Reading time - 10 minutes - March 31, 2023
In recent years, cannabidiol, or CBD, has become one of the most popular wellness ingredients around the world. Its many potential therapeutic benefits have spearheaded this new wave of cannabis wellness, prompting people of all ages and from all walks of life to give CBD a go. CBD can now be found in all manner of products, from skincare and capsules to vape liquids, oils and, of course, edibles.
Cannabis edibles have been around for a hell of a long time. In fact, records suggest that we humans have been eating cannabis for thousands of years for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. These days, however, cannabis edibles have gotten something of a bad rap, largely due to their association with recreational use. But we’re not talking about home-baked cannabis-infused goods, here. CBD edibles are a whole other ballgame – free from the intoxicating ‘high’ and legal complications that many people would prefer to avoid.
So, what are CBD edibles? How do they work? And, most importantly, how much should you take? In this article, we’re going to answer each of these questions in as much detail as possible so that you can start your CBD wellness journey feeling confident and informed about your chosen product.
To put it simply, CBD edibles are food products that have been infused with CBD. This is achieved by adding a CBD extracts – usually derived from hemp plants – to products such as chocolates, drinks, and of course, the most popular of all – CBD gummies. Other orally consumed products, such as CBD capsules, may also be referred to as CBD edibles.
CBD is a common cannabinoid produced by the Cannabis Sativa plant. It has been scientifically studied for decades due to its array of therapeutic properties and its lack of psychoactive effects, which separate it distinctly from its well-known cousin, THC. This wellness potential, coupled with a lack of intoxication have led to the widespread adoption of this ingredient the world over.
Like many other cannabinoids, CBD is thought to interact with our Endocannabinoid System (ECS) – a receptor system that is expressed throughout our immune system and central nervous system. The ECS is believed to play an important role in a number of processes, including mood and temperature regulation, pain signaling, and even fertility.
CBD edibles have become a popular way for consumers to take advantage of these potential benefits. They offer convenience and discretion – after all, they will blend into any environment without anyone giving them a second thought! But how exactly do CBD edibles work?
CBD edibles are absorbed into the body just as other nutrients are. Along with the rest of the gummy, chocolate, or whatever other CBD edible product you may have opted for, CBD is broken down in the digestive system where it can then be absorbed into the bloodstream.
This means that CBD is slowly released into the bloodstream in the hours after it is consumed – a much longer process than alternative methods such as inhaling. However, this also means that the onset of CBD effects can take significantly longer to emerge, too. Still, if you’re looking for an easy and convenient way to take CBD either at home, at work, or on the go, CBD gummies and other edible products might be the ideal product for you.
As we have touched upon, edible CBD products are far from the only way to introduce CBD into your wellness regime. Those interested in the potential of CBD have a huge array of products – and consumption methods – to choose from. So, whether you’re into vaping, worship your skincare routine, or prefer a simple, no-frills supplement, you’re sure to find the ideal product for you. With that said, let’s take a quick look at the other methods of CBD consumption and which products fit each one.
This is a classic method of consumption that has for a long time been associated with smoking and – when it comes to cannabinoids – whole-flower cannabis. However, today, there is a huge (and ever-growing) consumer base for vaporizer products (take our dry herb vaporizers, for example). That’s right, consumers can now opt for a more health-conscious approach to cannabinoid inhalation, either with the use of whole dried flower, rosin, or other extracts – including CBD vape liquids.
A vaporizer device gently heats your product to boiling point, at which point cannabinoids and other ingredients begin to evaporate. In the case of CBD products, this creates a CBD-rich vapour which can then be inhaled quickly and easily.
Inhalation is considered the most efficient method of consumption for CBD as the active ingredient is delivered straight to the lungs where there is only a very thin barrier to the bloodstream. When taken in this way, the effects of CBD are felt almost immediately; however, they also wear off much more quickly than with other consumption methods such as oral administration.
Another popular method of administration for CBD products is topical application. This means applying your CBD product directly onto the skin. In recent years, we have seen an explosion of topical CBD products coming to the market, including moisturisers and night creams as well as more area-specific products such as CBD muscle balms and joint relief creams.
These products are designed to deliver a more localised effect. For example, some studies have indicated that CBD has anti-inflammatory potential which may be beneficial for a number of skin complaints such as acne or dry skin. Topical products can be applied directly to the affected area for localised relief. These products work by delivering CBD to receptors found in the skin itself, as well as allowing it to absorb into the bloodstream.
Finally, one of the more traditional methods of CBD application, sublingual literally means “under the tongue”. This is pretty self-explanatory, right? Your CBD product is simply applied to the area under your tongue and held there to allow absorbption into the bloodstream. The skin in this area is extremely thin, making for only a small barrier to the bloodstream and, therefore, sublingual application is widely seen as an efficent way to take CBD.
This approach is usually adopted with CBD oil tinctures which feature a convenient dropper top. All you need to do is apply a few drops of oil to the aforementioned area and hold it there for 30-60 seconds before swallowing the oil – easy-peasy!
CBD oils are still an incredibly popular option for people looking to incorporate CBD into their everyday regime. However, this form of application is not usually the most convenient or discrete way to take CBD – especially if you’re away from home. This is one of the many reasons that CBD edibles have begun to make such an impact on the CBD market.
So, going back to the original question at hand: how much CBD should you take?
The first and most important thing to know about CBD dosing is that it is far from an exact science. Each and every consumer is completely different and, as such, will have a completely different optimum dose to another person. Just as their preference may differ in the CBD products they choose, so too will the strength and quantity of CBD that works for them.
Many CBD brands will attempt to give you a general guideline regarding how much CBD to take. This may vary from product to product because – as we have said – it isn’t an exact science. In reality, the best advice anyone can give you on this topic is to start low and go slow. If you’re just starting out with CBD, start at a lower dose than you think you need. For example, if you are using a CBD oil, start with just a few drops.
Then, over the coming days, you can slowly increase the amount you use until you feel that you have reached the best outcome for you. The good news is that CBD is considered safe and well-tolerated, even in very high doses (and this means doses that general wellness consumers are unlikely to reach). So, you can sit back, relax, and take your time to find the perfect dose for you with complete peace of mind.
The principle mentioned above also applies to CBD edibles, such as CBD gummies. Always start with the lowest dose possible – in this case, one gummy. CBD edibles can be bought in a range of strengths – for example, our CBD capsules contain 10 mg per capsule, while our CBD gummies contain a 25 mg dose. This makes it easier than ever to keep track of the exact dose you are taking.
We recommend starting with one CBD gummy daily and increasing by 1 until you achieve the desired effects. It is also possible to halve a gummy if you want to start at an even lower dose.
Other CBD edibles, such as drinks, will also feature a fixed dose of CBD, making it easier for you to keep track of how much you are consuming. All in all, CBD edibles are a great option for daily CBD use as they allow you to keep a uniform dose (or increase or reduce your dose as required) as well as offer discretion and convenience for life at home or on the go.
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