So You’re Considering Trying CBD—Start Here

So You’re Considering Trying CBD—Start Here

Diving into CBD can be intimidating for many people and to be honest, I can’t blame anyone for feeling that way. When I first started learning about CBD, there were only a few brands out there. Now this industry has exploded. One part of that is awesome because the more high-quality CBD available to consumers the better, right? But on the other end, it’s overwhelming and confusing for many people, which makes them shy away from trying something that may be beneficial for them.

Quality Product

The most important step in using CBD is to use a quality product. As a certified cannabis practitioner, I ask clients to look for some key words on the label or website. These include the following:

  • Organically grown
  • Full- or broad-spectrum
  • COA available
  • Third-party tested.

The more transparent CBD company is always better.   

Delivery Method

Once you’ve found a brand or two you know you can trust, the next question is what should you take? There are capsules, tinctures, powders, vapes and even topicals—so many options to choose from.

This is how I break it down: Capsules, tinctures and powders all fall into the same ingestible category. It’s really a bit of trial-and-error to see what works best for you. Some people feel very quick relief with a tincture that you place under your tongue and is rapidly absorbed, and others prefer the better serving control you get with a powder.

For people who need higher doses, capsules can make it easier to know you’re getting the right amount. Vaping is also a way to get quick relief, but some people don’t want to vape for obvious reasons. Topicals or types of creams, lotions and salves all are great to any sort of aches and pain. I love using salves on aching muscles after a hard workout, or on my temples when I’m getting a stress headache.

Serving Size

So now we have a brand and a format to take it in, but the next biggest question—especially with ingestible—is how much to take. This is where it gets extra tricky. As a cannabis practitioner, my goal is to help people feel their best with the smallest serving possible. I’d recommend starting at 5 mg and then working your way up after two or three servings at 5 mg. In my practice, I’ve found 10 mg to be the sweet spot for many of my clients, but it’s important to listen to your body and respond accordingly.

Brooke Alpert

Brooke Alpert, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. is a certified holistic cannabis practitioner, a nationally recognized nutrition expert and a best-selling author. She is the founder of B Nutritious, www.b-nutritious.com, a private nutrition counseling and consulting practice in New York City. Brooke’s interest in cannabis, particularly in CBD came from trying to help her husband manage his debilitating autoimmune disease. Seeing what CBD could do for her husband, Brooke brought CBD into her private practice and saw many of her clients overall wellness improve. Having to navigate her husband and her clients through all the options and seeing how so many of the products out there were not adequate, lead Brooke to create her own brand of CBD products, called Daily Habit.

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