Oils, salves, balms, body butters, gummies…with so many different forms of edible and topical CBD products, it can be confusing to know when to use one over the other. Simply put, topicals can target discomfort and provide relief in specific areas, while edibles can help with overall physical and mental well-being. But that’s just the beginning. Read on for a deeper dive on the key differences between topical and edible CBD.
WHEN TO USE TOPICAL CBD
One major benefit of topical CBD is that it lets you focus relief exactly where you need it. It’s a great tool when you’re dealing with pain and discomfort, as it can activate your body’s pain-fighting cannabinoid receptors to help provide natural relief in a specific area of your body. Topical CBD has also been found to help soothe joints and muscles and alleviate inflammation, making products like our Magic Touch Salve perfect to apply after a hard workout or to ease everyday aches and pains.
Topical CBD products can also be an asset for healthy skin. If you’re dealing with dry or cracked lips, our Fresh Air lip balm can offer nourishing, moisturizing relief. Topical CBD products like our Reset Button body butter have been shown to help with problems like red skin, rashes, eczema and psoriasis. They can even help combat acne by limiting production of sebum, an oil that clogs the pores.
HOW TOPICAL CBD WORKS
The reason topical CBD works so well to provide targeted relief is that when you apply it, it doesn’t enter into your bloodstream. Instead, it absorbs into your outer skin, interacting with cannabinoid receptors to provide relief directly to the area experiencing pain or fatigue. You can expect to feel results of topical CBD in well under an hour—maybe even in as little as 10 minutes. And once the soothing effects of CBD kick in, they can last for five hours or more.
WHEN TO USE EDIBLE CBD
While topical CBD products can be helpful with issues like anxiety and sleeplessness, CBD edibles and oils are made precisely for that purpose. Edible CBD interacts with the receptors in your brain to create an overall sense of mental well-being, which is why it’s best to use a product made with full-spectrum CBD. Why, you ask? Well, because full-spectrum CBD contains all of the naturally-occurring terpenes and cannabinoids in the hemp plant, and these compounds work together to produce superior beneficial results known as the “entourage effect.” At Verist, we like to think of full-spectrum CBD as eating your broccoli rather than just taking a vitamin—which is why it’s all we ever use in our products.
Edible CBD can be beneficial during the day, as well as at night. For a shot of confidence and calm before that big morning meeting, try our Chill Vibes oil, made with multi-beneficial MCT oil and refreshing mint. Later in the evening, turn to our Good Night gummies, made with both CBD and melatonin, for an easy way to wind down after an action-packed day.
HOW EDIBLE CBD WORKS
Edible CBD is less targeted than topical CBD, offering broad-ranging benefits for both body and mind. Because edible CBD has to be digested, it’s important to note that you’ll metabolize CBD differently depending on your weight, height, diet and physical activity. For example, those with a fast metabolism tend to feel CBD’s results sooner, but it also tends to leave their system faster. You’ll also metabolize CBD differently depending on how much you use and how regularly you use it.
It can take up to 60 minutes to feel the effects of edible CBD products like our Good Day gummies, and you can expect their effects to last for four or more hours. On the other hand, CBD oil, like our Au Naturel, gets going in your system even faster than solid edibles, especially if you put it under your tongue or in your cheek to directly target your bloodstream. Studies show that CBD oil taken this way generally has a higher bioavailability—a big scientific world for the percentage of CBD your body will absorb into its bloodstream—than CBD oil that has to make its way through digestion. You may be able to feel the effects of oil taken under your tongue in as little as 20 minutes.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
The more regularly you use CBD, the more noticeable its beneficial effects tend to become. It’s worth experimenting with different types of CBD, both topical and edible, and with different doses to learn what works for you—and our CBD Tracker can help with this.
While it may take some time to find your ideal regimen, you can rest assured that Verist CBD is grown organically and sustainably with your health in mind. Not sure where to go first? Check out our Get Started page for CBD education, product recommendations and more.