Should You Take a CBD Supplement?

If you want to try a CBD supplement, it’s available in many different forms. These include edibles, creams, oils, and pills. In most cases, CBD supplements will consist of an oil housed inside a protective capsule.

Is a supplement the best choice for your needs? If you’re interested in the benefits of CBD, and you’re trying to find the best delivery method, you can learn more about supplements below.

What Are the Health Benefits of CBD?

While researchers are still studying the impact that CBD has on the body, it has been linked to a number of potential health benefits. There is extensive research showing that CBD can manage forms of epilepsy that don’t respond to many anti-seizure medications, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. (1) Epidiolex, an epilepsy medication that contains CBD, has even been approved by the FDA. (2)

Although there is less evidence to support CBD’s other health benefits, there have been many promising studies. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, and studies show that it may be able to treat many types of pain, including sciatic nerve pain and pain caused by multiple sclerosis. (3)(4)

CBD may be an effective way to treat anxiety and depression. Studies have found that the CBD can act as an anti-depressant when taken at the right dosage. (5) This may be because of the way CBD interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. CBD has also been studied as a treatment for anxiety disorders. (6)

Not only may CBD be able to provide relief from current health symptoms, but it could also help to protect the body in the future. Some experts believe that CBD may have neuroprotective properties. Experts have already established that CBD can be an effective treatment for neurological disorders like epilepsy, and some research also believe that taking CBD could help to prevent cognitive decline. (7)

These health benefits are exciting, but it’s important to remember that scientists still have a lot to learn about CBD and its effects. It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking a CBD supplement. It may also take time to find a dosage that gives you the results you’re looking for.

Finding the Right CBD Supplement Dosage

The results you’ll get from CBD will vary greatly based on the amount of CBD that you take. A higher dosage won’t necessarily give you more potent results. It’s important to find a suitable dosage for your body and your needs.

When discussing CBD with your doctor, you may want to ask about recommended dosage. If your doctor doesn’t have a dosage recommendation, it’s generally best to start out with a lower dosage. A dosage between 20 and 40 mg is suitable for someone that is new to CBD products.

Take notes on the dosage that you’ve taken and how it makes you feel. If you’ve been taking CBD for at least one week, and you haven’t achieved your desired results, you can try increasing your dosage. You won’t want to adjust your dosage immediately; the way CBD affects your body can change when you take it on a daily basis.

One of the benefits of taking a supplement is that it’s much easier to control your dosage. When you swallow a capsule, you’ll know exactly how much CBD you’re taking. You’ll be able to adjust your dosage as needed until you find the appropriate dosage for your body.

CBD Supplements Won’t Deliver Instant Results

A supplement may not be your best option if you’re looking for fast relief. When CBD is taken orally, it can take up to two hours to feel its effects. The CBD will not enter your bloodstream until the supplement you’ve taken has been broken down during digestion.

It’s important to consider the results you’re looking for when choosing a delivery method for CBD. When CBD oil is placed under the tongue, it’s able to be directly absorbed, providing near-immediate results. You’ll also see swift results when inhaling CBD. Because of the slow results, supplements are most effective when taken on a regular basis.

A Supplement Could Provide Long-Term Relief

It may take time to feel the effects of a CBD supplement, but once the CBD enters the bloodstream, the effects are likely to be longer-lasting. In fact, when CBD is taken on a daily basis, it can remain in your system for two to five days. (8)

These long-lasting effects make supplements an excellent choice for anyone that is struggling with ongoing health issues. Research suggests that taking a daily oral dose of CBD could effectively manage symptoms of anxiety and chronic pain. Supplements are also an excellent option for those that want to take advantage of CBD’s alleged neuroprotective properties.

Is Your CBD Supplement Mixed With a Carrier?

CBD is a hydrophobic oil, which means it does not dissolve in water. This makes it difficult for the body to absorb CBD when it is taken orally. When taken on its own, an estimated 96% of CBD will be flushed from the body, which means the effects of CBD will not be significant. (9)

Thankfully, it’s possible to prevent these kinds of issues by using some sort of carrier. Carriers that are commonly used for CBD include unrefined MCT oil, hemp seed oil, and avocado oil. With supplements, the CBD oil and the carrier oil are typically placed in a capsule. The capsule dissolves during digestion, allowing the CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

What Are the Side Effects of CBD?

Because a supplement provides a controlled dosage, it’s less likely that you’ll experience negative side effects when taking CBD. With that said, some people do experience minor side effects, including nausea, reduced appetite, fatigue, and dry mouth.

You should be cautious about taking CBD if you’re on any sort of medication. CBD can interact with many medications, including blood thinners, and can limit their effectiveness. (10) CBD could also increase the side effects associated with medications like Adderall. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a pharmacist if you’re considering CBD.

How Can You Choose the Right CBD Pills and Capsules?

Since there are minimal FDA regulations for CBD, it’s important to be cautious when choosing a supplement. You should make sure that you buy products from a company that uses third-party testing. You’ll want to make sure that the products do not contain potentially harmful ingredients, such as heavy metals.

It’s also best to use supplements that contain full-spectrum CBD in most cases. According to a theory called entourage effect, cannabinoids are more effective when they work together. (11) Full-spectrum CBD products contain several different cannabis plant extracts, which can lead to better results. CBD is less potent when consumed in capsule form, but choosing a full-spectrum product could help to mitigate that loss in potency.

Other factors that should be considered include the potency of the CBD, the number of capsules per bottle, and the price per capsule. You’ll want to look for brands that have managed to earn the trust of consumers. Read reviews and make sure that the brand you’re buying from has not received a warning letter from the FDA.

You’ll also want to look at the other ingredients the supplement contains. Many CBD supplements use a blend of ingredients. Potentially beneficial ingredients include L-theanine, B-complex vitamins, and terpenes like myrcene and limonene.

Supplements are an excellent option for anyone that is new to CBD products. With supplements, it’s easy to control and monitor your dosage. While the right supplement could provide a number of health benefits, it’s important that you talk to your doctor before taking a supplement. In addition, you should take the time to choose a high-quality product that’s been properly tested.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5716495/
2. https://ir.gwpharm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fda-approves-epidiolexr-cannabidiol-oral-solution-treat-seizures
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5478794/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874292/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2823358/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25024347/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6275223/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2689518/
10. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2021011121743
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6177712/