Vapes, Tinctures, Topicals, and Edibles; What's the Best Way to Take CBD?

Vapes, tinctures, topicals, and edibles are some forms in which you can use CBD. Read this article to know more about the benefits of CBD to the body, the types of CBD, and the pros and cons of vapes, tinctures, topicals, and edibles.

As CBD gains popularity, industries are also working towards infusing as many products as possible with CBD so that the users may use the products in the forms they desire. Originally the only way to use CBD was through inhaling, meaning non-smokers could not use it. CBD is available in the markets as an infused product in soap, lotions, oils, candles, and even food. Users purchase CBD products mainly because of discretion and effectiveness. Since effectiveness is relative, users opt for the trial-and-error technique to find the best CBD that suits them. Read on to find out which among vapes, tinctures, topicals, and edibles, is the best.

What is CBD?

According to VanDolah, Bauer & Mauck (2019), CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are two of the famous, many chemical compounds of hemp and marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are not the same as believed by some people. The main difference between hemp and marijuana is based on the composition of THC, as explained by Grotenhermen & Russo (2002). THC is the component that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. Marijuana has 50%-90% of THC. Hemp, on the other hand, has 0.3% of THC. Hemp and hemp products, including CBD, are therefore legal in more countries than marijuana and marijuana products. When you buy a CBD product and find that the THC content in that product is too high, that will mean that the product is marijuana, but if the content of THC in the CBD product is less than 0.3%, it is hemp. CBD products in the market range from soap, lotions, oil, candles, snacks, etc

The Benefits of CBD to the Body

CBD is popular for the therapeutic benefits that it provides the body. Some of the benefits of CBD are as follows:

Stress, Depression, Anxiety, and Pain Relief

According to Schilling, Melzer  & McCabe (2020), CBD helps relieve stress, depression, anxiety, and panic. CBD activates the receptors that are responsible for relaxation. It can also be used to help in relaxation among people who have other ailments.

CBD is a Painkiller and an Anti-inflammatory Agent

CBD has been used for managing pain no matter the range and can be used as a painkiller for chronic ailments. CBD may also be inflammatory because it interferes with the route that enables inflammation.

CBD Helps With Sleep

CBD can be used by people who find it hard to sleep. Sleeplessness may be caused by pain or distress and anxiety. Therefore, CBD aids in reducing pain and anxiety, making one sleep easily.

Types of CBD

Brockway (2020) suggested that CBD products are not the same. The effectiveness of CBD products depends on the spectrum. The more the components in a CBD product, the more effective it is. The rationale behind the spectrums is that when you use CBD that has several compounds, you will experience what is known as the 'entourage effect.' The entourage effect means that you benefit more from a group of compounds than from one compound only.

Full-spectrum CBD

Full spectrum CBD contains CBD and all other compounds of the cannabis plant, including flavonoids, terpenes, and THC. Therefore, it is the most common and effective of all spectrums.

Broad-spectrum CBD 

Broad spectrum CBD contains CBD and all other compounds of the cannabis plant, except THC. It is more effective than CBD isolate but less effective than full spectrum CBD.

CBD isolate 

CBD isolate is the pure form of CBD. It is void of all other compounds of the cannabis plant.

The Pros and Cons of Vapes, Tinctures, Topicals, and Edibles

Vapes(vaporizers)

Dry CBD flowers or CBD oils are heated until there is a vapor that the user smokes when they need to relax or take care of a symptom.

Pros:

• Fast reaction within 10 minutes of inhaling, and the vape's effects will last about 3 to 5 hours.
• Are a great option for smokers.

Cons:

• Dosing may be difficult
• The absorption of CBD depends on how you inhale it.
• Not easy to use.

Tinctures

The tinctures are usually hemp CBD. You may spray the inside of the cheek with the tincture or place it under the tongue, so it is absorbed into the bloodstream directly.

Pros:

• The fast reaction takes 30 minutes unless it is taken as an edible, which will take longer to react because it has to pass through the liver.
• Easy to use.

Cons:

• Dosing is difficult.
• Absorption depends on the method of use- did you spray or place it under the tongue?

Topicals

Topicals include creams, balms, and lotions that can be used on the skin.

Pros:

• Topicals are effective for healing the issues that can be reached via the skin, e.g., arthritis.
• Easy to use.

Cons

• There may be a risk of skin irritation.
• The topical must have lots of CBD to be effective.
• They may take longer than the other forms of CBD to react.

CBD Edibles

Edibles are ingested and may include drinks and food. Any CBD that is infused in food or drinks is edible.

Pros

• Buying the form of the CBD that you want is easy as there are a variety of food products in the market, such as gummies and chocolates.
• You can make some edibles at home by infusing CBD into your food or drink.

Cons

• Absorption is slow because the food has to reach the liver first.
• The effect of taking a CBD edible lasts long and can last for 2-6 hours.

Conclusion

The fact that you do not have to be a smoker anymore to enjoy CBD has contributed to the increased popularity of CBD and its products, some of which are especially preferred because they are discreet, yet they are still effective. Industries are working towards ensuring that users can use CBD infused in almost every product, and in cases where the CBD product does not exist, you may infuse CBD at home. CBD edibles are especially popular because they do not attract attention and are therefore useful in times of emergency, for example, during a panic attack or to relieve stress and anxiety. The other reason edibles are popular is that you can have fun using them in cooking and baking. Choose a CBD product that best suits your preferences

References

Grotenhermen, F., & Russo, E. (2002). Cannabis and cannabinoids: pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutic potential. Psychology Press.

Evans, J. (2020). The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol. Fair Winds Press.

Schilling, S., Melzer, R., & McCabe, P. F. (2020). Cannabis sativa. Current Biology, 30(1), R8-R9.

VanDolah, H. J., Bauer, B. A., & Mauck, K. F. (2019, September). Clinicians' guide to cannabidiol and hemp oils. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 94, No. 9, pp. 1840-1851). Elsevier. Brockway, B. (2020) CBD and transparency: Not all CBDs are the same.