CBD is practically everywhere you look these days from the shelves at the grocery store to the gas station on the corner. In addition, there is a myriad of ways to consume cannabinoids from a smokable hemp flower, cbd cartridges, CBD gummies, CBD capsules, topical CBD creams, and just about anything that you can think of. CBD also has some lofty claims from users claiming to fight minor ailments such as anxiety and depression all the way up to life-threatening ones such as epilepsy and cancer. Research is being done into these lofty claims and although preliminary results are encouraging there has to be much more done to support them. However, users of CBD have anecdotally reported it to help with this vast array of conditions and it could be a great way to avoid prescription drugs or invasive surgeries. If you have thought about taking CBD for your ailments you may have wondered what is the best way to take it? This can change depending on your situation and intended use as some methods are better for certain health scenarios. Read on to find out more and what might be the best way to consume CBD for your selected condition.
Special Note on CBD
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Cannabidiol, better known as CBD is derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Cannabis is more well known for being the parent plant that marijuana is derived from. Marijuana is a specially produced variety that is high in THC, which is the cannabinoid that produces a euphoric effect called being “high.” However, marijuana’s lesser-known cousin is called hemp and is very low in THC but very high in CBD. Most CBD products are produced from the hemp plant as CBD derived from marijuana is still illegal in most states. While CBD produced from hemp is legal in all but a very few places in the United States. This is due to the passage of the farm bill that classifies anything with less than 0.3% THC as hemp and legal under federal law.
Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System
No matter the variety whether it is marijuana or hemp cannabis is known to work in conjunction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS.) The ECS is a system that is found in most living things on the planet and has been linked to a variety of regulatory systems in the body. The goal of the ECS is to maintain homeostasis and help systems already in place such as the immune system. Essentially the ECS helps to pick up the slack when one of the body’s regulatory systems is having trouble. This is done using naturally produced components called endocannabinoids. However, the components present in the cannabis plant called cannabinoids have been shown to bind with the receptors of the ECS and to promote the same benefits as the naturally occurring compounds. The downside to this is that many people’s ECS have lain dormant for many years. Although the reasons for this are not 100% clear yet it has been noted that people starting a CBD regimen who have no experience with prior cannabis use can take a little longer to feel the effects. It is thought that time is needed to reawaken the system and sometimes it can take up to two weeks for new users to begin to feel the desired benefits. If you are new to using cannabis and CBD products for your ailments, it is a good idea to give it some time and allow your body to adjust to the new levels of cannabinoids in your system.
Before we get off track too much let us return back to the best ways to consume CBD for your particular ailments. This is by no means a complete list and if your specific condition is not listed, we encourage you to visit the dosage calculator on our website. This can help you to find the best dose and perhaps the best way to take CBD for your intended scenario.
CBD For Anxiety, Depression & PTSD
For these ailments sometimes speed is the key for fast relief. This makes CBD flower, CBD vape cartridges, or a CBD inhaler the best option for immediate support. If these methods are not available the next best option would be a sublingual CBD tincture. All of these methods are the fastest acting way to consumer CBD, however the effects can be rather short-lived. The upside though is these methods can be administered quickly making it easy to use when needed and when fast relief is a priority.
For these ailments sometimes speed is the key for fast relief. This makes CBD flower, CBD vape cartridges, or a CBD inhaler the best option for immediate support. If these methods are not available the next best option would be a sublingual CBD tincture. All of these methods are the fastest acting way to consumer CBD, however the effects can be rather short-lived. The upside though is these methods can be administered quickly making it easy to use when needed and when fast relief is a priority.
Chronic Pain such as Arthritis, Migraines, Sore Joints, Etc.
Conditions such as these require a much longer-lasting approach. This makes things like CBD gel caps, CBD edibles, CBD oil, and CBD isolate a better option. This is due to the fact that these products tend to have a much longer felt effect. Some of these methods can offer four to six hours of relief making them ideal for pain management. The only drawback is that it can take up to 90 minutes for the effects to be felt.
Another approach for pain such as arthritis, muscle soreness, and joint pain can be a CBD topical in conjunction with a CBD edible. This method works two-fold as it provides instant relief for the afflicted area while also providing long term relief from the ingestion of the edible product.
Skin Care
CBD has been shown to be an awesome choice when it comes to skincare. It has been reported to help with acne, dryness, redness, and wrinkles. Many CBD topicals are designed to help with a myriad of skin conditions and there are many people that swear by them. If looking for a way to treat skin conditions, then a topical designed for that purpose is generally the best choice. Lotions, creams, and bath bombs make an excellent choice for those looking to pamper their skin and roll back the time on the clock.
CBD For General Health
Perhaps you have no major ailments but are interested in using CBD as a preventative similar in use to a multivitamin. CBD can be an excellent way to help prevent health conditions and is also a great way to promote muscle recovery after strenuous activity. Almost any product can be good for these purposes, but the most popular way to consume CBD daily is by gummies. These delicious little morsels are easy to transport and easy to take the dosage that you seek. Gelcaps are also another perfect way to get your daily dose of CBD. No matter the method take them in the morning with your daily multivitamin to help you to remember. Or for an excellent night’s sleep take them every night before heading into bed.
CBD For Severe Health Conditions
Life-threatening conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease require significant doses. This can be best achieved with a CBD oil, CBD isolate, or CBD tincture that is very high in the amount of CBD present. Some major conditions will suggest extremely high doses of the 500mg to 1000mg range and it is best to spread this throughout the day. This allows for a consistent relief from the ailments as well as maintaining a consistent level of CBD available for the ECS. In addition, when combating severe health conditions it may be a good idea to think about how fast-acting CBD like hemp flower and vape cartridges used in conjunction with slower acting but longer-lasting methods such as edibles, gelcaps, and oils can be beneficial.
