Cannabidiol (CBD) is a popular compound found in the cannabis plant. It also happens to be the second most abundant extract in the hemp plant. The marijuana plant comprises over 115 medically beneficial compounds. However, CBD and THC take up to 40% of the extracts. CBD compound is known for its anxiolytic and analgesic properties, making it a perfect anxiety and pain remedy. CBD-infused foods can also help deal with inflammatory diseases, seizures, sleep disorders, and nausea. CBD products can be infused into our bodies in several ways, including e-liquids, smoking, or spray tinctures. However, for CBD edible products, opt to incorporate them into cooking. Here are tips to consider when cooking with CBD products.
Be Wary of THC
Experts discourage cooking with CBD products with significant THC levels. High levels of THC come with undesirable psychoactive properties. Excess consumption of THC could also induce a host of side effects, including hallucination. After all, you wouldn’t want to get high while trying to treat a chronic condition. However, medical experts encourage THC compounds for people already used to CBD products and recreational users. Research has found that a combination of THC and CBD can bring about the entourage effect.
Watch Out for Heat
Heat facilitates the degradation of CBD compounds. Degradation makes CBD products less potent. So, when cooking with CBD-infused oils, be sure to keep the temperature within a moderate level. Heat control will help prevent the breakdown of CBD compounds and losing their effectiveness. Do you find it challenging to control the heat level while cooking with CBD compounds? Consider adding the oil after the food is cooked.
Choose the Right Product
CBD products are available in all sizes and shapes. They are available in inhalable products, smokable products, oral tinctures, and CBD-infused edibles. While all CBD-infused products offer the healing benefits of cannabidiol, some can’t be used for cooking. For example, CBD e-juice can’t be used for cooking because it might contain toxic compounds. Similarly, CBD gummies, CBD-enriched bath bombs, and dried cannabis flowers aren’t ideal for cooking. CBD-infused oils are the ideal CBD products for cooking. They usually contain two ingredients, carrier oil, and cannabinoid. You can also cook with CBD tinctures. But tinctures may contain alcohol, an ingredient not a popular choice for most people.
Be Patient
The effects of CBD edibles take longer to kick in compared to other administration methods. It takes around 1 to 3 hours for the effects of CBD edibles to be felt because they must undergo digestion before entering the bloodstream. However, on the contrary, the effects of CBD edibles last longer than other delivery methods.
Mix with Cooking Oil
The cannabinoid is fat-soluble, so it can easily be absorbed into the body with fats such as coconut oil and avocado. Mixing CBD oil with fat adds to its effectiveness. However, be cautious when you mix cannabinoid compounds with alcohol because it can cause a high effect. Avoid CBD-infused meals if you’re planning to drive to prevent accidents. Also, make sure that it doesn’t mix up with your regular medications because it can become toxic. CBD-infused meals have more medical benefits than many other herbal extracts. But it should be consumed with caution to avoid severe side effects such as dry mouth, lightheadedness, and nausea.
