CBD or cannabidiol is currently the subject of much discussion. Perhaps you have many questions about how to use it? Maybe you don’t know how to consume it without risk to your health?
In this article, we are going to review the main ways of consuming CBD, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
The first thing you need to know is not to mistake CBD and THC. Behind these initials are two completely different chemical compounds. Yes, indeed, in cannabis there can be THC and CBD because they are extracted from hemp. THC is, by the way, the substance which, in marijuana, provides this high psychotropic effect. At the moment, THC is banned in the UK.
However, CBD is another molecule that does not produce any negative effects on the human body and its consumption is authorised. Currently, many doctors are studying it to learn more about its relaxing and anxiolytic properties.
CBD in a cigarette
First remark, the calming effects are quick. In fact, the molecule arrives directly into the blood and its effects work in less than 10 minutes. However, it is necessary to choose the CBD you wish to mix with tobacco and make sure that it does not contain THC, as this is forbidden in the UK. Moreover, even if you smoke grass made from hemp, the same harmful effects on your health as tobacco will be present: irritating compounds and toxins that are damaging to your breathing. Furthermore, it is very difficult to accurately dose the amount of CBD because the exact concentration of cannabidiol per leaf cannot be known.
Researchers have found that the heat produced by the cigarette destroyed some of the cannabidiol molecules: this reinforces the fact that this is not the ideal way to consume CBD because the dose of active molecules can differ widely from one cigarette to another.
Last but not least: be aware that the sale of flowers is forbidden in UK! More and more CBD shops are seeing their stocks seized by customs…
A very common way to consume cannabidiol: smoke an e-cigarette
Very much in vogue at the moment, it has certain advantages compared to cigarettes. For example, there is much less tar ingested. And the bioavailability, i.e. the ability of the molecule to interact with the body, is as high as when smoking a cigarette.
It is simple to use, as it is sufficient to dilute the liquid (which contains a certain concentration of CBD) with, for example, an aromatic concentrate. Everything looks good! However, you need to be very careful.
Why? Because a precise dosage is difficult to obtain because the active molecule is going to be mixed with vegetable oils or petroleum-based oils. As they are heated at high temperatures, very harmful compounds may be released. Oils that contain CBD are not the same type as fats (PG / VG mixture) used to mix aromatic concentrates: manufacturers very often add substances such as alcohol or preservatives that can have a negative effect on your health.
Moreover, many voices are being raised about the harmfulness and dangerousness of the electronic cigarette.
CBD used as balm
Less well known than other forms of cannabidiol intake, the balm or lotion are simple and effective ways to enjoy the benefits of the molecule. The main advantage is that it allows it to be used in specific areas of the body that need the active effects of CBD.
Be aware that our epidermis is relatively permeable to many molecules such as, for example, cannabidiol. This will penetrate the body through the skin and will attach itself to the “cannabinoid” receptors.
It works well but has some disadvantages: the effectiveness will be real at the place where the balm is applied but will not have an effect on the whole body. And the dosage is usually low, only a few milligrams.
It is mainly used to treat muscular problems such as sprains, since cannabidiol will reduce the pain.
CBD oil-based tinctures
This well-known way of ingesting CBD is one of the first to appear on the market. Often formulated on an alcohol basis, these tinctures are nowadays found with oil-based compositions.
Simply use a dropper and place the liquid on your tongue. The effect is fairly quick, longer than when you smoke an e-cigarette, but less than with a capsule, which must first be digested by the stomach before being released into the body.
Obviously, a very precise dosage is more difficult to obtain with a tincture. The reason is that the mixture is not necessarily homogeneous: we always advise you to shake the bottle well before taking the necessary drops.
Furthermore, it can happen that the liquid is spilled, which is never pleasant and, above all, very messy because of its greasy texture.
Many consumers report that the taste in the mouth is not very pleasant: in fact, they find it has a very herbaceous taste and the greasy or alcoholic texture is not appreciated by a large number of consumers. Some people therefore advise mixing the tinctures with food to overcome this inconvenience.
Directly absorb CBD in the form of capsules or sweets
When a capsule containing CBD is swallowed, it will be digested by the gastric juices. Then the liver will intervene by breaking down the molecules. In a third step, the CBD will literally be stuck to the body’s cannabinoid receptors and produce its effect.
However, medical studies show that the stage of decomposition by the liver will reduce the concentration of CBD molecules since it is estimated to be between 5% and 6% compared to the initial quantity.
Manufacturers have understood this and that is why they mix fats with CBD because CBD is fat-soluble, i.e. it is easily diluted in oil or fat.
In addition, another manufacturing process is used: emulsification. This technique makes it possible to mix liquids that cannot be mixed like water and oil. This allows a better absorption of the CBD by the body, in other words, a higher bioavailability.
There is also another possibility to take CBD, which is in the form of jelly sweets. Generally, they contain between 5 mg and 10 mg of cannabidiol but, as you may have understood, they must go through the liver breakdown stage which causes them to lose a lot of their power.
Pearls to put under the tongue or sublingual pearls: the best way to consume CBD?
Less well known than other ways of consuming CBD, Evielab pearls are nevertheless great to use and have many advantages. They don’t have that grassy taste nor greasy texture of oils.
CBD pearls are easy to use and allow precise dosing of the CBD quantity: with Evielab, 5 mg of CBD is carefully incorporated into each pearl. Moreover, it is important to know that their formulation allows a very high level of bioavailability: the liver and its enzymes will not degrade the molecule, which will allow you to reach the relaxation you are looking for.
A lot of researches have been done on the other components that go into the production of Evielab pearls. For example, the terpenes used in Evielab pearls are non-toxic but more importantly, they allow your body, through its cannabinoid receptors, to better benefit from the CBD molecule.
The specific technology that Evielab has used, the nano-emulsification, will allow the active ingredients to directly reach your body’s receptors. The calming effects of CBD will then be at their peak!
