The UK CBD market is currently worth £300 million and is projected to grow 3 times bigger in the next 5 years.
With this increasing popularity, there are more and more ways to consume CBD whether that be through tinctures, topicals or edibles. But what are CBD edibles and why should you try them?
Keep reading to learn more about edibles, their effects and how they can benefit you.
What Is CBD?
Before jumping into the world of edibles, let's talk about CBD.
In your body, you have natural cannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors. So when CBD is introduced, it interacts with your endocannabinoid system to support various health and wellness effects in the body.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that comes from the cannabis or hemp plant. However, despite the stigma associated, it does not have any psychoactive properties like the other major cannabinoid, THC. So, put very simply, it won't get you high.
CBD is commonly known for its health benefits and extensive scientific research suggests that CBD can help long term illnesses such as chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, schizophrenia, insomnia, and depression. And although it cannot treat cancer, it is often used by cancer patients to reduce chemotherapy symptoms such as nausea.
So while this is not a miracle, cure-all product, it certainly has many merits that should be considered.
What Are CBD Edibles?
As the name suggests, it is CBD that you eat or drink in some form. CBD edibles can be gummies, capsules, chocolates, drinks, and baked goods. No one form is better than another, so it's really about your personal preference.
For example, if you are trying to cut back on sugar, consider taking a gel capsule. Just because a product has CBD in it does not mean fats, sugars, or calories disappear!
People generally enjoy edibles because they are convenient, easy to consume, discrete, and effective. If you choose to take a capsule or gummy one key benefit is you can pop one in your mouth at anytime throughout the day as you would any other medication or supplement.
There are also 3 kinds of CBD edibles you will often see; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.
Full-spectrum edibles have many compounds from the hemp plant, including a small amount of THC. Broad-spectrum edibles have natural compounds from the hemp plant, but no THC. And finally, isolate edibles are pure CBD and do not contain any other cannabinoids.
CBD infused edibles are often preferable to smoking CBD as you are not damaging your lungs through consumption. Edibles also make it easier to track your dosage of CBD, which can be tricky when smoking or vaping.
They are also a better option than other pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as CBD is completely natural. In fact, CBD has been found to have similar effects to NSAIDs without any of the side effects. And unlike some pain medication, CBD is non-addictive.
