Are you interested in learning more about CBD? Short for cannabidiol, CBD is quickly gaining popularity throughout the world. This powerful ingredient comes from the marijuana plant. But, CBD doesn’t cause a psychoactive high. Most CBD formulations contain either trace amounts of THC or none at all.
There are many incredible benefits of consuming CBD. Some people use CBD to help manage many types of pain. It also helps many people manage their anxiety, one of the most common mental health conditions. A 2019 Gallup poll found that 63% of CBD users report it to be extremely effective for treating anxiety.
That’s not where the benefits of using CBD stop. Cannabidiol can also help treat acne and improve your focus.
Considering how beneficial many people find CBD, it makes sense that this ingredient would soon rise in popularity. As the popularity of CBD continues its rapid growth, there are many ways to try it out for yourself.
Here are the pros and cons of five popular ways to consume CBD.
1. Tincture and oils
One of the most popular ways to consume CBD is by using a tincture. A tincture is a highly concentrated form of CBD, typically mixed with coconut oil or something similar. The added oil helps to mask the taste of CBD, which some might find a little harsh by itself.
What’s great about using CBD tincture or oils is that you control how much of this ingredient you ingest. Most oil droppers that come with these tinctures have marked dosage increments. This is also great to help you avoid accidentally taking too much CBD at once.
The drawback of tinctures is that the taste of them isn’t for everyone. Although, some companies use sweeteners to improve the taste of pure CBD.
Pros
- You control how much CBD you consume.
- Tinctures and oils are discreet ways to consume CBD.
- Using a tincture promotes rapid delivery of CBD into your body.
Cons
- The taste of CBD oil or tinctures can be a little too harsh.
- Certain people can find using a dropper inconvenient.
- Might cause digestive issues or an upset stomach in some individuals.
2. Vape oils and smoking
Another popular way to consume CBD is by vaping or smoking it. While these two methods might sound similar, there are a few differences between smoking and vaping CBD. To vape CBD, you ingest oils. To smoke CBD, you ingest the smoke from burned CBD plants.
While vaping or smoking CBD is a fast way to consume CBD, it’s not the most discreet delivery method. If you’re curious about stats on the most popular way to consume CBD, do check out this infographic guide from Greenunicornfarms.
Pros
- A fast way to get CBD into your body
- It might help those with cigarette smoking habits.
Cons
- Not the most discreet CBD delivery method
- Hard to know how much CBD you’re getting at a time
- Potential unknown long-term health effects
3. Edibles
You can also try CBD through ingesting edibles. Companies everywhere make edible treats containing various amounts of CBD. Edibles are great for those looking for a sweet treat and relief from a wide range of ailments. You can buy edibles online through reputable sites that sell only reliable and well-documented CBD products.
However, CBD edibles can take at least 30 to 120 minutes to kick in. This isn’t great for people that need fast relief from CBD.
Pros
- A fun way to consume CBD
- Having a wide range of edible treats to enjoy
Cons
- Takes 30-120 minutes to kick in
- Lower absorption rate
- Not the best choice if you can’t have sugar
4. Topicals
Certain individuals that want to experience CBD don’t want to take capsules, smoke, or vape this ingredient. For these people, topical creams containing CBD are great ways to experience everything cannabidiol has to offer.
Pros
- Enjoying the benefits of CBD without ingesting or smoking anything
- Using a topical cream is discrete and won’t draw lots of unwanted attention.
Cons
- Topicals have a low absorption rate.
- Not ideal for people that don’t enjoy using skin creams
5. Capsules
If the previously mentioned delivery methods aren’t for you, there’s another option to consider. With that in mind, you can also consume CBD capsules. By trying CBD capsules, you have a more discreet way to obtain the benefits of cannabidiols. These capsules typically contain CBD oil in a dissolvable capsule.
Certain companies also make CBD pills and softgels. With these other options, the delivery of CBD into the body remains the same. When selecting between capsules, pills, or softgels, it’s all about your personal preference. Some people prefer softgels and capsules because their smooth coating is easy to swallow.
Pros
- Another discreet way to enjoy CBD
- Easy to control the exact amount of CBD you ingest.
Cons
- Ingesting pills or capsules isn’t for everyone.
- Loses some of its potency as it passes through your digestive tract
As you can see, there are many different ways to try CBD for yourself. Consider trying each of these methods to see which ones work best for you.
