There are literally millions of people around the world that love CBD. Some of these people prefer to experience their cannabidiol in traditional ways, while others like to be creative. When it comes to the quality and effectiveness between CBD softgels and CBD tinctures, however, many people beg to differ. Are you wondering which might be a better choice for you? Stay tuned, let’s take a look at some of the fundamentals of both.
First Off, What Exactly is CBD?
CBD, scientifically known as cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that is present in plants that are of the cannabis genus. There are, in fact, over 100 other cannabinoids that have been discovered so far. Many scientists believe that all of the cannabinoids work together as one in order to help to protect the plant as well as enable it to remain attractive enough to reproduce through scents and beautiful flowers.
The most popular and controversial cannabinoid is THC. Although THC and CBD are both in the same family, they have a plethora of differences. CBD and THC affect the people that use them in different ways. Where THC has a psychoactive effect on the brain, CBD has a more mellow way of influencing the nervous system to either send or not send messages. The exact way that CBD affects the brain and the nervous system is still unknown. Perhaps this is why the FDA is still unwilling to approve it for use.
Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
What scientists and researchers have discovered over the years is that we all have molecules in our bodies that are very much like cannabinoids. We naturally produce these endocannabinoids in order to communicate with our endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system, and our endocannabinoids work together to send messages throughout the body through a network of receptors in order to maintain functional homeostasis.
Homeostasis is a state at which our bodies reach when we are stable and balanced. The endocannabinoid system controls a variety of circumstances that help to keep our bodies in perfect balance. Body temperature, heart rate, metabolism, blood pressure and subconscious breathing rate are all examples of what our endocannabinoid system keeps in check.
The cannabinoids that are present in the hemp plant, and other plants of the cannabis genus, are so similar to the cannabinoids that we produce in our bodies that they can actually blend right in with our own systems and communicate with our endocannabinoid receptors.
Where THC directly attaches itself to the receptors and actually controls the receptor’s ability to signal messages, CBD binds to the receptors and has the ability to influence the receptors to act in the way that CBD suggests. For example, in a stressful situation CBD can actually inhibit the receptor from sending out a message to tell the body to tense up and prepare to fight. Hence the concept that CBD is able to mellow out and relax the person that uses it.
CBD Vessels
Keeping the information above in mind, it is not difficult to understand that the way that a person ingests CBD will ultimately be how effective the CBD is.
Since CBD is merely one cannabinoid out of hundreds that are suspended in a solution that can be infused with many types of mediums there are literally thousands of ways to administer CBD into the system.
Some people believe that if they rub CBD lotion on their skin that they can acquire the benefits of it through direct contact of the skin. This is only theoretically true. There is no way for lotion to penetrate deep enough into the skin to actually permeate the blood vessels, however, there are endocannabinoid receptors located just beneath the outer layer of skin. Scientists believe that CBD is able to interact with the receptors by way of contact through the skin.
The fastest, and most effective way to obtain the effects of CBD is to apply it directly into the bloodstream. The CBD vessel that can most effectively deliver the cannabinoid into the body’s bloodstream will be the best.
Hemp Extract Spectrums
Now, keep in mind that there are different spectrums of CBD. Full-spectrum CBD is actually a hemp extract that includes the full spectrum of the hemp plant. Within the extract are all of the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes that are contained in the hemp plant. This includes a trace amount of THC.
There is also broad-spectrum hemp extract which is basically the same kind of extract as a full-spectrum, however, all traces of THC have been removed or left behind. There is no THC in a broad-spectrum extract.
A CBD isolate extract is when the extraction process leaves out all of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that are present within the hemp plant and isolates the CBD. Although CBD isolate softgels are available, they are not as popular as full-spectrum blends.
CBD Softgels
CBD softgels are small caplets that are filled with oil that is infused with a measured out amount of CBD. They come in a small pill bottle and can be conveniently swallowed in the same way that you could swallow an aspirin, or vitamin pill.
Softgels have to go through the entire digestive system in order to be introduced to the bloodstream and bring the desired effects. This journey through the stomach, the acids, and the other dark netherworlds of the digestive tract is long and tedious.
During that treck much of the CBD can be lost, or corrupted within the digestive juices. The bioavailability of the CBD will ultimately be reduced by the excess time and energy that the body has to expel in order to process the CBD.
It may take anywhere between 40 minutes to two hours for the CBD to reach the bloodstream and be effective.
Softgels have no taste, are easy to swallow, and do not require any special tools or extra utilities to use them.
CBD Tinctures
CBD tinctures are the purest form of hemp extracts that are available on the market. While hemp oils are extracted by way of oils and other additives, the way that tinctures are created leaves out room for any extra oils, alcohols, or solutions.
In a method known as supercritical extraction, hemp solids are introduced to supercritical carbon dioxide, which is a state where carbon dioxide becomes a liquid. In this state, the carbon dioxide extracts the hemp oil from the hemp solid and captures it within its solution. The solution is introduced into an environment where the carbon dioxide simply evaporates into the air as a harmless gas, leaving only a pure hemp extraction without chemicals or additives.
Tinctures are made to put directly under the tongue where they seep into the veins that are there and go directly to the bloodstream. There is no digestive system chaos to endure, the CBD is absorbed straight through the tissues under the tongue.
Some people just can’t get past the taste of pure hemp extracts. They complain it tastes earthy and strong. Realistically speaking, the taste is the only drawback of using CBD in the form of a tincture.
Conclusion
If you want a convenient way to take CBD without having to suffer the taste of pure hemp, the best choice is obviously some high quality CBD softgels…as long as you don’t mind the wait. If you want the quickest, purest way to use CBD, it is best to just drop a few drops of a great CBD tincture under the tongue and enjoy. Whichever way seems right for you, is going to be best for your own individual needs. Always make sure that you use the highest quality CBD products that you can find on the market.
