What Different CBD Products are Available?

The CBD market has exploded in recent years. Interest in the versatile cannabinoid has soared to the point where CBD products can be found in the likes of Tesco, Boots and other major national retailers.

The UK in particular has undergone rapid growth as the European market continues to grow exponentially. This influx of money into the industry has led to aggressive innovation, which is surely only good news for the consumer.

Gone are the days of being confined to CBD oils alone. The CBD space itself is now full of opportunity and exciting new products. From CBD patches, to CBD vape oils and dissolvable sublingual CBD wafers, the choice can at times be overwhelming when it comes to buying CBD online. After reading this article, you should feel far more comfortable in making such choices.

First, let us start but outlining what CBD actually is.

What is CBD?

The cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids and to this day, we are still discovering more. The two most active compounds that are also the most talked about are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

There is a great deal of confusion when people talk about these two compounds. Some even use the terminology interchangeably, but they are very different to one another.

For starters, THC is a psychoactive compound. This means that it alters the way our brain functions and causes the ‘high’ typically associated with cannabis in popular culture. On the contrary, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. While it will not get the user high, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD may actually counteract the psychoactive impact of THC.

Furthermore, there are three main types of CBD that any first-time user should be aware of:

• CBD Isolate – This is the purest form of CBD available. CBD isolate is removed of all other cannabinoids and cannabis compounds. It will usually come in powder or crystal form.
• Broad Spectrum CBD – Broad spectrum is the halfway house between CBD isolate and broad spectrum CBD. It contains a number of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes found within the cannabis plant but does not contain THC.
• Full spectrum CBD – Full spectrum CBD provides the full spectrum of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes, as well as trace elements of THC. It is important to be aware that the legal THC limit for CBD products in the UK is 0.2%. This is because there would be no psychoactive impact with such an amount.

CBD Oil

As mentioned earlier in the article, CBD oil is by far and away the biggest selling CBD product in the UK. It is also the most common entry level product for first time users. This is largely because there is far more content written about CBD oil than any other delivery method. Thus, many people are completely unaware that that there are a multitude of other products available.

When manufacturing CBD oil in tincture form, CBD is formulated with a carrier oil such as coconut, MCT or sunflower oil, so that it can dissolve more easily. This solution is then added to small glass bottles that come with a dropper, which allows the user to extract the CBD oil and drop it under the tongue with little difficulty.

CBD oil must be taken sublingually in order to promote maximum efficacy. This is due to the fact that the area underneath your tongue is incredibly rich in capillaries, which allows CBD to enter the bloodstream far more easily. The CBD oil should be held beneath the tongue for at least 60 seconds before the remaining liquid is swallowed.

The digestive system typically breaks down approximately 75-85% of CBD when ingested. This is why the user is strongly encouraged to hold the liquid underneath the tongue for a substantial period of time.

There are both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to dosing CBD oil. Firstly, it is designed to be taken 3-4 times a day, which can be both a blessing and a curse. While it allows you to experiment more readily with dosage compared to CBD capsules or CBD patches, it can also be quite the hindrance having to actually go through the process of dropping the oil under your tongue and holding it there 4 times a day.

One of the major drawbacks when it comes to CBD oil, particularly in its earlier days, was the unpleasant earthy taste that came with the vast majority of products. This is exacerbated when you have to hold it under your tongue for 60 seconds. It is also the most common reason cited for people moving away from CBD oil towards another product.

CBD Patches

One way to circumnavigate the unpleasant taste that accompanies CBD is to find a product that you don’t have to put in your mouth. Dermal CBD patches increased in popularity more than any other CBD product during 2021.

CBD patch technology is certainly not new. It uses the same principles of diffusion that have underpinned nicotine patch technology for a number of years. CBD patches are essentially just a simple plaster, with CBD added to the adhesive and microneedling technology to promote the transfer of CBD to the user’s bloodstream.

CBD patches should always be placed on a dry, venous area of the body. This allows for the most effective transfer of CBD. Alternatively, if you have a particular area where pain is prominent, such as a bad back, you can place it directly on your back. This is because the CBD will affect the area local to the patch before circulating in your bloodstream.

CBD patches have a very high bioavailability when compared to alternative CBD products. The bioavailability of patches is estimated to be around 3x higher than that of CBD oils. Furthermore, CBD patches provide a steady dose of CBD directly into your bloodstream across a 24-hour period.

This makes them an excellent choice of product for anyone suffering from chronic pain, as there is no tapering off throughout the day or night, unlike CBD oils or CBD capsules which must be taken multiple times a day in order to maintain their efficacy. This is particularly useful for promoting a healthy night of sleep, which can be a battle for many chronic pain sufferers.

The 24-hour release of CBD also makes patches an incredibly convenient choice for the user. Once you wake up in the morning, just place the patch on your arm and you’re good to go. Next morning, rinse and repeat. This is far more convenient than taking CBD oil 3-4 times a day and fiddling around with a dropper.

CBD Capsules

Many of those first-time CBD oil users who enjoy the effects, but not the nature of consumption, will turn to CBD capsules, or tablets, as an alternative.

A significant reason often cited as reasoning for switching from CBD oils to CBD capsules is the taste. While the unpleasant, earthy flavours of CBD oils can be off putting, there is no issue with flavour when it comes to capsules.

Another reason why many will switch to capsules is the increased convenience. Taking a capsule with your meal is far easier than dropping oil under your tongue 3-4 times a day – and far less messy too! It also provides a level of discretion that CBD oil does not.

CBD capsules are great for travelling too. Anyone who has spilled a bottle of CBD oil on their clothes or in their bag will be fully aware that it can be a nightmare to clean! There is no such worry when it comes to capsules.

The major drawback of CBD capsules is the low bioavailability. This goes for all ingestible CBD products. Our digestive system tends to break down approximately 75-85% of the CBD that passes through it.

CBD Vape Oil

Alongside CBD patches, CBD vapes are the fastest growing CBD product. They have been particularly popular with younger generations who are far more naturalised to the process of vaping itself. There are several reasons why CBD vape oils are growing so quickly in terms of popularity.

To begin with, CBD vape oil can be manufactured with the consumption experience in mind. There are all manner of flavours available, from strawberry cheesecake to bubble gum and everything in between. This is a far cry from the early days of unpleasant CBD oil being dropped under the tongue.

There is no other CBD product that delivers the effects of CBD as quickly as CBD e vape oil. It takes approximately 2-5 minutes for the user to feel the impact of the CBD. This makes it an ideal for solution for anyone seeking immediate respite. Not only does CBD vape oil work quickly, but it is also highly effective.

The bioavailability of CBD vape oils is higher than that of any other CBD product. It is estimated to have a bioavailability of 50-60% - approximately 4 times higher than that of CBD capsules.

Finally, the Novel Food Legislation has meant that any ingestible CBD product, such as oils or capsules, must now be made with CBD isolate. This means that broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD, with their numerous beneficial terpenes, flavonoids and cannabinoids (as well as THC) can no longer be ingested. Thankfully, this ruling does not impact CBD vape oil, which can include all of the above – bringing with it a wider range of health benefits.

Conclusion

The world of CBD is an incredibly exciting and fast moving one. It can, of course, be overwhelming to many a first-time user, so it is always recommended to carry out your own research.

As discussed throughout the article, there is a dazzling array of CBD products now available to the consumer and it can be tough to know which would be best for you. Focus on experimenting. It largely depends on the ailments that you are attempting to alleviate through the use of CBD. This should dictate your choice.

Prior to leaving, we should note a hint of caution that you should always contact your doctor or GP before taking CBD oil. Furthermore, it is vital to always request a Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) from your retailer, particularly if it is your first time purchasing from them. This ensures not only that the CBD product is of a high quality, but also that it is absent of harmful additives such as heavy metals and pesticides.