CBD Drinks for Health: What's the hype?
Everyone has heard of CBD, a chemical compound in cannabis that is gaining popularity among young people and older generations alike. Despite its growing fame, many remain unfamiliar with it.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with over 100 different species. It’s also one of the most common compounds found in hemp.
When people talk about CBD, they usually mean cannabidiol from industrial hemp. But how are people really using CBD drinks for health?
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is another compound found in marijuana and is the one responsible for getting people high.
Unlike THC, CBD does not produce any kind of psychoactive effects—meaning you won’t get “high” from it. It’s also legal to use in all 50 states as long as it comes from hemp or marijuana with less than .3% THC content.
Retail shops have begun selling CBD-infused capsules, gummies, vapes, and other forms of the substance. CBD drinks are also widely available recently. Some people love them, while others think it's too soon for CBD drinks to flood the markets.
What's the cause for concern? Some brands of CBD drinks cut corners during manufacturing, resulting in their products containing undissolved CBD. This is why some are quite vocal about their distrust of CBD drinks. And we say fair enough- but don't paint all CBD drink manufacturers with the same brush!
If a company uses emulsification or nanotechnology, its CBD products will be as effective as oil-based products.
The trick is to find these brands and support them. This way, you know your CBD drink will contain CBD–not compromised sediment at the bottom of your can or bottle.
CBD for Health: What are people saying?
CBD is a chemical that can be derived from the cannabis plant. A growing body of research suggests it may have health benefits, but we need more long-term and in-depth studies to know the gritty details. But despite a lack of clinical studies, it seems that more and more people are enjoying CBD products daily.
And there's the reason for that. People are fed up with pharmaceuticals- and who can blame them? It's not just CBD gaining traction, but many alternative and natural supplement-type products are too.
A growing number of people are looking for alternative and more natural remedies. And, they're not too wavered by a lack of clinical studies. Overall, people use CBD to support a sense of wellness in their bodies and minds. Here are just a few issues people use CBD to help with:
- Relieving pain and inflammation
- Reducing anxiety
- Helping to wind down in the evening and fall asleep easier
- Assisting in coping with stress
- Helping to stay focused during the day
- Reduce nausea
- Managing migraines
- Support the physical body after strenuous physical activity
- And many more.
What are CBD-infused drinks?
Hemp has been around for generations and is used to make various products. But it wasn't until recently that scientists began studying its compounds for their potential benefits—and discovered the CBD compound.
CBD is extracted from hemp plants and used to formulate a wide array of hemp-based CBD products, including beverages. Incorporated into various products, including oils, tinctures, and capsules—and yes: beverages.
CBD drinks are available in many forms, including energy and sports drinks. These products often contain a combination of CBD and other active ingredients, such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Some people use CBD to support a sense of wellness in their bodies and minds.
As U.S. law requires, hemp-derived CBD beverages do not contain enough THC to make you feel high. Yes, even if you drink the entire bottle or can. The amount of THC in hemp-derived CBD beverages is so small that standard drug test kits cannot measure it.
CBD as an alternative to alcohol
This is a health-related benefit we do not hear enough about- mainly because it is a controversial topic. As such, many companies are afraid to talk about it due to legal implications. But here’s the thing, whether we talk about it or not- people are using CBD to replace alcohol. There are even Reddit groups dedicated to CBD as an alternative to alcohol. Do we dare to dive in and discover more about why people are doing this? Yes, of course we do. So, let’s check it out.
Synthesio analyst tracks social media mention of CBD seltzer
People in recovery from alcohol abuse created a large portion of the conversation around CBD seltzer.
An analyst from Synthesio tracked mentions of seltzer on social media- what did she find? About 12% came from people who seemed to be part of r/stopdrinking. This Reddit forum is devoted to helping current and ex-alcoholics kick their habits.
This Reddit group is vocal about their appreciation for CBD-infused seltzer water's calming, stimulating effects. They can get the calming, pleasurable effects of a drink without encountering alcohol's adverse side effects.
Many people choose to use these products at social events. They offer an alternative to regular sugar-filled sodas and help reduce anxiety at an event or gathering where alcohol consumption is high. And the anxiety reduction there is not a tip of the hat to CBD. It's to the fact that it is a "special" drink that sober-seeking people can enjoy. It's a different kind of drink other than regular non-alcoholic beverages.
Fortunately, a growing number of CBD seltzer products are hitting the market—designed for those who want to “party without getting drunk.” And we can see an increase in the popularity of these products, as Synthesio includes in their analysis report. The analysis shows an increase in influencers punting CBD seltzers.
The Bottom Line: CBD Drinks for Health
Many people want to improve their health, and whether the best way is through a seltzer is highly debatable. But is a CBD seltzer or any other CBD drink healthier than an alcoholic drink? Now that’s highly likely.
At the end of the day, we need more in-depth clinical studies and trials to determine CBD’s health benefits. But we know that many people enjoy CBD and say their physical and mental health benefits from CBD products.
CBD drinks are a fairly new product gaining trending traction, and it’s likely to be a trend that sticks. So, if you’re looking for a CBD drink to support an overall sense of wellness and calm- we say why not. Just remember to research the brands you’re interested in and make sure they have their third-party lab results available.
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