So, you discovered the CBD hype, became intrigued by the benefits and decided to try it for yourself. After trying it, you realised that it did… nothing. Don’t panic! Let’s go through why CBD isn’t working for you.
1) You’re Not Actually Buying CBD
There is a chance that you haven’t actually bought and taken CBD. For example, some hemp seed oil sellers market their products as CBD so they can sell for higher prices. As a rough general guideline, 1000mg of CBD may cost around £20, whereas 5000mg of hemp oil could cost around the same price. There are many differences between hemp oil and CBD oil.
Make sure you’re buying from a trusted store that sells CBD products by trusted suppliers. Here are some ways to ensure you’re doing so:
- Look at product reviews to see what customers have to say.
- Search for the accurate list of ingredients on the product description (on the website) or product packaging.
- Check that the package/labelling states the total amount of CBD in milligrams.
- Check the lab test certificate which could be found on the seller’s product listing and should certainly be accessible via the supplier i.e. on their website.
- If you’re worried, consider contacting the store or supplier directly.
2) The CBD Product Is Low Quality
You most likely did purchase real CBD products. However, it’s also likely that the CBD products you bought were low quality. For example, some stores sell narrow spectrum CBD products which are highly ineffective in comparison to broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD products unless large amounts are taken. This could be why CBD isn’t working for you.
A narrow spectrum CBD product has only a few cannabinoids from a hemp plant, whereas a broad spectrum has most of the cannabinoids except THC. Full spectrum CBD products contain all cannabinoids including THC. When all cannabinoids work in synergy, you get a stronger and more effective product.
As an example if you took 10mg of a full spectrum CBD product you would need 50mg of a narrow spectrum product.
You also want to ensure the CBD product has been:
- derived from organic hemp, free of pesticides.
- lab-tested.
- extracted with CO2, as if solvents are used for extraction, there could be solvent residue within the product.
Products at Excite for Life CBD Shop match these requirements.
3) A Higher Dosage Is Required
We’re all unique. We have different lifestyles, states of health and genetics. What is enough for one person isn’t enough for another; this is also the case with CBD. Low strength and dosage could be why CBD isn’t working for you.
Only you can know how much CBD you need by listening to your body. We recommend starting with 10mg of CBD a day (for full spectrum products). If you can’t feel a difference after a few days, increase the dosage. Gradually increase the dosage until you find your CBD sweet spot. Don’t worry, you can’t overdose on CBD!
With broad spectrum products, we suggest having twice the amount of CBD as you would with full spectrum products. This is because the inclusion of THC makes full spectrum products even stronger. You don’t have to worry about any psychoactive effects as the THC amount is miniscule.
4) The Herxheimer Effect
You may experience the herxheimer effect if you’re new to CBD, as studies have shown. The herxheimer, or herxing, effect is the short-term detoxification of the body, lasting for a few days. In this case, it’s not about why CBD isn’t working for you. It is CBD that is working to cause the detoxification.
When we supplement our diet with CBD, it attaches to the cells of our endocannabinoid system which is responsible for bringing the body to balance. The herxing effect will detoxify the system of heavy metals and toxins.
You may experience the herxing effect through:
- light-headedness
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- diarrhoea
Now, the herxing effect may put you off from having CBD and/or you may think CBD is bad for you if it is causing drowsiness, dry mouth, etc. However, this is not the case. Don’t be put off. The herxheimer effects are short-term and there is nothing to fear. Within a few days, you’ll be okay. If you want, cut down or stop having CBD for just a few days until you’re better.
5) You Need Patience
We previously stated that we suggest slowly increasing your dosage if you’re not feeling any effects. However, it could be the case that you just need to be patient. It is very likely that the reason why CBD isn’t working for you is you just haven’t given the time it needs. Different bodies need different dosages and amount of time.
For Rachael here at Excite for Life, it took up to three weeks before CBD worked for her. This won’t be the case for everybody, but it shows that it can take some time before you see any effects. Don’t give up too early.
Imagine if Rachael gave up. We wouldn’t have been able to serve the community with wellbeing in the way that we do today.
6) Your Expectations Are Wrong
It is possible that your expectations of CBD are wrong. After doing some research online, you will find how CBD has benefited so many people. However, it is important to keep in mind that CBD itself does not fix or cure anything.
Or maybe you believe you only need to have CBD once, or once every so often. Again, this is also wrong. Once CBD is in the bloodstream, it is only there for a limited amount of time. For example, when vaping CBD, it will only last in the body for around an hour. When taking CBD oil sublingually, it will last for around four or five hours.
We have articles and videos explaining CBD further.
7) You Need Another Delivery System
As previously mentioned, we’re all unique. We all have different bodies. Maybe CBD isn’t working for you because you may be suited to another delivery system.
Consuming CBD edibles, such as CBD gummies, are a common way of taking CBD. It takes an hour for the CBD to reach the bloodstream and it stays for around eight hours. However, some CBD is lost in the digestive process so there is low bioavailability.
Therefore, it may be more ideal for you to try consuming CBD oil sublingually. When taking CBD under the tongue, it is absorbed into the mucus membranes, allowing for absorption into the bloodstream within around 15 minutes. Also, no CBD is lost, meaning there is high bioavailability.
Vaping CBD is a quick way to get CBD into the body, but it will only last for around an hour.
There are many things to consider when deciding which CBD products are the best for you. If one product isn’t working for you, we certainly recommend trying another.
We hope we’ve been able to explain why CBD isn’t working for you and what you can do about it. Visit our store to buy the best CBD products!
