Have you tried CBD before, and not experienced the benefits you were hoping for?
Here at River Organics, we understand that new wellness journeys may take some trial and error. Navigating the relationship between your endocannabinoid system and the cannabinoids found in CBD can be tricky. But we’re here to guide you towards optimizing your use of CBD to maximize your results and to enhance your overall well-being.
Today we are going to take a closer look at why CBD may not be working for you, and some steps you can take to get the most out of this amazing holistic supplement.
But first, let’s quickly look at our understanding of CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannibidiol (CBD) is a compound extracted from the cannabis plant, but it won’t make you feel high. Unlike marijuana, which has higher levels of THC, CBD that originates from hemp is required by law to contain less than 0.3% THC, which is not a sufficient amount to produce psychoactive effects on its user.
Check for Product Quality
When choosing a CBD product, it is vital to ensure it is of the highest quality, so it will not only be safe for you to use, but also offer optimal benefits.
There are many disreputable companies advertising products that don’t contain high-quality CBD, and with no FDA-approved products on the market, it’s easier for CBD companies to embellish labels and sell low-quality products. In fact, in a study including 84 CBD products, it was found that 26 percent contained less CBD than was advertised. For this and other reasons, it is crucial to check where your CBD product was sourced, how it was tested, and what customers have said about its results. If you’ve tried CBD in the past, and didn’t experience any effects or benefits, it is possible that the CBD product you tried had a misleading label.
Here’s what you should look out for when checking the quality of CBD:
It should be grown organically. The hemp plant from which CBD is derived is a bioaccumulator, and actively works to absorb chemical waste from the soil in which it is grown. So, unless the hemp in your CBD is USDA certified organic, there’s a risk of ingesting unwanted ingredients.
It must be third-party tested. Products should always be tested by a qualified third party lab, and the lab results should be readily available for you to review. If you can’t find any certificates of analysis (COA’s) with cannabinoid and contaminant tests, you may want to steer away from the product.
Always use reputable companies. The product you invest in should be produced and sold by a trusted company, with plenty of supportive information and research. It is important to learn about what you’re using and to read customer reviews on the product.
Choose Full-Spectrum or Broad-Spectrum
During your search for CBD products, you may have come across the terms CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, or broad-spectrum CBD. For maximum benefit, we recommend choosing full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD products. It’s important to learn the difference between these, and to read CBD product labels carefully.
Here’s the thing: CBD isolate contains only the CBD compound found in cannabis, whereas full and broad-spectrum products contain CBD and other cannabinoids, and beneficial components from other parts of the whole plant. Research has shown that the therapeutic effects of CBD may be more prominent when components from the entire plant are extracted. When you choose full-spectrum CBD, you’re receiving hundreds of extra cannabinoids, anti-inflammatory terpenes, minerals, nutrients, and fatty acids from the plant that can enhance the therapeutic effect. This is called the entourage effect.
Determining Your Correct Dose
As the biology of our bodies is not created equal, there is no standard or set amount of CBD that could universally work for everyone. For most, it takes some trial and error, and experimenting with different dosages to find the amount that provides the optimal result you are seeking.
When new to CBD, we generally recommend that you “start low and go slow” meaning that you start with the lowest dose possible and, while taking note of your responses, increase very slowly until you achieve your desired results. This is a slow, safe and steady way of determining your minimum effective dose, and it can save you money in the short and long run.Your success will depend upon your patience and careful observation of how you are responding to the product(s) you are taking.
It has been said that finding a comfortable daily dose could create the desired reaction between the CBD in your product and your endocannabinoid system. A few milligrams may do the trick for some, but others have needed far more to see their desired results. Your ideal dose comes down to a variety of factors including your individual biology, metabolism, diet, age, etc. For more information about dosing, please read our Dosing FAQ’s here.
This brings us to our next important consideration…
It May Take Time to See Results
Remember, every body is different. While some may see an immediate effect from the use of CBD, others may need to take it regularly over a period of time before experiencing notable results.
When CBD is introduced to our body, it interacts with our body’s own endocannabinoid system, where it activates neurotransmitters and receptors. Due to the way CBD reacts with different people’s endocannabinoid systems, some may experience slower results. Additionally, CBD’s effects tend to build over time, as the compound accumulates in the body, and its effects could be too subtle to discern at first. Many people note that they didn’t realize how much CBD was helping them until they stopped taking it regularly.
Reevaluate Your Delivery
With several ways to administer CBD, you may want to explore various methods of delivery to achieve your desired results.
Ways to take CBD:
- Tinctures (orally)
- Topicals (creams, oils and balms)
- Vape oils (inhaling)
- Edibles (beverages, treats and gummies)
- Capsules
When choosing CBD products, it is important to consider the bioavailability of the CBD, or how much of it enters the bloodstream effectively. While edibles may take time to enter and journey through the system, tinctures could have a more immediate release into the bloodstream. Additionally, topical creams and oils can offer potential relief to a specific area, but won’t work effectively for internal therapeutic effects. Keep in mind your motivation behind using CBD, and the ailment you are attempting to resolve.
If your experience with CBD has so far come to a standstill, don’t give up! We recommend being open to reevaluating your approach, and considering new ways to delve deeper into your wellness journey. You may just need some trial and error until you are able to achieve your potential therapeutic results– and we’re here to help you get started.
At River Organics, we are passionate about elevating the health and wellness of our customers, community, and the planet as a whole. It is our mission to produce all our CBD products organically, sustainably, responsibly, and ethically at our family-owned farm in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. All of our CBD products contain under the legally required 0.3% of THC to ensure that you can enjoy their therapeutic benefits without any intoxicating effects.
