- Brands that claim their CBD is extracted from the hemp seed and/or stalk. CBD is not found in hempseed and very little is found in the stalks.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and contact any CBD company you are considering purchasing through. Ask questions prior to making a decision to purchase to ensure you are properly informed.
So now that you know the different types of CBD products that are out there on the market, you have a better idea of how to shop for your medicines. Just remember to do your own research on the products you are putting in your body.
Next article is going to discuss some of the common myths and misconceptions around CBD!
Header image downloaded from pixabay.com
https://pixabay.com/photos/leaves-cannabis-plant-herbal-5424615/
List of reference used in my research:
6 Benefits of CBD Oil:
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-benefits
CBD for Anxiety:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-use-cbd- for-anxiety
CBD Explained:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221
CBD on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
