Which CBD Product Is Best for Me?
There are many reasons to turn to CBD; perhaps you’re tired of prescription drugs with undesirable side-effects, looking for a natural or more subtle medicinal alternative, or maybe you’ve exhausted all other options and are desperately seeking something that might improve your ailment. Whatever the reason is, deciding that CBD is right for you is just the first step. When it comes to actually choosing the right CBD product for you, looking at shelves upon shelves of different oils and salves can be quite overwhelming. Here are a few tips and pointers that might help set you in the right direction when it comes time to buy CBD products.
Full-Spectrum Vs. Broad-Spectrum Vs. Pure/Isolate CBD
What exactly is the difference between “Broad-Spectrum CBD,” “Full-Spectrum CBD,” and “Pure CBD,” or “Isolate CBD?”
Full-spectrum CBD contains several components of the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC. Federally legal full-spectrum products will always have less than 0.3 percent THC. In states where cannabis is fully legal, you may also be able to find full-spectrum products with higher THC levels.
Broad-spectrum CBD is extracted from the hemp plant without removing any compound but THC. During this extraction process, all of the THC is removed to prevent any intense or psychoactive effects in the CBD, but nothing else is touched. With broad-spectrum CBD you are left with the entire range of healing benefits of the hemp plant as you are not removing any of the other beneficial compounds. This is known as “the entourage effect;” the theory that all the compounds in the plant work synergistically for the greatest effect.
In many cases, you will want to use broad-spectrum CBD as it allows you to get the most out of your CBD usage by bringing the “entourage effect” into play.
Pure CBD has gone through a process in which the majority of the other cannabinoids and compounds are removed from the oil. You will still receive all of the benefits that CBD specifically has to offer, but you will not have all of the potential benefits from the other cannabinoids and compounds that are found in the hemp plant. Using pure CBD is useful for edibles and drinks as it is colorless and odorless. The odorless nature of CBD also makes it great for topical usages, such as using it in creams for skincare as you do not have to worry about the natural, strong smell from the terpenes in CBD plants.
Variety of Product Types
Salves or Creams
CBD salve, or cream, is applied to the skin to allow for the topical benefits of CBD. These types of products are great for those who are looking to use CBD for topical pain relief, skincare benefits, and as a localized anti-inflammatory. You can find CBD creams with a wide variety of different additives to help maximize the topical benefits, promote skin health, or reduce pain and inflammation.
CBD Oils
CBD oil is most often a blend of CBD extract and an inert carrier oil, such as medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) coconut oil.
To make a CBD oil, CBD and sometimes other compounds like terpenes and flavonoids are extracted from the hemp plant material and then mixed with a carrier oil. Unlike pure CBD, or CBD isolate, these products retain all the compounds of the hemp plant, sometimes including up to 0.3 percent THC, so consumers may benefit from the “entourage effect.”
CBD oils are widely used due to their ease of ingestion, their minimal/natural ingredients, their range of health benefits, and more.
Tinctures
CBD oils and tinctures are similar yet have substantial differences, and both are used for a wide variety of purposes. They may often be confused as they are both sold in small glass bottles with dropper tops, and some may even use the two words synonymously, though they technically have differences.
A tincture is an herbal extract suspended in alcohol, as opposed to an oil. High proof alcohol is used as a solvent to extract the natural compounds of the cannabis plant, and it’s also used in the finished product. This method of processing preserves the cannabinoids and protects against oxidation, but it does require a lot of refinement and filtration. It can also leave a bitter flavor. To mask the bitterness, tinctures are often mixed with additives like sweeteners, flavoring, or vegetable glycerin. Some companies might also add vitamins, herbal extracts, or supplements like melatonin, depending on the goal of the product. Be wary of products that are mixed with dietary supplements or vitamins, as combining CBD with these ingredients may go against the FDA’s ruling.
CBD in tincture form is best used to treat anxiety, depression, and any other condition that interacts with the endocannabinoid system. You may also choose a CBD tincture if you’re looking to make CBD edibles or baked goods.
Both tinctures and CBD oils are usually used as an oral dose, to be dropped in the mouth or under the tongue. They can also be added to food or drinks. Some CBD oils may even be used directly on the skin for on-the-spot relief.
Oil Capsules
CBD oil capsules are similar to CBD oils but in a softgel form. One common reason that people choose CBD softgels is the fact that they don’t have to experience the taste of CBD oil, which can have a strong natural taste. You also do not have to worry about CBD softgels spilling or causing a mess.
Onset of Effects
Different methods of using CBD take effect at different rates. This may matter to some more than others, but it is definitely something to take into consideration before you buy CBD products. Here is a general overview of the speed in which different CBD products begin to work:
- Vaporizing: Fast
- CBD Oils and Tinctures: Medium
- Capsules: Medium
- Topicals: Medium
- Baked Goods: Slow
Make sure the product you choose works at a pace that you are comfortable with!
Where to Find More Answers
When it comes time to buy CBD products, it is important to do your own research and be as prepared as you can be. However, a reputable shop or company will be able to give you more personalized answers to your questions and find the exact product that is right for you! At Wellington CBD & Medicinal Marijuana Care, we are here to help!
Give us a call at (561) 798-7420 or fill out our online form to ask any question about your CBD needs!