It’s no secret if you follow me on Instagram that there is a lot going on with health at the moment. Alongside my Ulcerative Colitis and Anaemia, I’m now undergoing tests for another potential auto-immune disease so 2023 has really kicked off with a bang. I’ve always been a big fan of natural remedies wherever I can and from time to time people ask if I have considered CBD, especially for pain relief.
Name any food or drink, and there is a high chance a company would be offering a version infused with cannabidiol (CBD). This, coupled with the rising popularity of CBD gummies in the UK, an increasingly anxious society, and the many touted health applications of CBD, resulted in CBD edibles taking over the world by storm.
In particular, CBD edibles, such as CBD gummies, are known to be one of the most notable CBD products available in the market as they provide a convenient, discreet, and tasty way to consume CBD. Nonetheless, this brought many to question whether or not they are genuinely effective at generating any physiological effects. Let’s read on to find out.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the hundred forms of cannabinoids that can be found within a cannabis plant. Meanwhile, it is the second most common active ingredient present, with its cousin compound, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), being the major element. However, THC has been notorious for inducing psychotic reactions among its consumers and may be responsible for certain health issues. In contrast, CBD has been verified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be safe and not an addictive substance.
What Are CBD Edibles?
CBD edibles, as its name implies, cover any product that has been designed to be taken as either a food or beverage. They are essentially an ingestible form of CBD infused into a consumable product. On that note, many individuals have selected CBD edibles, such as CBD gummies, CBD tea, or CBD mint, as their go-to CBD product because they are extremely convenient to be incorporated into their daily routine and can typically be consumed as a type of snack.
Having mentioned that, there are a wide variety of CBD edibles available in the market, including the following:
CBD Gummies
CBD gummies UK are the trendiest type of CBD edible and most likely one of the products that come to mind whenever one mentions edibles. In particular, pure CBD gummies are extremely popular as they are easy to consume and can be conveniently enjoyed whilst one is on the go. Just like regular gummies, CBD gummies are designed to be taken orally. However, the key difference between these two is that CBD gummies are infused with CBD as an additional ingredient.
CBD Cookies and Brownies
CBD works very well in place of regular pastries and baked goods as an afternoon treat, enabling consumers to ingest small quantities of CBD every day. More specifically, CBD baked goods such as CBD brownies and CBD cookies can taste just like their CBD-free counterparts, except that they possess the extra CBD ingredient.
CBD Coffee Beans and Teas
Hot CBD drinks are increasingly being introduced to the market as they offer a discreet yet tasty way for anyone to take CBD. Notable examples of such would include beverages like CBD herbal teas and CBD coffee, in which they contain a small dose of CBD and can be easily consumed with a cup.
How Do CBD Edibles Work?
All in all, CBD edibles function by interacting with one of the most vital systems within our bodies, known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The Endocannabinoid System
In general, our body has a myriad of internal processes and systems that work hand-in-hand to ensure we are fit and healthy. One example of such a system would be the endocannabinoid system, which is a complex cell signalling system primarily responsible for regulating a wide range of functions such as our memory, sleep, appetite, mood, energy levels, stress, and discomfort tolerance levels. In other words, the ECS plays a substantial role in policing the levels and activities of most neurotransmitters as part of regulating an individual’s general well-being.
In addition, our body contains naturally occurring molecules known as endocannabinoids that can interact with the receptors of the ECS to help regulate the physiological processes. Nonetheless, there is still much that researchers have yet to uncover about this fascinating system, and further studies will only continue to reveal more information about how the ECS contributes to our general health and wellness.
How Do CBD Edibles Interact With The Endocannabinoid System?
Upon ingestion, the CBD within CBD edibles can be broken down prior to its entry into the bloodstream, similar to the way key vitamins within our foods and nutritional supplements are absorbed and processed by our bodies. Once CBD enters our body, it will begin to support our ECS directly.
In certain studies, scientists have theorised the role of CBD in prolonging the longevity of our body’s endocannabinoids due to them sharing many similarities in their respective molecular structures. To elaborate, we could arguably view CBD as some form of endocannabinoid that can work directly with our ECS to facilitate the proper functioning of our internal processes. Thus, consuming CBD allows us to enjoy the health benefits of a fully functioning ECS.
Nevertheless, it usually often takes approximately an hour and a half for the ingested CBD to be completely assimilated by our bodies and thereby for the consumer to reap its physiological effects.
The Health Benefits of Consuming CBD
Regardless of whether we prefer drinking a CBD-infused coffee, enjoying the sweet delights of a CBD gummy, or the invigorating feeling of chewing on a CBD mint, integrating CBD edibles into our daily lives has never been simpler.
Besides that, when the topics shifts to CBD’s applications in regulating a person’s general mind-body wellness, there have been many anecdotal accounts speculating the ability of CBD edibles to help improve our general well-being from head to toe, including the following:
Reduced Anxiety And Stress Levels
The well-known calming effects of CBD can help you relax your mind amidst an already chaotic world.
Increased Energy Levels
With CBD being able to regulate our energy levels via interacting with the endocannabinoid system, introducing a small dose of CBD via taking CBD edibles may directly influence your drive for the day.
Improved General Mood
The uplifting effects of CBD may be the perfect mood-supporting ingredient to help you kickstart your day on a high note.
Enhanced Concentration
Whether you are trying to manage a huge workload or survive an intensive lecture, a small dose of CBD could help sharpen your focus.
Better Sleep Quality
With CBD’s ability to put one’s mind at ease, it is no wonder that consuming CBD can be incorporated into an individual’s regular bedtime routine.
In essence, CBD edibles are a decent start for any beginners who are looking to try out CBD. They basically simplify the entire consumption experience as they enable CBD to be infused into everyday meals without requiring any additional requirements or accurate adjustments. As a result, CBD edibles make taking CBD a convenient experience for the majority, especially given that they could be readily available in certain areas in the United Kingdom.
Besides that, most CBD edibles are produced with similar high-quality CBD that has been extracted from hemp plants, such as those found in CBD capsules and oils. Thus, this should mean that you would be able to experience the same effects regardless of the specific type of CBD product you have chosen.
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