One occurrence among people who take CBD is that they occasionally realize the tincture they have been using regularly is not giving them the same relief they’ve come to expect. While this can be frustrating, there are several reasons why this can happen. In this article, we will discuss some of those reasons and how to fix them.
The Plants
First, let’s talk about plants themselves. Plants are living entities, and like people, each one is unique. We all have a different chemical makeup and varying physical traits. Some of this is because of our ancestry, where we live, and even the time of year we were born. Even siblings from the same family can have drastically different physical characteristics and personalities.
Hemp plants are no different. Each has its own distinctive traits. Some may contain higher concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes than others. The soil they were planted in, the temperature, and the natural environment in which they grow can vary. And like siblings, even plants from the same “family” can have wide variances.
Expert growers attempt to limit these variances as much as possible to ensure that the concentrations of CBD and other cannabinoids remain consistent. But imperfections do exist.
One way to find out if this is the case with your product is to look carefully at the third-party lab test results for the batch you have that isn’t working. Compare these results to a batch you were using that was effective. Are there variations among the phytocannabinoids or terpenes? Even small fluctuations can make a difference.
If the difference is drastic, contact the company and find out why. Explain your issue and see if they have a solution. It’s possible they have changed formulations and will be happy to help you choose one more suitable for your needs.
The Production Methods
Then, there are the extraction methods themselves. Once the raw plant is harvested, the CBD must be extracted. There is always a chance that a brand has decided to switch from one extraction method to another and that is the cause of the discrepancy.
Many brands on the market are “white-labeled”. This means that the company doesn’t use their own hemp. Instead, they partner with a farm or supplier to obtain their CBD and use their own company label for distribution. There is nothing inherently wrong with this method. Not every brand has the ability to set up an enterprise extensive enough to control the process from seed to shelf.
Because of the many differences in production and manufacturing, it’s easy to see why inconsistencies can happen. Perhaps a brand has recently changed suppliers and that is responsible for the difference in quality.
Again, you can contact the company directly and tell them that the CBD you are now taking is not as effective as the last bottle you ordered. They may have some answers and be able to offer you a potential solution.
The Human Element
The fact is that for various reasons, a compound may react differently to your physiology at times and there may be no rhyme or reason as to why. However, you can look at any changes you have made recently to see if you can pinpoint the mystery.
Have you changed the time of day that you take your tincture? CBD is best taken with other foods that contain a small amount of healthy fats like nuts, olive oil, avocados, and such. If you have begun taking your CBD in the morning on an empty stomach, you may want to consider waiting until after breakfast to allow it to metabolize better.
The effectiveness of CBD oil ranges from four to eight hours depending upon the amount taken, a person’s weight, age, metabolism, and other factors. It’s possible your CBD is wearing off and you may need to take it both in the morning and the evening to maintain the desired effects.
Have you left your bottle in a hot car for extended periods of time? High heat and light can degrade the product, rendering it less effective.
Have you increased the amount you were taking? While it seems counterintuitive, taking more CBD than necessary can actually cause diminished results. Researchers aren’t sure why, but they have found that cannabidiol follows an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve. Too little CBD may have no effect, but too much can also be just as ineffective. Each individual has their own level at which cannabinoids will work best for them. The trick is in finding that sweet spot. Try experimenting up or down with dosage slowly, using a diary to measure your progress.
While it can certainly be frustrating to go through all this detective work to find out why your normal CBD oil has suddenly stopped working, don’t give up just yet. You may need to switch brands for a time or make some minor adjustments to your regimen to start feeling better again.
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