Six Types of CBD: Find the Right Form for You

Cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp is all the rage these days and with more demand for this increasingly popular drug comes to a plethora of ways to get your daily dose.

Less intense and lower in mind-altering THC, CBD products are ideal for patients who want to control pain, inflammation, anxiety, epilepsy, and an ever-expanding list of other chronic conditions without getting high. Instead, CBD offers consumers a feeling of pleasure, well-being and happiness.

“I get mine online in flower usually but vape is very popular,” says Oregonian Cate Pricer. “If you don’t smoke, there are edibles, tinctures, capsules, and creams.”

(For help finding the ideal strain, you can look at The Healing Properties of Cannabis: 5 Weed Strains High in CBD.)

A Multimillion Dollar Industry

Because of its success in treating many conditions, this natural medicine has become a multimillion dollar industry and, for many patients, an alternative to pharmaceutical painkillers or other medications that are not only addictive but come packed with harmful and nasty side effects.

Last year, a preliminary report from the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that no public health problems have been associated with the use of pure CBD, nor has it shown potential for dependence or abuse.

Patients considering using CBD to treat medical conditions should consider trying a variety of different products to see what they like, do as much research as possible, and treat their budtenders like knowledgeable pharmacists rather than drug dealers. At the end of the day, it’s just a matter of lifestyle and preference.

“I use it before and after yard work or housework because I have psoriatic arthritis,” says Pricer, who claims CBD helps to take the tension out of her shoulders and prevents stress headaches. Her mother vapes CBD oil for fast relief from sciatica pain.

“After about 20 minutes of vaping, she was reaching down to adjust the cuffs of her pants without any pain and then, without noticing, about five to 10 minutes later she was walking across the room without her cane,” Pricer says, recalling the first time her mom tried CBD.

Top 6 CBD Products

With that in mind, here are the top six CBD products (listed in no particular order):

Tinctures: Tinctures are a potent liquid solution with typically 100-1,000 mg of CBD per 15 ml bottle making only a few drops necessary. CBD tinctures are made by dissolving cannabidiol extracted from hemp into a carrier oil like MTC. Some brands even add flavors like cinnamon or bubblegum to their tinctures making them easier to swallow. In addition to dissolving drops under your tongue, they can also be added to food and drinks.

Concentrates: In it’s purest and most potent form, CBD concentrates tend to boast the strongest dosage of CBD compared to other products and can range in consistency from thick sticky oils to resinous bits. Concentrated cannabis oil extracts can be heated and inhaled with a vape pen for immediate treatment of acute symptoms or consumed orally via gummies, cookies, and fudge brownies for a slower onset but longer lasting effects.

(For more on cannabis concentrates, you could always look at Cannabis Concentrates and their Differences.)

Capsules: Since each capsule offers a set amount of CBD, usually 15-35 mg, patients have a far better chance of monitoring and maintaining their daily dose than with any other method. Capsules are easy to swallow, just like vitamins, and flavorless so they can easily be added to any health regime.

Topicals: CBD topicals like lotions, salves, and lip balms come in a variety of pleasing fragrances and are clinically proven to be beneficial for inflammation, anti-aging, and a wide range of other common conditions. Topicals are appealing since they can be applied directly to affected areas and readily absorbed through the skin for fast relief.

Sprays: With approximately 1-3 mg of CBD per spritz, sprays are typically the weakest in concentration among the different types of CBD products. However, since they’re easy to carry around, simple to use, and come in a variety of flavors, CBD sprays are ideal for individuals who are new to medical marijuana.

Flower: CBD flowers containing three percent THC or less may cause feelings of euphoria but they won’t get you high. Smoking CBD is ideal for pain management and blood sugar stability, among many other conditions and can be purchased at most medical marijuana dispensaries or online along with papers and other smoking accessories.

Anecdotally, these products have helped reduce pain and other ailments, but it will take science years if not decades to provide accurate baselines when it comes to using cannabis as a treatment. Keeping detailed notes on how these products affect you each time they are used will help you create your own personal baseline.