Which form of CBD is Most Effective?
Okay, so you must have come across CBD products at least once in your life, right? Like, it’s practically impossible to ignore it’s hype. Ever since the 2018 farm bill came into effect, it has spread like wildfire in health and wellness circles. Celebrities, Athletes, TV show hosts, you name it, everyone is ready to dip their toes in the insanely fast-growing CBD market.
As per reports, the global industry is expected to grow with a CAGR of 15.46% in the next 10 years. It’s expected to reach over 41 billion dollars in valuation by 2035. So you can imagine how big of a thing this is, and for us consumers, this translates to more brands, categories, forms, flavors, and whatnot.
For example, Colorado Botanicals CBD Oils have become one of the most popular CBD products in the sublingual administration category. But with so many choices comes analysis paralysis, people get overwhelmed and confused and often end up making the wrong purchase.
Don’t worry; this article will clear all your confusion and help you to determine which form of CBD is most effective for you.
Let’s understand CBD First.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a plant compound that is full of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, nerve-calming, and analgesic properties. It’s found in cannabis plants, which primarily have two forms: Hemp and Marijuana. Hemp plants are rich in high levels of CBD and only have trace amounts of another popular but intoxicating compound known as THC.
THC can make a person high and is often smoked in the form of marijuana joints for a euphoric experience. At the same time, CBD is medicinal and is made from industrial hemp plants only, having no more than 0.3% THC. You can find CBD products with 0.3% THC and no THC at all. Even though this trace amount is not enough to make you high, some people still avoid it completely.
Depending on your method of consumption, CBD products can take anywhere between a few minutes to an hour to kick in. If you use them regularly, you’ll see an improvement in your sleep, energy levels, and overall stress and anxiety.
CBD is nonaddictive, nonpsychoactive, and hardly has any severe side effects. This makes it better than traditional pain and anxiety medications, which are full of life-threatening, damage-causing, and addictive drug compositions.
What’s the best and most effective form of CBD?
See, the best form will depend on your use case. For some, oils can be perfect, while others may prefer gummies. But, from a scientific point of view, you may put one on a pedestal over another based on how long it takes to absorb and work. Let’s discuss each one by one and try to conclude.
CBD Oil & Tinctures
CBD oils or tinctures are liquid drops that you have to place under the tongue (sublingually). The area under the tongue has blood vessels that absorb and dissolve CBD directly into the bloodstream, bypassing digestion.
This method works quickly in 15 to 30 minutes and effects lasts 4 to 6 hours. It’s perfect for fast relief from anxiety, stress, or acute pain. Effects are stronger than edibles because less CBD is lost during digestion. Dosage is easy to adjust, but the lack of flavors and odd earthy taste of CBD oils may not be suitable for everyone.
Gummies, Chocolates, & Brownies
Edible forms of CBD products include gummies, chocolate,s or brownies that you can make at home. You just eat them like regular candy, they pass down your digestive system and get metabolized in the liver.
But, the potency gets slightly reduced, and it’s commonly known as a first-pass effect. It’s a slow and lengthy process hence, the effects take around 40 minutes to 2 hours before kicking.
However, they linger on for a slightly longer time, which is somewhere between 6 to 8 hours. Edibles are perfect for those who don’t like hemp’s earthy taste, have sleep troubles, and prefer slow release. The bioavailability is low here due to the first-pass effect, so higher doses might be required for effects as compared to oils.
CBD Creams & Balms
Creams and balms fall under the topical category of CBD products. They are for localized relief and help with sore muscles, pain in specific joints, and skin issues. The cream gets absorbed through skin pores and directly impacts the CB1 and CB2 receptors present beneath the epidermal layer.
You might feel some relief within 45 minutes to 1 hour, and overall, they can last for 2 to 4 hours. Topicals are perfect for arthritis pain, eczema, and other skin issues and post-workout recovery. You won’t expect full-body effects, but the targeted relief they provide is worth spending money on.
CBD Vapes
CBD vapes are the fastest form of CBD products in terms of onset time. CBD-carrying vapors get absorbed right away via your lungs and get mixed in the bloodstream right away. You’ll feel the effects within 1 to 5 minutes of inhaling, but they’ll fade away much faster two.
Typically, the effects won’t last more than 2 to 3 hours. But be cautious, as prolonged use can mess up the respiratory system. Plus, many brands skimp on using quality oils in their vape, which poses a huge risk of long-term lung damage. The vitamin E acetate popcorn lung incident is still in the fresh memory of many vape users.
Conclusion - Which form of CBD is most effective?
So, based on what we discussed above, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that for most people, CBD oils are the most effective form. It has the perfect balance of faster onset time, long-lasting effects, and good bioavailability.
The only drawback is the earthy hemp taste, but you can avoid that by opting for fresh mint-flavored CBD oils from Colorado Botanicals. However, as we stated above, the best product is the one which suits your use case.
For some, it can be topicals, it could be gummies, and for some, it could be oils or vapes. Also, in terms of types, Full Spectrum options will give you the most potent and synergic experience because they have all the healing components of hemp plants.
