These days it feels like CBD is everywhere you look. And right now, CBD gummies and other candies seem to be incredibly popular. Despite this, people still have a lot of questions about these products. So, we gathered up some of the biggest ones in order to answer them and clear up some misconceptions.
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What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the over 113 Cannabinoid compounds found in Cannabis plants (plants like Marijuana and Hemp). CBD, while gaining in popularity, is often overshadowed by it’s more famous fellow Cannabinoid, Tetrahydrocannabinol (usually know as THC). The two compounds are very different, however. But we will go into more detail about that later. For now, the main thing to know about CBD is that it is found in Cannabis and there is ongoing research into how it may benefit people and their health.
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What does CBD do?
Now that you have a basic understanding of CBD, you may be wondering why people love it so much. What does it even do? To be honest, that question is still being answered. Research on CBD is preliminary, but it is promising.
What we do know is that CBD interacts with a system of receptors in the body called the endocannabinoid system. These receptors control many cognitive functions in the body. CBD interacts with the receptors and may boost their function. Some of these receptors are the ones that produce dopamine (the chemical involved in motor functions) and serotonin (the chemical that controls moods). As a result, CBD may help boost your productivity or your mood.
There is other research looking into a number of things that CBD may be able to help with. These studies include ones on inflammation, PTSD, skin health and even epilepsy. In fact, there is a newly FDA approved CBD medication designed to help with epilepsy, called Epidiolex. There are some who take CBD daily like they would vitamins. Just as a way to help with their general health and wellness.
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Is CBD legal?
Yes, it is! Most CBD products are legal in all across the United States. This is because a majority of CBD products are derived from Hemp instead of Marijuana. In 2018 the United States Legislature passed the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a law that goes under revision every five years (we have an article that goes into more detail about it here). The 2018 version of the bill included a section stating that industrial Hemp with less than 0.3% THC concentration is legal to buy and sell across the country. This was great news for CBD, as Hemp tends to contain much high concentrations of CBD than THC. CBD is also legal in several countries other than the United States.
CBD products that are derived from Marijuana and/or contain more than 0.3% THC are a different story. The legality of those products varies from state to state and is not legal federally. Whether you can find CBD products like that depends on your region’s laws pertaining to medical and recreational Marijuana. If you would like to start using CBD that is nowt from Hemp and/or has more than 0.3% THC, you should familiarize yourself with your state laws on Marijuana.
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Will CBD gummies get me high?
No, they will not get you high. As mentioned above, CBD does get conflated with THC often, but they are two different compounds. THC is the component of Cannabis that has a psychoactive effect. It does this by directly binding with the endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. This may create a change in appetite, memory and other cognitive functions. However, as discussed above, CBD doesn’t do that. By merely interacting with the receptors, CBD may boost certain cognitive functions, but it does not have the same sort of dulling effect that THC does.
So, if your main hesitation or concern about using CBD lies with the fear of unintentionally getting high, there is no need for worry. While some CBD products do have THC in them, they are legally required to contain less than 0.3%, which is not enough to get most people high.
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What are the different kinds of CBD?
When looking into CBD gummies you will likely notice something. Some products that seem to be the same will have different labels. This is because there are three main kinds of CBD oil. They are Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum and CBD Isolate. These titles refer to what else is in the oil with the CBD, because when the compound is extracted it doesn’t come alone.
Full-Spectrum CBD is the most populous of CBD oils. It is the CBD and everything else that comes with it, including terpenes and THC (less than 0.3%, of course). Broad-Spectrum is similar, with one key distinction; it has not THC. It includes terpenes and other compounds, but the THC is completely filtered out. The appeal of these products is that terpenes can add flavor and what is called the “entourage effect.” This is when multiple compounds work together to create a stronger reaction. We have an article that goes into more detail about it here.
The third kind of CBD is CBD Isolate. If you haven’t guessed, CBD Isolate is CBD all by itself. Products with CBD Isolate are nothing but the CBD and its carrier. This is a good option for those who don’t want any THC in their CBD product, or might be allergic to the other compounds.
If you are new to CBD, you may want to start with a CBD Isolate. It will be helpful in figuring out how CBD works for you.
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Do CBD gummies have any side effects?
One common and valid concern that people have when using something like CBD is the potential side effects. CBD does have some, but they are not considered serious. They usually include things like dry mouth, mild nausea, diarrhea and fatigue. However, these side effects are more common in people who take large amounts of CBD frequently. The effects usually fade or completely stop after reducing or stopping the dosage.
That being said, it is still a good idea to talk to consult with a medical professional before you start taking CBD, especially if you are on medication. Some medications do not mix well with the CBD. It may change the effect of the medication or the CBD. All of this goes for any CBD product, including gummies and other candies.
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Are CBD gummies safe?
Because CBD comes from Cannabis plants there are many people who are concerned about how safe CBD use really is. It doesn’t help that in 2018 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that a string of people were poisoned by consuming a synthetic CBD. This was an unfortunate event but is avoidable.
Right now, the CBD industry is in its infancy and the FDA is still trying to learn how to regulate it. This means that there are those who will try to take advantage of this. The best way to avoid these companies is through research. Before buying from a CBD company read the reviews of their products, find out if they use a third party to test the quality of their CBD and, most importantly, make sure that they are transparent about their process and testing. This is the best way to make sure you are getting a quality product.
All of this being said, CBD gummies should be kept out of reach of children. Most CBD products are designed with adults in mind. A child could easily confuse them for actual candy. While there are no reports of overdosing on CBD, taking too much can cause the side effects discussed above. Plus, there are slightly more serious side effects associated with children using CBD including excessive fatigue. If you want to use CBD for your child, please talk to their pediatrician first.
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What are the benefits of CBD gummies over other products?
There are multitudes of CBD products out there. They range from lotions to tinctures to capsules to drinks. So, why should someone use CBD gummies over anything else? One reason is taste. As we’ve covered, CBD does come from Cannabis, which is known for its distinctive taste and smell. This comes from the terpene compounds in Cannabis. This means that Full-Spectrum and Broad-Spectrum products can have that particular Cannabis flavor. Even CBD Isolate is not free of taste as some users report that it has a bitter taste. Some CBD oils and tinctures have flavoring in them, which may help, but some people may not like the feeling of oil in their mouth. CBD gummies, like any other gummy candy, have flavoring and that pleasant gummy texture. Taking a CBD gummy might be nicer on the taste buds than dropping a drop from a tincture into your mouth.
Another reason why some prefer gummies is control. Sometimes when dropping a tincture into a drink you may accidently get more drops than you meant. With CBD gummies you know exactly how much CBD is in each gummy, making it easy to know how much you are taking.
CBD edibles like gummies also provide a benefit that CBD lotions and other topicals do not. The effects are broader. Topicals tend to stay in the place that you apply them. This is great for people who are using CBD for skin health and inflammation, but if you are looking for a different effect, gummies may be the choice for you.
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How many CBD gummies can I take in a day?
It’s true what we were taught in Kindergarten. We are all different. This means that we tend to experience things in different ways. CBD is no exception. Due to a number of factors, some people will experience the effects of CBD much more quickly and much more intensely than others. Some may not experience anything at all from the normal serving size. For these reasons and the level of CBD in the gummy product, the answer to this question varies.
For some people half a gummy will be enough, others may need more. CBD oral products (like gummies) only absorb at a rate between 5-15%, and that rate will vary from person to person. Most manufactures will recommend one gummy a day for most people. The best way to find out what works for you is by starting your servings small. Try one gummy, wait an hour and see how that sits with you. If it’s not enough, try upping your serving size. It’s easy to find what works best for you if you do it in a smart, careful way.
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Do CBD gummies work as well as other products?
Yes, they do, but they may work a little differently. As discussed above, gummies are not going to be as localized as a topical. As a result, they are likely to effect you in a more general way. Gummies may also take longer to take effect. One of the fastest ways to get the benefits of CBD is to drop some tincture under your tongue, as it enters your bloodstream more directly. Edibles, like gummies, have to digest before they can start to take effect. Gummies may also last in your system for longer.
As stated before, and should always be remembered, you should talk to your healthcare provider before you start taking CBD. You should start your dosage small and work your way up. It is also important that you store your gummies in a place that a child couldn’t get to them and think they are regular candy.
If you still have questions after reading this article, let us know. Here at Panacea Life Sciences we love hearing from our customers. You can come to use with any CBD related comments, questions or concerns. You can get ahold of one of our team members on our website, or by emailing [email protected].
