Written by Madilyn Ryan, LMSW

Choosing the Right CBD Product for You

As CBD grows in popularity and availability, many people want to try CBD but don’t know where to start or which products might be best for them. Many are questioning which methods of consumption to try first or which dosage to begin with. CBD interacts with receptors throughout the entire body, making up a physiological system known as the Endocannabinoid System. CB1 and CB2 receptors are found throughout the brain, central & peripheral nervous systems, immune cells, GI tract, skin, and more; this is part of the reason CBD is uniquely universal and continues to be studied for many different uses. CBD has been in the spotlight, but that also means there is lots of misinformation flying around. Labeling varies from product to product, causing some confusion among consumers when comparing options. State and federal policies are also inconsistent and often unclear, making it even more difficult for consumers to understand and purchase quality products. There’s no right or wrong way to use CBD as well as determining your desired dosage since everyone’s body is extremely different. Various factors including weight, metabolism, current CBD/THC use, medications, or health conditions, may all impact an individual’s dosage or method of consumption.

Methods of Consumption

Inhalation
Smoking or vaping your CBD will produce fast effects, typically within minutes. When CBD is smoked, whether it’s dry flower or a vape product, the CBD goes right to the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream through the alveoli. CBD can be smoked in a variety of forms including dry flower straight from the plant, prepackaged CBD Hemp cigarettes, and vape juice or cartridges. Smoking allows for a higher bioavailability from your CBD product, which means the amount of CBD that’s entering the bloodstream is higher in comparison to other methods of consumption. Research suggests that bioavailability may be up to 56% when smoking CBD. Inhalation may be the go-to method for anyone who wants fast relief, the most bang for their buck, or is trying to reduce smoking other substances. However, not everyone is a smoker, in which tinctures could be an excellent option for anyone looking for a faster onset without having to smoke.

Tinctures/sublingual drops
Tinctures are oils that are used sublingually for absorption through the blood vessels under the tongue. It is recommended that the CBD oil stays under the tongue for 30-60 seconds to be fully absorbed, and the residual can be swallowed. Since the CBD is absorbed directly into the bloodstream; this method also has a higher rate of bioavailability. The CBD can bypass the body’s metabolic and digestive systems, allowing for a higher rate of absorption. Tinctures take anywhere from 15-40 minutes to enter circulation and effects are thought to last up to 6 hours depending upon dosage and other variables. Also, it is possible to use this type of oil topically; however, it would not be absorbed into the bloodstream, and you would only have the effects locally where applied.

Ingestion
Edible products containing CBD can be found in a variety of options including gummies, chocolates, teas/coffees, honey, as well as, savory snacks. Almost any food or beverage product you can think of is being infused with CBD somewhere. Edible products go through the digestive system, being broken down by stomach acids and metabolized in the liver; meaning that the body will break down and eliminate some of the CBD before it reaches the bloodstream. Some may opt to use a higher dose with edibles than with a tincture to absorb more CBD into the system. Research suggests that the body absorbs 10-20% of the original CBD content when ingested orally. The onset of edible products takes about an hour, depending on metabolism, and effects can last from 4-8 hours. These can be great for someone looking for more prolonged-lasting results.

Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, or Isolate?

Full-spectrum CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC and a variety of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytochemicals found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Full-spectrum CBD products are associated with the “entourage effect,” which is produced when the plant compounds work synergistically within the body to enhance each constituent’s benefits. Although the THC and other cannabinoids may be found in trace amounts, they still interact with the body’s systems and come with healing potential. Consumers often want to know if full-spectrum CBD products will cause a positive drug screen. It is recommended to use either a broad-spectrum or isolate product if you are concerned about a positive drug test. Although full spectrum products only contain minimal amounts of THC, there is no guarantee that the THC will not be detected in screening. In New York State, full-spectrum products must have a content of or below .3% to be legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Broad-spectrum CBD products are similar to full spectrum; however, the THC is removed. This allows anyone who is THC-sensitive or who cannot risk having even trace amounts of THC in their system to get the benefits of a full-spectrum product without having to worry. Broad-spectrum CBD products can still produce the entourage effect associated with full-spectrum CBD.

Isolate products contain pure CBD without any of the other hemp derivatives. Hemp extracts are further purified, removing all other plant compounds and isolating just the CBD into crystal/powder form.

Dosage

No set dose is right for everyone. While one person may take a total of 15 mg per day, another person may take 100 mg or more per day. Most CBD product labels will contain the overall amount of CBD in the entire package as well as the amount per serving. This makes it easier for the consumer to track how much they’re taking and ultimately determine the dosage that works best for them. Most people will choose to start with one dose and maintain that over a week, and then titrate up or down depending on how they feel. Each person will have a different balance, in which dosing may vary significantly from person to person. Studies have shown safe use of 600 mg + per day, so every individual will have to find the dose that works best for them.

CBD products can be found anywhere we look, making it challenging to choose which direction to go in. Everyone is different, and there is no “best” product for everyone. One size does not fit all, and with research continuing, more is being discovered about the benefits and uses of CBD every day.