No matter where you go, the odds are that a CBD product is nearby. Now sold at gas stations, drugstores and grocery stores, CBD seems to be everywhere due to its reported health benefits for chronic pain, sleep and anxiety. However, it’s important to know that the FDA has only approved one cannabis-derived drug product (with a prescription). Plus, according to a Penn Medicine study, almost 70% of CBD extracts sold online are mislabeled.
It’s no wonder there is so much confusion surrounding CBD. To help you sort through the noise, we spoke with experts to break down when to use CBD and how much you should be taking.
What can CBD be used for?
Research, though limited, indicates that CBD has legitimate health benefits. While there is no FDA regulation, research has shown that full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD effectively treat pain and anxiety. There’s only one FDA-approved CBD product, called Epidiolex, that’s available by prescription. Epidiolex treats seizure disorders such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
However, there are several other benefits and uses of CBD products.
The most common uses of CBD
The CBD market is continuously expanding with new products. However, there are four main types of CBD product categories. All of which will vary in potency and dosage per unit.
Oils and tinctures
CBD oils generally come in either a liquid or capsule form. You can take the extracts independently or use the dropper to add them to food or drinks. Liquid tinctures are usually taken directly under the tongue.
“Tinctures are generally taken at higher concentrations than oils. This means that if you were taking 1 milliliter of tincture, you would need to drop the concentration down to 0.5 milliliters. A good rule of thumb is to start with a small dose (0.25 milliliters) and slowly increase your dose over time,” says Reda Elmardi, a registered dietician and certified nutritionist.
Edibles
Edible CBD products are quickly becoming very popular, likely because of their convenience and flavor profiles. With edibles, you have several options in flavor, potency and price. They have everything, from gummies to cookies, chocolates and even granola bars.
Topicals
CBD is also available in topical creams and salves. Popular forms are lotions, creams or ointments. Topical CBD products are good options for muscle pains, joint inflammation or nerve pain.
Topical CBD is one of the more difficult forms for determining dosage. Not only does potency vary by product, but also varies by how much you use each application. It’s important to follow manufacturer instructions carefully.
