CBD seems to be everywhere. Supplements, foods, drinks, and cosmetics infused with CBD are well-loved by wellness enthusiasts looking to incorporate the benefits of cannabinoids into their daily lives.

While CBD oil and CBD softgels have traditionally been the preferred way to use CBD for wellness, alternative forms make CBD feel more accessible to the common consumer.

Shortly after CBD-infused gummies and candies became popular, CBD-infused drinks hit the market. Here’s what you need to know about CBD beverages.

What Is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid, which is a type of compound that naturally occurs in cannabis plants. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant produced for its minuscule THC content. The majority of CBD products are produced from hemp varieties of cannabis because of this tiny amount of THC.

CBD works with a complex system of receptors throughout the body called the endocannabinoid system. These receptors exist within many parts of the brain and body. The endocannabinoid system can work to influence and support natural biological processes, especially those involved in homeostasis. The body powers the system with some cannabinoids it manufactures autonomously, and supplemental cannabinoids like CBD provide additional support to these naturally occurring processes.

Supplemental CBD is considered both a nootropic and a nutraceutical. Nootropics are supplements that naturally support regular brain or mood function in healthy people, and nutraceuticals are supplements or foods that provide benefits outside of nutritional support.

Because the body is naturally equipped to utilize cannabinoids, CBD is perfectly safe. There is no evidence to suggest that CBD can become physically addictive, and it’s virtually impossible to over-consume CBD. Risks of side effects related to CBD in non-pregnant, non-breastfeeding healthy adults are extremely minimal.

Does CBD Get You High?

Many commercially available CBD-infused drinks mimic hard seltzers or craft beers in their aesthetic design. This may inadvertently give the impression that the drink would get you high or cause some form of impairment.

As long as the CBD in the drink is hemp-derived and there’s no added THC, it’s not going to get you high.

The euphoric or disorienting feeling associated with cannabis comes from THC, which is a completely different cannabinoid from CBD. THC attaches itself to the cannabinoid receptors in your body and brain and basically changes the way internal messages are transmitted. This can lead to euphoria, sleepiness, slowed reflexes, and motor skill impairment.

CBD doesn’t have a particular interest in binding to your receptors. Instead, it passes through and interacts with them in a different way. The receptors respond by engaging back, stimulating your endocannabinoid system, and encouraging it to support your body’s functions.

In short: CBD not only won’t get you high — it can’t get you high.

The Many Forms of CBD

CBD comes in many different forms. Each form has its own unique set of benefits and ideal use case. Although they all work to supply your endocannabinoid system with CBD, they deliver the CBD in different ways.

CBD Oil

CBD Oil is the most popular form of CBD for daily wellness. CBD oil combines extract from the hemp plant with a neutral carrier oil like hemp seed oil or olive oil. The CBD is diluted to an appropriate concentration and used with a glass dropper for accurate dosage.

CBD oil produces effects faster than most types of CBD. The dropper is used to place drops of oil under the tongue. As you hold the drops in place for 30 seconds to one minute, the soft tissue beneath the tongue starts to absorb the CBD.

The CBD is able to bypass the digestive system, reaching the endocannabinoid system much sooner than other forms of CBD. People who use CBD with a specific purpose, like to calm down before yoga or to promote better sleep, prefer the faster onset of CBD oil products.

CBD Softgels

CBD Softgels are hemp extract placed into softgel capsules, similar to the way vitamin E, probiotics, or fish oil supplements may be prepared. CBD softgels are swallowed like other supplements, and work best when taken in conjunction with a healthy meal, as fats are necessary for the body to absorb and process CBD.

CBD softgels need to be digested by the body and metabolized before the CBD becomes available for use by your endocannabinoid system. This process can take several hours, and the benefits of CBD softgels won’t be immediate.

If you’re taking CBD for general overall wellness, this won’t necessarily matter. Your body will still benefit from long-term CBD use.

CBD Edibles

CBD edibles are foods, like gummies, that have been infused with CBD. CBD edibles are very similar to CBD softgels, but they generally don’t contain as much CBD. The body metabolizes them in the same manner, and the effects may take longer to become apparent. Once they begin to work, you’ll feel a sustained sense of inner calm, and less tension throughout your body.

CBD gummies are an excellent option for people who have trouble swallowing capsules or who don’t like the taste of CBD oil.

Our evo hemp CBD Gummies come in a tasty raspberry lemonade flavor that makes it a little easier to want to take your everyday.

CBD Isolate

CBD Crystals are 99% CBD — all other cannabinoids, terpenes, phytonutrients, and naturally occurring plant compounds have been removed. Most CBD isolate products do, however, leave a very minimal amount of plant fat in their isolate products to make them easier to use.

Isolated CBD looks like little crystals. Although you can technically swallow the crystals exactly how they are, it’s much easier to mix CBD isolate powder into foods or drinks.

Unlike other forms of CBD, CBD isolate is water-soluble. You don’t need to eat or mix CBD isolate with fat in order to promote absorption. CBD isolate is also free from the small amounts of THC that naturally occur in hemp extract products, making isolates a better choice for athletes and people who can’t risk even trace amounts of THC causing a false positive on a drug test.

CBD Topicals

Topical CBD is different from all other types of CBD. CBD that goes into your body directly works to stimulate the endocannabinoid system. CBD topicals, work on the surface of the skin. CBD is often combined with other active botanicals to provide relief for sore muscles or to soothe the skin.

CBD topicals should be used in conjunction with another form of CBD to maximize the benefits, since they both work in different ways.

What Is a CBD Infused Drink?

CBD infused drinks are a form of CBD edibles. They work the same way as CBD gummies or softgels. Many companies make prepared CBD infused drinks or CBD shots, but you can easily make your own CBD infused drinks at home.

Any drink can be a CBD infused drink. You don’t need to prepare anything special. You can use kombucha, your favorite flavor of sparkling water, or even a cup of cold brew coffee as the base for your CBD drink.

You don’t need any bartending skills, either. All you need to do to make CBD infused drink is add the appropriate form of CBD into the right kind of beverage.

CBD drinks can be made with CBD isolate crystals or CBD oil. Drinks that contain fats (like smoothies, milkshakes, or lattes with milk) work best with CBD oil. Every other drink (like sparkling water, tea, or lemonade) can be made with CBD isolate.

Why Would I Drink CBD?

There are several reasons why someone would choose to use CBD infused drinks instead of plain CBD oil. If you find that CBD infused drinks work best with your lifestyle, use them. If infusing your drinks with CBD encourages you to use your CBD on a daily basis, then they’re a good way for you to take CBD.

To Avoid the Taste of CBD Oil

Some people don’t like the nutty, earthy taste of CBD oil. It isn’t necessarily a bad taste, but it isn’t particularly delicious. It’s a bit like green powder for smoothies. If you can’t stomach wheatgrass shots or green juice without sneaking the powder into something more palatable like sweet orange juice, you’ll probably feel the same way about CBD oil.

If you have an aversion to CBD oil, a sweet beverage might help to disguise its natural flavor. Strong and pronounced flavors like those in berry smoothies, chocolate shakes, and sweetened lattes help to dilute and camouflage the taste of CBD oil.

If you’re using CBD isolate to avoid CBD flavor, mixing the powder into a drink is a necessity. CBD isolate crystals are difficult to use unless they’re blended into something else.

To Simplify Your Wellness Routine

Some people already have a go-to drink in their wellness arsenal. If you make an antioxidant blend smoothie, a post-workout recovery protein shake, adaptogenic coffee, or matcha lattes every day, adding your CBD in with your other supplements or wellness ingredients simply makes sense.

You’ll get everything you use to support your wellness in one glass, rather than taking multiple supplements or making several dishes or drinks throughout the day.

To Enjoy a Sober Night With Friends

One of the most popular uses for CBD infused drinks or CBD sparkling tonics is as a replacement for other drinks you might enjoy socially. People who don’t drink or people who drink sparingly to preserve their wellness find that CBD infused drinks serve an important purpose in social situations.

When you choose CBD infused beverages instead of alcohol, you’re able to relax and enjoy yourself, and you won’t have to worry about getting sick, feeling hungover, or becoming too impaired to drive.

Serving CBD tonics instead of alcoholic beverages keeps a gathering from getting out of hand and assures that everyone gets home safely, no Uber required.

Can I Infuse Alcoholic Drinks with CBD?

Alcohol makes you drowsy and lowers your inhibitions. CBD gently relaxes you. CBD’s effects are much more gentle and subtle than alcohol’s effects, but they’ll still make noticeable changes in the way you feel.

When you combine both sets of effects together, you might wind up feeling too sedated, especially if you consume significant amounts of them at the same time.

Experts are often split on this issue. Some believe that using CBD and alcohol at the same time can potentially cause negative side effects. Other experts say that there is no evidence that directly correlates both sets of effects working in unison to exacerbate the effects of alcohol.

Since so little is known about how the two generally react with each other, it’s best to avoid putting CBD in your sangria. It’s a “better safe than sorry” scenario. CBD’s effects last for 8 to 12 hours, so it’s a good idea to wait at least 8 hours after taking CBD before consuming alcohol.

What About Premade CBD Drinks?

Since CBD is legal in all 50 states, many health food stores will stock CBD infused beverages, selling them as individuals or as multipacks.

Before purchasing premade CBD drinks, be sure to check the label to find the CBD content per can. In some cases, the CBD content will be too low (5 mg or less) to use as an effective daily dose of CBD. You’ll likely need more to experience meaningful longer-term benefits.

If you live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal, labels require even further scrutiny.

Some CBD drinks will also contain THC. If you’re an adult making a conscious decision to ingest THC, there’s nothing inherently wrong with these drinks.

If you aren’t seeking the experience THC creates, make sure you’re not getting more than you bargained for.

CBD drinks that contain more than 0.3% THC cannot be sold outside of cannabis dispensaries, so you’re unlikely to encounter them at wellness shops or grocery stores. If you’re in a cannabis-specific store, look twice.

Can You Drink Too Many CBD Infused Drinks?

Research shows that doses of CBD upwards of 1,000 mg a day are well tolerated by most people, and doses of 20,000 mg or more are considered “toxic.”

It would be extremely difficult to consume a toxic amount of CBD. Most premade CBD drinks contain less than 25 mg of CBD per serving.

It’s unlikely that you’ll over consume CBD in any form. If you’re using a single serving of CBD oil or CBD isolate every day in conjunction with a few CBD drinks, it helps to keep an eye on your consumption.

How To Make CBD Infused Drinks

Making CBD infused drinks is so easy that you may never purchase premade versions after crafting your own. It only takes a few extra seconds of your time. Just be sure that the form of CBD you’re using is suitable for the kind of drink you’re trying to make.

Making Drinks with CBD Oil

CBD oil requires the presence of fat to fully dissolve. Fats from banana or avocado in a smoothie will work. Fats from coconut milk or dairy milk will also blend with CBD oil. Note that nut milks, rice milk, and other types of plant milks often do not contain enough fat to fully mix with CBD.

To make your own drinks with CBD oil, put a few drops of CBD oil into the blender with the rest of the ingredients.

If you’re looking to mix CBD with milk before you add it to coffee or tea, mix the CBD and milk in a separate container and add it to your drink of choice last. Whisking it with a fork or a matcha whisk for a minute or so should be enough to fully incorporate the mixture.

Making Drinks with CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is the most versatile option for making your own CBD infused drinks at home. CBD isolate can be added to any drink.

Measure out the appropriate amount of CBD isolate, drop it into any drink, and stir. It’s just as simple as adding flavor drops to your water or a packet of sweetener to your coffee.

Many people like to mix CBD isolate into pre-made wellness or fruit-based drinks like kombucha, green tea, agua fresca, or yerba mate. Turn your favorite healthy beverage into a two for one with a small sprinkle.

Add evo hemp CBD to Your Favorite Drinks

Our CBD isolate crystals and CBD oil are perfectly fine on their own. If you’d enjoy CBD a little more by combining it with your favorite drink, more power to you. We have the CBD you need. All you have to do is grab a drink from the fridge.

Sources:

Cannabinoids and Cannabinoid Receptors: The Story so Far | Cell

Nootropics and Smart Drugs: Do They Work? - Health News | University of Miami Hospitals and Clinics

Cannabinoid Receptors in the Central Nervous System: Their Signaling and Roles in Disease | Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience