Wishing you could take your daily CBD dose alongside your gummy multivitamin or drink some cannabidiol on your front porch? Well, you can. More and more, manufacturers are coming out with delicious ways to take CBD. You no longer have to use sublingual tinctures or swallow a capsule. Instead, you could eat a gummy or break off a chunk of chocolate. Yet, if you have never tried an edible before, you may have a couple of questions about CBD edibles, including what they are and how well they work.
Today, we’re going to answer those questions and more.
Best CBD For Pain
What is CBD?
CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is a compound known as a cannabinoid, which comes straight from the Cannabis sativa plant [1]. Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive ingredient, unlike the other well-known cannabinoid found in medical marijuana or full spectrum CBD: tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. As you may know, THC produces a high, or a euphoric effect, as well as various side effects, depending on how much you take. CBD, on the other hand, does not do the same thing. Instead, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), inhibiting and balancing a couple of processes, such as inflammation [2, 3].
What is a CBD Edible?
CBD edibles are food products that contain cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. They are a popular way to consume CBD, as they offer a convenient and discreet way to take CBD without the need for smoking or vaping.
What Are Some Things to Know About CBD Edibles?
If you are considering trying CBD edibles, here are some things to keep in mind:
Edible Dosage
CBD edibles come in various strengths, and it’s essential to choose the right dosage based on your individual needs and tolerance. Start with a low dosage (usually around 10 mg/daily and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired effect. Wait a couple of days before attempting to increase the dosage and carefully monitor how you feel.
Although you may be tempted to eat several more gummies because they are tasty, do not succumb to the temptation until you know how you will feel later in the day. For that same reason, you should not attempt to sleep after eating an edible until you have experimented during the daytime.
It’s important to note that CBD can interact with other medications, so it’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before trying CBD edibles.
Edible Quality
Not all CBD edibles are created equal [4]. Look for products that are made with high-quality, organic ingredients and contain accurate labeling of CBD content. If you find CBD edibles that contain far more additives than CBD, you may not experience any of the benefits of cannabidiol.
Third-party lab testing can also provide assurance that the product is safe and contains the advertised amount of CBD.
For example, all the products at Sugar Bottom Hemp have been tested in an independent third-party lab; the Certificates of Analysis are available on our website. We also list out every ingredient used in our products, so you know exactly what you are getting.
CBD Onset and Duration
When and how strongly CBD comes on is dependent on a couple of factors. The method of consumption plays a tremendous role. CBD edibles typically take longer to take effect than other methods of ingestion, such as smoking or vaping. That said, the effects can last for several hours, making edibles a good option for those who prefer a longer-lasting effect. You must also consider your metabolism, what you have recently eaten, and your activity level.
For example, if you choose to take a CBD edible for sleep, you may need to take the product an hour or so before bedtime so that the edible is digested thoroughly.
Are Hemp Gummies the Same as CBD Gummies?
No, hemp gummies are not the same as gummies made with cannabidiol. This is true for any edible that contains hemp instead of CBD. Products made with hemp oil generally do not contain CBD or THC. Although hemp oil contains a decent amount of essential fatty acids, trace minerals, and vitamins, it is possible that hemp does not have the same potential benefits as CBD.
That said, hemp gummies and edibles may have benefits that would better suit you than CBD. For example, a study from 2011 found that the omega-3 fatty acids in hemp oil may reduce inflammation [5]. Hemp oil has also been found to be good for the skin. One study from 2014 concluded that hemp may treat acne, while another from 2015 stated that hemp oils work as a complementary therapy to other treatments for psoriasis [6, 7].
Hemp is also a strong antibacterial agent, as proven by a 2017 study on Staphylococcus aureus [8].
As such, while hemp and CBD oil are not the same, they may both be beneficial. Consider what effects you are looking for and decide which kind of gummy or edible you would like to try from there.
Possible Side Effects of Taking CBD Edibles
CBD is generally considered safe, but some people may experience side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, dizziness, and changes in appetite and mood. It’s important to start with a low dosage and monitor your body’s response to CBD edibles. If you experience any adverse effects, stop using the product and consult with your healthcare provider.
Furthermore, if you happen to be taking prescription medications with a grapefruit warning on the label, avoid CBD until you have discussed your options with a medical professional. Cannabidiol may act the same way as grapefruit, disrupting how the liver metabolizes certain medications.
Looking to Try High Quality CBD Edibles?
CBD edibles can be a convenient and discreet way to consume CBD, but it’s important to consider dosage, quality, onset time, potential side effects, and legal status before trying them. Always consult with your healthcare provider before using CBD edibles or any other CBD products.
If you would like to try CBD edibles, make sure you get them from a reputable and ethical seller, such as Sugar Bottom Hemp. Our team takes immense pride in the unrivaled quality of our CBD products. We care about the well-being of our customers, and so we do rigorous quality control of our products, which includes analysis at an independent third-party lab. Each product is formulated with the purest CBD and finest ingredients. We have something for everyone, including thirst-quenching CBD seltzer, delicious pate de fruit, and even tasty treats for your furry friends!
Best CBD For Pain
Resources
- Rapin, L., Gamaoun, R., El Hage, C., Arboleda, M. F., & Prosk, E. (2021). Cannabidiol use and effectiveness: real-world evidence from a Canadian medical cannabis clinic. Journal of cannabis research, 3(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00078-w
- Capodice, J. L., & Kaplan, S. A. (2021). The endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and cannabidiol: Implications in urology and men’s health. Current urology, 15(2), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.1097/CU9.0000000000000023
- Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
- Davis, T. (2019, April 28). Buyer Beware: Not All CBD Is Created Equal. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/terrelldavis/2019/04/28/buyer-beware-not-all-cbd-is-created-equal/?sh=7c9b1fc42ea0
- Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Belury, M. A., Andridge, R., Malarkey, W. B., & Glaser, R. (2011). Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: a randomized controlled trial. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 25(8), 1725–1734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2011.07.229
- Oláh, A., Tóth, B. I., Borbíró, I., Sugawara, K., Szöllõsi, A. G., Czifra, G., Pál, B., Ambrus, L., Kloepper, J., Camera, E., Ludovici, M., Picardo, M., Voets, T., Zouboulis, C. C., Paus, R., & Bíró, T. (2014). Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. The Journal of clinical investigation, 124(9), 3713–3724. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI64628
- Millsop, J. W., Bhatia, B. K., Debbaneh, M., Koo, J., & Liao, W. (2014). Diet and psoriasis, part III: role of nutritional supplements. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 71(3), 561–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.016
- Mikulcová, V., Kašpárková, V., Humpolíček, P., & Buňková, L. (2017). Formulation, Characterization and Properties of Hemp Seed Oil and Its Emulsions. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 22(5), 700. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22050700