A CBD drink is a prepackaged beverage product that contains full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate.
“The most common form of CBD to be infused into [any drink], from smoothies to tea, is an oil that’s extracted from a cannabis plant and then added to the food product,” says Brooke Worster, M.D., chief medical consultant at Ethos Cannabis and assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
CBD drinks usually contain additional natural or artificial flavors and ingredients, though some drinks contain exclusively hemp and water. CBD drinks are also marketed as non-alcoholic beverage alternatives, often with flavoring similar to alcoholic cocktails.
How Are CBD Drinks Made?
While adding extracts or oils to a product is typical when it comes to edible CBD products, there’s no “standard” process for manufacturing CBD drinks, according to Dr. Worster, who adds that there’s little regulatory oversight for CBD and herbal products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
There are three main types of CBD used in various CBD products: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. Full-spectrum CBD products contain a full range of active cannabinoids, including CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Broad-spectrum CBD products are similar, but manufacturing processes remove all traces of THC from the final product. CBD isolate products contain exclusively CBD, leaving out all other compounds.
As an additive itself, CBD can be added to common base beverages, such as carbonated water, still water, lemonade, tea and powder (to add to liquid). CBD drinks offer a variety of flavors, such as classic cocktails, fruits and herbs/botanicals. Further, some drinks may highlight its herbal ingredients and relaxation benefits, while some contain caffeine as an energy booster.
How to Use CBD Drinks
Essentially, how you use CBD drinks depends on the benefits you’re trying to achieve. “If [your goal is to relieve] pain, then maybe [drinking a CBD beverage after a] workout or whenever you experience the pain [would be a good idea],” says Dr. Worster. “Some people like to use CBD for its anti-inflammatory properties as a proactive approach to pain, so [drinking a CBD beverage] prior to activities they know can cause discomfort [may be beneficial].”
Dr. Worster and CBD brands recommend speaking with your health care provider prior to trying a CBD drink to maximize your approach to wellness. It is also advised not to consume CBD products if you are younger than 18 years old, pregnant, nursing, concerned about liver health or taking medication.
Brands also recommend starting slow, typically with one drink, and waiting 15-20 minutes before consuming another. That way, you can more closely follow how the drink affects you.