How to Choose the Right CBD Product for You

With so many CBD products around us, you need to find the one that best fits your lifestyle and health expectations.

From CBD oils, tinctures, and pills to CBD edibles, topicals, and bath bombs, you have countless choices. So many, in fact, that it can be overwhelming at times.

The best thing to do is to decide how you can introduce CBD to your personal routine. Some people want to take CBD on a daily basis to help with their mental well-being. Others prefer to take their CBD during the weekend, when their programme is packed with sports and activities and outings.

You can also have different CBD products for various occasions: edibles for an on-the-go boost when you are busy, but also CBD skin products for when you want to pamper yourself.

Whatever your needs, you are certain to find a CBD product that matches your way of living and fulfills your expectations.

Decide on your goals

Before you start browsing e-shops and shelves for CBD products, consider your expectations and the goals you want to achieve with CBD.

Mental well-being

CBD may help support your mental balance and well-being, particularly regarding anxiety, stress, and depression. People have been taking CBD to help them manage their life better and face life adversity in a more positive and engaging way.

Pain management

Many people choose CBD for pain management, particularly after sports when joints and muscles ache. Thanks to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, it may help the body restore itself from occasional inflammation and pain.

Sleep better

Almost two-thirds of Britons have poor sleep quality and suffer from disrupted sleep patterns. Thanks to CBD’s relaxing features, you could introduce it to your evening routine to help your body relax ahead of the night. When you sleep well, you can be more productive and happier during the day.

How often do you want to take CBD?

Once you have decided your main goals regarding CBD, you now want to consider how often you want to take CBD.

Some people take CBD on occasion while others prefer to enjoy their CBD on a regular daily basis.

Occasional CBD use

People who do sports during the weekend often take CBD to help with muscle pains before or after their workout. They adjust their CBD routine to their needs and take it on occasion to help boost their body and mind.

CBD may also help with occasional socializing for people with social anxiety. If a Saturday party is stressing you or a public speech on Thursday is straining your mind, then CBD could be the compound to help calm your anxiety and help your mind regain balance.

In addition, some use CBD as an occasional energy boost, to help sustain their energy levels during the day. CBD may be biphasic—i.e. have one effect at a small dose and its opposite at a large one—which explains why others use CBD to improve their sleep quality if they are feeling stressed on occasion.

CBD as a daily choice

Many people are choosing to pack their days with work, activities, and chores. In this case, CBD is their daily companion to manage their days, strengthen their body, and alleviate stress and anxiety in their mind.

What’s your general lifestyle?

Before choosing the right CBD product for you, think about your lifestyle.

For the busy lifestyle

If you are a busy person who is rarely at home, CBD bath bombs and topicals are probably not the right choices for you. Edibles, pills, capsules, oils, and tinctures are more appropriate for your lifestyle. You can consume your CBD on the go and get all the benefits at your leisure.

Cooking with CBD

If you enjoy cooking, you will love introducing CBD to your recipes. There are plenty of choices from CBD cookies and chocolates to CBD smoothies. Remember that CBD works best when blended with a fatty compound, so mix your CBD with avocado, nut butter, or plain butter to make the most out of it. Just find a high-quality CBD oil and start experimenting with cooking and baking.

Relaxing time at home

If you like to relax in the evening in the privacy of your own home, then CBD vapes could give you all the benefits of hemp in a quick and enjoyable way.

How do you feel about the taste of hemp?

All CBD products are made of industrial hemp. CBD oils have an earthy and slightly musky taste; some people have said it feels like eating grass.

If you are not crazy about the taste of CBD, you should stay away from CBD oils and tinctures that have the full flavour of CBD. Opt instead for CBD pills and capsules, which hide the inherent aromas of hemp.

Match your lifestyle to a CBD product

There are four main CBD categories: CBD edibles, tinctures, vapes, and topicals.

• CBD edibles include oils, pills, capsules, gummies, chocolates, cookies, and any other edible CBD format.
• CBD tinctures are placed under the tongue and left to be absorbed by the tongue capillaries for half a minute.
• CBD vapes are the most immediate way to take your CBD, as the CBD compounds are absorbed through the lung capillaries directly in the bloodstream.
• As for CBD topicals, as their name suggests, they are applied to the skin for localized soothing.

Different bioavailabilities

These categories matter a lot, as each has its own bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the ultimate quantity of CBD that reaches the bloodstream. All medicines and compounds have to reach the bloodstream for them to start acting. The question is, how fast and how directly can your CBD reach your bloodstream?

• When you eat CBD, it goes through the digestive tract and is metabolized by the liver before it reaches the bloodstream. A lot of the initial quantity is lost during this whole process so only about 10 to 15% reaches the bloodstream where it can act.
• Vaping has the highest bioavailability because it bypasses the stomach and reaches the bloodstream within a few minutes of inhalation. In this case, bioavailability can reach well into 40% or more.
• Sublingual use has a higher bioavailability than ingestion but slightly lower than vaping, usually around 20 to 30%.
• Topicals have the lowest bioavailability because the skin doesn’t allow much to pass through. CBD topicals have a bioavailability of around 5%.

Fast-acting, slow-acting, and how long it stays in your body

Bioavailability is linked to how fast the CBD product acts and for how long. As a general rule, vaping and sublingual uses act faster but last less. Edibles take longer to act, about 2 hours, but the CBD lasts longer in the body—usually for 6 to 7 hours.

How do I combine bioavailability and lifestyle?

You can mix and match CBD products. If you want immediate relief, then CBD vapes are a great match. If you are concerned about discretion, then CBD sublingual products can be a perfect substitute.

For busy people who want their CBD to sustain them through the day, CBD edibles such as oils, pills, and capsules should do the trick. You can microdose your CBD by taking it in smaller quantities throughout the day to maintain a steady level of CBD in your body to help you keep going.

Post-workout well-being can be complemented by a CBD topical. Although bioavailability is lower, it lasts for longer and you can apply it and let it seep through as long as it needs.

How do I choose my dosage and CBD strength?

Micro-dosing CBD

Microdosing, mentioned above, helps your body get a steady delivery of CBD without ups and downs. It is a great way for your body to adjust to a constant quantity of CBD in your bloodstream.

If you have decided to take CBD regularly, then consider microdosing. You probably want a CBD product with a low to average potency that you can take several times a day to help you get through your day.

A large CBD boost

For those who like a CBD boost, a bigger strength makes more sense. For instance, pre- or post-workout, a higher dosage will give your body the necessary kick to better manage muscle aches and inflammation.

If you face a very busy day ahead with lots of stressful potential and anxiety-prone events, a large CBD dose in the morning may help you face all of life’s challenges.

CBD may be biphasic

Remember that CBD may be biphasic: it seems to deliver different benefits depending on the dosage you take. In large quantities, CBD may be more relaxing and soothing. In smaller dosages, CBD may be uplifting and elevating. You don’t want to feel energized right before you go to bed. Likewise, you don’t want to feel relaxed if you have to make a big presentation for work.

Our best advice is to experiment with your CBD dosage, strength, and even the time you consume it. Adjust it to your lifestyle and your health expectations. Start with a low dosage and fine-tune your CBD products to your lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to mix and match products and CBD categories, depending on the circumstances and what your body requires throughout the day.

CBD is versatile

CBD is highly versatile. Thanks to its legalization, consumers have plenty of choices. Active, stressed, busy, or athletic people will find the perfect CBD product for their needs and expectations. As long as you know what you are looking for and how you can introduce it into your routine, you are bound to find the quality CBD product that matches your needs.