It is not uncommon to hear people talk about cannabidiol (CBD), especially when it comes to gummies. It may leave you wondering, what is CBD, why do people love CBD gummies, and where can you get some good ones?
Getting the basics out of the way: what is CBD?
It is best to understand the basics before going into anything else. A good base layer of knowledge can be invaluable.
CBD is a chemical compound classified as a cannabinoid. It is among over 113 cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. It is definitely one of the most famous of the cannabinoids. However, there is a cannabinoid that you more than likely heard of before you ever heard of CBD, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is so famous because it is psychoactive. That means that it has an intoxicating effect normally referred to as a “high.” Despite both of them being cannabinoids, CBD is pretty different. It is not psychoactive. Using a CBD product will not get the user high.
Another important distinction between CBD and THC is where they are found. Marijuana and hemp (variations of the cannabis plant) have both of the cannabinoids, but in different concentrations. Marijuana has high levels of THC and lower levels of CBD. Those high levels of THC are why marijuana is still federally illegal (some states have legalized marijuana on some level, but across the board, it is still illegal). Hemp, on the other hand, has low levels of THC and high levels of CBD. Because of that balance, hemp is legal across the United States, plus it is the main cannabis plant that CBD manufacturers use in making their products. Learn more about CBD-based medications like Epidiolex that have been approved by the FDA here.
As interest in CBD increases, so do the studies looking at the potential benefits that the cannabinoid offers. For example, many studies have looked at how CBD could affect your mental state and have found that CBD may be able to help you achieve a greater sense of calm. Other studies have looked at the ways that CBD could interact with inflammation. Most of the studies have found that CBD could be very helpful in reducing inflammation and discomfort. These are just a few of examples of the potential help that CBD could offer people. As more studies are done, the better we understand the cannabinoid and the more we understand how it could benefit people.
Why gummies?
So, why do people like CBD gummies so much. Afterall, CBD is made into many different products. What is so great about gummies?
There are a few different appealing factors to gummies. One of them is that they make it easy to control how much CBD you take. While the side effects that are associated with CBD are not very serious (generally consisting of things like fatigue and gastrointestinal upset), they are not very fun to deal with and are usually associated with taking too much of the cannabinoid. Sometimes when placing a few drops of a tincture into your mouth, you may accidentally place a drop or two more than you meant to. CBD gummies help people avoid issues like that. Every gummy is made with the exact same amount of CBD. You always know exactly how much you have taken.
Another reason is taste. Like anything that comes from a cannabis plant, CBD tends to have a rather earthy taste. Some people do not mind it, but others find it completely unbearable. Most CBD oral products, like tinctures or capsules, are made with essential oils to help with the flavor, but that does not mean that the flavor is completely gone. CBD gummies often taste just like any regular gummy candy. This not only makes it easier for people to take CBD, but it even makes it a bit of a treat.
CBD gummies do have their downsides, of course. Some people do not like taking them because they tend to be made with sugar. If you are trying to cut sugar from your diet, these are probably not the best option. Another drawback is that gummies, like all CBD edibles, tend to take a while to start working. They need to digest before the CBD can enter the system. If you are looking for a CBD product that starts working faster, tablets and tinctures are likely better options.
What to look for in CBD gummies
Now you are probably asking, “what even makes a good CBD gummy?” A better question may be “what makes a good CBD company?” Because if the company is trustworthy, then so are their products.
In order to find high-quality CBD products, you need to be willing to do a bit of research and reading. One thing that needs to be looked at are the company’s reviews. Read the reviews for the company, the products you are interested in, and the ones you are not interested in. That way you get a good idea of what quality of product they provide. It is also smart to read reviews on third party sites as well as the ones on the company’s site. This way you avoid any potential bias in the reviews.
Another thing to look into is the company’s extraction and manufacturing processes. They should be open about their extraction process. They should also be open about their testing. If a manufacturer seems unwilling to share that information, they are likely not a place to buy your CBD from. They should also have a third party test the quality of their products, as well as having in-house testing. This way they avoid potential bias in the testing.
CBD gummies are just the beginning of the world of CBD. If you are new to all of this, hopefully this article gave you a good introduction, and makes you feel more confident about exploring what CBD may have to offer you.
If you are still curious about CBD and/or are ready to try some, check out the rest of the Panacea Life Sciences site. On here we have many high-quality CBD products (like our CBD Cherry Bomb Gummies). On our site you can also find ways to contact us, or you can just email us at [email protected].