If you're a boomer, chances are you've at least heard of CBD supplements in the past few years. If you haven't tried some form of CBD yourself, you probably know someone that has tried it or that even swears by it. You may still have questions though, like why are people turning to CBD supplements and what type of supplements are available? Let's address these.

What is CBD?

First of all, incase there is any confusion, CBD supplements that you can purchase will not make you high because they do not contain THC, the chemical that causes the "high" sensation. CBD is a chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant, but it is not psychoactive, like it's cousin THC.

Are CBD supplements legal? Yes, but it can get tricky. The 2018 Fam Bill changed the legality of hemp (CBD can be extracted from hemp and marijuana) which has a low percentage of THC. This change has supported a CBD supplement boom.

Why take a CBD supplement?

CBD supplements are all the rage right now, but why? Yes, CBD is being studied for many medical conditions, such as MS, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, schizophrenia, and anxiety, but people are also turning to CBD to help with many common, everyday ailments.

Perhaps one of the most popular reasons people, especially people in our age group, try CBD supplements is to help alleviate joint and muscle pain. This is because CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, both of which can assist in soothing sore and tired joints and muscles.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the world. According to the WHO, about 1 in 13 people suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. CBD has anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects, so many people are turning to CBD supplements to relieve mild stress and anxiety. It's important to note that many people that suffer true anxiety disorders do not seek treatment, so if you believe you may have an anxiety disorder, you should talk to your doctor.

According to DailyCBD, "CBD may help regulate serotonin and dopamine, reduce stress & anxiety, and reverse neuroinflammation often found alongside mood disorders". Many CBD supplement users are taking advantage of these mood boosting properties.

CBD supplements may also help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Interestingly, many conditions such as pain and anxiety can affect sleep, so using a CBD supplement can assist with all of these things together.

What CBD supplements are available?

CBD supplements come in many forms. There's CBD vape pens, oil, pills, edibles, and topicals. There are now even CBD products for pets! So what type should you choose? It may depend on why you're taking it.

CBD vape pens offer super quick absorption, if you don't mind inhaling the vapor. However, vape pens can make controlling the dose difficult and you'll want to look for one that uses "solvent-free oils". 

CBD oil is often taken sublingually and is absorbed into the bloodstream quickly, within minutes. CBD pills and edibles are swallowed and digested so they aren't absorbed quite as quickly, more like 30 minutes or so, but they can have a long-lasting effect.

CBD topicals are applied directly to your skin and are great for localized results. A CBD muscle and joint pain cream, for instance, can target the pain at its source and provide fast-acting relief. CBDPure Muscle and Joint cream contains a mix of CBD, Willow Bark and menthol, which together helps reduce inflammation and pain.

We've touched upon some basics here, but if you're interested in CBD supplements, you should definitely do some more reading on your own. As always, it's wise to talk to your doctor before starting any type of CBD supplement. Also be sure any product that you're buying is third-party tested.