If you are getting into CBD for the first time, it can be very overwhelming. You are likely wondering things like: what brand to I buy, what type of product should I consume, and the most important question, how much should I take?
Well, I’m here to answer your questions. In this article I will help you figure out how to select a product, how to make CBD truly effective for YOU, and a few things to look out for when selecting a CBD product.
Types of CBD Products
There are many types of CBD products on the market, but not all are created equal. The most common products you will find on the market are: tincture oils, softgels or capsules, gummies, and topical creams.
To start, at Hemp Daddy’s we don’t recommend gummies as a way to get your daily dose. They do have their place, but in general they are not healthy for you (most contain added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup), and provide less bio-availability than a tincture or softgel.
Tinctures are going to provide more bio-availability and will be faster acting than a softgel. Softgels on the other hand have a slower release into the blood stream, which has its own advantages. One advantage of softgels is the convenience and precise dosing. The bottles are smaller and lighter weight as well, making them more conducive to travel. Some people even prefer the slower release of CBD into the blood stream. I have personally found they help me more when it comes to sleep.
Pain creams are also very popular, and are great for localized pain, or acute issues such as sprained ankles and bee stings. The bottles we provide at Hemp Daddy’s come with a precision pump, so you don’t waste any of your precious CBD.
What is your desired goal?
Some people take CBD to manage chronic issues, others just use it to stay healthy and some use CBD only for acute issues.
No matter what your desired goal is, there is a CBD product that will work for unique situation.
It would be very difficult to cover everything here, but simply put, it all comes down to experimentation. Experiment with different products and different doses. Some people combine products. I personally love taking softgels and tincture oils. I will even use pain creams for those acute flare ups I get after long hard workouts.
Strength of dosage is likely the biggest thing you will want to consider. In general the more severe your symptoms the higher dose you will need.
What is your personal preference?
Personal preference is another huge factor to consider. For example, 40% of adults have difficulty swallowing pills. If that is the case soft gels are probably not going to work well for you.
You might not like the feel of a tincture oil sitting under your tongue either. If that is the case, you might consider a water soluble product that you can simply drop into your morning coffee, or evening up of tea.
There is no right or wrong way to consume CBD. The only right way is what works for you.
Full Spectrum CBD vs Broad Spectrum CBD
Another thing to consider is full spectrum CBD vs. broad spectrum CBD. Full spectrum CBD is hands-down the most effective form of CBD available. But there are situations where you might want to consider using a broad spectrum CBD.
If you require drug testing for employment, you will more than likely want to go with a Broad Spectrum CBD. These CBD tinctures have many other beneficial cannabinoids, but have the THC removed.
But in general, you want to purchase a full spectrum CBD product. Studies have shown that full spectrum products containing trace amounts of THC are far more effective than CBD isolates and broad spectrum products.
For more on that, check out our post on why Full Spectrum CBD is so important.
What to do if CBD isn’t working or hasn’t worked in the past
There are plenty of CBD skeptics out there. Some have used CBD before without getting the results they were looking for, while others are currently on their CBD journey and frustrated with the lack of results.
If this is you, there are several things that can be playing a factor here. The first and most important is the brand. Be sue you are purchasing from a reputable brand like Hemp Daddy’s that provide third party lab results on their products.
It’s also important to purchase from brands that source all their hemp from a single source versus buying their hemp from several farms which makes providing a consistent and quality product difficult.
But most importantly, you want to be sure you are taking a quality full spectrum product, AND be sure you are taking enough. In many cases getting results can be as simple as increasing your dose, or spreading them out throughout the day. You also need to give it time, as CBD takes a while to build up in your system and achieve maximum results.
So, if one brand has failed you. Try another and be sure you are getting a quality product.
Consider the severity of your symptoms
When selecting a CBD product, and the correct dosage. You need to consider the severity of your symptoms. Are they mild, moderate or severe? In most cases, the more severe the symptoms, the higher dose of CBD will be needed. That is not always the case though. Some individuals with severe symptoms can get relief with small doses. This is why it’s super important to experiment with your dose.
Not taking enough CBD is usually the number one reason people don’t get results. The second is inferior products, as I mentioned above.
If you have more severe chronic pain type issues, you might want to consider the “combo attack.” The combo attack as I call it is simply using multiple products to address the issue. For example. I use both the tincture oil and the transdermal cream to address my chronic Achilles tendonitis.
Other individuals I know will use both tincture oils and capsules. The best way to know what is going to work best for you is to experiment.
How much CBD oil should I take?
Probably the most frequently asked question when it comes to taking CBD.
This goes back to the severity of symptoms.
In general the more severe your symptom, the more CBD you will need. But that is not always the case. So it’s important to start with a low dose of CBD and slowly build up over time until desired results are achieved.
How long does it take to feel the effects of CBD?
It really depends on the individual, but in most cases you will start feeling the results within 20 minutes when taking an oil under the tongue.
For more severe issues such as anxiety, or chronic discomfort, you might be waiting 30+ days to get significant results.
Everybody is different in terms of how the react to CBD. One person might get instant relief, the next person might spend a couple months tweaking their dosage until they get what they are looking for.
You might also want to check out our article that talks about “what does CBD feel like” as well as “how long does it take for CBD oil to work.”
Hemp Daddy’s Pro Tips for Dosing
Okay, now that you have gotten the low down on how to find the right product. Allow me to share some tips for maximizing your results with CBD.
- Take it daily. CBD is best taken on a regular basis, and builds up in your system over time. Remember it can take 30 or more days to REALLY start feeling the effects, but in most cases you should at least notice some effects in a few days.
- Change up your dosing schedule. Sometimes it can be beneficial to take two doses per day instead of just one. Others find benefits from micro dosing. Which is taking small amounts of CBD ever hour or two throughout the day. It all goes back to experimentation to find out what works best for YOU.
- Try different products. If a tincture isn’t working well for you, try a water soluble product or capsule. If your pain is localized, you might consider adding a pain cream to your regime. Don’t be afraid to try different products, or even use a combination of products.
- When in doubt, stop taking CBD for a few days and then begin again with a low dose, and slowly build back up until desired results are achieved.
- Consult the expert. Here at Hemp Daddy’s were happy to help you dial it all in. Don’t hesitate to reach out with your CBD related questions. We are happy to help.
