The medicinal and therapeutic benefits of CBD (cannabidiol) are well-documented. Both scientific studies and anecdotal evidence abound, resulting in a huge spike in the popularity of the extract. CBD is useful for conditions ranging from arthritis to seizure disorders, but with so many options available on the market right now, how do you know what’s right for your condition? Ultimately, it may depend on how quickly you need it to work.

Should you try CBD gummies? A vape? Tinctures? Different methods of administration have different onsets of effect, or the amount of time until they begin to work.

Let Ministry of Hemp walk you through the most popular forms of CBD and how quickly (or not quickly) they work so you can decide what’s best for your situation.

CBD oil tinctures

Easily portable and fast-acting, CBD oils, also known as sublingual drops or hemp extract, are gaining ground in the popularity contest with edibles. Extracts are combined with a carrier oil, usually coconut-based MCT oil or hemp seed oil, and flavoring to provide a fast-acting, easy-to-consume supplement.

Placing a few drops under the tongue introduces CBD to the bloodstream quickly. The area beneath the tongue, or the sublingual area, is full of blood vessels and the tissue covering them is very thin allowing CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream almost immediately. Effects are generally felt quickly, making tinctures an ideal treatment for anxiety and other mood disorders. Many users report long-lasting effects from regular ingestion of tinctures.

Many tinctures have added flavor, commonly peppermint, citrus, or other strong flavors, to mask the naturally occurring hemp taste that some people find objectionable. 

Vaping Cannabidiol

Taking CBD through a vape pen is the quickest way to feel the effects.

There are a couple different types of vapes available, pen-style and tank-style, and while the mechanism in each works differently, the gist is the same. CBD extract is heated to become a vapor, then inhaled. Inhalation introduces cannabidiol directly into the bloodstream through your lungs, resulting in rapid, almost instant, onset of effect. This method is ideal for people with acute conditions who need the effects immediately.

However, vape pens can be cumbersome to use and carry around and may attract unwanted attention in public spaces. There are also some lingering health concerns about the potential side effects of vaping. Since most studies center on vaping nicotine-based products, it’s hard to determine if CBD vaping poses the same or similar risks.

People who live with anxiety or panic disorders may benefit from carrying a vape pen. The rapid onset makes them a great choice to use as a rescue when feelings of anxiety or panic surface.

Capsules, gummies & other edibles

Edibles are one of the most popular forms of CBD on the market. After extraction, CBD oil is added to food or capsules to make it more palatable.

Whether it’s a tasty gummy or an easy to swallow CBD capsule, many users appreciate the ease, discretion, and palatability of edibles. No one is going to think twice about someone eating a gummy or taking a capsule, which makes them a good choice if you plan to be out and about and don’t feel like fielding a thousand questions about why you take CBD. It’s also easy to control the dosage.

One drawback is the time it takes for the supplement to make its way into your bloodstream and begin working. Anything we swallow enters the stomach and, like food and drink, goes through the laborious process of digestion. Enzymes in the stomach break down what we ingest to make it easier to for the intestines to process. Chemicals like CBD are filtered through the liver where they then enter the bloodstream where they begin their work.

It doesn’t take long, usually 20 minutes to an hour, depending on your metabolism and how recently you ate. Edibles are a great choice to start your day, as an addition to your vitamin regimen or for treatment of headaches or other pain, but if you’re using CBD to treat acute conditions, edibles may not be your best option.

CBD Topicals

CBD lotions, massage oils, and creams are a great choice for skin conditions, muscle pain, or joint pain.

The question of how long it takes for a CBD topical to work is a complex one. What little research that exists suggests cannabinoids can be slow to pass through the skin, taking as long as 5 hours to go into effect. But many everyday users of CBD topicals report a much quicker onset. One expert, Keith Butler from LifePatent, told us he thinks CBD may have a unique ability to rapidly cross the skin into the body. But right now we just don’t know enough to scientifically separate the placebo effect, or the effect of other ingredients commonly found in these topicals, from the effect of CBD.

Regardless of how quickly topicals actually work, many CBD consumers find that they offer a valuable form of relief. We recommend applying the topical before the pain becomes especially severe, and reapplying as needed throughout the day. You may want to combine them with other forms of CBD for maximum relief.

How long does it take for CBD to work? It depends … 

CBD is both versatile and effective in managing a multitude of conditions. The fact that it’s available in several different forms allows you to tailor your treatment to your specific condition.

We expect that in the near future, there will be more research into how long it takes for CBD to work. We’ll have a better understanding of how different forms of CBD work differently. In the meantime, mix and match methods and find what works for you.

The post How Long Does It Take For CBD Oil To Work? How Fast Acting Is CBD? appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Capsules are a great way to get a daily CBD supplement. They’re convenient, flavorless, and taking one won’t draw any unwanted attenton. Hemp Mellow capsules are a great option thanks to the uniquely bioavailable formula from their parent company. And Hemp Mellow gets made in a state of the art, sustainable facility. That means you get more from each capsule and can feel good about using them too.

Absorption rate, or bioavailability, has always been an issue when using cannabinoid products. So Hemp Mellow creators have developed what they call Nature’s Delivery System, which may increase absorption by three to five times the rate of average capsules, based on their estimates. And we can totally feel the difference!

Hemp Mellow paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Read on to see how Hemp Mellow made us feel, and learn more about what makes their capsules unique.

The entourage effect in action 

In addition to the bioavailability of Hemp Mellow capsules, what makes them so effective is the focus on the entourage effect. They offer a true full spectrum experience.

We looked at their third-party lab results, and ran our own test (see below) and were impressed to say the least. CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and delta-9-THC (among others) all show up in the lab results. We love seeing all those cannabinoids! One thing that stands out? Hemp Mellow contains the maximum amount of delta-9-THC allowed by law.

Of course the delta-9-THC is under the legal 0.3% limit, but it still helps explain the potent, relaxing effects of Hemp Mellow CBD. This is a great option if you want to feel very relaxed, or if THC edibles leave you feeling too strung out or anxious.

Researchers call it the “entourage effect” when multiple cannabinoids work in harmony. This array of cannabinoids enhances the benefits of CBD, and they work together to create the pleasant, mellow feeling we got from the capsules.

Hemp Mellow & Nature’s Delivery System

We recommend Hemp Mellow CBD capsules for busy working people, those who don’t like the flavor of CBD oil or want to avoid sugary gummies. They’re a great choice for people who take CBD every day, or anyone that needs some intense relaxation.

Hemp Mellow told us their patent-pending technology, Nature’s Delivery System, takes advantage of a pathway created by evolution to help people absorb nutrients from their mothers. That’s why this dry capsule contains milk as part of the formula.

We tried Hemp Mellow at varying times of the day, for a pick me up in the morning, general anxiety, and to relax before bed. It went down easy with a glass of water. And within the hour we felt a sense of profound, even joyful calm. We were also able to focus on tasks easier. And we noticed the effects for several hours. After taking a capsule at bedtime, we felt well-rested from deep, quality sleep the next day.

This isn’t the best capsule for vegans as it contains milk (one of the only drawbacks). Overall, the entourage effect combined with Hemp Mellow’s innovative Nature’s Delivery System makes this capsule a new favorite.

Hemp Mellow (Ministry of Hemp Official Review)

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• Highlights: Hemp Mellow is a full spectrum, high absorption, effective, no hassle capsule choice. The true full-spectrum formula was deeply relaxing, easing symptoms of stress and anxiety.
• Strength: 25mg of cannabinoids per capsule, 30 capsules per bottle. Also available in 15-count bottle and and a sample pack with 4 capsules.
• Price: $9.99 – $69.95 
• Special: Use code MELLOWHOUR for 20% off!
• Customer Service and Shipping: Live chat, friendly customer service. Free shipping available.
• Returns: Hemp Mellow offers a 30 day guarantee.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor & Texture: Neutral, no real taste. This is a dry formula, in a vegetable capsule.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full-spectrum Hemp extract in Dry cream, Rice Hull concentrate, Organic Tapioca starch, Organic Gum arabic, Organic Sunflower oil, Organic Agave fiber (Fructan), Hemp Seed oil, Vegetable capsule. Contains Milk.
• Other: Hemp Mellow stands by their products with a 30-day return policy for unsatisfied customers.

On January 25, 2021, Ministry of Hemp conducted our own lab test of Hemp Mellow using Analytical 360, our trusted lab. Download test results here.

Hemp Mellow uses organically-grown U.S. hemp in all their products.

Kit O’Connell contributed to this review.

The post Hemp Mellow Delivers Potent Relaxation With ‘Nature’s Delivery System’ appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

These softgels from the Elxyr Company combine the outstanding health benefits of cannabidiol and curcumin, the main natural compound in turmeric. Some research shows that turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and may several have other positive benefits. Of course, the Elxyr Company also offers softgels without turmeric in two strengths.

Because they are in a soft gel format, they don’t have the taste or smell of natural CBD. Softgels offer a simple way to take this popular supplement. With softgels, it’s easy to give yourself a reliable dose. They can be taken with other vitamins or supplements anytime. Beginning with CBD-rich hemp strains grown in the U.S., they use a patent-pending water soluble formula to increase absorption.

The Elxyr Company paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Read on to learn more and see our official review of Elxyr CBD softgels.

ELXYR USES NANO-CBD FOR HIGHER BIOAVAILABILITY

Elxyr CBD softgels stand out from other CBD brands through their increased bioavailability. The Elxyr Company uses a patent-pending formula for these softgels which they say makes them many times easier to absorb than others. Produced through a nano-emulsion method, the molecules of CBD in this formula are much smaller than normal. That means you should feel more of the effects of these capsules than others.

The inclusion of turmeric in Elxyr CBD softgels further stands out from the competition. Turmeric is known for promoting digestion, improving blood-sugar control and cholesterol, among other effects.

Their full spectrum CBD extract comes from non-GMO hemp grown in the U.S. using organic growing methods. We appreciated seeing lab results for their products right on the website, though these images were a bit hard to read. We’d like to see more recent results available online, as well.

ELXYR CBD SOFTGELS OFFICIAL REVIEW

• Highlights: Elxyr CBD Softgels with Turmeric combine the health benefits of CBD and turmeric in a familiar and easy-to-take softgel package.
• Strength: 25mg of full-spectrum CBD per capsule, plus 10mg of curcumin
• Price: $94.99 for 30 softgels
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor & Scent: The soft gels have no smell or taste. It’s easy and discreet to take Elxyr CBD softgels anywhere.
• Key Ingredients: Full Spectrum CBD and Curcumin.
• Complete Ingredient List: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp extract plus Curcumin in Polysorbate Emulsifiers, MCT Oil and Beta Caryophyllene in a Gelatin shell made from Bovine-derived Gelatin, Glycerin, Sorbitol and Water.
• Other: Also available without turmeric in 10mg and 25mg softgels. The Elxyr Company offers a generous, 30-day money-back guarantee for unsatisfied customers.

The Elxyr Company uses U.S.-grown hemp in all their products. They also offer CBD tinctures and CBD pet products.

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