So you have done your research and are ready to give CBD a try... Now the question is which CBD product is right for you? In this article I will give you a break down of the most popular delivery methods to help you make the choice that's right for you.



• Water Soluble : One of the most bio-available methods available. Our bodies are made up of 70% water, thus we have a difficult time absorbing things well from an oil. Think about putting oil into a glass of water, and the old adage "Oil and water don't mix". Water soluble compounds travel faster and more efficiently through our bodies. You must be careful when storing a water soluble CBD, it must be stored in a dry, cool place out of the reach of UV rays. Since there is water in these products they can be subject to mold when not stored properly. You must also be careful when choosing which brand you will buy. Always ask questions. Are there lab reports available? Are the bottles a dark color to discourage UV penetration? Are you allowed to sample in store before buying? Is the CBD grown and extracted in the U.S.? You are ultimately responsible for what you put in your body & you should feel comfortable asking the questions you need answers to.
• Brain = 80% water
• Muscles = 75% water
• Cells = 90% water
• Blood = 85% water
• CBD Oil Tinctures : Probably the most well known CBD preparations, oil tinctures are very popular. Some enjoy the oils due to the generally mild flavor, however I've come to notice that many people are not taking it properly for maximum absorption. Oil based CBD needs to be held under the tongue for several minutes before swallowing to allow for the absorption through the mucosa in your mouth. Another thing I've noticed is that there are many different carrier oils used in CBD preparations. I will break down the pros and cons of different carriers in a later post, but for the purposes of this post I will say that the most bio-available oil for CBD preparations is MCT oil or Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil. * For more information on the best oils for CBD preparations please look for my post titled "What is the best carrier oil for CBD?"
• Topicals : Topicals are a great way to treat anything from localized pain to skin disorders and some in many forms. Creams, salves, pastes, lotions, etc. Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies and while it provides our internal organs a protective barrier against the elements, it also acts as an efficient molecular passageway and is quick to absorb lipid based oils such as the ones used in CBD creams and salves. The Endocannabinoid System (you can read about here.) is present in virtually every cell type in the human body and the skin cells are no exception. In fact, Dr. Tamas Biro, the director of immunology at the University of Debrecen in Hungary, claims that the skin is “[indeed] capable of producing endocannabinoids,” and points out the likelihood that: "... most, if not all, skin functions are controlled to a certain extent by the local skin endocannabinoid system." When our skin is attacked, our skins endocannabinoid system goes to work about restoring the balance. CBD topicals work with this system to help fight chronic conditions such as: inflammation, eczema/psoriasis, skin imbalance, & nerve pain... as well as temporary conditions such as rashes, burns, skin infections, and general muscle soreness.
• Vape : Vaping has increased in popularity in the last few years and is probably the most efficient way to absorb CBD. Many who suffer from anxiety prefer this method over anything for those times when anxiety spikes. The reason for this is the low milligram absorption per draw as well as the fact that you are absorbing directly into the blood stream and brain by way of the lungs. Most vape liquid or e-juice is made with CBD, an emulsifier (Hemp Dropz uses ps80), flavoring, and vegetable glycerin and/or propylene glycol. I'm not a big fan of products that use PG (propylene glycol) because of the unknowns. It is considered "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the FDA but the long term effects of inhalation of PG are unknown. There are also companies that claim their vape juice that contains PG can double as a tincture (held under the tongue). Again the long term effects are unknown, however what we do know is that though the oral toxicity of PG is low, we do know that it causes stomach issues in some users. You are best suited to find a good vape brand that uses VG (vegetable glycerin) only.
  
• Edibles : Edibles have become all the rage lately. You can get your daily dose of CBD in anything from gummies to coffee. Edibles offer some of the longest lasting effects in available cbd products. The reason for this is that edibles have other things in them for your body to break down and digest which allows for a slower absorption of the CBD. This is particularly helpful in sleep support, because as you are sleeping you are slowly absorbing small milligrams of CBD over a long period of time as your edible is being broken down by your body. Edibles are also a great way to take your CBD on the go, instead of having to fight with a dropper just pop in a gummy and you're good to go!
• Bath & Body Products : Now I know that this technically falls in the topicals category, but I felt that this needed it's own category. Many of the bath & body products that many people use everyday are loaded with chemicals that are not good for your skin. I'm a big believer in supporting local businesses with hand made products and this is probably the category that I'm most passionate about when it comes to hand made in small batches. This is because there is less need for preservatives and stabilizers used in the formulas needed when these products are made in large batches for national distribution. As I mentioned before in the topicals section our skin is the largest organ in our body and is very efficient in absorbing various compounds, and this includes dangerous compounds as well as beneficial compounds. When looking for bath and body products, look for natural & safe ingredients that are good for your skin and beneficial for your health. We carry Courtneys Farm Charm Soap Company products exclusively. I know the wonderful woman who makes these products by hand and she truly is an artist. All of her products are made with the highest quality ingredients and most of her products are vegan. It also needs to be said that they are the best bath and body products I have ever used. I am very sensitive to many skin care products because of ingredient content and I have never had a single issue with any Farm Charm product. She has bath bombs, body butters, scrubs, soaps, lotions, pain creams, and soooooo much more. It also needs mentioned that her products are the best smelling I have ever used & I will never buy these products from the big companies again.