CBD drinks are popping up everywhere, and understandably so. These products contain CBD – a novelty drug noted for its immense pharmacological benefits.
But perhaps we should start from the beginning by understanding what CBD is.
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids, are compounds found in numerous plants (including cannabis), containing several medicinal properties. CBD is one of the two most widely-known phytocannabinoids in marijuana, the other one being THC.
But while CBD and THC come from the same plant, these compounds differ significantly in terms of their overall mental effects. CBD is non-psychoactive, whereas THC is both psychoactive and intoxicating. THC is the cannabinoid in marijuana associated with the “high.”
We unpack everything you need to know before purchasing CBD-infused drinks in this post.
What Category Of Cannabidiol-infused Products Do CBD Drinks Fall In?
There are numerous types of CBD products out there. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with all these categories before hitting the stores. Common ones include;
- Smokables, such as dried hemp extracts
- Inhalables, such as CBD-containing e-liquids and concentrates
- CBD oral tinctures
- CBD oil
- Topicals, including CBD-enriched sunscreen, ointments, face masks, etc.
- CBD edibles, including gummies, cookies, beverage drinks, etc.
- CBD pills and capsules
CBD drinks belong in the category of CBD edibles and in the sub-category of beverage drinks.
What Do CBD Drinks Contain?
Cannabidiol drinks contain CBD as the primary ingredient. However, CBD may not necessarily be the only compound in these products. As with other CBD products, CBD drinks may also contain significant amounts of other phytocannabinoids, including THC, cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), etc.
CBD drinks are often labeled based on the presence of THC in them. In this respect, we have CBD isolates, broad-spectrum CBD, and full-spectrum CBD products.
Isolates are cannabidiol products containing CBD as the only active cannabinoid. A CBD drink labeled isolate may boast over 90% CBD concentration.
Broad-spectrum CBD products contain cannabidiol and various other cannabinoids, except for THC. CBD drinks bearing the label ‘broad-spectrum CBD’ are perfect for users looking to enjoy cannabis’ therapeutic properties while avoiding the plant’s psychoactive effects.
The last category, full-spectrum CBD, entails products formulated with significant concentrations of CBD and THC, plus several other cannabinoids. You can opt for the best full spectrum CBD drinks if you consume cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. Full-spectrum CBD drinks offer compounded health benefits through a phenomenon called the entourage effect.
It’s also important to note that CBD drinks may contain additional compounds other than cannabinoids. These additives mainly come in the form of flavor-enhancers like strawberry extracts. The drinks may also collect certain organic oils, such as olive oil and coconut oil, often added to enhance the product’s bioavailability (absorption rate).
Why Consume CBD Drinks?
The biggest reason to consume CBD drinks is that you get to enjoy cannabidiol’s numerous therapeutic benefits.
Cannabidiol is commonly prescribed for pain relief. The compound treats pain by positively impacting specific endocannabinoid receptors.
CBD drinks also have a sedating effect. Therefore, these drinks can help relieve mental conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression.
You can also consume CBD drinks if battling insomnia. Studies have shown that cannabidiol might aid sleep by shortening sleep onset time and prolonging sleep duration. CBD extends sleep duration by reducing the time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is the sleep phase marked by intense dreaming.
Using CBD drinks, other medical conditions you can relieve include chronic nausea, diabetes, epileptic seizures, and inflammatory conditions.
In addition to their health benefits, CBD drinks also offer several advantages over popular cannabidiol delivery methods.
For instance, consuming CBD drinks is healthier than smoking hemp or vaping CBD-based e-liquids.
CBD drinks are also easier to integrate into your health and wellness routine. You can incorporate them into your breakfast or consume them as part of your workout supplements.
Last but not least, CBD drinks are more straightforward to prepare at home than many CBD products like gummies and candies.
How Do You Determine The Potency Of CBD Drinks?
Like all cannabidiol-infused goods, CBD drinks vary in their potency of cannabidiol.
Also known as concentration or strength, the potency of cannabidiol in a product refers to the total amount of CBD expressed in terms of the product’s entire composition.
The unit for measuring CBD potency is milligrams (mg). The actual concentration can be expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml) for products sold in liquid form or milligrams per gram (mg/g) for products sold in solid form.
Can You Overdose On CBD Drinks?
Cannabidiol has a better safety profile than most herbal extracts, making it difficult to overdose. However, that’s not a license to consume CBD products with careless abandon.
CBD drinks can still induce severe side effects if overdosed. The severity of these adverse effects will depend on the exact portions consumed and your average CBD tolerance.
This underscores the importance of practicing moderation with CBD drinks (or other cannabidiol-based products). Start with the lowest possible servings, say, 1 mg/ml. Allow for a reasonable duration before deciding to increase your doses.
Consuming CBD drinks in moderation is particularly encouraged for full-spectrum products.
Summary
There goes our detailed guide into cannabidiol-infused drinks. We hope you can now hit the nearest weed stores and purchase CBD drinks from the information point.
