CBD is officially everywhere now and it feels like everyone is using it. From Olympic athletes to achy retirees, CBD hemp flower offers benefits for all types of lifestyles. With so many uses and ways to take CBD though, how do you figure out which type of product is best fit for your needs?
Read this short article to learn the basics about CBD products and figure out which is best for your circumstances. We’ll show you the different methods of taking CBD and go over the pros and cons of each type of CBD product. Let’s get started.
What is CBD?
First, here’s a little bit of info about CBD in case you are just being introduced to it. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 120+ naturally occurring compounds in hemp flower, called phytocannabinoids. Aromatic compounds in hemp called terpenes create the flower’s pleasant scents, as well as contributing to the overall therapeutic effect and benefits of CBD.
Collectively, these compounds have beneficial properties with therapeutic effects related to –
- Stress
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Mood
- Sleep
- And more
All of these desirable compounds, such as CBD and terpenes, are synthesized within hemp’s flowers. Taking these beneficial compounds helps to support the healthy functioning of the endocannabinoid system, a critically important system intimately connected with nearly every aspect of health and wellness.
In the next section, you’ll learn about the different categories of CBD products and find which is best fit for your needs.
CBD Hemp Flower Strains
In its raw form CBD is takenby smoking the dried flavorful hemp flower. Hemp flower comes in many different varieties or “strains” with unique aromas and flavors. Smoking or vaping CBD hemp flower offers the same benefits with cannabis without the “high” psychoactive effects from THC.
Inhalation through smoking or vaping hemp flower is a fastacting method of taking CBD. While inhalation provides fast acting effects, they don’t typically last as long when compared with ingestion.
CBD Hemp Oil
Phytocannabinoids in hemp flower, such as CBD, are extracted and concentrated to make a liquid product known as, phytocannabinoid rich hemp oil(PCR hemp oil), generically referred to as CBD oil.
This form is a concentrated product containing a full-spectrum of the phytocannabinoids and terpenes extracted from the raw hemp flower (see MrHempFlower.com for examples). This concentrated extract is combined with carrier oils, such as coconut MCT oil, to create a range of potencies.
Ingestion vs. Sublingual
CBD-rich hemp oil can be ingested with food or absorbed directly into the bloodstream by holding it under the tongue. Taking hemp oil under the tongue, called sublingual administration, has a fast acting effect, however, it’s limited in how much CBD can absorbed at once.
Ingesting CBD hemp oil involves consuming or eating it with food. This can be achieved by simply swallowing hemp oil directly or by taking CBD gummies or tablets. People who prefer easily measure dosages, or who require higher dosages, typically go for products like Gummies for their convenience and effectiveness.
The effects from ingesting CBD hemp oil takes longer to onset compared to inhalation or sublingual administration, but they typically last longer and exert deeper effects in the body.
CBD Topicals
CBD-rich hemp oil is also used to make different types of products designed for the skin, called topicals. Topicals penetrate the skin’s tissues, but do not enter the bloodstream. This means that topicals won’t have an effect on aspects related to internal health factors, but they can help with skin, muscle,and other issues near the skin’s surface.
In fact, the skin has its own endocannabinoid system, called the subcutaneous endocannabinoid system. So the body’s largest organ, the skin, still benefits from hemp flower phytocannabinoids.
CBD topicals are particularly cherished for their effects on
- Itchiness
- Dry skin
- Inflammation
- Irritated skin
- Joint and muscle pain
- And more
Best CBD For Your Needs
To figure out which type of CBD product is best fit for your particular circumstances you first need to identify your needs. What is your goal? Is it to reduce stress? Is it to reduce inflammation or improve sleep? Is it for the skin? Is it to speed up recovery time from workout sessions? Is it to manage chronic pain or muscle cramps?
There are so many aspects of wellness where CBD can help. Envisioning how CBD fits into your lifestyle and needs is the best place to start. Are you the type of person to carry around a bottle of CBD oil in your bag to take as needed throughout the week, or do you prefer to sit down and smoke ahemp flower pre-roll at the end of the day?
Perhaps you prefer the convenience of portable, measured CBD gummies and their deep long lasting effects, or maybe you just want a relaxing CBD balm to rub on tired muscles.
Share Your CBD Experience
Ultimately, the best CBD product is the one that benefits you the most and is the easiest for you to take regularly. Try the one that matches your lifestyle and meets your needs for the best results.
After all, there is no one size fits all when it comes to taking CBD. We hope that this grows your understanding of CBD a bit better and guides you along the path to relief. Thanks for reading!
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