Helpful Tips for First-Time CBD Users

With the gradual legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, more and more people begin to turn towards CBD products as a probable solution for a wide variety of health issues. Some take CBD to alleviate pain, while others use it to improve their overall quality of life.

Still, this growing popularity doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone understands what CBD can do for them, and how it should be used safely and legally.

If you’re interested to try CBD products but aren’t quite sure where and how to start, you will find in this article some valuable tips that all beginners should keep in mind before, during, and after taking CBD. We will also answer the commonly asked questions about CBD, and clear any doubt or worry that you might have about embracing CBD as a part of your day-to-day life.

It’s important to understand what CBD is before making your first purchase. Let’s go over the basics of CBD, as well as the potential benefits that you can gain by using it.

Cannabidiol—or better known as CBD—can be naturally found in the cannabis plant. Some novice users assume that it is the active compound that gets people “high”.

That’s inaccurate though because CBD does not have psychoactive properties. Instead, the “stoned” feeling is caused by another active compound of the plant called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Despite the lack of psychoactive effects, CBD remains to be a good natural alternative for medical or therapeutic applications.

Take note, however, that some CBD products may contain THC, too. Pay attention to the product information and labels as you search for the best CBD option for you.

Some experts suggest that CBD products with THC, as well as those that are derived from marijuana, tend to be more effective compared to products made from fiber hemp only. Unfortunately, some US states still have not legalized marijuana for medical purposes.

If you belong to such states, don’t worry because hemp-derived CBD products may still help resolve your health issues. To be on the safe side though, remember to check your state’s law on the use of CBD products before pushing through with your CBD plans.

Only a few scientific and objective studies have been conducted about CBD because it has just been starting to enter mainstream popularity. Most of the proof about the ability of CBD to deliver its promises can be found typically from anecdotes and testimonies of people who have used it in different ways.

Of the known research studies on CBD, the one that got the most attention is the application of CBD as a treatment for certain types of epilepsy. The FDA has approved the drug called “Epidiolex” in 2018 since it has been proven to be effective in preventing seizures among children.

Even though no other applications have received clinical approval from the authorizing bodies, many people continue to believe that CBD has the properties to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.

Check out the list below for the most common uses of CBD that have some degree of scientific backing:

• Anxiety – A 2019 study shows that almost 80% of the participants have been observed to display signs of improvement after taking 25mg to 75mg of CBD every day.

• Depression – A study in 2010 involving mice has demonstrated how CBD may be used as an antidepressant.

• Insomnia – A 2017 review of some previous CBD studies highlighted the potential therapeutic effects of CBD for those who are suffering from insomnia.

• Nausea – Many patients undergoing chemotherapy have reported that CBD provides them relief from nausea, as supported by a 2010 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.

• Pain – Another study involving rats has shown how feelings of physical pain can be reduced with the use of CBD.

• PTSD – In 2019, ten out of the eleven participants of a small study believed that CBD had helped them lessen the nightmares they were getting due to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

As you can see, the probable applications of CBD include treatments for physical health and mental wellness. More research needs to be done to verify the claims from its most ardent believers though.

Here’s the thing: you’re not required to simply wait for more in-depth studies to start using CBD products. With the tips you will find in this article and your careful product research after reading this, you will feel more confident about taking CBD for the first time.

Do you have a preference when it comes to how you will take CBD? If you don’t have one yet, let’s discuss the popular forms of CBD in the market these days. Then, we can proceed with the tips on how much CBD you should take as a first-time user.

Most people associate cannabis products with smoking, but there are plenty of ways to use CBD nowadays. Here are some of the top picks from regular CBD users:

Go for CBD products that you can smoke or vape if you want to feel the effects immediately. Through this, CBD can get into your bloodstream in the least time possible.

The choice between smoking and vaping depends on your preference. Either way, be sure to purchase from a legal dispensary to avoid additional health risks that may be caused by the presence of chemicals that could be severely damaging to the lungs, such as Vitamin E acetate.

If you’re not after fast-acting products, you might want to consider taking CBD pills or capsules. The time it takes for you to feel their effects can range from 30 minutes to hours upon swallowing.

For tastier options, look for edibles or drinks infused with CBD. Popular among customers are CBD gummies and CBD coffee.

CBD oils and tinctures can also enter the bloodstream quickly. To use them, you must drop a small amount under the tongue and hold it there for a bit to allow the tissue to absorb the chemical.

If you need to apply CBD on a specific part of your body, choose the topical forms instead. Many sellers offer CBD lotions, creams, and transdermal patches that promise to alleviate pain or swelling.

Regardless of your preferred CBD product, the general rule for first-timers is to start low and slow.

That means going for the products with the least dosage initially, and then gradually increasing your intake depending on how your body and mind will react to the product.

You can’t expect to respond the same way as others do. Rather than blindly following their lead, be extra careful and pay attention to your condition afterward.

Here are some other dosage tips for beginners:

• It can be challenging to measure the dosage of vaping oil. Many start by doing a trial-and-error approach until they find the right concentration for them.
• In general, each gummy contains 5 milligrams of CBD. Remember to confirm this though from the seller or the product label before making your purchase.
• If you’re going to use CBD oils or tinctures, look for products that come in 1-milligram concentrations. This will make it easier for you to monitor and scale up your dosage as needed.
• It’s best to consult your doctor first about their suggested CBD product and dosage in case you plan to use it as a treatment for seizures.

Check out our guide on how to find the proper CBD dosage if you want more information.

Though some methods tend to yield results faster, the time it will take for you to reap the benefits depends on the product you have taken and the effects that you are expecting.

As mentioned earlier, smoking or vaping tends to be the quickest while the edibles are the slowest. You won’t get high after taking CBD, but most people report feeling more relaxed and calm.

For those who are taking it to manage pain or inflammation, you need to wait for a bit to fully experience the relief that CBD can bring you.

On the other hand, people who take CBD to sleep better at night will likely need to continue doing so every day until they can get a full night’s rest.

In general, people have a good tolerance for CBD. So, even when you have consumed a significant amount while you’re trying to find the optimal dosage for you, you likely won’t suffer any serious health complications.

Still, some have reported feeling some unpleasant side effects due to this miscalculation. Common examples include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Lesser appetite for food
• Heavy sedation

Nonetheless, consult your doctor right away if you feel any severe pain or discomfort after taking CBD.  

To make your first experience with CBD easier and safer, keep in my mind these tips that we have shared throughout this article:

• Check the federal and state laws related to CBD before purchasing and taking your first dose.
• Read carefully the claims and promised benefits of a CBD product. Go through the reviews from actual customers, too.
• Consider the pros and cons associated with the various types of CBD products in the market.
• Pay attention to your CBD dosage. Start low and slow.
• Observe the suggested dosage. Refrain from going over the limit unless you have the approval of your doctor.

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