How Do CBD Edibles Work?

CBD edibles are portable and discreet chewy products that come with specific dosages. This article details how CBD edibles work and the factors to consider when buying the best edible. It will also discuss its possible side effects.

CBD, a hemp derivative, was, before 2018, shunned and stigmatized in many households. That changed drastically when the US removed hemp from the list of controlled substances containing marijuana, LSD, heroin, and other illicit drugs. When CBD was legalized, there was a rise in its production. Many cannabis products exist in the market to appeal to diverse users; capsules, pills, cookies, and gummies. CBD edibles are the most popular among these products because they are not only pre-dosed but can also be made at home. They dispense health and therapeutic benefits depending on the form.

What Are CBD Edibles?

CBD is a chemical component found in marijuana or hemp (cannabis). Besides CBD, cannabis has hundreds of chemical components collectively known as cannabinoids. The edibles are cannabis products laced with consumables through ingestion. Unlike smoking or vaping, CBD edibles do not require heat to work. They are usually food-based and range from gummies, cookies, and brownies.

How Do CBD Edibles Work?

The body has a network known as the endocannabinoid system, which regulates functions such as emotions, temperature, pain, inflammation, immunity, digestion, learning, and memory. CBD helps reduce symptoms in the body by binding itself to the endocannabinoid system, influencing certain irregular body functions (Corroon & Felice, 2019). Note that the endocannabinoid is involved with all the activities affected by CBD's medicinal properties, like pain, inflammations, and emotional disorders.

How CBD edibles work as medicine

It is important to note that CBD does not have the same effect on everybody. Legal (2022) stated that the medical benefits associated with CBD are backed by science. CBD edibles have the following benefits to the body;

As a pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory 

CBD helps relieve pain and inflammation by attaching to the endocannabinoid receptor, interfering with the transmission of pain and inflammatory signals.

CBD for Relaxation

CBD can increase serotonin production. The hormone is reduced when one is undergoing emotional or mental distress. 

CBD for insomnia

Insomnia is a state of sleeplessness caused by emotional and mental distress, pain, and inflammation, among other factors. CBD edibles can help alleviate the stated precursors of insomnia.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best CBD Edible

The CBD market is uncontrolled, so buying the best CBD poses a challenge to the user. The user needs to conduct due diligence to buy the best CBD edible. Some of the factors that you should look out for are;

The Quality of the CBD Edible

The quality of the CBD edible will determine its effectiveness; low-quality edibles tend to be the least satisfying. The following are the factors that you should consider when buying the CBD edible;

Company’s Reputation

Companies with good reputations produce the best edibles to retain their customers. Avoid CBD edibles with questionable reputations.

The Certificate of Analysis (COA)

The COA is a detail of the contents of a CBD edible. Lo (2022) stated that the COA includes the details of the contents of a CBD product and its benefits. Some CBD edibles may have ingredients and additives that are harmful to the user. Some possess contaminants. If the CBD edible does not have a COA, it is best to avoid it because it may contain substances that the manufacturer does not want to disclose.

Third-party Laboratory Testing

The manufacturer can surrender the CBD edible to a third-party laboratory to objectively assess its contents as indicated in the COA. Delta et al. (2021) stated that third-party laboratory results hint at the credibility and transparency of a company.

Customers' Reviews

The customers' reviews can alert a new user on what to expect from the CBD edible; a product is only as good as its customers' reviews.

The Potency of the CBD Edible

Potency refers to a CBD edible usually refers to the amount of CBD per milligram. More potent CBD edibles have higher amounts of CBD per unit volume. It is always advisable to start with less potent CBD edibles before progressing to more potent CBD products to allow the body to adjust to CBD.

The Type of CBD Edible

CBD edibles are categorized into groups known as spectrums according to how effective they are. Users can enjoy the 'entourage effect' if the product has multiple cannabis components. The following are the main types of CBD edibles based on their strength;

• The full spectrum CBD edible has multiple cannabis components, including THC; therefore, the user enjoys an entourage effect.
• The broad spectrum CBD edible – its users enjoy a limited entourage compared to the full spectrum.
• The isolate spectrum is edible; they have one cannabis component (CBD) and is considered the purest form of CBD. The user does not experience the entourage effect.

The Doctor's Advice

You do not need a prescription to buy CBD edibles, but the doctor can guide you in settling for good-quality edibles. 

Side Effects of CBD Edibles

CBD edibles are safe, but like any other drug, they can cause side effects if misused. Some of the improper uses of CBD are overdosage and combining CBD with other drugs or alcohol. The users will likely experience side effects such as stomach pains, diarrhea, and nausea. Working (2022) stated that drowsiness is also a side effect of CBD use. If you notice some side effects, you should stop using the edibles or reduce the dosage. However, if the symptoms persist, you should seek medical advice.

Conclusion 

CBD edibles range from chewy gummies to baked products infused with the cannabis derivative. The products have different health and therapeutic benefits when used correctly. Similarly, they do not have psychoactive effects, especially when made from high-quality cannabis extract. While the body relatively tolerates the product, some users may develop a reaction toward THC, especially from full-spectrum gummies. Overdosing could also result in side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and dry mouth. Users should reduce the dosage when they get negative side effects from the product; if symptoms from side effects persist, one should seek medical advice.

References

Delta, D., Ages, T. C. V. C., & so Inaccurate, W. A. C. (2021). CBD Oracle Lab Study Shows Some Delta-8 Products Are 7700% Over the Legal Delta-9 THC Limit We got 51 hemp-derived Delta-8 THC products tested by an independent lab, and found high levels of Delta-9 THC in most of them. And that was just the beginning. Delta.

Legal, I. C. (2022). The Top Health Benefits of CBD Oil–What to Know Before Using! Sign, 68.

Lo, M. (2022). The Weed Gummies Cookbook: Recipes for Cannabis Candies, THC and CBD Edibles, and More. Simon and Schuster.

Working, W. S. C. S. (2022). How Much CBD Should I Take the First Time?.Sign, 62.