What Are CBD Edibles?

CBD-Edibles

No matter the food or beverage, there’s probably a version of it with CBD, whether it’s coffee, tea, cookies, candy or even pasta!

CBD has become a massively popular thing in the past few years, particularly for those hoping to ease chronic pain or calm their nerves.

But before we talk about CBD edibles, what is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound known as a cannabinoid, which comes from the plant Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis contains over 100 different cannabinoids, and each one has its own set of properties, but CBD in particular has been getting attention for its possible benefits for issues related to pain and anxiety.

And CBD edibles are any kind of food or beverage that’s been prepared with an infusion of CBD, including chocolates, sparkling waters, gummies, honey sticks, and even coconut oils.

CBD edibles can be incorporated into any kind of lifestyle, and any kind of dietary restriction.

Medically Reviewed

Anthony M. Cianfrani
Quality Control
Reviewed: February 22, 2022

How Are CBD Edibles Made?

Typically, CBD edibles are made from either full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate.

CBD isolate products contain just that: CBD isolate. In the CBD extract used to create the edible, you shouldn’t find any of hemp’s other compounds, and you can find them in any number of products, including tasty CBD gummies.

Meanwhile, full-spectrum CBD is the opposite, in that it contains all of hemp’s naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. This means that full-spectrum CBD edibles will contain some THC, but it should be less than 0.3% which is not enough to make users high.

Still, if you’d rather have no THC at all, but wish to enjoy the rest of hemp’s natural compounds, broad-spectrum CBD edibles are a good option, because they contain everything except for THC.

To make CBD edibles, you usually use CBD as an extract, and the type of edible you’re making will depend on how the extract is incorporated.

For instance, when making baked edibles, like CBD cookies or brownies, it’s common to use CBD-infused butter or cooking oil, since CBD is known to work well when combined with a fat.

On the other hand, something like CBD gummies are made with pure extracts and isolates, typically combined with gelatin or, with vegan CBD gummies, pectin.

Do CBD Edibles Have THC?

Even with the growing availability of CBD edibles, many people still worry that they contain THC.

And to be clear, there are some CBD edibles that do contain THC, but they shouldn’t contain more than 0.3% THC.

But if you believe you may be extra sensitive to THC, or if you’re worried that CBD edibles might make you fail a drug test, stick with the isolate and broad-spectrum CBD edibles for peace of mind.

How Long Does it Take for CBD Edibles to Kick in?

If you typically get your CBD by vaping CBD cart or smoking a hemp joint, it’s important to note that CBD edibles will take a bit longer to kick in, typically anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

However, the effects of CBD edibles are typically more intense and longer lasting, with effects lasting as long as 6 hours.

When trying CBD edibles for the first time, resist the temptation to take more while you wait, because they tend to kick in with full force. But if you’re looking to speed up the wait time a bit, some individuals have had success with a few drops of CBD oil under their tongue, held there for at least 30 seconds.

Why Buy CBD Edibles?

When you consume CBD edibles, you can expect to experience a number of different benefits, and the most obvious advantage is that they’re much safer for your lungs than CBD vapes or smokables.

But on top of that, CBD edibles are perfect for those who want something that’s easy, enjoyable, and discreet. When taking CBD edibles, you’re not going to get strange looks–as far as anyone else is concerned, you’re merely having a tasty snack!

Finally, CBD edibles are great because they’re affordable. While concentrates like CBD oils often fetch a high price, CBD edibles are typically much cheaper, and very beginner friendly.

Are CBD Edibles Legal?

In the United States, CBD edibles are legal under federal law. However, CBD is regulated for medicinal and/or recreational use state-by-state.

Because of this legal status, it’s important to always check the laws on CBD edibles in the state you live in, and to shop from a legitimate vendor.

How Many CBD Edibles Should I Take?

When it comes to CBD edibles, dosage becomes a huge point of discussion, and sometimes, confusion.

So how many edibles should you take?

Before we answer this question, let’s talk about how CBD edibles are digested.

Cannabinoids aren’t actually good at absorbing into the gut, and this has a major effect on the edible’s bioavailability.

The bioavailability of CBD refers to how much is actually absorbed into the bloodstream after digestion. And during the digestion process, some of the CBD is broken down and excreted, which means that the bioavailability in CBD edibles is going to be less than how much it actually contains.

Because of this bioavailability ratio, you’re typically going to want to get something with at least 5 mg of CBD, as anything below this will have little effect. It’s also recommended that you take your CBD with some fat, such as cheese, butter, or nuts, as this can boost the CBD’s absorption.

And with precisely dosed edibles like CBD gummies, determining your dosage is much more painless and simple.

Where to Get CBD Edibles Near Me?

In order to find CBD edibles made from cannabis, it’s important to buy them in a state that allows legal access to CBD and dispensaries; while these aren’t always available to everyone, they’re the best places to find a number of different options in CBD edibles.

But when dispensaries aren’t in your area, shopping online is the next-best option.

Make sure that you’re shopping from a reputable brand when looking for CBD edibles, and always double check to make sure that they practice third-party testing, and that they offer certificates of analysis to back up their results.

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