I tried CBD, but it didn’t do anything for me.
Why isn’t CBD working for me?
Is all this CBD hype just a scam?!?
Sound familiar? If you’ve tried CBD products without any results, you’re not the only one — but that doesn’t mean the whole industry is a scam. Cannabidiol, or more commonly referred to as CBD, is a non-psychoactive component found in all forms of cannabis plants. It’s being researched for many possible medical benefits, and unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), this active compound doesn’t produce any kind of mind-altering effects.
You may have heard some people with chronic conditions raving about good results — and that’s because for them, it actually works. That said, there are also some legitimate reasons why CBD might not be working for you. So, before you give up on it all together and tell your CBD-obsessed friends that they’re full of it, check to see if any of the following reasons apply to you.
Your CBD product isn’t from a reputable source
When we have customers say that they’ve tried CBD, and it didn’t work, one of the first things we ask is, where did you buy your CBD oil? As this cannabinoid grows in popularity, it seems like CBD products are popping up everywhere, but keep in mind, not all CBD products are created equal.
Unfortunately, some of these products on the market don’t have high-quality CBD. As of now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate the industry, and some scammers like to take full advantage of that fact by selling low-quality products. This means that they aren’t as potent as they claim to be. Some products tested have even been found to contain no CBD at all! The next time you’re looking to invest in a new CBD product, use these three tips to make sure the product lives up to its promises.
- Look for evidence of third-party lab tests. Lab testing can reveal exactly how much CBD is in the product, and the test results should be available for you to see for yourself. All of our third-party test results can be found here.
- Read consumer reviews. Reputable companies encourage customer reviews. This goes to show that they believe in their products, and the benefits it can have for many people. Reviews are essential to potential customers who may be deciding to purchase from a supplier. If a company has numerous positive customer reviews, it’s likely that their products are of high quality, and will work for you. You can read our Google Reviews by clicking here.
- Pick from a list of well-established brands. Popular brands such as Charlotte’s Web, Lazarus Naturals, and CBDistillery have firmly established themselves as quality sources (we source some of our raw CBD products from CBDistillery.) However, keep in mind many CBD users have reported trying several different brands before settling on one that works for them. So, keep searching if your first try doesn’t produce the results you’re looking for right away.
You need to build it up in your system
Finding the right dosage of CBD can be tricky. The appropriate amount varies for each individual, as every person has a unique biology that results in a different reaction. So how do you figure out what’s right for you? Experts recommend starting with a low dose also known as microdosing.
Some users find that taking a daily dose can help sustain a level of CBD in your body, which might help to stimulate your endocannabinoid system (more on what this is, below) to make it react more to cannabinoids such as CBD. Many people use a microdosing technique to find their personal dosage and adjust it as needed over time. You may also find it helpful to use a journal to log your results. Keep track of how much you’ve taken, how you feel before dosing and at several time intervals afterward and note any changes in symptoms that you notice. Over time, this info can help paint a picture of how CBD affects you.
Building up a tolerance.
Keep in mind that it’s possible to build up a tolerance to CBD, like many other drugs and chemicals. So, if you find that it’s not working as well as it did when you first started taking it, try taking a few days’ break to reset your system before starting with a low dose again.
You need to give it more time
The first time I tried CBD, I wondered if I’d wasted my money on some over hyped trend. I put some drops of an oil tincture under my tongue, expected near-instant relief from my chronic pain, and got… well, nothing. While my experience isn’t at all unusual, since immediate results aren’t all that common; many people find that they need to take CBD for several days, weeks or even months before they see a difference.
Exploring the effects of CBD isn’t as simple as taking a couple of Tylenol and calling it a day. It actually requires a certain level of commitment to put time and thought into your process of uncovering the long-term effects. If you’re still not seeing results after a while (think a few months), then it may be time to move on and try a different brand, or a stronger dose if available. Your CBD journal can help you keep track of how long it’s been and whether or not you’ve experienced any changes in your symptoms. Remember, patience is key, and while it can be frustrating to keep trying with no results, you may end up feeling grateful that you didn’t give up!
You may need a different delivery system
It seems like there’s a new CBD product coming out every week. You can find everything from CBD infused coffee, to bath salts, and even CBD lube. The more common forms of CBD include, tinctures, topical creams, vape oils, capsules or suppositories, as well as edible treats like gummies and chocolate.
If you’ve been trying one delivery system with no luck, it’s possible that a different form would work better for you. One factor to consider is bio-availability, which essentially refers to how much of the CBD actually gets into your bloodstream. For example, if you eat CBD gummies, they have to go through your digestive tract before you can absorb them, and the amount that ends up in your system may be much lower. On the other hand, if you take a tincture sublingually (under the tongue), you’re absorbing it directly into your bloodstream. This allows for quicker, more noticeable results than you would get from waiting for your digestive system to process it.
In addition, your most effective method may vary depending on what type of relief you’re looking for. For example, a topical balm won’t help you with panic attacks. But it can offer potential relief for sore muscles, arthritis pain, and inflammation.
It’s just not for you
CBD may be popular, but that doesn’t mean it’s a miracle product that will work for everyone. After all of your efforts, it’s possible that you’ll find that CBD simply doesn’t work for you. Your level of absorption and reaction to CBD depends on a variety of factors including your metabolism, biochemistry, and even genetics.
Your endocannabinoid system is the system in your body that interacts with the active compounds in all forms of cannabis, and the way that each person’s body reacts, operates a little differently. In fact, a professor of clinical psychiatry noted that 20% of Americans may have a genetic mutation that makes them naturally produce more endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are similar to cannabinoids but are produced naturally by your body. If you have that mutation, you might be prone to lower levels of anxiety, but because you already have extra endocannabinoids you might not see much of a difference when you take CBD.
Check with your doctor about other options that may work for you.
If you are one with persistent friends, don’t be afraid to tell them to stop bugging you about giving CBD a try. After all, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all treatment! Getting CBD to work takes time, patience, research, and finding a delivery method that works for YOU.
CBD isn’t as well-researched or regulated as many other treatment options like prescription medications, and people within the industry are still trying to narrow down the best practices for taking it. But one thing’s for sure: It’s not as simple as taking some standard dosage and seeing immediate results.
TIP: Before you go all-in on a full-sized product that may cost a lot of money but might not work for you, check to see if you can buy samples of the product. You can purchase our Full Spectrum CBD Tincture Samples here and Pure CBD Tincture samples here.
**Use discount code FREESAMPLE to remove the cost of shipping.
