9 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About CBD Edibles.

After working in the plant medicines industry for 7+ odd years, I've realized that despite the hype around CBD, people are still unclear as to what CBD actually does, or how it can be used to help optimize different aspects of our health and well-being. So, I've compiled some of my favourites and listed them below.

None of the information here is sensationalized or based on hyperbole. CBD is medically significant enough and my goal is to provide you only with the best, most accurate information possible, which is why I repeatedly suggest that CBD edibles, while delicious, are an inferior method of consumption. However, they can still be useful, and I've listed some of the those ways below.

1. In general, CBD supports healthy inflammation and stress response.

But it does more than that. CBD promotes a sense of calm and well-being that is markedly different from THC. Instead of a psychotropic "high," CBD edibles brighten mood and bring a calming energy. 

CBD is studied to:

• Regulate hormone production and establish homeostasis, or balance, that supports stress, sleep, recovery, mood and immunity by enhancing Endocannabinoid System (ECS) tone.
• Confer an anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving) and anti-depressant effect by activating serotonin receptors.
• Relieving pain by activating TRPV ion channels, namely TRPV1.
• Regulating the body's stress and inflammatory response by regulating the HPA Axis and reducing cortisol levels.
• Promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning and the formation, organization, and storage of new memories.

CBD can also be used to reverse the long-term effects of THC on cognitive performance and mental health.

2. CBD edibles are just convenient.

The single greatest benefit of CBD edibles is their convenience. They have the advantage of being long-lasting, are easy to use, don't risk lung irritation, have minimal side effects (if any), and are non-intoxicating.

The only downside? They aren't as available as other forms of consumption, and take longer to kick-in.

So, while we wouldn't recommend CBD edibles for rapid relief from stress or anxiety, it can be an excellent natural stress relief supplement for bringing calm energy, more clarity, and feeling better every day.

3. But CBD oils are better.

CBD oils are superior to edibles in two ways:

• Predictable onset and dosing. CBD Tinctures take 15–30 minutes to take effect, whereas edibles take up to 1 hour. Try our CBD Dosage Calculator to find the best introductory dose by health goal or concern.
• Greater bioavailability. When consumed sublingually, CBD is said to have a bioavailability rate of between 13-19%. On the other hand, oral consumption of CBD has a lower bioavailability rate, which one study showed can be as low as 6%.

Because CBD oil is dropped under the tongue where it is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream through capillaries, it typically takes 15-30 minutes for its effects to be felt. That also means that more CBD is absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

However, people generally prefer CBD edibles because they have a more pleasant taste. CBD oil can be earthy, grassy, and nutty, which can be off-putting for some. Instead, CBD edibles, such as CBD gummies, come in a variety of different flavours. Adding sweeteners to gummies can make meeting one’s CBD needs a little easier on the palate.

Some find a way around CBD’s unpleasant taste by adding it to their meals and drinks, which can help mask the flavour, but that reduces CBD's bioavailability from ~20% to as low as 6%.

4. CBD edibles are best used as natural stress-relief supplements.

As I've mentioned, CBD has calming and mood-brightening properties. In my opinion, this is the best way to use CBD—as a natural stress-relief supplement that can help your body better:

• manage pain and balance inflammation,
• regulate stress and its manifestations (anxiety, depression, fear, burnout)
• ease into its natural sleep-wake cycle

That's because CBD helps to bring the body back to homeostasis, or balance. However, for immediate, fast-acting relief, I'd recommend CBD flower, vaporizers, and oils, respectively.

5. CBD edibles are just OK for pain.

CBD is an excellent pain-management tool, providing relief for a range of chronic pain and inflammatory conditions.

By interacting with key molecular targets, such as the ECS and TRPV receptors, CBD promotes chemical signaling that activates your cells for quick response, creating an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect that helps manage pain, including:

• cancer (pain, vomiting, lack of appetite)
• neuropathic pain
• fibromyalgia symptoms
• arthritis pain and swelling

However, edibles take the longest to take effect and also have the lowest bioavailability (6%) compared to sublingual tinctures/oil drops (20%+), vaporizers (30%+), flower (40%+), and intranasal sprays (45%+). If you need immediate pain relief, we'd recommend oil drops, vaporizers, or flower.

6. CBD edibles can be useful for sleep.

Yes. Due to its role in establishing homeostasis, or balance, CBD acts as a potent and effective intervention for underlying issues that prevent a healthy sleep-wake cycle, from stress, anxiety, PTSD, and mental health complications to chronic pain and inflammation.

By reducing chronic pain and the body's inflammatory response, CBD edibles can help you have a better night's sleep. If you have an anxious mind, or it just refuses to rest, the general sense of calm and peace can contribute to better sleep.

Read: 5 Ways CBD Actually Helps You Sleep

CBD also counteracts our body's stress response. Prolonged stress can trigger increased cortisol, which can manifest as inflammation, exhaustion, irritability, lack of focus, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. By regulating the body's stress response, including the sympathetic nervous system and HPA Axis, CBD promotes multi-depth calm and relaxation on a cellular level.

However, timing is key. Because the effects of CBD edibles kick in more slowly than other options (such as using a CBD vape pen), make sure to have your CBD edible 60 minutes prior to going to bed.

If your sleep issues are persistent and require further intervention, you can explore our Sleep Solutions. Formulated with clinical-level actives, cannabinoids, and sleep-promoting herbs to help you relax easier, sleep faster, and wake up fully rested. Available in CBD, a 1:1 blend of CBD + THC, and CBN.

7. CBD edibles are great for reducing anxiety and stress.

Yes. CBD is studied to exert anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and anti-depressant (energizing and mood-brightening) effects by:

• acting on serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors to brighten mood,
• toning the ECS, which regulates homeostasis, or balance,
• regulating the HPA Axis and body's stress (fight or flight) response,
• promoting neurogenesis in the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory.

CBD also delays the reuptake of important endogenous cannabinoids, such as Anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG, which are critical for our mood, fertility, and the body's ability to remain resilient to stress and disease.

8. CBD edibles might even boost your libido.

After the brain, there are more ECS receptors in the female reproductive system than in any other system, and there is increasing evidence it is strongly implicated in female fertility and hormonal health. Deficiencies in the ECS can manifest as endometriosis and other reproductive issues. There are also ECS receptors in male reproductive organs, but their numbers are eclipsed by their female counterpart.

But how can CBD improve sex?

Anxiety and depression, in most cases, lead to one thing—issues with sex or reduced sexual self-esteem. This irrevocably leads to problems in the bedroom. CBD products may improve libido by reducing anxiety, including performance anxiety, as well as trauma- and pain-related concerns. Other research suggests it can enhance sensation and promote blood flow.

With its ability to help you relax and save you from anxiety or depression, CBD can easily become a substitute for the alcohol or other methods used to get the same result. Nevertheless, in the case of CBD balm, lube, gummies, or other product use, you will not suffer from fuzzy memories or hangovers the next morning.

9. Luckily, they have few (if any) side effects.

Though it's often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. CBD can also interact with other medications you're taking, such as blood thinners.

Read: Cannabidiol (CBD): Side Effects and Possible Interactions

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