Looking for a quality CBD product can be intimidating and time-consuming. Shopping for CBD is not like shopping for vitamins; it’s a bit more complicated. Due to a lack of regulation, many companies offer low-quality products, many of which contain little to no CBD at all. When shopping for CBD, the first thing you should do is read the label, don’t just skim through it. Detailed ingredient lists are great, but clearly understanding whether a product contains CBD or not, and what the different terms mean is even better.
There are all sorts of CBD products available on the market if you’re not sure which one is right for you. We’ve prepared a guide to help you through the purchasing process.
An Introduction to CBD
CBD or cannabidiol is a compound found naturally in hemp plants. CBD is one of 113 cannabinoids unique to the hemp plant. Hemp is defined as all cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC. Because hemp has such low THC levels, it is non-intoxicating.
The market reached a milestone in 2018. An influx of consumer interest in all things CBD was suddenly buzzworthy. Athletes started using it; celebrities got in on it as well; even parents of desperately ill children started trusting the compound. This rise in consumer demand inevitably resulted in a surge of CBD products offered by different companies.
5 Types of CBD Products
CBD comes in many forms. You may have seen people use CBD Oils, also known as CBD hemp oil. These oils are the most popular among users because they are so easy to take. However, the list doesn’t stop here. There is a spectrum of products designed to fit into any lifestyle. Let’s go over the 5 most common types of CBD products.
1. CBD Oil: A Little Goes a Long Way
CBD oil refers to CBD-infused products that contain CBD suspended in an oily form, such as hemp seed oil or another plant-derived oil. CBD oils are ideal because they allow for the rapid absorption of the compound through the membrane under your tongue directly into your bloodstream. To put it simply, you’ll feel the effects faster than any other method.
CBD Oils are available in both low and high strength, ranging from 100mg to 1500mg. In addition, droppers built into the cap make it easy to measure your serving size.
2. CBD Edibles: A Fun Way to Take CBD
CBD edibles are foods infused with CBD. They are wildly popular thanks to their unique taste as well as their soothing effects. From CBD candies to fruit bites, CBD edibles include a wide variety of shapes, strength, and mouthwatering flavors.
CBD edibles offer an easy and familiar way to take CBD. Unlike CBD oil, CBD edibles offer you the benefit of longer-lasting effects. When you ingest these edibles, your liver slowly absorbs the compound, which creates an extended release of CBD throughout your body over a longer period of time.
3. CBD Terpenes: Amazing Flavors to Make Your Day Interesting
CBD Terpenes are the natural elements found in hemp plants that are responsible for the plant’s color, smell, and flavor. Pharmacists have found a way to combine the soothing effects of CBD with terpenes to create a more powerful and flavorful product. By infusing CBD oils with terpenes, users have access to the ‘entourage effect,’ a synergy of multiple natural compounds that results in a stronger kick.
4. CBD Tea and Coffee: A Great Way to Kick Start Your Mornings
CBD infused drinks are now everywhere: CBD coffee, CBD tea, even CBD water. Known to have medicinal benefits, the use of teas dates back to the 3rd century A.D.; and with coffee as one of America’s favorite drinks, it was only a matter of time before these became a “thing.”
CBD coffee offers the best of both worlds. A splash of caffeine to pick you and a hint of CBD to mellow you out. Ideal for busy days in the office or overloaded mornings around the house.
CBD tea fuses all the soothing properties of CBD and chamomile to deliver a therapeutic mixture rich in flavor and aroma.
5. CBD Lotions and Creams for Your Fitness Routine
CBD pain creams are highly effective because the lotion tends to remain in the application area when applied, as opposed to sublingual or edible products that enter the bloodstream and diffuse throughout the body. CBD topicals offer localized support to any affected area.
Which CBD Product Is the Most Effective?
While most supplements have a single recommended dose, CBD is different. The amount of CBD you take depends on your health provider’s recommendations or your own needs. Everybody is different, therefore have different needs and tastes. Every experience is subjective.
If you are new to the CBD world, don’t settle for the cheapest product you can find. Don’t go for the oil just because the hype pointed you to it. Experiment a little, try the oils, the edibles, and the capsules until you find out which one works best for you.