CBD foods are truly a foodie’s dream: delectable and tasty treats infused with wellness-boosting CBD. The sky’s the limit when it comes to CBD foods, and you can easily create your own edible CBD masterpiece with just a few drops of CBD oil.
CBD-infused protein powder and CBD-infused honey are just a few ways we here at The Brothers Apothecary merge the benefits of CBD with some of our favorite feel-good foods.
Depending on the other ingredients included, CBD foods can have varying degrees of nutritional value. Here at The Brothers Apothecary, we craft our CBD-infused foods using locally sourced, organic, and natural ingredients such as Oregon-grown honey, ginger, and hibiscus, rather than relying on artificial sweeteners or flavorings.
Is It Legal To Add CBD to Foods?
Hemp-derived CBD is federally legal as of the 2018 Farm Bill, which means that any hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3% content.
Since CBD is not regulated by the FDA the same way that food items are, the FDA currently prohibits the marketing of CBD in food products. However, a number of states have fully legalized the use of CBD in food and drinks. And since CBD oil is federally legal, there’s nothing that says you can’t add CBD to your own food!
Our CBD oil can be mixed into frostings, nut butter, and smoothies to give your snack an extra kick of wellness benefits. You can even drizzle some CBD oil into pasta sauces or salad dressings.
We just don’t recommend cooking with CBD oil, as heat can degrade the cannabinoid’s bioactive ingredients, robbing them of their wellness benefits.
Are CBD Gummies Considered CBD Food?
CBD gummies combine CBD with flavorful and wellness-boosting ingredients such as honey, lemon, or turmeric that turn the earthy-tasting CBD into something sweet. While gummies are a satisfying and great-tasting consumable CBD product, it is more like a multivitamin than a food.
What Are the Benefits of CBD Food?
CBD’s naturally soothing properties can go even further when added to your favorite foods.
Long-Lasting Effects
CBD foods are not only a delightful way to consume CBD, but also a way to get the most out of your CBD. CBD that goes through the digestive tract tends to last longer in the system than other methods of intake, meaning that you’ll likely feel the beneficial and soothing effects of CBD food for eight hours or more.
Enjoy a CBD smoothie bowl for breakfast for a full day of tension and discomfort relief, or a CBD-infused ice cream treat after work to help promote relaxation and calm that can last through the night.
Non-Psychoactive
Unlike cannabis edibles, CBD food is not psychoactive, and cannot lead to an altered mental state, even when taken in large doses.
So what makes THC psychoactive while CBD is not? Researchers think it has to do with how each cannabinoid works within the endocannabinoid system (also known as the ECS), which we’ll discuss more below.
Due to the molecular variation, THC is thought to bind directly with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, allowing it to produce more intense cognitive effects. This is why THC can cause a sense of euphoria or shifts in perception and also why it can sometimes cause stress and tension.
Since CBD doesn’t bind directly with cannabinoid receptors, it’s effects on our mental wellbeing are often more subtle. CBD can help calm the mind and promote a sense of relaxation, but it won’t alter your mental state.
This holds true even if you’re using full-spectrum CBD. Since the legal cap on The legal limit of 0.3% THC content in CBD products is enough to produce the beneficial entourage effect, but not enough to produce any psychoactive effects, even when taken in high doses.
Reduced Tension
CBD can ease tension throughout the body by partnering with naturally-produced endocannabinoids that bind to CB receptors at the source of tension, be it emotional tension in the brain or physical stress held in sore muscles.
Mood Support
By interacting with the endocannabinoid anandamide and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, CBD can support the endocannabinoid system in regulating mood and relieving stress.
A cup of CBD tea before bed can calm the mind, as CBD works with the endocannabinoid anandamide to promote bliss and relaxation in the brain.
Many people take CBD an hour or so before bed to help clear their minds. CBD may even work with neurotransmitters in the brain to support a deeper and more restful form of sleep throughout the night.
By prolonging the effects of endocannabinoids like anandamide (referred to as “the bliss molecule”) in the brain, CBD can help reduce stress and calm the mind before bed.
CBD may also help block stress-causing molecules from binding to serotonin receptors, which can help promote feelings of rest that stress is known to interfere with.
Along with helping you fall asleep, the calming effects of CBD can help promote a deeper, more restful sleep so that you can wake up feeling ready to take on the day ahead instead of experiencing daytime fatigue.
Relief From Swelling
CBD is naturally soothing and can support the immune system by helping reduce swelling throughout the body.
Relief From Generalized Discomfort
The endocannabinoid system helps monitor immune cells, meaning that cannabinoids can play a role in responding to signals and soothing discomfort that may stem from injury, poor health, or stress.
How Much CBD Can I Ingest at Once?
We recommend not exceeding 150 mg of CBD per day, as too much can cause undesirable side effects such as fatigue, nausea, or diarrhea. Most people experience the benefits of CBD with anywhere between 20 and 75 milligrams of CBD per day.
If you’re not sure how much CBD you need to feel the effects, it is best to start with about ten milligrams and work your way up each day until you find your sweet spot.
How Long Does It Take for CBD Foods To Kick In?
CBD edibles take a bit longer to kick in than oils or smoking blends, as they must pass through the digestive tract before reaching the bloodstream. While edibles can take up to 45 minutes to an hour to take effect, the effects often last longer–typically for eight hours or more.
The Bottom Line
You can’t go wrong with CBD food. From chocolate to honey to nut butter, you can incorporate CBD into your favorite treat, creating a crave-worthy delight that eases discomfort and soothes your mind while also satisfying your tastebuds.
You can find our ready-made CBD foods at The Brothers Apothecary shop, or you can use our CBD oil to make your own concoction. The possibilities are endless
Sources
Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss? NIH
Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs | Future Med Chem
Jesse Richardson is the co-founder of The Brothers Apothecary. He's an avid tea drinker and the primary creator behind The Brothers' products. An undergraduate of UCLA for Political Science, Jesse currently studies Medicinal Plants at Cornell University and The International School of Herbal Arts & Sciences.
