TOPICAL VS. GUMMIES VS. TINCTURE OILS, HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT CBD PRODUCT FOR YOU

What is the difference between topicals, tincture oil, and gummies? Which of the product is effective and suitable for an individual to use? How can an individual choose the right product for them to use effectively? This article explains the differences between tinctures, gummies, and topical products and how an individual can find the best product for them to use.

CBD is slowly gaining popularity with the general masses for its acclaimed benefits on human health. This has sparked tremendous growth in CBD-related products on the markets, and deciding which one to use can be tricky. This is a guide between the three most CBD products.

In 2018, the Federal government legalized hemp for use in CBD production, subsequently rescheduling CBD from a class I drug. However, the caveat was that hemp was defined as any cannabis plant that does not contain more than 0.3% of THC. CBD is mainly extracted from hemp using carbon dioxide concentration, steam distillation, and propane extraction methods. These methods yield three different hemp extracts, i.e., broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and CBD isolates. These are later converted to topicals, tincture oils, edibles, and vapes that use different administration methods. Below is a discussion of topical products, gummies, and tincture oils and finding out which is suitable for you.

Topical CBD Products

Topicals are products applied on the skin surface and come in various forms, such as gels, balms, oils, creams, ointments, lotions, bath bombs, and soaps. Liu (2019) explained that topical CBD products are made by infusing CBD into their ingredient list, usually a specified amount to provide relief for a certain area. Topicals are typically administered to the epidermis (the skin’s surface layer) and do not reach the hypodermis or dermis. Also, they do not reach the bloodstream as well as they only provide consumers with localized effects. Unlike other CBD products, which may impact the entire body, CBD topicals often target a specific area of the body. There is no evidence that a topical CBD product would interact with any drugs. These items are often non-psychoactive and do not have addictive effects like THC. Wallace et al. (2020) stated that even though some topicals utilize full-spectrum CBD, which contains minimal amounts of THC, the amount present is minimal and cannot make one high. As a result of not being delivered to the liver, they cannot be broken down to their simpler forms by the liver. It is important to understand that the liver metabolizes numerous components in the body, including medicines. The majority of CBD products for oral ingestion or inhalation lack texture.

CBD topical treatments have these characteristics. You’ll find them in various forms, including CBD creams, which are often thicker in consistency than salves. Oils and lotions have a lighter texture with a moisturizing effect on the skin. If you want to use a topical treatment, be prepared to establish dose estimations. The estimations are typically based on a one-fingertip droplet. In treating various illnesses, potency is important. Grayson et al. (2018) explained chronic illnesses necessitate greater CBD doses in products as acute situations necessitate CBD products with modest amounts. CBD oils, for example, can have concentrations of up to 5,000 mg. Topical products, on average, have somewhat low concentrations compared to other products. You’ll discover that a high concentration mostly contains at least 1500mg of CBD.

CBD Gummies

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an active component found in hemp plants. CBD Gummies are gummy sweets that have been infused with CBD oil. Fruit, water or juice, and gelatin are the only ingredients in these delectable fruit gummies. They don’t have any added sugar, colors, or artificial tastes, and they may be infused with CBD or THC concentrates for a more natural, tasty gummy experience. These gummies are free of jelly, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and added sugar, unlike regular cannabis gummies. Working (2022) noted that these gummies could be made from broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and CBD isolates. Broad-spectrum gummies are useful for individuals who want to benefit from hemp extracts without ingesting THC. Full-spectrum gummies are most useful if you desire the entourage effect, as they are known to contain a variety of other micro cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG, and CBDV. In addition, they also contain terpenes and flavonoids, which enhance the effect of CBD by lowering the brain cannabinoid barrier, thus enabling the entourage effect. Gummies made from isolates only contain pure CBD compounds as CBD isolates are a concentrated form of CBD molecules in a powder form. Gummies provide an effective way of administering CBD at any time of the day and can be carried along as any other candy. These gummies are especially useful in work settings, and one desires a long-term effect of CBD. They generally take between one and two hours to begin to take effect and can last up to eight hours when the concentration is high. Finally, gummies lack the risk of being overdosed on as they are generally made in low doses.

CBD Tincture Oils

CBD is contained in a solution of 60–70% distilled alcohol. These tinctures are liquid hemp extracts combined with glycerin, peppermint, and alcohol. Furthermore, they can be taken sublingually in the same way as CBD oil. CBD tinctures have low strength and longer shelf life, and their dose differs from person to person. Sperry et al. (2021) explained that CBD tinctures have a better bioavailability than CBD oil because they contain alcohol, which acts as a preservative, extending the shelf life of CBD. CBD tinctures that are water-soluble can also be used in cooking to increase absorption in the body. The CBD ratio in tincture is lower than in oil because of the inclusion of additional chemicals to improve flavor. The following are some of the ingredients; Essential vitamins such as B12, D, and C, water, melatonin, herbs, sweeteners, and essential oils such as basil and lavender. Tincture drops can be taken sublingually or added to smoothies, salad dressings, and soups, among other dishes and beverages. Other people choose tinctures because they have fewer calories than edibles like cookies or brownies. The most basic technique is to take a tincture sublingually, allowing users to experience the full effects sooner since it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through blood vessels in the mouth. Finding the appropriate dose isn’t difficult, but it does take some trial, error, and patience. A dropper labeled with milliliter (ml) measures is included with most, if not all, tinctures.

Conclusion

CBD topicals are creams and lotions applied on the skin to administer CBD. They are most useful when one needs a localized application of CBD. CBD gummies are candies infused with specific amounts of CBD and are taken orally. They are suitable when one wants a long-lasting effect of CBD. CBD tinctures are oils suspended in a mixture of alcohol, mostly to enhance their efficacy in delivery to the bloodstream. They have the longest shelf life and are useful when one needs a fairly immediate effect.

References

Liu, T. (2019). What is CBD Oil? Learn the Facts: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects.

Grayson, L., Vines, B., Nichol, K., & Szaflarski, J. P. (2018). An interaction between warfarin and cannabidiol, a case report. Epilepsy & behavior case reports, 9, 10.

Sperry, A. J., Youssef, T., Tuong, J. Q., & Chauhan, A. S. (2021). A Systematic Review of Cannabidiol Based Dosage Forms. Precision Nanomedicine, 851-878.

Wallace, J. E., Kogan, L. R., Carr, E. C., & Hellyer, P. W. (2020). Motivations and expectations for using cannabis products to treat pain in humans and dogs: a mixed methods study. Journal of cannabis research, 2(1), 1-12.

Working, W. S. C. S. (2022). How Much CBD Should I Take the First Time?. Sign, 43.