In the last few years Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, has become increasingly popular. From mom and pop CBD shops, to big chain department stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Walgreens, it seems like CBD products are popping up everywhere. With its therapeutic properties and several scientific studies to back its benefits, CBD is now considered a pretty powerful secret ingredient in a new arena: the food and drink industry.
Infusing CBD into drinks and even into food has become quite the trend among CBD advocates. And according to anecdotal testimonials, it’s not only tasty and refreshing, it’s also packed with a number of health promoting benefits. Still, new CBD consumers are on the fence about CBD infused drinks and they have a lot of questions. In this article we’ll explore the following:
- What CBD infused drinks are
- How CBD infused drinks work
- The benefits of CBD infused drinks
- Are CBD infused drinks even legal?
- Are CBD infused drinks safe to consume?
- And where to buy CBD infused drinks
Let’s begin...
What are CBD infused drinks?
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard of CBD. You may have even consumed CBD oil from time to time. But if you’ve tried CBD oil, you may have noticed that unfiltered CBD oil has a bit of an earthy flavor. Most people would agree that unflavored CBD is bitter and not something they look forward to holding under their tongue. That’s where CBD infused drinks come into play.
CBD infused drinks are similar to CBD gummies or edibles. The only difference is that instead of a gummy or a cookie, the CBD is infused into a liquid. CBD infused beverages come in all tastes and combinations:
- Plain water or flavored waters
- Seltzers
- Sodas
- Juices
- Spirits
- Beer
- Teas
- And coffee
It’s important to note that while many companies continue to market CBD infused alcoholic beverages, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently prohibits combining CBD with alcohol altogether. This is partly because several CBD companies make false claims about the health benefits of CBD drinks.
Nevertheless, CBD infused drinks are growing in popularity and many people are singing its praises. So what do CBD infused drinks do for the body? Do they actually work? And are there any benefits?
CBD infused drinks benefits
There’s an array of benefits of CBD:
- Helps treat rare forms of epilepsy and seizures
- Reduces inflammation
- Helps with anxiety
- Helps address stress
- Reduces the perception of pain
- It’s a powerful antioxidant
- Helps reduce an overproduction of sebum for acne skin
- It’s a potential aid for digestion
- Etc.
But many consumers are wondering: Are there more benefits from CBD infused drinks? And can the main health benefits of CBD be obtained by drinking CBD infused beverages?
The truth is, there hasn’t been much research associated with CBD infused drinks vs. other CBD products like CBD oil or CBD gummies. It really boils down to the types of CBD drinks and the pros and cons of each.
CBD coffee
There are few things better than walking into your local cafe and being greeted by the fresh smell of roasted coffee beans. The thought alone makes you want to hit up the nearest coffee shop. But let's face it, one cup of coffee may not do the trick; and before you know it you’ve had two, maybe even three cups of coffee, and now you're feeling the caffeine jitters. It may sound funny and even made-up, but in a fast paced world, more than one cup of coffee may actually throw you into an anxiety attack. According to studies, large amounts of coffee can cause Caffeinism –– a condition that causes anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, psychomotor agitation, and the feeling of being scatter-brained.
But what if you didn't have to worry about the coffee jitters at all? And what if you could stop at just one cup of coffee? Enter CBD.
Pro - One of the best things about infusing CBD into coffee is that CBD is known to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and stress. So when you combine CBD and coffee, you get the best of both worlds: the delicious taste of coffee without the jitters.
Pro - Smaller amounts of CBD have been shown to promote wakefulness effects. This means that if you consume a little CBD, it could actually help you stay awake. Usually smaller amounts of CBD are added to beverages like coffee. So if you’re looking to pull an all-nighter, CBD may actually be the secret ingredient in your coffee that helps you not crash over your mid-term paper or work deadline.
Con - Unfortunately, CBD infused coffee is very similar to CBD gummies, in that it first must enter the digestive system and filter through the liver before it enters your bloodstream. While you might not think this is an issue, a lot of CBD gets lost in digestion. Also, if you're currently taking any prescription medication, combining CBD with it may cause unwanted interactions. That said, be sure to consult with your doctor before you consume any amount of CBD.
CBD infused energy drinks
When energy drinks first came to the market, people everywhere were hesitant to partake. Now they’re the first thing we grab for an afternoon pick-me-up. But like coffee, energy drinks are packed with caffeine, sometimes even more than a cup of coffee. Consuming a more natural energy drink is always recommended, and is much better for you in the long run. But if you come across a CBD infused energy drink, you’ve found the holy grail of energy drinks.
Pro - When CBD is combined with energy drink ingredients like caffeine, B-vitamins, and even taurine, it helps enhance their effects and gives you an added boost.
Pro - Like CBD coffee, adding CBD to energy drinks may also help reduce unwanted symptoms of stress and anxiety from the caffeine.
Con - Again, CBD infused energy drinks enter into the digestive tract and filter through the liver. Some CBD gets lost during the metabolism process, and if you’re on any pharmaceutical drugs, CBD may cause unwanted interactions. This is why it’s imperative to consult with your doctor before consuming CBD.
CBD water
We all need water to live, so what better way to consume CBD than in water? CBD water has been on the market for a while now, and for good reason.
Pro - Unless it’s a flavored or enhanced water, CBD infused water has no other ingredients other than CBD. So you know you're consuming a clean product.
Pro - Some CBD companies have developed a new technology known as Nanoemulsion to help make the CBD more bioavailable. This means the CBD is broken down into tiny little particles for our receptor cells to absorb faster.
Con - If you’re consuming CBD water that hasn’t been nanoemulsified, some of the CBD will get lost in the digestive tract. It may also interact negatively with prescription drugs.
Con - CBD water can be pretty expensive, and some companies only include a small amount of CBD in their water. So be sure to see how much CBD is in each bottle before you purchase.
With all that said, are there any side effects to CBD infused drinks?
CBD infused drinks side effects
At this time, there are no scientific studies that have shown any side effects of drinking CBD. However, studies do show that when CBD is consumed orally (not held under the tongue), it will first enter the digestive system and then filter through the liver. This raises concerns for those who are on prescription medications like blood thinners, seizure medication, and even SSRI’s.
While there are no studies showcasing any side effects of CBD infused drinks, CBD is still being consumed nonetheless. According to research, side effects of CBD may include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- And possible drug interactions
These side effects are rarely reported, and when they do occur, they fade rather quickly. However, if you are currently taking any prescription drugs, consuming CBD may enhance their possible side effects. Consult with your doctor before you consume CBD.
Are CBD infused drinks legal?
This is a loaded question that is often answered with “it’s debatable.” According to the FDA, only one CBD product had been approved. It’s called Epidiolex, a plant-based CBD oral solution designed for rare forms of epilepsy and seizures. But does this mean CBD can’t be added to food, drinks, and healthcare products? Apparently it already has.
Since the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp has been federally authorized, meaning the CBD you see in Whole Foods or even Walgreens is not derived from marijuana. In order for CBD to be sold in and throughout America, it must be hemp-derived and contain no more than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). While THC contains several therapeutic properties, it’s infamous for its psychoactive effects (it gets you “high”). CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and is popularly known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties.
But this then raises the question: can some CBD companies use marijuana-derived CBD and not tell anyone? Technically, yes. And that’s why hemp-derived CBD products fall in a grey area of legality.
The CBD industry is severely lacking regulations, because as far as the FDA is concerned, CBD is still actually illegal at the time of this writing. (The Farm Bill has allowed CBD to be sold in the US, though. We know, it can be more than a little confusing.) Reputable CBD companies, however, have taken it upon themselves to self-regulate their own products to ensure safety, purity, potency, and accuracy. All and all, it seems the FDA isn’t necessarily on a mission to shut all CBD companies down; rather they're only looking for companies that make false medical claims and produce poorly formulated CBD products.
Still, it’s important to note that not all states in the US are on board with CBD. For instance, Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota are the only three states that have restrictions on all things cannabis, despite the legalization of industrial hemp prompted by the 2018 Farm Bill. So if you plan on purchasing CBD infused drinks, check your state laws before you down a CBD energy drink in public.
What are the best CBD infused drinks, and are they safe?
If you're looking for the best CBD infused drinks and you’re concerned about their safety profile, you need to look at the ingredients first. Most energy drinks, sodas, juices, and pre-packaged coffee drinks are packed with highly toxic ingredients like:
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Color dyes
- Toxic preservatives
- Toxic additives
- High levels of taurine and caffeine
- And large amounts of sugar
While you might think these toxic ingredients help make the drinks taste better or last longer, they can actually wreak havoc on your health, potentially causing an array of health issues down the road.
Reputable CBD companies, on the other hand, focus on wholesome, non-toxic, alternative ingredients that promote health and wellness in your body. They may even add additional vitamins, antioxidants, and natural fruit flavors to enhance their taste and therapeutic properties. So where can you find these high quality CBD infused drinks?
Where to buy CBD infused drinks?
If you live in a state where hemp-derived CBD is legal (which is most states), then chances are you may be able to find a CBD store near you that sells high quality CBD infused drinks. However, avoid shops that don’t focus on CBD. Be sure to only seek out reputable CBD companies, even if you're looking around your own city.
Beyond that, the easiest place to find the best CBD infused drinks for sale is online, and here’s why:
- You can search a number of CBD companies at one time.
- You can explore their website to see if their third party test results are available for viewing.
- You can look at the ingredients of each product they have on their website.
- You can research the company better to see if they implement good farming and manufacturing practices. The more self regulated the company is, the safer their products will be.
- You can contact their customer service to get more information about how they source their ingredients and produce their products.
Reputable CBD companies aren’t hard to find. It just takes time on your part to seek them out. When you do your due diligence, it makes the product you're consuming that much more enjoyable. So the next time you need a pick-me-up or a calming hydrating beverage, try a CBD infused beverage and see if it’s really worth the hype.
