When you start to explore the potential uses of cannabidiol — or CBD, food is one of the most flexible options. Cooking with CBD lets you explore different recipes and reap any potential health benefits while enjoying flavors you already love.
One of the easiest ways to try CBD oil is in a smoothie. Smoothies are a convenient way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals from a combination of fruits and vegetables — pairing the two can offer surprisingly tasty combinations.
Take a spinach-and-mango smoothie, for example. The strong, slightly sweet taste highlights the mango’s tropical sweetness combined with the mildly acidic undertones can give it a satisfying bite. Mixed with a few drops of CBD oil, this smoothie can go on to soothe anxiety, lower stress, or improve digestion.
Before you start to introduce CBD into your diet, however, it’s important to research and types of products and blends on the market. Two of the most common and often confused varieties are CBD oils and CBD tinctures.
CBD Oil vs. CBD Tinctures
CBD oil and CBD tinctures both stem from the Cannabis sativa plant. Their greatest differences lie in how they’re made and their primary ingredients.
CBD oil is made by blending cannabidiol extract with a carrier oil. This is usually MCT oil — a coconut or palm kernel oil. In the oil production process, manufacturers extract CBD through a process called supercritical CO2 extraction.
CBD tinctures, on the other hand, are derived using an alcohol-based extraction process. High-proof alcohol not only extracts the initial CBD from the plant but also goes on to be a primary ingredient in the final product.
Interestingly, some CBD tinctures appear oil-like because they are created using oil as their base.
Why Use CBD Oil?
The purported health benefits of CBD oil are not a medical fact. However, research shows its potential in anxiety treatment and as a sleep aid and pain reliever, but future research is expected to provide conclusive evidence about this. As such, research products in-depth and talk to your doctor about potential health benefits and side effects.
Everyone’s body is unique, so you should carefully consider how CBD oil could affect your physical and mental health — and before you decide if CBD is right for you, here are three of its most widely reported benefits.
Anxiety Relief
CBD may help anxiety-related disorders, like social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some patients who take prescription antianxiety medications like to try CBD as a natural alternative.
Like many antianxiety medications, CBD affects the parts of the brain that regulate fear, excitement, and anxiety. Its interaction with your endocannabinoid system can lead to positive mood and emotional changes, such as a calmer state of mind and a reduced anxiety response.
Improved Sleep
Insomnia affects up to 70 million people in the U.S. each year. Research so far has suggested CBD to be a valuable sleep aid for patients who struggle to fall or stay asleep.
CBD oil for insomnia should be an organically derived product with natural ingredients — look for a combination of naturally occurring cannabinoids that can help you enjoy a more restful sleep.
Treat Chronic Pain
The use of CBD for pain relief dates back to 2900 BCE. You may decide to try CBD to lower inflammation and ease the symptoms of chronic pain from your back, arthritis, or neurodegenerative disorders.
CBD oil may provide greater relief for certain types of pain, like nerve pain. Nonetheless, your doctor can help you decide whether CBD oil would be a valuable addition to your pain management plan.
How You Can CBD Oil in Smoothies
One of the greatest features of adding CBD oil in smoothies is its ease of use. Simply adding a few drops to your smoothie can give it an added boost.
Depending on the type of CBD oil you use, the effects it has will differ, however. For example, some CBD oil is designed to act primarily as a sleep aid while others promote less stress and anxiety.
If you decide to introduce CBD into your daily routine, a morning or mid-day smoothie is a fantastic way to get your CBD dose along with other vitamins and nutrients. Here are a few of our favorite CBD oil smoothie recipes to help you get the most out of your experience.
Tropical Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This summer-inspired blend is filled with antioxidants. You can enjoy it in the morning to start your day on a calm note or consider drinking it in the afternoon to lower mid-day stress and wind down more comfortably.
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 whole banana
- 1 cup of almond milk
- A handful of shredded coconut
- 1 dropper of Berry CBD Broad Spectrum Tincture 2000 MG
Minty Green Smoothie
This refreshing health smoothie features plenty of nutrients from leafy greens, topped with a satisfying twinge of peppermint zing from flavored CBD oil.
- 1 cup of vanilla almond milk
- 1 cup of spinach
- 1/2 cup of arugula
- 2 fresh mint leaves
- 1 banana or 1/2 apple
- 1 dropper of Peppermint CBD Broad Spectrum Tincture 2000 MG
Chocolate Lover’s Smoothie
If you have a sweet tooth, then this is the perfect smoothie for you. It’s a great dessert option if you plan to use CBD to help you sleep well.
- 1 cup of chocolate almond milk
- 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons of milk chocolate chips
- 1 dropper of CBD Broad Spectrum Tincture 1000 or 2000 MG
Get the Most Out of Your CBD Oil Smoothies
Before you find your ideal CBD oil smoothies blend, you may need to try different recipes and ingredients. If you’re new to CBD, then using a lower dosage may help avoid any potential side effects. You should also consider your expectations for your smoothies.
CBD oil is ideal for people seeking relief from anxiety, pain, and stress as well as those wanting to sleep better. For added nutritional benefits, use CBD oils with a hempseed, sunflower, or avocado oil base. If you’re looking for high-quality, affordable CBD products, CBD Direct Club has a large collection of CBD oils, tinctures, gummies, and capsules for you to try.