Many people are unaware that cannabis became popular and widely used for its medicinal properties before it became a recreational drug. As early as 500 BC, ancient cultures in Asia cultivated cannabis as herbal medicine to treat stomach pains and other ailments. The recreational use of cannabis in the United States began in the early 1900s. And since then, the negative connotation became unstoppable that many places criminalized it. California was the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal use in 1996, and discoveries for its healing properties have become apparent.
Today, CBD is known to have the following medical properties:
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-convulsive
- analgesic
- anti-anxiety
- anti-psychotic
- sedative
Recent statistics show that in 2020, sales for CBD or cannabidiol reached USD$5 billion and are forecasted to surpass USD$17 billion by 2025. There’s now a plethora of CBD products in the market, including gummies, teas, oils, vitamins, lattes, chocolates, salves, bath bombs, CBD-infused workout gear, and creams that many people get confused about what to choose.
CBD edibles are becoming more popular for their efficiency and ease of use. To help you out, here are some tips for choosing CBD edibles:
1. Choose The Right Concentration
Depending on why you want to use CBD, your body weight and tolerance of the product should all influence your decision on how much you should take. Ideally, it’d be best to start with a low dose, gradually increasing your dosage as you observe how your body reacts to it. The recommended dosage for an adult is 10 mg while kids are at 5 mg. After a week, an adult can increase to 20 mg. Only try the higher doses like a 25 mg CBD drink when you’re experienced enough, as they might pack quite a punch!
Even though you can’t fatally overdose on CBD, you must always supervise children’s intake and they shouldn’t be left alone with it. Edibles like gummies are candies to kids, and they can potentially consume an entire bottle if not supervised.
2. Check The Amount Of THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound in cannabis that produces psychoactive effects. So, basically, it’s the element that gets one high. People who want to experience CBD sans the psychoactive effects should get edibles without THC like these THC-free CBD gummies from SUPA Naturals and others.
Although THC may help in easing many symptoms of terrible diseases, it can also have other adverse side effects, including:
- vomiting
- drowsiness
- memory loss
- problems with balance
- problems with concentration
3. Pick The Type You Prefer
Many people would only like pure CBD products. Some would want it with flavonoids or other compounds to increase its effects. So, depending on your needs, you have to choose your type. Here are the different options:
- Broad-spectrum CBD – may contain trace quantities of THC and other compounds such as CBC, CBN, limonene, or terpenes
- Full-spectrum CBD – has low amounts of THC, 0.3% in the U.S and 0.2% in the U.K
- Isolate-based CBD – CBD in its purest form
4. Look For Certificate Of Analysis (COA)
Since the rise of the CBD market exploded, many unscrupulous individuals have manufactured CBD products that don’t adhere to proper standards.
The prevalence of fake CBD products flooded the market, increasing the need for a third party to analyze the contents of each product and issue a certificate to ensure that consumers have access to the correct information when buying CBD products.
Consumers can now check first if the product has a certificate of analysis from an ISO-certified laboratory. They may scan the QR code to see the details of the product such as the cannabinoid type, weight percentage, concentration, heavyweight metal analysis, and pesticide analysis.
Because of COA, many products were revealed to be below standard. Some were contaminated, some were labeled as hemp but didn’t qualify by definition, and some contained THC levels that are more than enough to cause psychoactive effects detrimental to some consumers.
5. Assess Whether You Prefer Liquid Or Solid
CBD-infused candies are convenient and discreet, not to mention they’re tasty and attractive. But if you find that sweets aren’t your thing, you may also opt for CBD oil that you can incorporate in your beverage. CBD oil in your coffee is something you can try if you want to take it with your morning brew to help perk up your day. It’s CBD diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil or hemp seed oil.
Conclusion
The popularity and efficacy of CBD can’t be undermined. With appropriate doses and with the guidance of a health professional, one can reap its benefits and alleviate many symptoms of life-altering illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, many mental health disorders, and the severe effects of cancer treatment.