What to do if CBD doesn't work for you
There is no denying the popularity of CBD today. Whether consumed in the form of oil-containing capsules, externally applied products or vaporisation, the way CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) allows for some interesting potential benefits. But will CBD work for you? What if you don't feel any effects? Before we answer these questions, let's dive a little deeper into how CBD works in the body.
Understanding the potential benefits of CBD
The ECS is a system made up of many receptors located throughout the body. While CBD does not bind directly to these receptors (in the way that THC does), it does lead indirectly to promoting the production of beneficial endocannabinoids and supporting overall homeostasis.
Unfortunately, there is still much more we need to learn about this complex cannabinoid, but researchers are now moving full steam ahead with important clinical studies on the subject. While we can't say definitively how CBD will affect you, we can look at the information we do have to offer general guidelines.
Potential benefits of CBD use include its calming and relaxing effect on users. This, in turn, can help to improve mood. Of course, these effects may occur in some people but not others. In addition, how long the effects of CBD last depends on several variables, such as the method of ingestion, the concentration of the active ingredient, the overall quality of the CBD product chosen, and the user's metabolism.
For example, the effects of CBD consumed as a sublingual tincture or oil last approximately 2 to 4 hours, while the effects of food last longer - 4 to 6 hours. Combine this with the overall quality and concentration of CBD and the impact of CBD can change dramatically. In addition, CBD that has not been decarboxylated or contains various additives can have its potency and effectiveness affected.
Your body also plays a role in how you process CBD. When it comes to dosage and potency, there is definitely no "one size fits all". For example, someone with a fast metabolism will obviously process CBD much faster.
Reasons why you may not feel any effects from CBD (and what to do about it)
While the effects and their duration will undoubtedly vary from user to user, the use of CBD certainly has its potential benefits. However, it is important to note that the effects of CBD are not always pronounced and in some cases may not be noticeable at all.
This does not only apply to new users. Even seasoned users may notice a decrease or absence of noticeable effects. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that CBD doesn't work. So how do you know if CBD isn't working for you and what can you do about it? We've compiled a list of possible factors that could be why you're not getting the desired effects from CBD.
Overestimation of the effects
This is probably one of the most common pitfalls when you're about to start using CBD for the first time. Many people expect an immediate reaction or a strong feeling of euphoria after ingestion, similar to that of THC-rich cannabis. This is simply not the case with CBD, and those expecting strong or immediate effects will be disappointed.
What can be done about it?
Before taking CBD, you just need to spend a little time researching and verifying information. By keeping your expectations in check and familiarizing yourself with the most common potential benefits, you can enjoy all the possible effects. It's important to remember that all cannabinoids react differently with the body, and CBD is no exception.
Insufficient dose
Do you feel no effects after taking CBD? This could be due to too low a dose. Although it's recommended to take it slowly and start with lower doses of CBD, it's important to monitor any potential benefits or side effects as you get used to the cannabinoid. Once you become familiar, you can slowly increase the dose.
The amount of milligrams of CBD ingested per day is not the only factor that needs to be addressed when the dose is insufficient. You can also look at the percentage of CBD content per vial and drop. This can provide users with an effective way to increase the dose by switching to the next available higher percentage of CBD. These percentages can also be broken down into milligrams of CBD. For example, a user looking for 250mg of CBD per vial may find this amount in a 10ml container indicating a 2.5% CBD content.
What can be done about it?
After an initial dose of approximately 10-40 mg of CBD per day, users can increase their intake after a few weeks. Slowly increase the dose over the following months until you begin to feel the desired effects.
Fasting CBD use
As a rule of thumb, dietary supplements are most effective when taken with food, and CBD is no different in this regard. Taking CBD without food leads to lower effectiveness because it is more efficiently absorbed along with fats.
What can be done about it?
Taking CBD after a meal rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, seeds and legumes, will allow the CBD to be absorbed into the body more quickly and efficiently. Combine this with certain foods containing complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, pasta and lentils to make the potential benefits of CBD last longer.
Impatience while waiting for the effects of CBD
This is almost the same as overestimating the effects of CBD. We live in a world where many people want instant gratification and are not willing to wait. Unfortunately, this can also cause some users to be skeptical about taking CBD. Taking CBD oil for a week and feeling no effects is quite common, but some users will simply give up. And while you may not feel any strong effects from taking CBD, that doesn't mean it doesn't work.
What can be done about it?
When it comes to introducing CBD into your daily life, again, take some time to research and verify information. Just as you wouldn't expect a vitamin or dietary supplement to change your life in a week, you shouldn't expect it with CBD. Maintain a minimum dose for the first two weeks, and if you think there are no positive effects, slowly increase it. It is definitely worth staying with CBD for at least a month before concluding that it is not beneficial for you.
CBD product of lower quality
With CBD becoming more and more common in everyday life, it is unfortunately possible to come across poor quality products. Just because your local health food store sells CBD oil doesn't mean it's of the highest quality. Like so many products that try to capitalize on what's just popular, there are cheap knockoffs of CBD products.
What can be done about it?
It is important to purchase the highest quality CBD available. This can be determined by looking at several different variables such as the extraction method, the origin of the cannabis used and the cannabinoid profile. You can ensure that you get a quality product by choosing a reputable company with good independent reviews. Although everyone's experience will vary, customer reviews can give you useful ideas on what to look out for when buying CBD.
Fats in the body interfere with absorption
As mentioned earlier, body fat can be a major factor when it comes to making the best use of CBD. Higher levels of body fat will definitely affect the absorption of CBD into the bloodstream as the cannabinoids are attracted to fat cells.
What can be done about it?
If you feel that your body fat is interfering with absorption, you can take several different routes. You can take up exercise and boost your metabolism, or you can simply try increasing your dose. Whichever option you choose, the fact remains that body fat can hinder the effectiveness of CBD.
Efficacy of full-spectrum CBD vs. CBD isolate
This is a very debated topic. With so many CBD products available today, it's important to find the one that best suits your needs. Full-spectrum CBD is created by extracting not only CBD, but also a number of other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. While the content of full-spectrum formulas is natural, some prefer not to take anything other than pure cannabidiol. This has led to the creation of CBD isolate, a crystalline powder that contains roughly 99% CBD.
What can be done about it?
The choice of full-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate is really down to personal preference. However, the potential of the entourage effect - a leading theory of cannabis in which cannabinoids and terpenes work together to achieve deeper effects - inspires many people to choose a full-spectrum product.
Incorrect use / method of application
While you may prefer to create your own tinctures or oils for CBD use, this may not be the most effective way of administration for you personally. It's all about finding what works for you and what doesn't. Oils are often the most common way of taking CBD and are absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes under the tongue. Capsules offer a similar solution with a discreet and easy dosing method. They offer slower and longer lasting effects as they take longer to absorb.
What can be done about it?
In addition to the above, there are plenty of other methods of taking CBD such as edibles, vaporizing CBD, or using externally applied creams. It's all about discovering an application method that suits not only your personal preferences, but also your overall experience with cannabinoids.
CBD may not be suitable for you
This is one reason why CBD doesn't work for you -it just may not be right for you. You may not realize this until you look at all the options and try every method. However, the real reason may be a little more complicated than the fact that CBD just doesn't work.
What can be done about it?
There is a possibility of being born with a genetic mutation that will block all the potential effects that CBD has to offer. Research has been carried out in this area to determine the relationship of CBD to the endocannabinoid system and its receptors. While a genetic mutation is extremely rare in this case, it may be the answer to why CBD doesn't work for you.
So will CBD work for me?
As you can see from the text above, the effects of CBD are not the same for everyone, and even those that you experience may not be immediately noticeable. So do your research, take the time to choose a quality product, and record your experiences as you continue taking CBD or increase your dose.