CBD 101
Mar 24, 2022
All your friends swear by CBD but you're just not feeling the effects. There are several reasons for CBD not working, and you may have to do a little detective work to figure it out. Here are four things you need to know when CBD is not having the effects you expect or want.
One of the most common reasons for CBD not working is poor product quality. The market for CBD products grew more than 700 percent in 2019, and is projected to top $23 billion by 2023. Hundreds of manufacturers have jumped into the market, offering thousands of products touting the "miraculous" effects of CBD. Meanwhile, the FDA has not yet approved any non-prescription CBD products, so there are few standards or regulations to keep the sellers honest. Unfortunately, that means a lot of CBD products on the market are poor quality.
So how bad is it? In one study, researchers found that only about 30 percent of the products they tested were labeled accurately. Most contained far less CBD than the label claimed, and a few contained contaminants, including pesticides, and several had detectable levels of THC in them.
How To Find High Quality CBD Products
Do a little research before you buy. Look for products from a reputable company that clearly labels its products and conducts third-party testing to ensure that their products meet high-quality standards. All Level Select products are derived from high-quality plants grown on our own farms, so we control the process from seed to packaging. That's how you can be sure that what's on the label is exactly what's in the package.
Another reason you may not be feeling the effects you expect from CBD is that you're not taking enough — and finding the right amount of CBD is often a matter of trial and error and reading the information on the product label. The optimum amount of CBD for you also depends on:
How To Find the Right Amount of CBD for You
Start with the recommendations listed by the manufacturer of the product you're using, and gradually increase the dosage until you find a level of relief that works best for you. Keeping a symptom journal can help you pinpoint the dosage that is most effective in delivering the level of relief you need.
Usually, when people ask "how long does it take for CBD to work?", they're wondering if they should feel the effects five minutes or an hour after using it. It really depends on the type of product being used and how you're using it. For example, CBD oil taken sublingually — dropped under your tongue — gets into your bloodstream quickly so you feel it acting within minutes. Edibles, including tablets and capsules, have to go through your digestive system, so it will be longer before you reel the effects. There's another kind of timing when it comes to CBD, though — your body may need as much as a couple of weeks to build up an effective level of CBD in your system and adjust to using it.
CBD works with your body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of nerves and neurotransmitters throughout your body, and everyone's ECS is a little different. One person may feel the effects the first time they use a CBD product, while others may not feel the full effects until they've been using it for several days or even weeks.
How To Set Up a CBD Routine
Commit to using any new CBD product for at least two weeks before deciding it doesn't work. Consistency is important — use it every day, at around the same time. If you're still not feeling the effects after a couple of weeks, try switching to a more powerful CBD product.
These days, you can drink your CBD, drop it under your tongue or rub it onto your skin — but which method is best for your needs? That depends a lot on the effect you're trying to achieve and how it fits into your lifestyle, as well as how your system works with cannabinoids. Most research suggests that oral delivery methods, like tea and gummies, are less bioavailable to your body, so you may need more CBD to get the same effect. Sublingual delivery — CBD oil drops under your tongue — act more quickly, since your body starts to absorb them before they go through your digestive system, but some people prefer a less obvious method, especially if they're on the job or in public.
Topicals like creams and roll-ons target the nerve endings in your skin, often providing an immediate effect. Many active adults find these the most helpful for maintaining a level of comfort and relaxation to support their daily activities.
How To Find the Right Form of CBD
CBD oils, topicals and gummies all come with different benefits. Topicals are great for soothing muscles while oils and gummies promote relaxation, decrease everyday stress and support better sleep. Consider your reason for using CBD and choose a product that makes the most sense for your lifestyle and needs.
Getting the Most From Your CBD
These are some things you can do to maximize the benefits of CBD, no matter which form you choose.
Before you decide that CBD just doesn't work for you, do a little detective work and some trial and error experimentation. Sometimes you just have to find that sweet spot of product, form, timing and amount to get the optimum effects for your life and needs.
Follow us at @LevelSelectCBD on social media for more information on CBD and our Level Select products.
