CBD may interact with certain medicines, so it’s wise to speak to a healthcare provider prior to trying any. Also look for brands who display detailed certificates of analysis on their website – Lazarus Naturals offers one such certificate that’s easy to browse for potency, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents from extraction and cannabinoid percentage information.
Full-spectrum products
Full spectrum CBD products contain a range of hemp’s beneficial compounds, including THC, other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids to create what’s known as the Entourage Effect – thought to increase benefits by acting together through the endocannabinoid system.
Full spectrum oils formulated from whole plant extracts are an easy and cost-effective way to get a wide variety of vitamins and minerals into the diet, often combined with base oils such as coconut, MCT, or vegetable. You can drop these under your tongue or add them directly into food such as gummies for an easy dosage solution.
Full spectrum tinctures provide another convenient option, usually mixed with alcohol, peppermint oil, or glycerin. You can drop one under your tongue or take them as capsules – they even come with fun flavors like peppermint! Plus, full spectrum gummies provide another tasty way to get daily servings!
Oil
CBD oil may interact with certain medicines taken orally and it’s essential that you read labels and consult your pharmacist in order to avoid potentially serious side effects. CBD may impede how your liver processes certain drugs that metabolize via the CYP450 enzyme system resulting in increased medication accumulation in your system or less effective results from prescribed treatment.
CBD may interact with antidepressant drugs and should be avoided by those with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Furthermore, CBD can alter alertness, sedation and appetite as well as cause gastrointestinal discomfort including nausea and vomiting in animal studies. Furthermore, it could reduce effectiveness of opioid medications used for pain treatment by up to 70%.
FDA has approved CBD in pill form as an approved treatment for seizure disorder (epilepsy). There has not been convincing scientific evidence proving its efficacy against conditions like anxiety, chronic pain, Parkinson disease and Crohn disease; however research is currently ongoing in these fields.
Tinctures
CBD tinctures are liquid products created by submerging hemp plants in high-proof alcohol for several hours before extracting and preserving their oil. Tinctures may use either broad spectrum or pure CBD; additionally they often incorporate other plant compounds like terpenes to create something known as the entourage effect (learn more here).
Just like with CBD oils, tinctures should be administered daily by placing it under their tongues for up to 90 seconds and holding it there before swallowing. Consistency will lead to better long-term results.
Note that CBD tinctures with higher THC concentrations could interfere with other medicines by competing for liver enzymes required to break them down, possibly leading to abnormal liver-related blood tests and therefore it would be wise to inform your physician of any plans you have regarding CBD use.
Edibles
Though unlike smoking or vaping, edibles must first travel through your digestive system before being absorbed into your bloodstream – which may take two hours before producing effects lasting four to 12 hours, according to Janice Newell Bissex, M.S., RDN, FAND of Jannabis Wellness.
Edibles offer an ideal solution for those seeking a calming or pain relief experience, without the smell associated with smoking.
Edibles may be a popular choice among cannabis users, but they come with certain risks. Due to unpredictable and strong effects, starting off slowly is recommended before increasing dose. Furthermore, improper preparation of cannabis extract could result in contamination with harmful toxins such as Clostridium botulinum that could compromise its potency.
Long-term consumption of high-strength edible products may lead to dependence, psychosis or addiction in some users. Therefore, it is advised that edibles be consumed only for medicinal use in a safe environment without children or pets nearby.
