CBD is basically the new caffeine when you look at the drink market today. You can buy pre-made CBD water, CBD juice, CBD soda and so many other beverages. A selection that was once limited to cannabis shops is now in local grocery stores. You can even spike your coffee with some CBD in order to get those anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory benefits with your drink. If coffee isn’t your thing, CBD tea might be the magical drink you’ve been searching for.

To get you started here are 5 different premade CBD tea options available:

Top Teas

1. Buddha Teas: Camomile Blend

Buddha Teas offers multiple flavors of CBD tea, each tea bag is infused with 5mg of water soluble CBD and boasts having 0% THC. The camomile blend features: camomile, lavender and lemon balm. This blend is perfect for setting your mind at ease. The box comes with 18 tea bags so you can enjoy it for weeks and brew it when you have some free time.

Each of these ingredients individually has relaxant properties. Camomile has been known to ease digestive issues, including flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. Lavender and lemon balm are both anti viral and said to improve sleep, reduce blood pressure and help with anxiety. Each individual ingredient in this tea has properties that mesh with the healing properties of CBD making it a super drink to try. 

2. Harney and Sons: Turmeric Ginger Honey

This premade tea features 10 mg of CBD per bottle. Unlike buddha teas they do not specify if their product contains THC, however under FDA regulation it can only contain less than 0.3% THC. This CBD tea also contains: organic ginger, organic turmeric, organic orange juice and organic honey.

Ginger like CBD is linked to a ton of health benefits. It is an antibacterial and antiviral, reduces nausea, lowers blood sugar, can help with menstrual pain, lower cholesterol and even possibly improve brain function. Turmeric is another one of those super powered ingredients that is said to be a cure all in many eastern cultures aiding in everything from skincare to weight loss. These ingredients mixed with some sweet notes of orange and honey are sure to make a delicious and beneficial drink. 

3. Good Company Tea: Number 3° Blend

This tea blend is simple containing organic jasmine, organic currant, organic bluebottle petals and of course 15 mg of CBD. Jasmine tea boasts all of the health benefits of green tea, it is high in antioxidants and anti inflammatories and could even reduce your risk for Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Black currants are rich in an omega-6 fatty acid called gamma-linoleic acid and also have tons of antioxidants. Bluebottle petals, also known as cornflower, has been used in medicines for centuries, and contains several essential nutrients including biotin (vitamin B7) and calcium. Basically this tea could give your mood and immune system a huge boost.

4. CBD Infused Tea: Echinacea Apricot Red Rooibos

CBD Infused Tea offers a huge selection of loose leaf teas. Their tea comes in a 2 ounce container containing 250 mg of CBD. CBD Infused Tea says that this is good for about 12 cups of tea, which means you're getting about 20 mg of CBD per cup. This blend features echinacea which is powerful immune system booster. Additionally, rooibos is said to help balance blood sugar levels and protect against diabetes. 

5. The Brothers Apothecary: Mellow Mint

Last on our list and also the most potent of these CBD teas are blends by The Brothers Apothecary from Portland Oregon. Their teas feature 50-70 mg of CBD in every tea bag and are good for 1-3 uses per bag. This blend features peppermint and spearmint which both can ease nausea and have a calming effect. 

For any of the brew yourself CBD teas above you should leave them steep for at least 3 minutes before drinking to ensure that the CBD can infuse in the water. Additionally you should have a snack with or before your tea, preferably something with some fat. CBD is known to absorb better when dietary fat is present within the body. 

Final Thoughts

As you can see there are so many options with CBD tea, from brand to flavor to CBD content there are many variables that you can control. If you are new to CBD it is recommended that you start with a tea that has 5-10mg and work from there. Noting how the CBD makes you feel in small doses is helpful so that you can add and really get a feel for the impact the substance has. If you have your own CBD oil, you can get creative and infuse any food or beverage with CBD.

Written by Kiana St. Onge

CBD pens are discrete tools used to vaporize CBD oil. CBD pens allow the user to obtain small, trackable doses of CBD at any time in virtually any place. Including small doses of CBD into your life has been shown to have many health benefits including:

• Anti inflammatory properties - From cancer, to arthritis to soreness after a workout, CBD has been shown to alleviate inflammation in the body and give the user a relaxed feeling without more complex medications.
• Anti anxiety properties - CBD has been shown in various studies to be helpful in dealing with anxiety and depression. CBD affects the eCB system which is in charge of regulating many physiological functions, including caloric energy balance and immune function. The eCB system also helps regulate our emotional behavior, specifically with learning and reacting to stressful events. These studies have shown that too much CBD can be counter productive in reducing anxiety so vaping small amounts might be the best option for you. 

Pens and Vapes

The negative stigma surrounding vapes comes from nicotine vapes and juices. Typical nicotine juices contain propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and flavoring in addition to the very addictive nicotine. These ingredients are added in order to make the vape flow smoother and more pleasant. However, research has shown that these ingredients can transform into harmful carcinogenic compounds when heated and inhaled.

However, in CBD pens, there is no harmful, zero benefit, nicotine. Brands like iCBD are working hard to continually modify their formulas and procedures so that you are only getting the purest compounds in your vape and other CBD products.

How it's made

The main ingredient in CBD pens is CBD isolate that has been extracted from cannabis. CBD isolate is 99% CBD. Typically this CBD comes from hemp plants not high CBD cannabis plants because of cost. After processing the raw hemp, you are left with a fine, slightly sticky white powder that is CBD isolate. This substance can be simply dissolved in the mouth, mixed into drinks or even be a main ingredient in your iCBD chapstick.

Here are the main steps in creating CBD isolate:

1. Extraction - First using a solvent, typically ethanol, the CBD (and other compounds) are extracted from the plant. In this step the solvent binds with the CBD and then using a centrifuge it is separated out.
2. Winterization - This step removes the fats, waxes and chlorophyll from the remaining extract. This step is called winterization because it uses cold temperatures to separate the substance. This looks much like soup left in the fridge where the fat has floated to the top and solidified.
3. Filtration - The separated mixture of fats and eventual end product called “miscella” is then run through a filter press with the help of a vacuum. 
4. Decarboxylation - Removing the CO2 from your cannabinoids is a crucial step in making your final CBD isolate. This step uses heat and changes the acidic cannabinoid (CBDa) to its neutral form (CBD).
5. Distillation - The mix is then heated again until it becomes a vapor and then is run along a cool coil where it returns to a liquid state, this liquid is then collected. This step ensures that you are getting the purest CBD isolate for your CBD pen, gummy, balm etc.
6. Crystallization - After the distillation phase we are left with the cleanest form of CBD oil, This mixture is continually mixed as it is heated. Eventually, the temperature is reduced, and the stirring rate is slowed. The stirring rate is dramatically increased once the mixture has cooled and nucleation (the first stages of crystallization) has begun, causing the crystals to separate from the solution. To eliminate any residual undesirable contaminants, the crystals are washed with pentane or similar chemical solvent, and you are finally left with pure CBD isolate. 

Once you have CBD isolate, you can mix it with other ingredients to create basically any CBD product on the market. When it comes to vaping CBD and CBD pens, it is a good idea to actively monitor your use and intake. As mentioned above, CBD has positive health effects, but this has only been tested for certain amounts of CBD. Because CBD products are fairly new to the market, an “ideal” dose does not really exist. Finding the dose that is right for you involves trial and error. When you make any changes to your lifestyle, diet or routine, start small. When it comes to vaping CBD this might mean starting with about 10mg per day meaning that a typical CBD vape should last you about 3-4 weeks. The “danger” with most vapes is that it is very easy to get way more than that dosage per day. However, thus far there is no research that shows vaping “too much” CBD causing negative effects. 

Written by Kiana St. Onge

By now you’ve probably come across plenty of different ways to eliminate pain and stress in your daily life. Whether these are self-help guides or various natural substances, the three letters “CBD” have most certainly popped up in your search. It’s common to misconceive any kind of substance to be a silent detriment on your health no matter how much its supporters try to usher in a positive outlook. But the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis CBD has proven time and time again to be nothing more than the careful relaxant that you’ve always been looking for. You hear "relaxant", but what does CBD feel like when you take it? How relaxed do you get?

This molecule can be ingested in various ways from oils, to edibles, to e-liquids, dried hemp plants and even topicals. Its use and availability has been growing consistently over recent years, emerging as a safe and accommodating alternative to THC. So what does CBD feel like? Is there a buzz? Do you feel high? How does it eliminate stress and pain? 

What is CBD?

To begin, CBD is not a medication but is sold as a supplement. It is derived from the hemp plant, which is a close relative to the cannabis plant, and the selling and distribution of these products have been legalized in the U.S. since 2018.

However the FDA still hasn’t widely approved the use of cannabidiol (CBD) or other cannabis-related compounds for treatment of diseases or conditions. There have been only three cannabis-related drug products approved for use through prescription, the most prominent being Epidiolex.

So far the World Health Organization has concluded that “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” With all that being said, CBD can be freely used to relieve anxiety, insomnia, induced inflammation, and aches and pains. 

What does CBD feel like?

Cannabidiol is an interesting compound. As mentioned before it is an active ingredient in cannabis, but its effects on the brain are quite different. When you ingest it, you will feel a sense of calm slightly weighing down all of your movements. This is different from being sluggish.

You will feel very normal, and almost feel nothing at first, but after 15-30 minutes you will start to feel more relaxed. Your aches or pains will be numbed away slowly but surely. This could also very possibly dwell your anxiety as you will feel more comfortable with your body and your new sense of release will wash away unnecessary thoughts. 

Cannabinoids help your brain communicate better with the rest of your body. If used regularly, CBD will have a biphasic effect, meaning that if it relieves your pain and stress with a small dose this can be amplified if more is taken. However, it reaches a peak and like a bell curve additional use afterwards will prove to be futile and may cause unwanted side effects like dry mouth or nausea. More extreme cases of your condition will take more time to be relieved and regular doses would be recommended.

CBD is also classified as an adaptogen. This kind of substance adapts to every body’s specific conditions by promoting physiological stability and homeostasis. This is why CBD can offer a wide variety of health benefits. 

Best use of CBD

Depending on the type and severity of your conditions there is a certain dose of CBD that you should administer to yourself. There isn’t always an exact answer for this, but you can make some pretty good approximations. CBD can be used via eating, drinking, smoking, vaping, or rubbing on your skin. Currently there are a plethora of CBD products on the market that might entice you.

Overall it takes about 15-30 minutes for the effects to settle in, but some methods take longer than others. It usually takes 30-45 minutes for the edibles to take effect while smoking can take up to five minutes. It is entirely up to you to choose which of these methods is best for you. 

Remember that although CBD is safe to use, it is still not approved for diagnosis and treatment of diseases by the FDA. It can have varying effects on your body and brain so you might have your own answer to the question “what does CBD feel like?”. There is more research being done on CBD yearly and each successive experience with the substance has been positive. We can all learn more about CBD by taking it and seeing how it affects us. It has a lot of potential to improve all of our lives. All in all, the future is bright for CBD and for pain and stress relief. 

Written by Gabriel Anton