CBD edibles are probably one of the more popular ways to consume CBD. There are a few reasons for this, but the chief one is that they are yummy. CBD goes down easily when it is mixed in with your favorite food. Not only that, but edibles make it easier to track and control how much CBD you take. Plus, with the CBD industry taking off as it is, new products are being introduced all the time. And some of them are pretty quirky.
What is CBD?
Before we dive into the new and novel, we should probably cover the basics. Let’s answer two important questions: what is CBD and what is it used for?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the over 113 cannabinoids found in Cannabis plants. It is a compound that has gotten some serious attention recently. CBD really started to get attention in 2018 when a cannabidiol-based epilepsy medication called Epidiolex was approved by the FDA. Then in December of that same year, the Farm Bill federally legalized industrial hemp, which is the Cannabis plant from which CBD is extracted.
CBD is often confused with another cannabinoid, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This leads to a lot of people being worried that cannabidiol will get them high. But they don’t need to be concerned. CBD, unlike THC, has no psychoactive effect. Or, to put it more simply, it will not get you high. Of course, you may see a CBD product that says on the label that it contains about 0.3% THC. But that is a very low concentration and is not enough to get you high. In fact, cannabidiol products made from hemp are federally not allowed to have more than 0.3% THC.
There are three different kinds of CBD extract that are helpful to know about. These are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate. The main difference between these is how many other cannabinoids are in the extract along with the cannabidiol. Full-spectrum has the most. It is CBD and everything else, including terpenes and THC (but as mentioned above, it legally cannot be more than 0.3% THC). Broad-spectrum is similar but does not contain any THC. These two are popular options as having the other cannabinoids may have a boosting influence referred to as the “entourage effect” (we go into more detail about it in this article). But if you’re looking for pure CBD, then you will want to look for products made with CBD isolate. This is cannabidiol and just that, no other cannabinoids, no THC, no terpenes.
People use CBD for a number of reasons, some of which include support joint health and flexibility and to achieve a sense of calm. There are a number of ways you can take CBD. Whether it’s in a capsule, a tincture, or a lotion, all of them have some benefit. But many people seem to prefer edibles.
Edibles have all kinds of advantages some of which include nicer taste and the ease of dosing. Some CBD oils and capsules have a bitter taste to them. Full-spectrum products, oils especially, can have flavoring in them, but that still doesn’t quite do it for some people. If that’s you, edibles may be your best option. You can get your CBD without the bitter taste. As mentioned before, the other advantage is control. It can be easy to accidently drop a bit too much CBD into whatever you normally mix it in with (this is not likely to hurt you, but may lead to some uncomfortable side effects like mild nausea and fatigue, so it’s still something you want to avoid). The benefit of having premade edibles is that you know exactly how much CBD is in a serving. It makes self-dosage so much easier.
What kind of CBD edibles are there?
Cannabidiol is easily added to most anything and, as a result, there are plenty of edible products out there for consumption. But if you’re tired of the same-old-same-old, don’t want to drop oil into your mouth, don’t want to take yet another pill, and/or just want to try something other than an oil or capsule, let’s take a look at just a handful of the other options you have.
- Gummies. This is actually one of the more common kinds of CBD edibles, but it’s always nice to start with a classic. CBD gummies come in all kinds of flavors and shapes. You can find ones that even mimic your favorite gummy candies, like sour watermelons or gummy worms.
- Coffee. Nothing like a little joe and cannabidiol to perk up your morning. Some companies have started offering CBD-infused coffee beans. Others have coffee creamers. There are even coffee shops who will add a shot of CBD to your order. You could also skip all of this and just add a drop into your coffee yourself.
- Tea. It only follows that where there is cannabidiol coffee, there is likely CBD tea. This is not surprising as one of the first recorded uses for cannabis was as a tea. It is available in both iced and hot forms, in bags, loose leaf, or at certain coffee shops.
- Honey. Who doesn’t love a good sweetener? And honey is a favorite for many people. Now you can enjoy honey in your tea, on your toast or on your cornbread while getting a serving of the CBD.
- Chocolate. Chocoholic cannabidiol-enthusiasts rejoice! In recent years, CBD chocolate has gone from basic to artisanal. You get CBD chocolate in all kinds of gourmet forms. It’s a great option for a sweet treat.
- Sparkling Water. Flavored sparkling water seems to be all the rage right now. So, it’s not surprising that there are many cannabidiol manufactures that have started to offer CBD-infused sparkling water. It’s a good refreshing, low-sugar way to get your daily fix of CBD.
- Olive Oil. Have you ever wanted to cook with cannabidiol? Well, now it’s easier than ever. A few different companies have started to produce olive oil with CBD in it. Get your frying pan sizzling with some CBD goodness.
- Popcorn. If you’re more of a snacking person then this may be a good option for you. It is now possible to find cannabidiol caramel corn. Nothing can quite beat that sweet and salty mix.
- Granola. Everyone’s favorite yogurt extra now comes in CBD form. You can get your daily CBD boost by sprinkling a handful in with your cereal or just munching on it straight.
- Salsa. Now you have even more excuses to eat salsa! There are cannabidiol manufactures that are now offering CBD-infused salsa, some are even offering CBD-infused mango salsa.
- Crackers. Yet another option for a quick snack or a nice addition to your lunch. Cannabidiol crackers are a great way to get your CBD with a little bit of cheese on top.
- Fruit. Some CBD manufactures have started to infuse fruit products with cannabidiol and not just fruit-flavored candy. Some have things like CBD-infused dried mangoes. This turns CBD into an easy, healthy snack.
Buying these from cannabidiol manufactures is not the only option. If you like cooking and have some CBD oil that you don’t know what to do with, you can make most of these. Recipes are ready and waiting on Google.
If none of these options caught your eye, just know this isn’t all that’s available. There are so many other kinds of cannabidiol edibles out now, with more being introduced every day. CBD is still a young industry with constant growth and change. Feel free to explore and experiment to find what you like best.
Despite the lack of serious side effects, CBD in all forms should be kept out of reach of children. Most cannabidiol products have been designed with adults in mind. These products tend to look like any other kind of snack, so they can easily be confused. If you do choose to start giving your child CBD, be sure to consult with their pediatrician first.
The same goes for pets. We have many articles exploring the benefits of CBD for animals and ways to give it to them. However, there are products that are made especially for pets. Some of the ingredients in the made-with-people-in-mind products may be toxic to your cat or dog.
When you do start taking cannabidiol edibles yourself, you may want to start small. As mentioned above, CBD does not have any serious side effects associated with it, but it is always smart to start on the safe side with a new supplement. Keep your initial dosage small and if it sits well with you, feel free to increase. CBD, like many other supplements, does not react the same for every person. Some people may require more than others. So, feel free to explore and experiment with that too.
Have any questions, comments or concerns? Let us know. You can contact a member of the Panacea Life Sciences team through our website or by emailing us at [email protected].
