Due to its potential health benefits, there is a growing interest in CBD products. There are also many different forms and ways people can take CBD, such as oils, gummies, and topical creams.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, refers to one of the many substances, or cannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant. These substances interact with the endocannabinoid system in the body, which is a complex biological system that balances and regulates key bodily functions.
CBD is non-impairing, which means it lacks the psychoactive effects that people may associate with other cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. CBD in many products is typically in the form of hemp oil, which derives from the hemp plant. This is a species of the cannabis plant that is relatively low in THC and high in CBD.
In this article, we will discuss the different formulations of CBD products and how people can use them.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
CBD
Following the
If a person decides to use CBD products, there are a few things they should first consider:
Types of CBD
There are different extracts of CBD available on the market. Typically, manufacturers will use the following terminology to describe their products:
- Full-spectrum: These products contain multiple cannabis plant extracts and can include other components of the cannabis plant, including oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids, such as THC. However, these products cannot contain more than 0.3% THC, which is not strong enough to have significant psychoactive effects. Some evidence suggests that products containing multiple compounds from the cannabis plant may maximize its health benefits.
- Broad-spectrum: Similar to full-spectrum products, a broad-spectrum CBD product will contain other compounds and cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. However, the main difference between the two is that broad-spectrum products are typically entirely
free of THC , but may contain trace amounts. - Isolate: As the name suggests, CBD isolate products only contain CBD with no trace of any other compounds, such as THC. These products may be useful for a person to gauge the effectiveness of the CBD itself without interference from other substances and compounds.
Lab testing and COAs
At present, the
To ensure unbiased results, a COA should come from a third-party source, ideally, and not the manufacturer or source. Additionally, the COA should come from a trustworthy lab. If possible, a person can check if the COA is from an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Reputable sellers
Similarly, it is important to purchase CBD products from reputable sellers. It is advisable to go through a dispensary if one is available in a person’s state. A dispensary is an establishment that can legally sell cannabis products. These products will feature labels that clearly state the amount of CBD and THC in them. Alternatively, a person may also consider purchasing CBD products in a pharmacy.
Bioavailability
Strength and dosage
The potency of CBD products can vary and a person may require different strengths and dosages depending on various factors, such as why they are using CBD, the delivery method, and their metabolism. Although
As such, health experts advise that people should follow packaging instructions and start with lower doses that they slowly increase to find the minimum effective dose they need with minimal side effects.
Safety
While research suggests that CBD is typically safe, other evidence notes that it
Oral forms of CBD, such as edible options, refer to CBD products that a person ingests and digests. These options are often easy and convenient ways for a person to take CBD and are available in a variety of flavors that may mask the early flavor of the cannabinoid.
It is worth noting that taking CBD orally may be subject to the
Oral options for CBD can include:
The term sublingual refers to administering a substance by placing it under the tongue. The chemicals in CBD diffuse into the blood vessels beneath the tongue. As such, the sublingual route bypasses the first pass metabolism of the liver, and the body rapidly absorbs the drug into circulation.
Topical options refer to CBD products that a person can apply directly to their skin. This option also
Topical forms of CBD include:
This method refers to inhaling a form of CBD that a person quickly absorbs into their bloodstream via the mucous membranes in their lungs. Smoking dried hemp flower, vaporizing CBD oil, or inhaling CBD concentrates with a vape pen
Forms of CBD that people can inhale include:
- CBD cigarettes
- vaporizing CBD oil
- CBD vape pens
Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that may possess health benefits and is available in a variety of products. A person can use several different methods to administer CBD, depending on their needs and preferences. It is typically available in many forms, such as oils, gummies, sprays, creams, and cigarettes. When choosing CBD products, a person should consider different factors, such as ingredients, dosages, and safety certificates.