Are CBD gummies worth the hype?

CBD gummies are everywhere, but are they the most effective way to get your daily dose of cannabinoids?

CBD gummies are one of the most popular ways to consume the supplement, with countless companies selling cannabinoid-infused sweet treats. 

But are CBD gummies really worth the hype and are there alternatives that offer a more beneficial experience? 

There are certainly positives to taking CBD gummies, especially for those who are new to CBD. They taste great, they’re easy to dose and are more discreet than CBD oil. However, there may be other methods of consumption that are more effective. 

CBD gummies may take longer to act 

CBD consumed orally is known to take longer to kick in than other methods of administration like vaping and sublingual drops. 

This is because the CBD has to bypass the body’s digestive system which can take up to two hours before being absorbed into the bloodstream via the liver. During this process, a proportion of the CBD can be destroyed by our metabolic system before it reaches the bloodstream. 

Factors such as whether you have eaten beforehand can also come into play. 

This means you may require a higher dose than you would otherwise need if vaping or using a tincture. 

Does sugar content affect the benefits of CBD? 

Due to the sugar content in most CBD gummies, it is not advisable to take them at night or for sleep. As sleep is among the most common reasons for using CBD products, gummies may not be the best option for many CBD consumers. 

CBD gummies are often made from isolate rather than broad/full-spectrum extract

CBD products are broadly categorised into three varieties: isolate, broad-spectrum and full spectrum. Isolate CBD is what it says on the tin; pure CBD that is isolated from other compounds found in the cannabis plant. 

Broad-spectrum products contain a wider range of cannabis-derived compounds, some terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids like CBN and CBG. 

Full-spectrum products are produced from the whole plant hemp extract, so include the full range of compounds found in the original plant. In addition to terpenes and flavonoids, these products may also contain trace amounts of THC but not enough to produce the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis. 

 While CBD gummies come in all forms, from isolate-based to full spectrum, a large proportion of products favour isolated CBD over extracts with a border range of terpenes, flavonoids and cannabinoids. 

What are the benefits of full-spectrum products?

A growing body of research indicates that when taken with other cannabis-derived compounds, CBD can produce a stronger effect and greater benefits to the mind and body. This is known as the entourage effect. 

There are hundreds of known terpenes in the cannabis plant, which are thought to have an important part to play in how cannabinoids work in the body. Lesser-known cannabinoids like CBC and CBG are also believed to work together with CBD to enhance the effects. 

Seeking an alternative to CBD gummies? 

There are other alternatives to gummies that are easy to consume and could be more effective. Sublingual tinctures are popular and are known for a quicker onset thanks to the CBD absorbing into the bloodstream through tissues under the tongue. 

Water-soluble CBD products are also on the rise and are proving popular with consumers who want to take their CBD quickly and easily. Hemp Point, a leading European CBD brand, produces a range of full-spectrum water-soluble products with higher bioavailability than CBD gummies.

CBD extract is usually dissolved in oil as CBD has a natural tendency to dissolve in fats. The issue with this is that fats are not absorbed well in the digestive tract. Hemp Point’s water-soluble products are processed so that CBD can be dissolved in water instead, which allows for greater uptake into the bloodstream once ingested. 

Hemp Point’s full-spectrum water-soluble CBD contains a high concentration of CBD along with a range of other cannabinoids and bioactive compounds to produce an entourage effect. The water-soluble formula has the potential to be completely absorbed by the body and is up to eight times more effective than a standard ingestible CBD oil. 

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