CBD has become a wellness essential in recent years, and continues to rise in popularity as more and more people get wind of its raft of benefits and efficacy in treating a diverse range of treatments – from stress, depression and anxiety to insomnia and chronic pain. Today, 33% of adults claim to have tried a type of CBD product at some point, with one in every seven saying that they currently use at least one CBD product daily.
CBD oils, tinctures and other infused luxury products are making their mark in the health and beauty sectors and you can now find just about any kind you could imagine in popular health food stores and pharmacies – from soaps and moisturisers, to chocolate and beer. In 2021, it seems that there’s a CBD product for everyone – but how do you know if it’s worth trying out if you’re new to the world of CBD – and where exactly should you start?
Here, we take a look at all you need to know – from the benefits, to the best products to consider.
What is CBD?
Abbreviated as CBD, cannabidiol is a natural and chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant which is used to manufacture various legal and over-the-counter products such as oils and edibles to accommodate different users’ needs.
Unlike marijuana, it contains no THC – the psychoactive compound that can cause users to feel ‘high’. So, while using CBD, you can reap the subtle benefits to health and wellness, without any negative or potentially dangerous side effects.
The Benefits of CBD
CBD products offer a range of health and lifestyle benefits, which makes them a diverse and versatile solution that can help ease symptoms of numerous different conditions. One of CBD’s most common uses is as a mild pain reliever, as it has been shown to be effective in reducing discomfort against those with chronic conditions – while it also works effectively to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression thanks to its calming effects.
Not only that, but it can help to boost heart health, eliminate skin problems such as acne and rosacea, and help you to get a good night’s sleep – so it’s easy to see why it has won itself such a legion of loyal fans.
Popular Types of CBD Products
Selecting the right CBD product can prove daunting when faced with so much choice, but the good news is that each of them can help you in a similar way. If you’re just starting out, then you might be wondering what to try first, so here are the five most popular products to make your search easier and more manageable.
CBD Isolates
CBD isolate is an excellent option for first-time CBD users. Due to the extraction method used by manufacturers, it’s the purest of all CBD forms, and it doesn’t have a strong taste or smell – which means most people can tolerate it and take it with relative ease. You can acquire it in different forms, including crystals and powder, depending on your preference, which means they can be mixed with water, juice or your favourite drink of choice for ease of administration.
The crystals may be crushed into powder for easy ingestion, and both can also sometimes be found in the form of gummies, liquids, or edibles – so if you’d prefer to find a tastier way to consume your CBD then there are plenty of options to choose from.
CBD isolate is among the most cost-effective raw materials to be used in nearly all CBD products, and is commonly used to alleviate pain, anxiety, inflammation, and epilepsy.
CBD Tinctures
For the longest time, people have been confusing CBD tinctures and oils. While both come in liquid form, CBD tinctures result from soaking CBD herbs in a liquid stored in a glass bottle, with a dropper for easy access. The herbs are, in most cases, soaked in alcohol or a water-alcohol mixture to form a highly concentrated CBD solution. Nonetheless, the tincture can also be formed by soaking CBD in other forms of liquid, such as oils, too.
To improve its taste, this concentrated liquid may contain added ingredients such as sweeteners and flavours. CBD tinctures are loved for their fast absorption by the body, and their high concentration makes them ideal if you are looking for fast results.
Tinctures are quick and easy to use; simply place a few drops under your tongue for up to two minutes to reap maximum benefits. Swallowing the product immediately may delay its effect, but if used properly, you’ll begin to feel the benefits within 15 minutes to an hour, and they’ll last for up to eight hours.
Tinctures work well in treating stress and anxiety thanks to their fast absorption rate, so if you have an interview or presentation coming up or are about to fly long haul, then they could well be just what you’re looking for to take the edge off. They can also be used for pain, seizure, inflammatory conditions, and general wellness, as and when required.
CBD Edibles
As the name suggests, CBD edibles are food and drink products that have been infused with CBD – such as teas and coffees, cookies, wine, energy drinks, and even chocolate.
CBD edibles are becoming increasingly popular in 2021, as users find them convenient and a great way to ease their minds and eliminate insomnia whilst snacking or sipping on something tasty. They are also one of the more discrete ways to get your daily dose, as they don’t come in the kind of obvious packaging that oils, tinctures and creams do.
Although CBD edibles are regulated under medicinal and recreational laws, it’s important to read up on products before you buy them, particularly when shopping online. Pay attention to the quality and safety of the edibles you’ve got your eye on to avoid putting your health at risk, check the certification and reputation of the seller before consuming the edibles, pay attention to the CBD concentration and ensure that the products do not contain THC.
Vapes
CBD Vapes have become a handy solution for smokers looking to eliminate their cigarette addiction in recent years. Vapes do not produce smoke and do not contain tar, which minimises the risks that come with consuming cigarettes – although they should still be used with caution.
Vapes provide CBD in a highly bioavailability form, which means the majority of CBD inhaled is able to enter the bloodstream – something that is not the case with most other CBD products. This means they tend to offer faster results, which makes them a handy and efficient way to get your top-ups.
Vaping CBD can help to reduce pain quickly, and has also been shown to help calm the nerves after a long and stressful day.
CBD Topicals
If you’re sceptical about the idea of ingesting or inhaling CBD, the good news is that you don’t have to in order to experience the benefits. CBD topicals are a great solution for your beauty and pain-relieving needs, and can simply be applied to the skin.
From creams and lotions to soothing balms, there is a wide variety of CBD topicals to choose from, depending on your needs and preference. Athletes and bodybuilders are the most common users of topical CBD, and commonly apply creams to relax muscles both before and after workouts, helping to prevent injury and soothe any unwanted aches and pains.
As well as offering fast relief to localised pain, they can also be effective when used as a skin treatment for conditions such as acne and rosacea.
