As an incredibly fast-growing market that hit a global value of nearly $5.2 billion in 2021, the demand for cannabidiol (CBD) has shot through the roof. This is in large part due to the World Health Organization deeming it a safe, well-tolerated compound with potential therapeutic benefits for a variety of issues.
CBD oil has become one of the most popular forms of CBD, but smoking CBD is gaining ground as another option with its own set of advantages.
Below, we'll walk you through some of the conditions CBD may be able to help with, explain the different forms you can buy it in, and examine the benefits and disadvantages of a few of them.
Ready to jump on the hemp train? Let's dive in.
First things first. CBD is a cannabinoid or a compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its more famous cousin, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD isn't known for causing psychoactive effects. In other words, it won't get you high.
CBD's purported health benefits are many and varied. Some say it helps with anxiety, while others say it can ease pain or inflammation. The one drug that has been FDA-approved to contain CBD, Epidiolex, is used to treat two rare and severe forms of epilepsy. It has also been used for things like:
Arthritis
Joint pain
Muscle spasms
Insomnia
Though the efficacy of CBD against these conditions is still unproven, anecdotal evidence continues to pour in. Millions of people are using CBD products with apparent success, so it's worth exploring if you're curious.
For most people, understanding where to start is a daunting process. They think the only place you can buy CBD is a "weed shop," and they don't feel comfortable going in one.
We're here to tell you loud and clear: CBD isn't marijuana! It's perfectly legal in all 50 states, and you don't need a special card or doctor's note to buy it. You can find it online or even in some regular stores.
When it comes to taking CBD, there are many options available. The most popular are:
Oil tinctures
Topical creams and salves
Edibles (gummies, brownies, etc.)
Capsules and pills
Vaping
Smoking
The list goes on, but those are the most common. All of them will get CBD into your system, but they do it in different ways with different effects. Let's take a look at two of the most popular methods: smoking CBD and taking CBD oil.
Hempettes, or hemp cigarettes, are essentially pre-rolled joints that contain nothing but CBD hemp flower. They look and smell like regular joints, but they won't get you high since they don't contain any THC. These are available for purchase online and in some dispensaries.
Smoking CBD hempettes
If you're a cannabis user, smoking hempettes, or hemp cigarettes, is a great way to get your CBD without having to give up your joint-rolling habit. They're also perfect for people who want to try smoking CBD but don't want the psychoactive effects of THC. Simply light up and enjoy like you would any other joint. They can be used to help quit smoking as well, though we recommend speaking to a doctor before using them for this purpose.
Benefits
Smoking CBD has a few advantages over other methods. First, it's one of the fastest ways to feel the effects since the CBD goes directly into your lungs and then into your bloodstream.
This makes it great for people who need immediate relief from pain, anxiety, or other issues. It also doesn't require any prep work like making edibles does, so it's perfect for on-the-go use. Finally, many people simply prefer the act of smoking over other methods.
Disadvantages
If it was perfect, there wouldn't be any other way to ingest CBD. Smoking isn't as discrete as some other methods since the smell of hemp can be quite strong. It's also not the healthiest way to consume CBD since smoke is never good for your lungs.
Finally, it can be difficult to control your dosage since you can't exactly measure how much CBD you're inhaling with each puff.
Still, it is important to remember that hempettes are not nearly as toxic as cigarettes, which include thousands of chemicals and nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance that can be difficult to quit and poses endless health problems.
Oil, on the other hand, which is sometimes called a CBD tincture, is made by extracting CBD from the hemp plant and then suspending it in oil, usually olive or coconut. This makes it much easier to measure out doses since you can simply use a dropper to dispense the oil under your tongue or into food or drinks.
CBD oil has become one of the most popular ways to consume cannabidiol, especially among first-time users and people that have a fear of being associated with THC.
It's also a great option for people who want to be sure they're getting a pure product since most reputable brands have their products lab-tested. You can find CBD oil online and in some dispensaries.
Taking CBD tinctures
Technically speaking, an oil and a tincture aren't the same things. While one is made by suspending CBD in oil, the other is made by dissolving CBD isolate or powder into alcohol.
However, they're often used interchangeably since they both offer similar benefits, and you might even see one listed as another depending on where you are looking.
The main advantage of using a tincture is that it's extremely easy to control your dosage. Simply use the dropper to measure out how much you want and then dispense it under your tongue or into food or drinks.
The effects will kick in within about 30 minutes and last for several hours. You can also take tinctures sublingually, which is when you hold the oil under your tongue for a minute or so before swallowing it. This allows the CBD to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream for faster effects.
Benefits
Many more people prefer oils over other methods since they're relatively easy to use and don't require any special equipment. You can also take them with you on the go and discreetly use them whenever you need them. There are other benefits too, like:
They come in a variety of flavors, so you can find one that tastes good to you
They offer different strengths, so you can customize your dosage as needed
You can add them to food or drinks for a different experience
While taking CBD oil may seem like a pretty straightforward process, it's important to remember that everyone is different. The effects of CBD can vary depending on your weight, tolerance, and the severity of your condition. That's why it's always best to start with a low dose and increase it gradually until you find the right amount for you.
Disadvantages
It's not all roses when it comes to oils and tinctures. Some people don't like the taste, while others find it hard to control their dosage. Others are concerned about the ingredients used to make the oil, like carrier oils and flavorings. The small bottles can also be lost or broken, leading to a huge mess or wasted product.
If you're thinking about using CBD oil or tincture, make sure to do your research first. Read the label carefully to see what's in it and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. It's also important to remember that these products are not regulated by the FDA, so there is no guarantee of their safety, effectiveness, or purity.
While these may be some of the most common, many other CBD products are growing in popularity. Just like with anything else, there may be some people who want to experience the beneficial effects of CBD but don't like smoking or taking oils. These are the options for them.
Capsules and pills
Capsules are one of the simplest ways to take CBD. You just swallow them like any other pill, with water or without. They kick in after about 30 minutes to an hour and last for several hours.
Because they go through your digestive system, they may not be as effective as other methods, but they're still a good option for people who want to avoid smoking or taking oil.
One thing to remember is just like your normal medicinal pills, these should be stored in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children and pets.
Gummies
CBD gummies are one of the most popular ways to take CBD, especially for people who don't like the taste of hemp. They're also easy to take on the go and come in a variety of flavors and dosages.
As with any edible, it takes a little longer for the effects to kick in—usually around 30 minutes to an hour. And because they're processed through your digestive system, they may not be as potent as other methods. But if you get them from a reputable brand, the dosage should be reliable.
Remember to make sure that these are kept away from small children (or even some adults) that may believe they are regular candy and take too many at once.
Edibles
There are other edibles too, like brownies, cookies, and chocolate. As with gummies, it takes a little longer for the effects to set in, but you can usually expect them to last for several hours. If you have a sweet tooth, edibles may be the way to go, as some places are now making delicious CBD confections.
Vaping
Vaping is one of the fastest-growing methods of taking CBD. Inhaling vaporized CBD oil (which often comes in small cartridges called “vape pens”) kicks in almost immediately and lasts for a couple of hours.
It's also one of the most efficient ways to take CBD, as inhaling it directly into your lungs means that it doesn't have to go through your digestive system first. That said, some people are put off by the thought of inhaling anything other than air, so it's not for everyone.
Vaping is also growing in popularity because it's one of the least conspicuous ways to take CBD—if you're in a public place and pull out a vape pen, people may just think you're taking a quick break to smoke a cigarette.
If you're new to CBD, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are a few tips:
Start low and go slow: Most people find that 10-20mg of CBD is a good place to start. If you don't feel any effects after a week, slowly increase your dosage until you do.
Find the right form for you: There are many different ways to take CBD, so find the one that works best for you. If you don't like the taste of oil, for example, you might prefer taking CBD capsules or gummies instead.
Do your research: Not all CBD products are created equal. Make sure you're buying from a reputable source and that the product has been third-party tested for purity and potency.
If you are a smoker and are looking for something to help you quit, CBD might be a good option for you.
A study done in 2018 found that smokers who used a CBD inhaler for one week drastically reduced their attention to normal cues, and cut their cigarette consumption by 40%. While it's not guaranteed to help you ditch the tobacco, it's worth a try—especially if you're struggling to quit on your own.
It can be a difficult hurdle to jump, especially if you've never taken CBD before, but starting your CBD journey is worth it. Not only does it have the potential to improve your quality of life, but it's also a natural way to treat a variety of conditions.
So what are you waiting for? If you're looking for an alternative to CBD oil or other forms of CBD, give smoking CBD a try. Just make sure to do your research first and buy from a reputable source—otherwise, you might not get the full benefits of this powerful compound.
