Grace N
Wondering why CBD edibles are so popular today? CBD edibles, oils, and other related products are being advertised all over and it’s, therefore, natural for anyone to get curious. Do they offer any benefits? If yes, what are these benefits?
We’ll soon discuss this. But for the sake of you who are reading this and don’t have the slightest idea what CBD edibles are, here’s some information in brief.
What are CBD edibles?
In the simplest terms possible, a CBD edible is a food or drink that has been infused with CBD. This naturally takes us to the next question – what is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol, a compound or chemical that is present in cannabis/marijuana plants. The cannabis plant has hundreds of compounds but only a few, including CBD and another one called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), have been found to be medically useful.
THC is psychoactive in nature and is believed to be the main compound that gets one stoned or high. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning that when extracted from the other compounds, it can provide the medicinal benefits of marijuana without getting the user high.
It is important to state that while CBD can still be extracted from the marijuana plant, it is commonly derived directly from a non-psychoactive variety of the cannabis family known as Hemp.
The hemp plant contains less than 0.3% of THC, while the marijuana plant contains more than 0.3 THC. Because of its non-psychoactive nature, CBD is commonly used for medical purposes while THC is used for recreational purposes.
Some of the potential health benefits of CBD include relieving the effects of chemotherapy, relieving stress and anxiety, easing tension, promoting restful sleep, relieving pain, and improving immunity.
What is CBD oil?
We cannot talk of why CBD edibles are so popular today without mentioning CBD oil because just like CBD edibles, these oils have grown to become some of the most advertised products in and out of the internet today. In simple terms, CBD oils are oils that carry or contain concentrations of this compound called CBD.
These oils come in 3 forms as indicated below:
- Full-spectrum CBD oils–full-spectrum oils carry all the naturally-occurring compounds in the hemp plant. Because the hemp plant contains minimal amounts of THC, full-spectrum CBD oils do have THC, but in minimal levels.
- Broad-spectrum CBD oils– just like full-spectrum oils, broad-spectrum CBD oils carry all the naturally-occurring compounds of the hemp plant, including terpenes and essential oils. The only difference is that THC is extracted from these oils, meaning they are THC free.
- Isolates – with isolates, CBD alone is extracted and combined with carrier oils, meaning only CBD cannabinoids and oils are present – no essential oils, no terpenes, no THC, no other hemp plant extractions.
There are many ways to use CBD oil, but the simplest way is to place the recommended dosage under your tongue and allow it to sit for 30 seconds or so before swallowing it. From there, the blood vessels inside your mouth carry the oil into your bloodstream where it begins its therapeutic work.
CBD oil is also commonly used to make edibles. You can add it to your yogurt, smoothies, tea, coffee, and so on. You can also use it to make chewable edibles like gummies, cakes, chocolates, pancakes, etc.
If you love experimenting with recipes, we have a simple recipe you can make in your own kitchen using CBD oil at the end of this article.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Well, this depends on where you live. If, for example, you are in Canada, CBD oil is legal for individuals who have a medical recommendation or prescription. So, if you have a medical cannabis prescription, you can buy your oil from a Licensed Producer or at a cannabis store/dispensary.
What if you are in the U.S.? CBD oil is readily available in most states as long as it contains not more than 0.3% THC. In some states, however, you can only purchase CBD if you have a medical cannabis prescription.
Now, back to our main topic – why CBD edibles are so popular today!
Why CBD Edibles Are So Popular Today – They Are Discreet
Unlike many forms of CBD, like inhalers, ointments, oils, pens, and others, edibles are very discreet. Most individuals who use daily medication often value privacy. They want to be able to use their painkillers, inhalers, and other medications without attracting attention. If you’ve ever had to use any medication in public, you understand this well enough.
The beauty of CBD edibles is that they can be used discreetly and without attracting attention – all the user needs to do is pop a candy in their mouth or sip a can of cannabis soda and no one will suspect anything. In case you didn’t know, edibles come in all types, shapes, and forms – coffees, smoothies, candies, juices, chocolates, gummies, cookies, you name it!
CBD Edibles Are Easy To Make
You may not be a good cook, but this does not in any way mean you can’t make your own CBD edibles in your kitchen. Believe it or not, you’ll save a lot of money that way. When you buy edibles online or at a store, you not only pay for the edible itself, but also for the costs of operating that particular business, including water, lights, water, rent, and the staff.
Homemade edibles are also healthier when compared to commercially prepared edibles which can be high in sugar, salt, and fat. When you prepare your own edibles, you know exactly what goes into your food, and this can be very beneficial if you have a food allergy. Since you are in control of all ingredients, you can avoid allergic reactions–something that cannot be guaranteed by store-bought edibles.
To make your CBD edibles, all you need is a good CBD oil, CBD crystals, or any other CBD extraction, a simple recipe, and of course, the right ingredients. It’s really that simple – just try out the recipe we have provided at the end of this article and you’ll see what we mean.
CBD Edibles Are Non-Psychotropic
According to Wikipedia, a psychotropic drug, or a psychoactive compound is a chemical substance that can change brain function and result in an alteration in cognition, mood, consciousness, perception, and behaviour. In layman’s terms, a psychotropic drug will get you high, and marijuana is a psychotropic drug because it contains THC, a compound that will definitely get you high or stoned.
Now, CBD is non-psychotropic but still presents the medicinal benefits linked to cannabis or marijuana. This means anyone hoping to experience the health benefits of marijuana without getting stoned can still do so through CBD products.
As you can probably remember, we have already seen that CBD is commonly extracted from the hemp plant, which we have also seen is a type of cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC. We have also seen that TCH can be extracted from hemp extractions leaving them completely THC-free.
Why CBD Edibles Are So Popular Today – They Offer Long-Lasting Relief
When compared to other CBD-administration methods such as vaping and smoking, chewable edibles produce long-lasting relief. These effects may take longer to kick in, usually within 45 – 60 minutes, but they last longer (5-10 hours).
Smoking and other inhalation methods provide the effects much faster, usually within minutes. But the effects fade away quickly as well, generally within 30 minutes to 2 hours.
So, why do chewable edibles take so long to produce the desired effects? It’s because they are first absorbed in the digestive tract.
From the digestive tract, they are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the liver. In the liver, CBD is metabolized and then released back to the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, it is transported to the brain and at that point, the user starts to feel its effects. Quite a process don’t you think?
On the other hand, when one administers CBD through inhalation, i.e. through smoking or vaping, the effects can be felt much faster because the lungs absorb CBD within seconds. From there, it is transported to the heart where it is pumped to the brain.
CBD Edibles Eliminate the Risk of Lung Irritation
Just like cigarette/tobacco smoke, weed smoke, even when it’s coming from the hemp plant, is an irritant. It irritates the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Because of this, many individuals who administer CBD through smoking or vaping cough heavily during inhalation.
Because this kind of smoke contains tar, it raises the concern for lung and heart disease. This is especially true for vapour pen users. Most vapour pens on the market today contain thinning agents like polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol.
When heated, thinning agents are very likely to emit toxic carcinogens, raising the risk of lung irritation and cancer.
With edibles, there’s no smoke involved and because of this, they provide an effective CBD-administration method for those who would like to minimize or even avoid these concerns.
As already mentioned, when it comes to dosing your gummies, it all comes down to what works for your needs. For example, some people need a dose of more than 5 mg to treat chronic pain. Others need only 3 mg or less.
Our recommendation is to start small and see how your needs react to CBD. From there, work your way up to a bigger dose if need be. And it is always advisable to buy your oil from a respectable source. When you are sure about the legitimacy of your source, you can also be sure about the dosage recommendations provided.
