Understanding CBD Oil & Popular Products in Canada – A Beginner’s Guide

CBD oil is taking Canada by storm, and millions of Canadians have decided to give CBD oil products a go. There are many reasons for the recent CBD craze, like the easier accessibility, long list of potential benefits, and wide range of product variety.

If you’re interested to learn more about CBD oil and the most popular products in Canada, check out this beginner’s guide. Here, you’ll learn all the basics of CBD and which product is right for you.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is found within products that contain the active ingredient of cannabidiol. Cannabdiol, CBD for short, is one of the most prevalent chemical compounds found in marijuana and hemp plants. When consumed, CBD reacts with receptors in the body to enhance health and wellness.

To make CBD oil, the cannabidiol is extracted from the plants using a number of different methods. It’s generally then diluted with a carrier oil, like coconut, olive, or hemp seed oil.

Why Is CBD So Popular in Canada?

The biggest reason behind CBD’s popularity is the potential for a boost in health and wellness. Many people are looking for more holistic alternatives to treating pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions, and CBD is considered an all-natural treatment method.

Another explanation for CBD’s popular status is the fact that it has no intoxicating effects. Unlike THC, which creates psychoactive effects that lead to a high, CBD doesn’t have this characteristic. That means ingesting it won’t cause you to feel intoxicated or high, and this is a major selling point for CBD oil products.

Who Can Benefit from Using CBD Oil?

CBD research has skyrocketed in the past few years, and much of this research supports a long list of benefits relating to regular use of cannabidiol.

One of the biggest benefits is anxiety relief. CBD has been linked to alleviating anxiety by a number of different studies, like this 2015 study on CBD as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Here’s what Neurotherapeutics found:

“Overall, preclinical evidence supports systemic CBD as an acute treatment of GAD, SAD, PD, OCD, and PTSD, and suggests that CBD has the advantage of not producing anxiogenic effects at higher dose, as distinct from other agents… In particular, results show potential for the treatment of multiple PTSD symptom domains.”

Pain relief is another big reason to start using CBD oil products. Cannabidiol has anti-inflammatory properties, and since many forms of pain are caused by increased inflammation, CBD has the potential to help.

In this 2020 study on cannabidiol for chronic pain, the source says that “rising prevalence of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD presents an opportunity for the treatment of intractable chronic pain for which primary treatments are insufficient or not possible.”

Most Popular CBD Products in Canada

One of the beauties of using CBD is that it comes in many different forms. You can eat it, smoke it, vape it, drink it, and even apply it directly to the skin.

Here are these most popular options for consuming/ingesting CBD in Canada right now:

CBD Edibles & Beverages

Edibles and drinks containing cannabidiol have become quite popular, and a big reason for this is convenience. It’s super easy to chow down on a CBD oil snack or sip on a CBD-infused tea or juice, not to mention it’s delicious.

Many CBD edibles come in the form of treats, like CBD gummies, candies, cookies, and brownies. But if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, like a vegan-friendly option or something without gluten, that’s easy to find, too.

If you prefer to create your own CBD edibles and beverages, this is also an easy option. There are many CBD oils and powders that can be directly added to food and drinks.

CBD Oil Tinctures

Tinctures containing CBD oil are small vials of liquid that contain cannabidiol that has been diluted into a carrier oil. The liquid can be used in a number of different ways; you can place a few drops under your tongue, add it to your morning coffee, or incorporate it into smoothies.

CBD oil tinctures come with different dosages, and some have higher concentrations of CBD than others. For this reason, it’s important to read the label of the product you’ve chosen and remember that less is more in the beginning.

CBD Vapes

While it’s possible to smoke cannabis flowers containing high levels of CBD and only trace amounts of THC, smoking isn’t for everyone. Some people find it harsh on the lungs, and others aren’t a fan of the lack of discretion that comes along with lighting up.

However, inhaling CBD does come with some benefits, like the virtually instant effects. This reason combined with the drawbacks of smoking explains why CBD vapes have become a popular choice in Canada.

CBD Topicals

Topical products containing CBD have come a long way in the past few years. Many people are opting to apply their CBD products directly to the skin, mainly thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Topical CBD like balms, salves, and lotions can be used to alleviate inflammation of the skin, muscles, and joints. This means that it can be used for eczema, arthritis, dry skin, and even muscle spasms.

If you’re not sure which CBD oil product is right for you, don’t be afraid to test out all the different options to find the one that works best.