CBD Gummies and How They Work
CBD gummies are a fun and convenient way to enjoy the benefits of CBD. These sweet treats have tons of perks — not only do they come in tons of flavors but may of them also have vitamins or other botanical nutrients!
If this sounds too good to be true, you may wonder if they’re really that efficient. Furthermore, how does your body react to them? Here is what you need to know about taking CBD in a gummy.
So how do CBD gummies work?
Gummies are ingested and must be digested. Therefore, the nutrients, vitamins, and extracts then need to go through the digestive system to enter the bloodstream. Only after that can the bloodstream distribute the CBD to the endocannabinoid system that delivers the benefits of CBD. This process takes around 30 to 90 minutes depending on tolerance.
Tincture oil goes to work in a short time, especially if you follow the directions properly and place the oil under your tongue and hold (about a minute or two, or per package instructions) before swallowing. You should allow about 45 minutes to an hour to assess how you feel. If you’re thinking this means tinctures have a higher bioavailability than gummies and other edibles, you’re correct!
The fact that gummies provide delayed effects has pros and cons. They are metabolized slower than tincture oil since they have to be broken down by your digestive system. In addition to the gummy being digested, a lot of the CBD is first broken down by your liver before circulating in your bloodstream. Gummies can be a good choice to start your day, as long as they don’t have ingredients in them that promote sleepiness, such as melatonin. That kind is great for before bed, though!
Far from being a fad, gummies do have the potential to deliver CBD in your system, it just takes longer to get there.
What is bioavailability?
When it comes to supplements and medications you put in your body, there is something called bioavailability. Bioavailability is the extent and rate that your body absorbs a substance. Bioavailability changes with the administration method, and is especially applicable when considering CBD gummies vs. oil.
Check the quality
It’s extremely important that your CBD products are high quality — that goes for edibles, too! Make sure to research the company where you’re going to buy your CBD. You should purchase from a reputable source with high-quality ingredients like you would with any supplement!
If you’re planning to make your own CBD edibles, it’s still important to get a high-quality oil with a flavor that mixes well with what you plan to cook.
Finding the right dosage
All bodies are different and when it comes to CBD, as well as other holistic supplements, knowing your body’s tolerance is key in determining the right dosage for you.
Tolerance is the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance or a physiological insult, especially with repeated use or exposure.
This depends on a few things such as your weight, your metabolism, and other medication and supplements that may interact with the CBD. (Always talk to your doctor before taking CBD!)
Finding the right dosage for you may also take a bit of trial and error. The best way to approach this is to be patient. Start low and slow. It might take up to 3 weeks for you to have a clear idea of how your body is reacting to a dosage — so regularity is key!
Don’t indulge too much!
CBD edibles can be super tasty — but don’t eat more than the recommended amount! Although you won’t feel the psychoactive effects that THC edibles provide, you may experience side effects if you take more CBD than you should. Some of these side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Lowered blood pressure
While it may be tempting to pop a handful of CBD gummies in your mouth at once, eating more than recommended won’t increase the effects of CBD and may, in fact, lead to the above side effects.
CBD type
Finally, when trying out gummies, remember that like all CBD products, they contain a certain type (or more) of CBD that can play a game in whether or not your body reacts to it. Full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD are known for their entourage effects. Isolate is pure CBD that contains no THC at all. CBG is the energy bunny of CBD and CBN is often used in sleep aid products.
Be sure to check out these popular gummies! You can also check this handy CBD deals page to shop smart while you try what’s best for you!
Value and bottom line
How frequently you take CBD — whether it’s once or twice per day — will determine how frequently you need to stock up. It’s a good idea to purchase your CBD from a shop that offers a rewards program or discounts if it becomes part of your regular routine. Many gummy varieties come in 30- or 60-count bottles, which will likely last you a few weeks. The same goes for bottles of CBD oil, which usually have at least 30 servings per bottle. This can vary quite a bit, however.
Increasing the amount of CBD you take per serving may sound like an obvious solution to cut back on the total amount you need — but be careful. Switching to a higher concentration may result in side effects you’re not used to, such as drowsiness. If you think you need to up the amount of CBD you take, consider doing so before bed rather than at the beginning of a full day.
Gummies or oil — they might both sound good, even if both have different pros and cons. Regardless, check with your doctor before adding CBD to your regimen to make sure that it will not interact with any of your other medications. Once you have the green light, we hope you find something you like!
As with lots of holistic solutions, CBD takes a little more thought and work to obtain optimal, consistent results. Using CBD gummies (especially the ones containing essential vitamins for the body) is a great place to start your CBD journey!
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