It’s not unusual for people interested in trying something new to hesitate when they feel overwhelmed by their options. Conflicted thoughts are often fueled by the fear of making the wrong decision.
Even those who spend numerous hours investigating the many potential health benefits of hemp CBD, who understand the significance of endocannabinoid support, often delay making a purchasing decision. Some hesitate because they are confused by industry terminology, others are simply overwhelmed by the significant number of available product options. Many people simply don’t know where to start.
As with any new experience, it is often helpful to have someone guide you through the decision-making process in a way that’s easy to understand. We can help you through those first crucial steps, CBD isn’t that complicated once you know where to begin.
Begin by Selecting Between CBD isolate or Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
The first step to becoming a CBD enthusiast is selecting the type of CBD product you would prefer to use. You may have noticed while investigating the numerous potential benefits of hemp CBD that some products are made with full-spectrum hemp CBD oil while others are made with CBD isolate.
The choice between these distinctly different products is simply a matter of preference; each product type has its advantages. To select the product that’s right for you, consider the following:
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Full-Spectrum CBD
CBD is just one of the many non-psychoactive plant-based cannabinoids found in hemp oil. Hemp oil also contains at least 480 natural plant compounds, including the plant terpenes, flavonoids, and essential minerals found in the original plant source. Many people who use CBD products consider full-spectrum hemp oil to be superior to its isolate counterpart because of a natural phenomenon known as the entourage effect, the ability of individual plant components to magnify and multiply the effects of the others. It may be important to know that full-spectrum CBD does contain trace amounts of THC (0.3 percent or less), the cannabinoid that causes the “high” from marijuana use. The insignificant amount of THC in hemp oil is not enough to cause intoxication.
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CBD Isolate Products
CBD isolate is essentially a purified form of hemp oil where all of the other plant compounds and cannabinoids have been removed. The resulting powder is more than 99 percent pure cannabidiol. Since CBD isolate is flavorless and odorless, isolate products are often preferred by those who want to add CBD to their favorite recipes or simply do not care for the flavor of natural hemp oil, often described as earthy or grassy. Those who are concerned about ingesting even trace amounts of THC appreciate knowing that isolate products are THC-free.
Those who may be interested in the potential benefits of full-spectrum CBD but want to stay away from THC also have a third alternative, broad-spectrum CBD wax. Broad spectrum wax contains many of the potentially beneficial cannabinoids and compounds of a full-spectrum product, without the THC. Broad-spectrum wax can be used sublingually (under the tongue), added to recipes, used to create your own broad-spectrum tincture, or for dabbing, a form of vaping.
Select a Product Type Suited to Your Needs and Lifestyle
Now that you have decided between an isolate product or full-spectrum CBD, you will want to choose a product that fits your lifestyle. While many people start their CBD adventure with a simple CBD tincture, you have many options. Consider the benefits of selecting from some of these popular products:
- CBD Tinctures – CBD tinctures are versatile and easy to use. Simply hold the oil under your tongue for 30-90 seconds before swallowing, or add your tincture to your favorite beverages, sauces, or yogurt. When purchasing a tincture, it is important to note how many milligrams of CBD your bottle contains, the higher the CBD content, the less product you will be using per dose.
- Capsules, Softgels, or CBD Gummies – When you select a CBD capsule, softgel, or gummy, your dosage has been pre-measured. Many people like these convenient options because they are portable and discrete. CBD gummies are a particularly fun, delicious introduction to the many potential benefits of endocannabinoid system support.
- CBD Vape Product – CBD vape products are considered the fasted method of CBD delivery because vaping allows CBD to enter your bloodstream quickly, bypassing the digestive processes. Although CBD vape is fast-acting, the effects of ingestable products are longer lasting. Those interested in CBD vape products have the option of disposable vape pens, rechargeable systems, or CBD e-liquids to use with vape gear they already own.
- Topical CBD – CBD infused creams and ointments allow CBD users to apply their products where and when they need it most. Research shows that topical CBD absorbs through the skin targeting specific areas needing to be treated.
Determining the Best Dosage for Your Needs
Whenever you purchase a CBD product, it’s essential to know how much cannabidiol your selection contains. This number should be clearly listed in milligrams. When purchasing a CBD tincture, the number you see represents the amount of CBD in the bottle, not the amount per dose. The higher the number, the less product you will use at a time.
It’s important to know that everyone has unique body chemistry, there is no one-size-fits-all method of determining an individual’s CBD dosage. A dosage amount that works for someone else may not be ideal for you. The best advice we can give you is to start on the low end and work your way up. While there is no harm in taking too much CBD, no risk of overdose, taking more CBD than necessary will increase your cost without providing any additional benefits. For example, if you have decided to begin your CBD journey with a tincture, consider the following suggestions:
- Start with 5-10 mg of CBD (30-60 daily mg)
- Wait for 3-4 hours
- If you do not notice your desired effect, increase your dose by a few milligrams
- Wait for 3-4 hours
- Complete these steps until you find your ideal dosage
If your ideal dosage of CBD is determined to be 10 mg, a 250mg tincture will provide you with 25 doses, while a 1000 mg bottle contains 100 doses. You can figure out the cost per milligram of CBD by dividing the cost of the bottle by how many milligrams the bottle contains.
When you select capsules, softgels, or gummies, there is no need to worry about measuring individual dosages; the work is done for you. A 25-30 mg per dose works well for many CBD users and is still considered a low-to-moderate dose of CBD.
No matter which type of product you select, it’s important to keep in mind that some people feel energized after taking CBD, while others find CBD a bit sedating. It is often recommended to those taking CBD for the first time to try their product at a time of day when any potentially noticeable effects will not be problematic.
Your Doctor Knows Best
CBD is not a medication; it is not a cure for any known health disorder. CBD is a natural dietary supplement that mimics the messengers and influences the receptors of your endocannabinoid system, the communication network that regulates nearly every essential function in your body.
As with any dietary supplement, it’s always best to discuss your intentions with your health care provider before making a product selection. CBD may not be right for everyone and has been known to interact with several types of medication, particularly antidepressants.
To learn more about the functions of your endocannabinoid system and the numerous potential benefits of CBD, feel free to download The Ultimate CBD User Guide at CBDistillery. Our products are derived from non-GMO hemp grown using organic farming methods. All CBDistillery products are third-party tested to ensure their potency and purity. You can find the batch test results within the images of every hemp oil product we offer.
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