Cannabidiol – better known as CBD – is one of the main compounds found in the cannabis plant, and represents the fastest growing segment of the health industry.
Unlike its psychoactive counterpart THC from the same plant, CBD does not cause the user to experience a typical “high”.
Instead, benefits include anxiety relief, reduced inflammation, and many other well-researched medical uses.
But with thousands of products on the market now, CBD first-timers may be overwhelmed by the sheer selection. Where do you even start with CBD, and which is the right product for you? Additionally, for those interested in exploring other cannabinoids like CBG and their potential benefits, considering CBG Gummies could offer a unique twist to their CBD experience.
Let’s start by comparing two popular forms of CBD – oil vs edibles – to see how they stack up and help you start your CBD journey on the right foot.
Find Your Reason Why
Choosing the right CBD product starts with your intention.
What exactly do you want to experience by taking CBD, and what are your priorities in terms of benefits and outcomes?
This is key to narrowing down your choices in product type, dosage, and other variables.
If you’re looking for a supplement intended for health maintenance without worrying about any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), you can take pure CBD to isolate oil with a 100% cannabidiol content.
You’ll find THC-free lemon-flavored CBD isolate from ISO CBD and other reputable CBD stores with a pleasing taste and relaxing aroma.
“Some folks turn to CBD for chronic medical issues, while others just want a way to chill out at the end of the day without relying on alcohol or other harmful substances,” said William Schumacher, Founder and CEO of Uprising Food.
“Oil or edibles are rather similar in how they work, but it’s important to know why you’re taking either one in the first place.”
The magic of CBD means that users may discover other benefits that they never expected, whether they choose to vape, use tinctures, drop oils in beverages, or eat fun-colored gummy candies infused with cannabidiol.
“The first time I ever tried CBD was to help soothe my anxiety,” said Actor and Advocate Tom Hanks. “I was fed up with taking various pills to try and make me ‘better’.
It wasn’t how I wanted to live my life anymore. So I gave CBD oil a try.
It was a huge relief for me to feel like myself, yet the edge was gone.
A bonus to the whole thing was the relief from various aches and pains I have. Especially arthritis in my knees. It immediately alleviated 90% of my pain.
The benefits of CBD oil are unlike anything any pill or medication can do.”
It’s important to note that cannabidiol doesn’t alter the mind or make you high.
The effects are also subtle, such as you feel calmer. After taking CBD oil, you feel like having a good mood, reducing stress. You might feel sleepy, especially in high doses.
But nothing like making you overly excited or couch-locked.
From a scientific perspective, there are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing oils to edibles on the CBD shelf.
“The consensus on edibles is that they take longer to hit the system, and mileage may vary more significantly between users as a result of factors like metabolism,” said Chris Hetherington, Founder and CEO of Peels.
“The big advantage of oils is knowing exactly what to expect from a certain dose no matter the situation, so you’re getting a much more consistent outcome.
That’s why I recommend beginners start out with oil and move onto edibles once they have more of a grip on the experience.”
Keep in mind that you can jump from one CBD product to the next depending on your needs at the moment. You don’t have to go 100% all-in on edibles or oils.
As you build up your pantry of CBD goodies, you’ll discover which products are best for addressing different issues.
“One of the biggest factors in deciding between CBD oil vs edible or gummy CBD is what you are taking it for,” said Karina Karassev, Founder and COO of Stori.
“If you are using it for general calming, or going to sleep, CBD oil may be a good option.
However, if you are trying to deal with significant, or persistent anxiety, gummies may be better.
The pairing of CBD with food causes it to release more slowly into your system, helping you relax more consistently throughout the day.”
It’s worth discovering the best food and CBD pairing for best results.
Generally, you can pair any food with CBD, such as salad, soup, casserole, and desserts. It’s crucial to avoid infusing CBD oil in hot dishes or while boiling.
Avoid pairing CBD with any alcoholic beverages to avoid its complex interaction with cannabidiol, potentially reducing its desired effects.
Personal Preferences and Comfort Level
Once you know the type of result you want from CBD, it becomes a matter of comfort with different types of administration. Personal preference and setting also come into play.
Some people prefer CBD oil because they’re handy, easy to use, and fast to absorb via sublingual (under the tongue) and vapor inhalation, which is very helpful when they want to reduce their stress fast.
Others prefer CBD edibles because they mask the oily feeling and subtle plant taste when taking CBD in oil form.
“First and foremost, it is vital in understanding where you will be consuming your CBD products,” said Inesa Ponomariovaite, Founder of Nesa’s Hemp.
“If it is at home, chances are you do not care about the ‘perception’ that your mode of ingestion has on others.
However, if you are constantly in a public setting or at work, CBD edibles will more than likely be more discreet.
Second, one must understand the difference in absorption rates.
CBD has a much higher rate of absorption, and is therefore considered more ‘potent’ compared to CBD edibles. As such, if you are looking for a stronger experience, side with CBD oil.”
On a practical level, you may want to switch around CBD types as a matter of novelty and try different products.
You never know which one will deliver the best results for your physiology and lifestyle.
“The great thing about edibles is the simplicity and enjoyment of snacking on a single piece of candy like a gummy worm or peach ring,” says Chris Vaughn, CEO of Emjay.
“On the other hand, you can drop the perfect dose of CBD oil into your coffee or tea, making it a bit more versatile.
Not everyone is comfortable using CBD oil droppers in public, however, so individual discretion is something to consider when shopping around.”
The great part of the CBD market is that there are so many products to try, it’s impossible to sample them all!
Like food, drinks, art, and everything else that depends on personal taste, we suggest searching continuously until you find a CBD product that fits you best.
What’s Next for CBD?
There’s a lot to get excited about in the world of CBD. Edibles and oils are just the start, so use them as a launchpad to discover new and interesting innovations.
“Once you feel good using tinctures, oils, and eating CBD edibles, you can move onto topicals, bath bombs, and other products that fully maximize the versatility of this amazing ingredient,” said Sarah Pirrie, Brand Director at Healist Naturals.
“If anything, those ‘starter’ products are a great way to learn about your relationship with cannabidiol and the proper dosage.”
As the market expands at an unprecedented rate, we can be sure that CBD is going nowhere but up – especially as more research and anecdotal support comes to the fore.
“We know one thing, the American people are using CBD products,” said Dr. Stephen Hahn of the FDA in a recent statement.
“We’re not going to be able to say you can’t use these products. It’s a fool’s game to try to even approach that.”
Conclusion
We’ve only just begun a long and enjoyable journey into the CBD universe, which is gaining momentum each day.
If you have an interest in health, wellness, or just getting the most out of life, keep a close eye on this industry and stay in the loop.