Gummies have become a popular way to consume CBD. Like any other CBD-infused product, gummies allow you to enjoy CBD’s many health benefits.
But if you’re new to CBD gummies or even CBD in general, you might be wondering just what these products are all about. Let’s start from the beginning by acquainting ourselves with CBD.
CBD is a common abbreviation for cannabidiol, a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in hemp widely marketed for its incredible health benefits. Cannabidiol has gained widespread recognition in the recent past for its ability to relieve pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Some studies suggest that CBD may contain antispasmodic, antiemetic, antibacterial, and even antioxidant properties.
Now, gummies are just one of the many formulations CBD products come in. In this post, we narrow our focus to CBD gummies by providing a beginner’s guide into what these products entail.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Classification of CBD Gummies
Another thing to know before shopping for CBD gummies is that these products are widely classified as edibles. Edibles are simply products intended for oral administration. Ensure that you get chill plus gummies from trusted retailers only.
As you shall find, there are several other ways to consume cannabidiol besides CBD gummies. Notable mentions include;
- Smoking dried hemp flowers
- Vaping CBD-based e-liquids
- Sublingually administering CBD tinctures
- Topically applying CBD-enriched beauty and skincare products
All the above methods deliver cannabidiol to your bloodstream. However, gummies are preferred as they offer users a discrete way to consume CBD. Gummies are also easier to administer. That’s because each gummy contains premeasured cannabidiol doses.
Besides cannabidiol gummies, the following are other CBD products classified as edibles;
- CBD beverage drinks
- CBD chocolates
- CBD cookies
Ingredients in CBD Gummies
CBD gummies physically resemble regular gummy bears. They may even taste like the traditional gummies you’re already used to. The fundamental difference is that CBD gummies contain cannabidiol as the primary bioactive substance.
Besides cannabidiol, CBD gummies are also formulated with several additives. These additives mainly come in the form of flavor enhancers and preservatives.
It’s also important to note that CBD gummies may contain other cannabis compounds besides cannabidiol. Note that CBD isn’t the only cannabinoid in hemp. The plant produces at least 100 other cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), primarily associated with euphoria and intoxication. Other common cannabinoids you may find in CBD gummies include cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC).
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Health Benefits of CBD Gummies
As we’ve already indicated, CBD gummies contain cannabidiol as their primary ingredient. Therefore, the health benefits of CBD gummies are pretty much the health benefits of cannabidiol.
The following are common medical issues that CBD gummies might help address.
Pain
Cannabidiol may treat pain by affecting the vanilloid receptors. Vanilloid receptors are a group of endocannabinoid receptors responsible for much of the body’s pain-signaling.
Stress and Anxiety
Cannabidiol is a powerful sedative. Products formulated with this compound, such as CBD gummies, may treat stress, anxiety, and depression.
Cannabidiol may relieve anxiety by suppressing the stress hormone cortisol. CBD may also combat anxiety by stimulating the release of serotonin, a chemical neurotransmitter noted for its positive effects on mental health.
Nausea
CBD-infused products have gained popularity in oncological research centers due to cannabidiol’s potential antiemetic effects.
CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in a manner that may help alleviate nausea, particularly among cancer patients on chemotherapy.
Inflammation
CBD gummies may offer relief from both acute and chronic inflammation. The cannabidiol in these products attenuates inflammation by blocking the activation of inflammatory markers, such as chemokines and cytokines.
Sleep Deprivation
If you’re like most people, the chances are that you occasionally suffer sleep deprivation. But that could also happen because you’re yet to embrace cannabidiol products like CBD-infused gummies. CBD gummies can boost sleep quality by reducing sleep onset time. Studies have shown that CBD may also reduce Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
REM sleep is the sleep phase characterized by intense dreaming. According to sleep experts, dreams can reduce sleep quality, especially for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are several other medical conditions that CBD gummies might help with, including;
- Neurological disorders like epileptic seizures
- Metabolic disorders like diabetes
- Psychiatric issues like bipolar disorder
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms
- Sexual performance issues like erectile dysfunction (ED)
How Do I Choose The Best CBD Gummies?
One primary consideration when shopping for high-quality gummies is establishing the seller’s reputation. You can do that by finding out the supplier’s duration and the nature of reviews from some of their previous customers. Insist on cannabidiol vendors who enjoy at least five years’ experience and pretty positive reviews.
Secondly, check how the cannabidiol used in manufacturing the CBD gummies was obtained. Premium-quality gummies are those made from organically-grown hemp. Besides, the CBD should have been extracted using the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extraction method.
Lastly, insist on gummies that come with test reports from independent laboratories. Lab reports prove that the ingredients used in the gummies are as they appear on the product label.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Will CBD Gummies Get Me High?
Pure cannabidiol is neither psychoactive nor intoxicating. That’s part of the reason CBD gummies have garnered mainstream popularity. Users can administer these products without the nagging concerns of becoming “high” in the process.
That said, not all CBD gummies are non-psychoactive. Some of these products may contain significant tetrahydrocannabinol levels.
To determine the presence and concentration of THC in CBD gummies, keep your eyes out for the following terms – isolates, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum.
Isolates are gummies that contain CBD and no other cannabinoid. Broad-spectrum CBD gummies contain cannabidiol and many other non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Lastly, full-spectrum CBD gummies contain cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, and several other cannabinoids.
While consuming full-spectrum gummies may sound like a terrible idea, experts recommend these products. That’s because you get to synergize the medical and recreational benefits of the various cannabinoids in the products.
Are There Side Effects I Should Be Wary Of?
Despite their incredible health benefits and non-psychoactive nature, CBD gummies aren’t risk-free. Common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, and drowsiness.
The saving grace, however, is that cannabidiol’s adverse effects are generally mild and short-lasting compared to those of other popular herbal extracts. Besides, the side effects only occur in the case of overdose.
That underscores the significance of consuming CBD gummies in moderation. If you’re new to cannabidiol, start with the lowest doses possible. You can then adjust based on your tolerance for the compound.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
The Bottom Line
CBD gummies pack the same health benefits and properties as cannabidiol. That means cannabidiol laws apply to these products too. So, establish that CBD is legal in your country before accessing CBD gummies, cookies, or any other CBD-infused products.
