CBD oil has become one of the hottest supplements around today, with some surveys indicating that as many as 1 in 3 Americans have actually tried the product. Like any multi-billion dollar industry, CBD has begun to expand its reach into other areas. One such example is cooking, as more and more people begin to experiment with cooking and CBD.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is short for cannabinoid oil. CBD itself comes from the hemp plant and is processed in such a way so that they create a substance that is laden with CBD. CBD itself is a certain type of cannabinoid. There are over 100 cannabinoids that have been identified by scientists. These cannabinoids interact with your body’s Endocannabinoid System. Every living thing has an Endocannabinoid System, and the goal of this system is to keep your body in a constant state of homeostasis.
There are a few types of CBD oils available, including Full Spectrum (which contains THC) and Broad Spectrum (which does not). CBD comes in a variety of formats, including oils, tinctures, creams, edibles, vaping juices, and more.
How does CBD Oil Make You Feel?
Everyone reacts differently to CBD oil. However, CBD oil has been found by some studies to have certain beneficial impacts, including pain management, sleep improvement, inflammation reduction, skin improvement, and more. There are some side effects associated with CBD use, including dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness. For most people, these side effects are very manageable but they do occur and it is something of which you should be aware.
Tips for Cooking with CBD Oil
There are certain things to keep in mind when you cook with CBD oil:
- Follow the recipe: Particularly for beginners, make sure you do what the recipe says! Failure to do so can create a less than tasty creation.
- Less is more: Remember, you don’t need to dowse your recipe in CBD in order to get all of the benefits! Start with a lower amount. If you find that you need more, you can add it next time.
- Use CBD oil tinctures: Tinctures – a liquid form of CBD – are your best bet when it comes to CBD. They are easy to measure and incorporate into a CBD recipe. Other forms, like topicals or edibles, just aren’t cooking-friendly.
- Use flavorless oil: Many CBD tinctures come in different flavors. While these tinctures can be very tasty, adding a flavored CBD oil to your recipe can give it a less-than-pleasant artificial taste. Instead, use a flavorless oil, and know that you can always add other flavors with it.
You should always talk with your doctor before using CBD – just like you would with any other supplement – as there are some drug interaction issues. However, there is evidence to support the notion that CBD can be highly beneficial to you, and putting it in food may provide a nice twist on traditional CBD use.