CBD is an increasingly popular product that is popping up everywhere. From gas stations to boutique health stores, it is now available almost everywhere you shop.

With so many options in so many places, how do you decide what options are right for you? And if you’ve never taken CBD, how do you pick one that will have the most significant benefits for your needs? 

Our advice for new users is to ask questions, read peer reviews, and find a brand you believe in and trust.

We understand this can be an intimidating process, and so we’re here to break down the most common questions we receive from customers who are just starting out. 

Why take CBD? 

CBD has been known to help with a wide range of ailments and concerns. A lot of customers have shared with us their stories about how it has helped them with issues like:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleeplessness & Insomnia
• Pain & Inflammation
• Skin issues

How is CBD used? 

• Externally:  If you’re looking for relief from muscle pain or skin rashes/abrasions, topicals like salve and lotion are the best way to go. By applying them directly to the skin, the CBD can be absorbed directly into the skin and start healing from the outside in. 

• Internally: For more complex issues like wide-spread pain, stress, and anxiety, tinctures are going to have the greatest impact as they help your body heal through your endocannabinoid system, and they allow you to control your dosage.

If this is your first experience with tinctures, here are some quick tips that will help:

How to take CBD

Drop it under the tongue or in your drink; whatever method you prefer, keep it simple. We love getting creative with recipes, although it’s also delicious on its own. 

• Listen to your body

Start small and increase your intake as needed. Keep a notebook to help keep track of how much you take and how you feel every day. 

• Take it at the time you need it most
  
  Whether you are looking for pain relief in the morning, or help sleeping at night, find straight forward ways to incorporate CBD into your daily routine when you need relief the most. 
  
  • Morning – CBD in the morning can help you to feel focused without the jitters often associated with caffeine. Add it to your tea, coffee, or smoothie to kick-start your day.
  • Daytime – Some people prefer to take smaller doses of CBD throughout the day, rather than a larger dose in the morning or the evening. Simply use the metered-dose guide on the dropper and drop it under your tongue throughout the day.
  • Nighttime – If you’re looking for a way to decompress after a long day or to calm your mind before bed, consider a CBD tincture with lavender. This combination of ingredients is known to help reduce stress, allowing you to relax naturally. 

How to Find Your Perfect Dose of CBD

“low, slow, and steady” is what we recommend when it comes to dosing CBD 💧

• LOW ➡️ start with a low dose (0-10mg)
• SLOW ➡️ increase your dose in increments
• STEADY ➡️ continue with daily use

Tip* keep track of your CBD dosage & how you feel throughout the day in a journal, increase as needed, or split your dose over the course of the day! Unfortunately, there is no real “standard serving suggestion” because ideal dose varies person to person and depends on a culmination of factors including…

• 1️⃣ body weight/type
• 2️⃣ Metabolism
• 3️⃣ the reason you may be taking CBD (anxiety, inflammation, general wellness, pain management, epilepsy, etc)

Thankfully, CBD is non-intoxicating, so you don’t have to worry about getting high or sick if you accidentally take more than your body needs.It may take 2-3+ weeks to experiment and discover your “perfect dose” but once you do, you’ll experience maximum benefits and it will prevent you from wasting money by using excess product. 

Likewise, you get the most bang for your buck by buying the strongest formulation (2000mg) and simply taking smaller doses if you are used to a 500 or 1000mg tincture 🌟

Is there such a thing as bad CBD?

As a new user, there are a few red flags to watch out for: Make sure you choose CBD that has been tested. This is so important, and we’re working hard to share this with everyone we know!

Poorly processed CBD oil may be contaminated with dangerous solvent and pesticide residues, thinning agents, corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors, and other toxins. CBD testing isn’t required by the FDA and so it isn’t widely practiced by all CBD companies.

If you can’t easily find test results for the CBD you are considering, it’s likely that it hasn’t been tested. 

Feel free to ask questions

We encourage you to ask so many questions! At Blooming Botanicals, we love answering questions and are always happy to help newbies find their way to the right products to get started.