Cannabidiol (CBD) seems like it’s made its way into basically any kind of product you can find. From lotions to teas to work out clothes, everything has CBD in it. But what about the more basic, less eccentric options? Is there anything for those who would like a straightforward way to use CBD? Yes, actually, there is. They are CBD pills. What could be more straightforward than that? But what are these pills like? Are they worth giving a try? These are all excellent questions, and we will go over them together, but first, let’s talk about what CBD is.
Some of the basics of CBD
It’s always good to understand what you’re taking, so we’re going to go over the main information that you need to know about CBD.
Your body is capable of producing all kinds of chemical compounds to keep it running. One group of these compounds is called endocannabinoids. You may have never heard of them before, but they do a lot for the body. They are made to active the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is made up of receptors scattered throughout the body. These receptors are made to start up certain processes and reactions in the body, including mood and memory. So, it’s pretty clear that endocannabinoids are important, but what do they have to do with CBD? Well, endocannabinoids are very similar to chemical compounds created by the cannabis plant. These are called cannabinoids. Because cannabinoids and endocannabinoids are so similar, cannabinoids can interact with the ECS have certain effects on the human body. CBD is one of the 113 cannabinoids that the cannabis plant produces.
Of course, CBD is not the only cannabinoid that has famous effects on the ECS. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid, is actually much more famous for its effects. When THC binds with ECS receptors it does so in a way that causes an intoxication that we generally call a high. It is the cannabinoid responsible for causing the high that is so commonly associated with certain variations of cannabis. This causes some confusion as it leads some to believe that all cannabinoids to have effects like this. However, that is not actually the case. CBD (and most of the other 111 cannabinoids) do not have any sort of intoxicating or inebriated effects. So, that shouldn’t be a concern.
We mentioned briefly that there are different kinds of cannabis. There are, in fact, two main variations of cannabis. They are better known as hemp and marijuana. Sometimes these names are used interchangeably. However, it is best to remember that they are different from each other. Their main differences are in how much CBD and THC each has. Hemp has a lot of CBD and no more than 0.3% THC, which is not enough to cause a high. This has made it so that the United States legalized hemp and its products on the federal level. These cannabinoid levels are also why CBD manufacturers use hemp far more often than they do marijuana to make their products. Marijuana is full of THC and contains inconsistent levels of CBD. Because marijuana’s THC levels are enough to cause a high, it is illegal on the federal level in the United States. It is good to remember that the federal level of legality in the United States doesn’t mean that that status applies in every state. There are exceptions for both plants.
There is a lot that we’re still trying to understand about CBD. One thing is what effects it really has and how these effects work. As a result, we can’t yet say for sure what CBD may do. However, the research that has been done on CBD so far has been very promising. For example, there have been many studies that have suggested that CBD may have anti-inflammatory effects. There have also been studies looking at how CBD may affect those with anxiety disorders. Some studies have even found that CBD might be able to help with acne. These studies are all considered to be in the preliminary stage, but that doesn’t mean that CBD won’t be able to help. It just means that we need to study it some more to be sure.
Are CBD pills worth it?
Hopefully, now you know why people love CBD as much as they do. Now let’s talk about what CBD pills are like and whether or not they are worth a try.
CBD pills are what they sound like, pills with CBD as the main active ingredient. One thing that makes them stand out is that they are usually softgels. This means that they are made with liquid and gel ingredients. This is a good thing for two main reasons. One is that they are easier to swallow that way. They are more flexible, which is easier to swallow than the inflexible hard-packed pills. The other reason is that they digest faster. The gel dissolves in the stomach much more quickly than hard-packed pills and, as a result, starts working faster.
CBD pills are also nice because they are pre–dosed. Trying to measure out the right amount of CBD with things like oils and tinctures can be much more difficult than it seems. It’s not uncommon to accidentally let an extra drop or two fall from the dropper. While this is not the worst thing to happen, it can still be very frustrating if you’re trying to stick to a specific amount. But since every CBD pill is made with the same amount of CBD, you always know how much you’re taking.
So, are CBD pills worth it? We think so. Of course, there are downsides. They tend to take longer to start working than things like CBD oils that are dropped directly into the mouth. And because you take them orally instead of use them topically, you may experience some minor side effects if you take too much (things like nausea and fatigue). But if those are the worst things about them, then they aren’t too bad. If you’re looking for an easy, no nonsense way to take your CBD, then why not give CBD pills a try? They may be the perfect product for you. If not, maybe consider arnica CBD salve or CBD pain relief!