Will CBD Work for Me? (And Reasons Why It Might Not)

Here's a few things to consider about CBD before you quit

8 July 2022 | Hannah Rubery

For the CBD-curious and the CBD-first timers, the topic of ‘will CBD work for me’ is one of the key queries that halts many on their CBD journey. The problem with CBD is it’s very much subjective to the user. This means that one person’s experiences with CBD will not necessarily reflect what your own experiences will be.

Therefore, the only person who can really know whether CBD is effective or not, is you! Luckily, there are a few things we can address first to give you more of an informed decision about trying CBD, and what to consider before giving up on CBD.

What can be expected when you start taking CBD?

Those who have yet to try CBD are always curious as to what the effects may be. In truth, it’s hard to confirm exactly what it does. There are still many tests and studies to be conducted before experts are happy to make any solid claims. It’s for this reason that most CBD products sold in the UK, cannot legally have any medical claims, and are treated as supplementary, cosmetic or vape products.

But there are a few things we do know about CBD.

We know that CBD reacts with our endocannabinoid system and in turn, affects us in often pleasant ways. There’s a reason why the wellness community often raves about CBD. You can also expect some side effects. These can differ between users but generally, you might experience low blood pressure, a dry mouth, light-headedness, and drowsiness.

What can CBD not be expected to do?

Many people who hear about CBD and are tempted to give it a try, believe that CBD is some sort of miracle drug. And some might believe it really is. There is some research to suggest positive benefits, but CBD has unreliable effectiveness due to the lack of research to devise an effective dosage and way to measure many of the beneficial claims made against CBD. How does someone measure someone’s happiness against someone else? It’s for this reason why the simplest method to find out whether CBD is for you, is to simply try it for yourself!

A few reasons why CBD might not be working for you

Here’s a few things that could be working against you when trying CBD. If you feel like CBD isn’t really working for you, try these suggestions and see if it makes a difference.

Check your CBD is from a reputable source

Due to the lack of clear regulations for CBD and the surge in popularity, many CBD products have cropped up in the market that include low-quality CBD that isn’t especially safe or effective. Some products don’t even contain the amount of CBD that they claim. So, making sure that the products you buy are lab tested is important. Make sure to read product reviews to find out what other people think about them.

CBD takes time

It can be hard to find the right dosage for you that works, and this differs for most people. To top it off, CBD can work best when built up in your system and sustained, which is why people tend to notice results weeks down the line rather than right away. Some even take months, and the effects can be not particularly noticeable straightaway. That’s why some find it beneficial to take notes of their dosage and write down their experiences.

Try a different delivery system

There are a wide variety of CBD products available on the market, but the most common forms include tinctures, topical creams, vape oils, capsules and edible treats. Each product has different bioavailability which varies how much CBD is absorbed. For example, edibles are amongst the lowest in bioavailability because they have to make their way through your digestive system first. Vape products and sublingual tinctures offer the highest bioavailability because they’re absorbed directly into your bloodstream via the lungs or the thin membrane of skin under your tongue. If you’re noticing your CBD isn’t really hitting as much as you’d thought, then perhaps you need to try a different method.