CBD Edibles – The New CBD Craze

Prior to the introduction of other known substances contained within the hemp plant, the only edibles that we had were marijuana edibles, designed to make you high. Even today, this is the most common product that we associate with the term “edibles”. With the introduction of the revolutionary substance known as CBD, however, we now see more products emerging that take the form of common THC products like cannabis gummies but are completely cleared of the high effect. With CBD edibles, you don’t have to worry about the psychoactive effects as CBD edibles are only designed to provide health benefits. With that out of the way, here is more information regarding these edible products.

What is CBD?

Like THC, CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical that is found in the hemp plant. This chemical belongs to a family of chemicals known as cannabinoids, which are the reason why you experience certain things when you smoke or ingest certain parts of the plant. CBD reacts with the system of receptors in our body, known as the endocannabinoid system, in order to produce certain effects. Since CBD only targets certain receptors, it doesn’t produce any high feeling but is instead said to help us with our overall health and to assist in treating and reducing some of the symptoms of certain diseases and conditions. This is why the marijuana industry has taken such a liking to it and why it has grown so popular since it was introduced to the market.

CBD Edibles

Edibles come in a wide variety of food products, making it the perfect consumption method for those who love treats and want to make it so that they can take their CBD oil at the same time. Here are some of the most commonly used CBD edible products.

Gummies & Candies

If you walk into any dispensary or place that sells CBD, you are guaranteed to see shelves dedicated to CBD gummies and candies. These gummies and candies often come in popular forms of gummy worms or gummy bears or are offered as one large gummy that can be broken down into several smaller pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, you are bound to find CBD candies near you and you will definitely find one that you love online.

Honey

Honey is a well-known superfood and when you combine it with CBD (if the said effects are available in the substance), you will receive a product that would be hard to turn down. There are a lot of honey products out there that work perfectly for those who use honey regularly, whether it be as a dip or spread or as an addition to a drink. No matter what your needs, CBD edibles in the form of honey are perfect for honey lovers.

Cooking Oil

The problem with some edibles is that you are limited to the selection that is available online or in-store and sometimes, you are in need of something less sweet and something that you can actually eat. For those who enjoy having food that they make themselves, you can always purchase CBD cooking oil.

CBD Cooking Oil

Cooking oil is simply something that you mix with your food or cook your food in so that it is able to be infused in whatever it is that you are making. If you are someone that prefers doing things themselves, CBD cooking oil is the best option.

Pros

As with any substance, there are advantages and disadvantages to using certain products. Let’s take a look at some of the pros that come with using CBD edibles.

Longer Effect

The faster that something is absorbed, the quicker it is going to go through the body. For most CBD products, this means that you will need to take it more often in order to keep the effects of the substance strong. Because CBD edibles go through a much longer absorption process, you experience longer effects, making it perfect for those who need the effects of the CBD to work for a longer period of time.

Taste Good

CBD extracts come out quite bitter and this taste is relatively unpleasant, which may be a problem for most. Even when manufacturers try to add additional flavors to the mixture to mask the flavor and provide the user with a better experience, the bitter plant flavor will sometimes peak through. With edibles, however, you are guaranteed to get an enjoyable experience each time because the only flavor you are going to get is that provided by the edible itself. Is taste an important part of using CBD? If so, edibles are one of the best methods to get CBD into your system. 

Cons

Make no mistake, CBD edibles are great. Still, there are some cons that come with taking CBD edibles over other products. Here is the most notable drawback.

Takes Longer to Feel the Effects

Most CBD products make it so that the CBD is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This means that you get the effects almost instantly. With CBD edibles, however, the products must go through your digestive system in order to be absorbed, which is a much longer process than most. If you are in need of instant relief, CBD edibles will not provide you with the desired effects.

CBD edibles give you all the enjoyment of a marijuana edible without the high. Do you love food? Do you want to enjoy your CBD at the same time? If so, consider CBD edibles as a way for you to enjoy both activities each time you want to take your CBD.

CBD Oils vs. CBD Edibles

Cannabis sativa L., which includes both marijuana and hemp, has long been a controversial plant species. It has been both demonized and celebrated for its effects on the human body. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has largely played a leading role in shaping the public’s perception of the plant. This compound is psychoactive, and it’s responsible for inducing that “high” feeling. Now, Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in marijuana and hemp, is taking over the spotlight.

Just how much of the spotlight is it stealing?

Eric Steenstra of the Vote Hemp advocacy group claims that at least half of all hemp grown in the U.S. is used for its CBD compound. In fact, some people think of the sudden mass search for CBD as a modern-day gold rush. Despite the fact that it does not induce a high feeling, there are other reasons behind the compound’s sudden popularity.

Benefits

Usually, when people talk about the benefits of CBD, they are referring to its potential benefits. According to HealthDay News, the strongest evidence of CBD benefits revolves around its ability to treat epilepsy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved of using a CBD-based drug to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two types of epilepsy in children, but research is still in progress in regards to the compound’s other medical uses.

This being said, here are a few of the potential benefits:

Pain and Inflammation Relief

It’s possible that CBD can alleviate pain by interacting with the brain’s receptors. People suffering from chronic pain, such as the discomfort and inflammation associated with arthritis, might find this useful.

Mental Health Treatment

Some early studies hint that CBD might be able to reduce anxiety and depression disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. It could one day prove to be an acceptable alternative to addictive drugs such as benzodiazepines.

Blood Pressure Management

In addition to reducing stress, CBD might provide a way to lower blood pressure. In turn, it could help prevent life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks.

Cancer Treatment

CBD could potentially alleviate symptoms of cancer as well as certain side effects of chemotherapy, including vomiting and nausea.

Despite promising studies, keep in mind that CBD usage can also come with side effects, including drowsiness, low blood pressure, diarrhea, and changes in appetite that could lead to weight gain or loss. Both the compound’s benefits and side effects continue to be researched, so consumers use these products at their own risk.

Adventurous consumers who have decided to try CBD often find themselves with yet another decision to make. Is it better to buy CBD oil or edibles?

Before making the decision, it’s important to understand how each type has been created and how they differ in application.

Origins of CBD Oil

CBD oil is often extracted from hemp since this type of plant often has .3 percent or less of the psychoactive compound THC. In fact, in some areas, if the hemp has more than .3 percent of THC, local laws require the grower to destroy the plant.

There are multiple ways to extract the oil from the plant. Three common methods include extraction through the use of CO2, ethanol, or olive oil.

CO2 Method

Novices often avoid this method. It involves using sophisticated equipment and pressurized, temperature-controlled CO2 to extract the CBD from the plant. When done by an expert, the result is potent and safe-to-use oil that’s free of contaminants.

Ethanol Method

Ethanol can extract the desired compounds from a plant, but it might pull some unwanted substances, like chlorophyll, from the plant as well. Of course, ethanol is flammable, so this is method comes with a risk. Butane can be used instead of ethanol, but it has similar drawbacks.

Olive Oil Method

In this method, the plant is heated to a certain temperature and then added to olive oil. Additional heating will lead to oil extraction. Using olive oil to extract CBD has a few advantages over the other methods. It’s less expensive than using the CO2 method and safer than using ethanol. However, it doesn’t result in much oil, and the oil it does produce needs to be carefully stored in a dark, cool area, otherwise, it’ll go bad.

Shopping Tips for CBD Oils

Once extracted and cleared of undesirable components, the oil can be made into various forms, ranging from capsules and powders to CBD gummies and brownies. When simply shopping for the oil form, keep this information in mind:

• “Full spectrum” means the oil has not been refined to the point that the CBD is isolated. A full-spectrum oil contains more than CBD. For example, it also has vitamins, minerals, terpenes, which give the plant its scent, and additional cannabinoids, such as cannabichromene.

• Companies either test their oils in-house or through a third-party lab. Third-party lab testing can be more reliable and a sign of a high-quality product.

• Research each company to learn where the product was made and how it was made. The more available details, the more trustworthy the company.

CBD oil itself is quite a market driver. According to PotNetwork, in 2017, the oil contributed to a 16 percent growth in the overall hemp industry. The industry is expected to continue growing in the future, driven largely by online oil sales. Of course, online shoppers are bound to want more than just CBD in oil form.

Origins of CBD Edibles

CBD oil can be used in all sorts of recipes for edible goods. The best part is, many of these can be made at home with basic kitchen tools and ingredients.

CBD oil mixes well with butter when combined in a saucepan over low heat. The process takes several hours, but the resulting product can be put on popcorn, potatoes, bread, and plenty of other common foods. The process of heating and infusing CBD oil into other ingredients also works with sauces for pasta as well as curry.

Heat isn’t always needed to infuse CBD into a recipe. For example, the oil can be combined with smoothies, salad dressings, and dips for quick, non-cook snacks.

Tips for Buying CBD Edible

CBD fans who have a habit of browsing the Internet while hungry will find many CBD treats available, including gummies, chocolates, and hard candies. Consumer Reports warns that shoppers should practice diligence when ordering these snacks, as the industry is not yet well regulated. Consider these tips for shopping for edibles:

• Consider products that include a CBD and THC amount on the label and look for serving size information. The more specifics, the better. After all, some shoppers only want the CBD benefits and not the THC high — especially if a breakfast smoothie before work is the goal!

• Order from companies that based in states in which recreational cannabis use is legal, such as Colorado. These states have stricter product regulations.

• Research the brand and its product history. This includes looking for reviews and, if possible, reaching out to ask the seller questions.

In addition to following these tips, consumers should be wary of products that claim to cure or treat medical conditions. As previously mentioned, CBD has not officially been proven to treat conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, or mental disorders. In fact, these companies should include disclaimers that reveal the Food and Drug Administration’s current stance on CBD.

Comparing Oils to Edibles

The decision whether to buy CBD edibles or just the oil is largely a matter of personal preference and intended use. Here’s how the two forms stack up against each other.

Social Snacking

CBD edibles like candy and pastries are great for social events. Edibles are also more discreet. Unfortunately, it’s also more likely that children will mistakenly confuse CBD snacks for run-of-the-mill treats.

Do-It-Yourself Potential

While CBD edibles are easy to make at home, extracting CBD oil from the plant tends to be a more difficult process. Anyone who likes to experiment in the kitchen might want to go for the oil. On the other hand, anyone who plans on extracting oil themselves should first read more in-depth guides or consult an expert before proceeding.

Ingredient Information

Information on CBD oil labels tends to be more specific than CBD edible labels. This makes it easier to control the dosage when you’re making your own snacks.

Topical Application

In oil form, CBD can also be used topically. Some people believe this can help treat localized pain or inflammation. While this remains to be confirmed, adventurous consumers can try it for joint and muscle pain relief.

Time of Effect

CBD edibles take longer to take effect than oil. For many shoppers, this is the most important distinction between oils and edibles. When CBD oil is applied under the tongue, it’s absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Edibles, on the other hand, must pass through the digestive system. In some cases, the effects of the edibles can take several hours to kick, but those effects can also be long-lasting.

Whether buying oil or edible, consumers should get to know the legality of CBD products and the science behind them. The legislation is constantly under reformation, and test studies are continually conducted, so staying up to date is crucial for anyone with an interested in the Cannabis plant industry.

Can You Use CBD Extract as a Food Supplement?

As more and more evidence mounts about the health benefits of cannabidiol or CBD, the faster its reputation grows as a powerful nutritional and medicinal source. Scientists everywhere are now singing its praises for, it seems, just about every human need you think of, from treating illness to feeding the world. Cannabidiol is just one cannabinoid of many and, it turns out, among the most beneficial.

The majority of cannabidiol concentrates, including CBD oil and CBD extract, are hemp-derived. Hemp, popular around the world for centuries, is possibly the most nutritional plant on the planet. Just its seeds alone can end malnourishment in third world countries, and its fibers are used for making, well, everything, from bricks to clothes, paper, biodegradable plastics, and whatever else you can imagine.

Federal Shift from Cannabis CBD to Hemp Extract

As United States citizens start demanding more and more CBD, companies are selling “hemp extracts” to comply with scientific and regulatory stipulations. Anyone marketing hemp extracts must establish the difference between the CBD used in his or her products and that under investigation by GW Pharmaceuticals, which lobbied the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to support its drug, Epidiolex.

Industrial hemp, the plant used primarily to make CBD oil and other types of CBD extract anyway, contains no more than 0.03 percent tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that makes you “high.”

In cannabis CBD products, you will virtually have no high because of the low THC content. Hemp contains an abundance of crucial CBD.

Since cannabidiol is such a populous cannabinoid in hemp plants, it comes from the healthiest, most nutritious of all plants. It is ideal for use in food, whether eaten raw or infused, and it is high in every vitamin and mineral known to man. It is also high in essential fatty acids, which are imperative to human health. Hemp seeds are the most nutritious of all, but CBD concentrates pack a powerful punch too.

Nutritional Value of Hemp-Derived CBD Extract

Since the process of extracting CBD removes much of its original taste, CBD oil and other concentrates still retain a nutty flavor, even if extremely mild. These products are incredibly rich in both alpha-linolenic acid, or omega-3, and linoleic acid, or omega-6. They also contain the famous gamma-linolenic acid, which has a myriad of its own health benefits.

CBD extract is also high in protein, an exceptionally important nutrient. It is notably higher than other high-protein extracts, such as flaxseed and chia seeds. It is also an excellent source of vitamin E, as well as other essential minerals, including zinc, iron, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Even more important, the body absorbs CBD extract very well raw, cooked, and roasted.

Health Benefits of Eating Cannabidiol

Science is proving CBD capable of tackling the world’s biggest killer: Heart disease. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems in several ways. It is high in arginine, an amino acid that produces nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure by dilating and relaxing blood vessels. Several studies show that increasing arginine decreases levels of the C-reactive process, an inflammatory trigger of heart disease.

Additionally, some animal studies are showing that not only does CBD combat high blood pressure, but it also helps recovery after having a heart attack and it lowers the risk of blood clots forming. CBD effectively fights inflammation too, the root cause of most pain and illness. Because of its high fatty acid levels, CBD affects immune response and has major therapeutic value in treating all skin disorders.

It is also rich in other amino acids, including methionine, cysteine and glutamic acid, and cannabis CBD protein is extremely digestible, even more so than most legumes, nuts, and grains. It has the ability to relieve symptoms of both menopause and PMS in women. The gamma-linolenic acid in CBD increases the production of prostaglandin E1, which in turn lowers levels of the responsible hormone prolactin.

The study showed gamma-linolenic acid relieving the fluid retention, irritability, depression, tenderness and breast pain associated with PMS. This same amino acid helps women with menopause too. It does so by regulating the different hormone imbalances that trigger menopause, and by reducing inflammation, as well. The list of reasons to use CBD as a food supplement is frankly never-ending.

Tips for Cooking with Cannabis CBD Extract

With medical marijuana legal in most states now and more popular than ever before, you can find CBD oil and other CBD products easily. Because cannabis CBD offers so many advantages and uses, cooking with it has become the latest health trend worldwide. Gone are the days of cookies and brownies only. These days, you can make whatever you want in your own home. Here are some tips to remember:

·         Find a Trusted Supplier

It is important to look for a reputable, trusted, reliable and renowned wholesaler or one of their outlets. You can find most CBD extract online, just be sure to research the company before purchasing. The CBD market is huge, so search for a supplier offering only the finest quality CBD products, derived from phytocannabinoid-rich medicinal hemp.

Specifically, find a supplier that puts a great deal of effort into purifying the extraction process. Ideally, you want somebody who can produce an oil with 70 percent or more cannabidiol during the first extraction itself. The purer the CBD product, the surer you can be that you get all of the nutritional benefits offered by cannabidiol.

·         Understand the Recipe

Cooking with CBD extract is easy, but only if you understand the recipe correctly and know something of how the process works. Since cannabidiol is not soluble in water, you want a recipe that calls for a fat- or oil-based ingredient that you can infuse with your CBD extract. However, if you are using just a normal recipe and want to add CBD to it, you can always turn to alcohol.

Ideally, a highly concentrated ethanol is the alcohol used for CBD tinctures, but you can always mix your CBD extract in a small quantity of liquor of your choosing, such as vodka, rum, or even gin. However, since you need the alcohol to act as a carrier for CBD oil if you want to use it in food, avoid mixing it with water-based liquors, as this will not work.

·         Start Slow and Small

Not only should you start with a small amount of CBD oil when cooking with it for the first time, you should also make your first batch a small one. You do not want to waste any CBD unnecessarily, making it wise to start slowly and small until you get it right. Try the recipe out first before using all you have, and if it feels right and tastes good, then go wild and make another batch.

However, the secret to CBD cooking is to be smart about it. Starting small is just one aspect of it. There is also dosage to consider, which you should also experiment with gradually. Once you have the CBD dosage that you are comfortable with, only then can you start altering future recipes to your specifications, based on the dose you most enjoy.

·         Watch the Temperature

High temperatures can cause excessive wastage. When cooking with CBD extract, always keep two eyes on the temperature. CBD evaporates in high heat. In fact, it begins evaporating when temperatures reach between 160 degrees Celsius and 180 degrees Celsius, or 320 degrees Fahrenheit and 356 degrees Fahrenheit, and it evaporates at rapid speed.

Therefore, it is of paramount importance that you are always mindful of the temperature levels and consistently maintain them in the right range. To get all the benefits of CBD in your meal and relish its true essence, always cook at the lowest possible temperature. Simmering is much better than boiling. You will get more value out of it if you remember this tip.

·         Store It Correctly

Not only is cannabidiol sensitive to heat, but it is also sensitive to light. If you want to keep the quality of your CBD oil as high as possible, without changing the taste of your food too much, then it is highly advisable to take all measures possible to store it right from the very start. Use glass containers if you extract CBD yourself. It can keep in the refrigerator for several months.

So long as you store CBD extract in a vacuum-sealed jar somewhere dark and cool, it should last a very long time. If you leave it in a warm area, where it gets lots of light, the decomposition process will be much faster and you will lose most of the oil’s medical and nutritional benefits. Instead of leaving the bottle on the shelf in your kitchen, consider storing it inside a cupboard.

Conclusion

Cooking with CBD oil and other types of CBD extract can be a fun and interesting way to spice up your diet. You can make anything and everything your taste buds desire, provided you infuse it in a fat-soluble ingredient first, such as coconut oil or butter. You can find ready made CBD infusions online in abundance. Most people prefer to buy it, as making it at home can be messy and time-consuming.