CBD has become quite the buzzword, from CBD gummies and cookies to CBD topicals and tinctures. It has found its way into a variety of everyday products, and is only becoming more popular due to all its benefits and medical potential.
One specific CBD category that many users are interested in is CBD edibles – a wide selection of edible food products containing this compound. We will be going through everything you need to know about CBD edibles so you know what you can expect when trying out these versatile products.
How Do CBD Edibles Work?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prominent chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning that it does not produce the “high” often associated with cannabis (that is left to THC).
CBD edibles work through one of your body’s most important systems: the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for monitoring a few aspects of your health, including:
- Sleep
- Mood
- Appetite
- Energy
- Stress
- Discomfort
The ECS essentially acts as an emergency alert system for your general wellness. Your body naturally produces endocannabinoids, molecules that bind to endocannabinoid receptors that let your ECS know when your body requires pain relief.
CBD edibles are meant to be ingested and can come in many forms, including mints, gummies, cookies, brownies, beverages, and even full meals infused with oils or butters. When you ingest CBD, it gets broken down before it enters your bloodstream the same way you absorb vitamins through food and supplements. Once it enters your body, CBD starts to work directly in support of your ECS.
Researchers theorise that CBD extends the longevity of endocannabinoids and essentially makes your ECS run smoothly. CBD edibles typically take an hour to an hour and a half to take full effect. CBD edibles also provide long lasting effects as they are binded with food products, so they get released into your system over a longer period of time.
Factors That Influence The Effects Of CBD Edibles
While CBD edibles follow the same path in each user’s body, there are a few factors that will influence how intense the effects of the CBD will be. Some of these factors include:
- Metabolism: Each person has a unique metabolism, so your body can digest and process CBD edibles in different time frames. This impacts how fast the onset of the effects are and how long they will last.
- CBD content: The type and amount of CBD in an edible will influence how it affects you. Typically, the higher the CBD content, the more potent and long lasting the effects will be. Although you will not experience any psychoactive effects, taking high doses of CBD can still be unpleasant, so be sure to start with a lower dose and wait before increasing it. The type of CBD, such as full-spectrum or isolates, also have an impact.
- Ingredients: Additional ingredients used in your edible may affect its overall efficacy and potential benefits. For example, some CBD gummies for sleep contain melatonin, which is also known to promote sleep. Always buy from reputable distributors that are informed on cannabis and check your product’s ingredient list.
What Type Of CBD Edible Should I Get?
There are a few ways to categorise CBD edibles, but when browsing CBD products, you will most likely come across two key phrases: full spectrum CBD and CBD isolates.
Full spectrum CBD will contain CBD along with all the other cannabinoids and terpenes naturally found in the cannabis plant that work together to make it more effective (including up to 0.3% of THC, which will not produce any psychoactive effects). Most users opt for these products as they tend to provide better results compared to CBD isolates.
CBD isolates only contain CBD, and although this does take away from its effectiveness, some users simply prefer to use products that do not contain any THC. Cannabis derived CBD products are also more effective than hemp derived CBD products.
What Are The Benefits Of CBD?
CBD edibles can be suited to anyone’s taste and have the potential to alleviate many medical symptoms and improve daily functioning. You can look into CBD edibles and other cannabis treatments to assist you with:
- Improved concentration – Relieves symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
- Elevated mood – Alleviates symptoms of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.
- Pain relief – Helps patients with all kinds of chronic or temporary pain and migraines.
- Soothing stress – Eases chronic stress.
- Enhanced energy – Boosts energy and decreases lethargy.
- Peaceful sleep – Treatment for insomnia.
- Boosted appetite – Helps patients with illnesses that result in a loss of appetite and nausea.
Note that the effects will depend on the type of product you are using and what it is made for. You will usually get edibles that are specifically made for certain symptoms/issues, but it is always advisable to ask your dispensary for the best options.
Why Should I Use CBD Edibles?
Along with the many health benefits of CBD, edibles have a few benefits of their own. Many users want to experience the benefits of CBD without smoking or vaping, or do not enjoy the taste of tinctures and drops. Edibles form a whole new path, catering to anyone’s food preferences. Some of the main benefits of edibles include:
- The byproducts of smoking cannabis are eliminated
- Edibles are usually pre-measured, so you do not need to calculate a dosage
- They are portable
- You will not experience a psychoactive high
- They are one of the most discreet methods of consuming cannabis
- CBD edibles have effects that last much longer than vaping and smoking CBD does
- They are as delicious as you want them to be!
With so much potential, it is no wonder that CBD edibles have become so popular. As a non-psychoactive way to relieve pain, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, depression, and ADHD to name a few, CBD is a great option for many medical users. Add in the discretion and wide variety of edible options, and you have a winning combination. Give CBD edibles a try – they might become your favourite way to incorporate CBD into your day!
