When cannabis-centered research flourished in the healthcare industry, a cannabis compound known as cannabidiol (CBD) took the world by storm. Shortly after, CBD has been legalized for healthcare consumption in various regions around the world. Ranging from cosmetics to wellness products, CBD became a star ingredient. Hence, companies are coming up with CBD-infused products aiming for improved health and well-being.
What’s CBD?
The cannabis plant consists of more than 100 components, and two of its most prevalent compounds, CBD and THC, are explored by many studies today. Upon hearing cannabis or cannabis-derived products, most people associate it with feeling ‘high’ upon consumption, so they stay away from cannabis-derived products and practices.
To enlighten this misconception, the cannabis compound, THC, is responsible for giving euphoric effects to its users. On the contrary, CBD is the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that has numerous health advantages. It focuses on delivering a natural and intoxication approach to individuals, making it ideal for every member of the family, even your pets.
Take a look at CBD’s science-backed benefits listed below:
- Provides chronic pain and inflammation relief
- Relieves anxiety, stress, and signs of depression and can improve sleep quality
- Combats acne inflammation and regulates sebum overproduction
- Possesses neuroprotective properties
- Reduce cancer symptoms, such as chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Has various benefits of promoting good heart health
CBD-infused products exist in different forms. Depending on the effects you want to achieve, it’s essential to know about the best CBD strains. Another factor is how much CBD extracts are infused into the product, as well as its formulation.
Undoubtedly, CBD oils are the most popular type of CBD product and are widely used by individuals with diverse health needs. Following CBD oils are other CBD products where CBD either serves as the main ingredient or one of the ingredients of a product.
Due to CBD’s varying concentrations and formulations in a product, people are still confused about how to incorporate CBD into their routine properly. The biggest question is—which could be more effective for use: pure CBD oils or CBD-infused products? To answer this question, it’s paramount to start with the contents of each product first.
Pure CBD Oils and Its Composition
CBD oils are produced through extracting CBD from the cannabis plant through several methods, such as solvent extraction, carbon dioxide extraction, steam distillation, and more. CBD is an oil-soluble compound, so diluting them in a carrier oil will boost its absorption and effectiveness. The CBD extract is then diluted in a carrier oil, specifically a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.
Typically, CBD oils are sourced from hemp rather than traditional cannabis since hemp contains higher amounts of CBD and lower levels of THC. Aside from leading CBD and THC, CBD oils can also contain the lipids and fat molecules found on the carrier oil and lesser-known phytocannabinoids existing naturally on the plant extract, like cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), terpenes, and flavonoids. Since CBD will attach to the fatty molecules of the carrier oil, the carrier oil’s ingredients will have little to no effects on your body.
As you might not notice, 100% CBD extract isn’t commonly present in the market. Pure CBD extract won’t work as effectively as introducing it into oil because the oil-soluble molecules in CBD oils will absorb and metabolize into the body more efficiently and faster.
How About CBD-Infused Products?
On another end, CBD-infused products have an ambiguous description as they pertain to all other CBD products existing on the market, except pure CBD oils. To classify CBD products appropriately, their administering method is worth looking at.
Here are some of the best types of CBD products and how they enter the body:
- Oral consumption: Tinctures, pills or capsules, gummies
- Vapor inhalation: Vaping juices and liquids installed on e-cigarette cartridge, CBD oil in diffusers for aromatherapy
- Topical application: Skincare and body care products, like creams, lotions, waxes, and balms, serums, etc
When scanning CBD products, inspect the product’s list of ingredients. FDA-approved products enumerate their ingredients according to prevalence – where ingredients exist in descending amounts. The higher CBD is on the list, then the higher CBD content is present on the product.
However, it doesn’t mean that the product will be extremely effective if it’s first on the list because its following ingredients can potentially interrupt its effectivity. For instance, there are preservatives added onto CBD creams to prevent bacteria from thriving. Also, thickening agents, like xantham gum, can alter with CBD’s effects.
The Verdict
Combining salient points discussed in this article, CBD-infused products aren’t as effective as pure CBD oils. Looking at their administering methods, pure CBD oils are usually consumed sublingually, where they can be absorbed directly onto the body. In CBD-infused products, you’re not directly introducing CBD into your system because other ingredients are working with CBD.
However, it isn’t safe to conclude that all CBD-infused products are less effective than pure oils. Other factors might be overlooked, such as the quality of the hemp plant where CBD is extracted, CBD extraction methods, the company’s formulation, nature of ingredients mixed onto CBD, how these ingredients can interact with CBD or with one another, how your body reacts to these products, and so much more factors.