If you're new to the world of CBD, you may be wondering which product is the right one for your needs. From capsules and creams to edibles, there are many different options available.

As well as choosing the product that best fits your lifestyle, you will want to ensure you pick the one with the most effective absorption. Different products have different onset and duration times which need to be considered.

Which Form of CBD Should I Take?

CBD Isolate

CBD Isolate only contains pure CBD, meaning it is an excellent option if you want the benefits of CBD but not any other elements or effects of the cannabis plant (like tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC) in your system.

This purest form of CBD also offers the most consistent effects since there are not varying quantities of other minor components.

Full Spectrum

Full Spectrum CBD contains extracts from the whole of the cannabis plant, meaning it contains both CBD and THC.

While this means you will get the benefits of CBD, you may also get THC, and the psychoactive effects that follow.

Some people prefer full spectrum products and believe they provide more health benefits than CBD alone, while others do not want THC or do not want to run the risk of failing a drug test. Ultimately, it comes down to preference.

Broad Spectrum

Similar to Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum CBD relies on using extracts from the entire cannabis plant. However, the THC element is removed before processing.

While it doesn’t contain THC, Broad Spectrum may still contain other components like flavonoids that are rich in antioxidants and terpenes. These not only give cannabis its distinct smell but are also thought to help with stress, although claims are yet to be proven.

Isolate VS Full Spectrum

At NextEvo Naturals, we use pure CBD Isolate in our products rather than Full or Broad Spectrum.

This means you get all the great benefits that CBD provides, without any THC. Plus, as Isolate has no discernible taste or smell, it blends more easily into drinks or gummies than a Full or Broad Spectrum product. Most of all the isolate offers a level of consistency from batch to batch that may not be easily achieved with either broad or full spectrum products.

What is the Most Effective Form of CBD?

The most popular way to take CBD is orally through an oil-based tincture. However, this is not the most efficient.

Our bodies are two-thirds water, so oily substances are more challenging to be absorbed and therefore more time for absorption is required. While this is happening, the CBD is being metabolized by our digestive system, meaning that we only end up absorbing between 5% and 10% of the CBD.

Evidence suggests that an oil-based CBD product typically takes 3.29 hours to reach maximum concentration, while a water-based product only takes 0.7 hours.

This means that if you are looking for maximum efficiency from your CBD product of choice, a water soluble formula is ideal.

At NextEvo Naturals, our team of scientists have developed SmartSorb™ technology which means you get the benefits of CBD in a shorter amount of time. With SmartSorb™, the CBD starts to get into your system in as little as ten minutes and four times more CBD is absorbed overall.

Let's look at some of the alternative methods of taking CBD, alongside the advantages and disadvantages.

CBD Capsules

Pros

Capsules are a good place to start if you want to try CBD for the first time. Working out the right dose is easy as they are pre-measured, easy to swallow and taste and odor-free.

There are a wide variety of capsules to choose from, with many containing additional nutrients to improve your skin and nails or protect your immune system. If you are already taking dietary supplements, you can easily incorporate CBD capsules into your morning or evening routine.

Cons

There are very few drawbacks to using capsules. For people who don’t like swallowing capsules though, whether with or without water, they might not be the best choice.

CBD Edibles

Pros

CBD edibles are sweet and fun, making them an easy and delicious way to take CBD. As there are various types available, you can pick the strength and dosage that suits your specific needs.

CBD edibles look like regular sweets and can be a discreet way to enjoy CBD, whether you are on the go or at home. However, with lots of choice available, it’s a good idea to check the form of CBD used in the edible to ensure it will be well-absorbed. At NextEvo Naturals, we only use SmartSorb technology in our CBD edibles to ensure our customers get the maximum absorption of our CBD.

In addition, our CBD Gummies are formulated with natural ingredients to provide fast-acting, next-level wellness whenever you require it. Also, our chewable tablets are mint flavored and don't need water to take them, meaning they can be enjoyed anytime, and anywhere.

Cons

Dose sizes tend to be small, so if you prefer a higher dose or are gradually building up to a higher dose, you might want to look at another option.

While most gummies are low in calories (NextEvo Naturals gummies have only 10 calories per serving), they are still made with added sugar so you’ll likely want to check the amount if you’re conscious of your sugar consumption.

CBD Topicals

Pros

Topicals are applied directly to the skin, making them easy to use. If you are sensitive to CBD or cannabinoids and do not wish to consume them orally, CBD topicals are an excellent alternative.

Cons

CBD topicals are great but do not enter the bloodstream as other CBD products do. This means they may not be the best choice if you are looking for support with sleep or feelings of stress.

It can also be hard to gauge dose levels as it’s difficult to calculate how much CBD is in a squirt or smear of cream.

The Problem with Oil-Based CBD Tinctures

Oil-based tincture is one of the most popular methods of consuming CBD. The main issue with oil-based CBD, though, is that its bioavailability can be as low as 6 percent, and effects do not last long when compared to other methods of absorption or application. We go into more detail about reconsidering oil-based tinctures in this article.

CBD and Bioavailability

Once CBD is absorbed into your body, it enters your bloodstream where it is delivered to your organs and tissues. The rate and extent to which this occurs is known as bioavailability.

With CBD, you want as much of the labeled amount to be absorbed to ensure you get the best effect.

Both the CBD product used, as well as the health and wellbeing of the user, have an impact on bioavailability. For example, one study showed that for people with liver damage, CBD stayed in their system longer than people without, while those with Huntington's Disease didn't absorb as much as healthy volunteers.

Edibles

When you consume CBD, either as a capsule or edible, it first gets broken down in the stomach and upper digestive system before being absorbed into either the blood system or the lymphatic system, or a combination of both.

The nature of the delivery system plays a large role in how the CBD gets absorbed. NextEvo Natural’s SmartSorb technology ensures high levels of absorption and measurable blood levels.

Consuming CBD on an empty stomach often results in lower levels of CBD absorption. However, taking CBD with food can increase the level of absorption and therefore improve bioavailability.

Our SmartSorb™ formula acts quickly and delivers four times more CBD to your body than other products, allowing your body to absorb more CBD in a shorter space of time.

Topicals

When applied to the skin, topical CBD products don't penetrate deep enough to pass through to the bloodstream. This doesn't mean they don't have an effect though.

Topical creams and lotions are absorbed through the pores, providing a nice feeling on the skin while offering additional benefits with the CBD element.

Oils

The bioavailability of oil-based CBD can be as low as 6%. As mentioned previously, this can increase slightly when the oil is taken with food.

How to Increase the Bioavailability of CBD

CBD-Infused Snacks

It has been documented that eating a high-fat meal after taking a dose of CBD can help to increase the amount of CBD in the body by up to as much as four-fold. Hence, CBD-infused snacks that are high in fat can enhance the uptake of CBD into your body.

CBD-infused nut butters, cookies and chocolate can be a great way to increase the bioavailability of CBD.

Use Nanotechnology and Emulsification

Scientists are looking at ways to improve bioavailability in CBD products, including emulsification and reducing the emulsion droplet size to be sub-micron.

This process breaks down CBD droplets until they are as small as possible. The smaller the emulsified droplets are, the quicker they are broken down and absorbed by the body.

Our proprietary SmartSorb™ technology leverages this approach, with the optimized droplet size distribution resulting in four times as much absorption as oil-based tinctures, gummies or softgels.

Use Supplemental Herbs

Interestingly, the bioavailability of CBD increases when combined with certain herbs.

For example, black pepper is rich in terpenes which can help improve bioavailability. Similarly, chamomile contains a flavonoid called apigenin, which boosts bioavailability and is very good for you.

How Much CBD Should I Take?

There is not much tangible research available on how much CBD you should take because each person will react differently. While studies show that most people can take up to 1,500mg a day without ill effects, this is not necessarily right for everyone.

	How Much To Take
CBD Experience Level	NextEvo With SmartSorb CBD	Standard CBD Oil CBD
Beginner	10mg	40mg
Intermediate	20mg	80mg
Expert	40mg	120mg

https://zatural.com/blogs/cbd-and-hemp-blog/how-much-cbd-should-i-take

This dosage table provides a rough estimation of which dose may be right for you, but there are other variables that you will need to consider.

The product: As mentioned before, oil-based products are harder to absorb than water-based products, so a larger dose is needed
Weight: A higher-body fat percentage means less product is absorbed, meaning heavier people may need to take more
Sex: Typically, men may need to take a larger amount than women
Age: Older people may need to take less than younger people
Health condition: Contact your doctor prior to taking CBD if you have a health condition
Individual ability: Some people are more sensitive to CBD than others. If this is the case, you should always start with a small dose. Conversely, others may need to take more to notice the effects

Every CBD product has recommended guidelines on the packaging. Unless a specific dose is suggested, we recommend taking 10mg a day. If you have no side effects, you can gradually increase the amount. If you have any questions about what CBD amount is right for you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can You Take CBD with Alcohol?

Both CBD and alcohol make you feel relaxed. But does this mean it's okay to take both at the same time to feel even calmer?

There has been little research into the health effects of combining alcohol and CBD, but older studies have shown that using the two together can lead to poor stamina, a lack of muscle control and loss of time perception. These effects were not present when participants only took CBD.

Interestingly, other research has shown that CBD may protect against some of the more harmful effects of alcohol. A study in rodents showed CBD could support cellular health by encouraging the creation of new cells.

However, as both CBD and alcohol affect people in different ways, it's difficult to say what the precise effects of mixing both at the same time would be. We recommend you don’t combine them for this exact reason.

When is the Best Time of Day to Take CBD?

The honest answer to this question is that there is no optimal time to take CBD.

Different people process and react to CBD in different ways. You may find CBD works best for you first thing in the morning, while your friend prefers to take CBD before they go to bed.

An alternative option is to consistently take small amounts of CBD throughout the day – often known as 'microdosing'. This maintains regular concentrations of endocannabinoids in your system, maximizing the benefits and helping to support your mood.

What can CBD do in the Morning?

If you are an early riser or get your best work done when you wake up, CBD can keep you focused and alert as the day begins.

Alternatively, CBD can make your morning exercise more efficient. Studies have shown CBD can help improve delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMs) after a workout, making recovery much easier.

What can CBD do in the Evening?

There has not been much clinical research into CBD's effect on sleep in humans. However, studies in rodents have shown it decreases the time taken to fall asleep and increases total sleep time.

This means that taking CBD before you turn in for the evening can relax your mind and body, reducing feelings of stress and resulting in a deeper, more tranquil sleep.

Key Takeaways on When to Take CBD

Despite the research, there is currently no definitive answer on which type of CBD is suitable for everyone, and when is the best time of day to take it. However, we hope this article has given you some guidance.

Ultimately, it depends on what is right for you personally and not anyone else. Try different products, times and dosages to see what provides you with the best results.

Visit our product page to find out more about the NextEvo Naturals CBD products available and which one is right for your needs.