What comes to your mind when I say therapeutic, natural, and offers a wide variety? You guessed it right, it’s CBD.
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the many cannabinoids that can be effective in maintaining good health. From pain to general well being CBD products are designed to meet all your needs. But, you must remember that CBD is not a magic ingredient that will always help you achieve what you need.
Even though CBD is natural and therapeutic, it can have side effects and be ineffective too.
So, it’s up to you to ensure that you are following measures to have a safe experience.
Now, it’s not fair to expect a beginner to be aware of everything related to CBD. So, here are 6 effective tips that can help you learn how to take CBD oil in a safe manner.
Buy CBD Oil From Reliable Brands
Before you think about anything else, your first step to taking CBD oil safely is to get your hands on a reliable brand.
One thing to remember about CBD is that it is not FDA regulated. So, you are basically on your own in finding the right product. You have to do research, read reviews and learn everything about a brand to make sure that what you receive is safe to use.
Now, don’t take the quality of CBD oil lightly. Some people dismiss CBD oil saying it’s ineffective without thinking that the ineffectiveness can be a result of a bad product. Most CBD oils do not contain a good amount of CBD or are sourced from poorly produced CBD. All these factors can majorly impact the end result.
So, read about a brand as much as you can to find the right product for yourself.
Always Read The Labels
When you choose a reliable brand for your CBD product, you can get a lot of information about the product from its labels.
Ethical brands will print every necessary information on the labels to ensure that the consumer is aware of what goes inside their body. The task for you here is to learn how to read labels.
It’s not a hefty task. You just need to familiarize yourself with the terminologies. For instance, the ingredients. CBD products generally contain more than just CBD. It may contain terpenes, other cannabinoids, adaptogens and more to make the end product more effective for a specific health need.
Likewise, reading labels is also important to ensure that your product is Farm Bill compliant (has less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC) since it is the only way to identify that a product is legal or not.
Learn About the Different Extract Types
CBD can be of different types. The type will depend on the extract used in the production process. Generally, CBD extracts are divided into 3 types- Full spectrum, Broad Spectrum and CBD isolate.
Here’s a quick guide to differentiate between these types:
| Full Spectrum | Broad Spectrum | CBD Isolate |
| Contains THC | Little to no THC | No THC |
| Contains all components of the hemp plant. | All components of the hemp plant except THC. | Only pure CBD. |
| Delivers entourage effect. | Delivers entourage effect. | Does not deliver an entourage effect. |
| Potent effects with a low dose. | Potent effects with a low dose. | High dose is required for a potent effect. |
| Can show up on a drug test. | Highly unlikely to show up on a drug test. | Does not show up on a drug test. |
Follow Your Recommended Dose
Now, CBD is not intoxicating like THC, however, it does not take away the importance of proper dosage. In order for CBD to be therapeutic for you, it’s crucial to follow a proper dose.
For example, CBD helps calm you down and helps with anxiety. But the anxiolytic effects are only achievable at a low dose. High doses can, in some cases, make your anxiety worse. On the other hand, low doses of CBD may not be helpful for people with chronic pain.
So, when consuming CBD, make sure to follow the dosage instructions. You can find it on the label of the product. In case you are using CBD for severe health issues, you can always get the dosage instructions from your doctor.
Choose a Delivery Method Carefully
Your choice of delivery method will determine whether you will have a safe experience or not. Here’s why.
All delivery methods deliver effects in a different way. For example, smokers may feel the effects within 15 minutes whereas those consuming edibles will be able to experience a change after 30 – 90 minutes.
Now, each delivery method must be followed carefully to achieve the effects within the given time. So, if you wish to inhale CBD, you must inhale it properly and be careful about where and when you smoke. As for edibles, you need to make sure to not overeat or consume it on an empty stomach. Above all, it’s important to learn about the onset time of each delivery method to avoid overdosing.
Lookout for Side Effects
It’s proven that CBD is therapeutic. But like every other medicine, CBD too has some side effects. Some of the most common ones are dry mouth, diarrhea, fatigue and drowsiness. But unlike some prescribed medications such as opioids, the side effects of CBD are not that severe.
Now, CBD is generally well tolerated and sometimes it needs time to build up in your body. But, if you feel that CBD oil is having a negative effect on your body, remember these points:
- Discontinue the product.
- Try a different brand and observe the effects.
- If the side effects continue, consult a professional.
Final Thoughts
CBD is often marketed as safe and natural. But, now you know that whether CBD is safe or not primarily depends on the steps you take.
While it is comparatively safer than pharmaceuticals, you have to take it upon yourself to ensure that you consume CBD safely. Now that we have discussed all the points on how to take CBD oil safely, all you have to do is follow them to have a smooth experience.
