CBD has quickly made its way from a compound only known to scientists to a buzz-worthy supplement. We read about it online and hear about it on the news. Maybe you’ve even seen CBD added to beauty products or at your favorite spa. Yet it seems like there is one place where its use is really gaining traction — as an addition to food and drinks.
From CBD-infused lattes at bohemian cafes to countless varieties of CBD-infused products at your local health food store, this trend is hard to miss. A small sample of the myriad of CBD-infused foods and drinks that you can find online include:
- Sparkling water
- Gummy bears
- Honey
- Popcorn
- Tea
- Cereal
So, how does CBD work and why are people adding it to food? Read on to find out.
What Is CBD?
CBD has quite the reputation. You are likely to have heard people tout its benefits for things like calming the mind or relieving pain. Yet, many of us don’t really know what CBD is in the first place.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil and other products that you find outside of a marijuana dispensary are made from hemp plants, not marijuana plants. Hemp plants are incredibly low in THC, the compound in marijuana that elicits a “high” feeling. Because of this, you cannot get high from CBD-infused foods and supplements.
The research into CBD is relatively limited due its previous classification as a drug. Fortunately, this classification has recently changed at the federal level, allowing for more research into CBD’s health effects.
While more research is needed, CBD has demonstrated promise for those with:
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- Epilepsy
- Mental health disorders
- Trouble sleeping
- Pain
There are many ways that people can use CBD. You can eat it or drink it, vape it, apply it topically, or take it sublingually (under your tongue). There are pros and cons that apply to each of these delivery methods, but that’s a story for another day.
How Are CBD-Infused Foods Made?
The first step in making CBD-infused foods, whether in the comfort of your own home or by a business owner, is sourcing CBD.
First, a CBD-rich oil is extracted from hemp plants. Depending on how it’s extracted, this CBD oil might contain only CBD (known as “CBD isolate”) or CBD plus other healthy compounds found in hemp plants (known as “full spectrum” or “broad spectrum” CBD oil).
Next, this CBD is either added to final food products or used as an ingredient during their production. CBD isolate is even available as a powder that can dissolve in non-oil-based beverages.
Why Are People Buying CBD-Infused Foods?
CBD-infused foods are fun! Rather than taking a pill or using a dropper bottle known as a tincture, you can drink a yummy sparkling water or have a tasty chocolate treat.
And let’s be real — most of us would prefer to treat ourselves with a CBD-infused goodie rather than add in another daily supplement. It can also be a fun way to add in a bit more CBD on days that are exceptionally challenging…say, when you have so many family activities packed in that you wish you could just make a quick copy of yourself.
Do CBD-Infused Foods Work?
Eating food or drinking beverages with CBD is much like taking a CBD capsule. Because of this, it works just as taking a CBD supplement would. That said, it can take time before CBD’s benefits are achieved, so you may need to either take a daily supplement or have CBD-infused foods for a week or more to notice an effect.
Final Thoughts
CBD-infused foods are a fun way to add CBD into your life. You might find yourself feeling calmer, or you may just enjoy the process of eating or drinking your CBD treat. You can even DIY with some CBD oil that you use to infuse your own food and drinks!
