In the beginning, when CBD (cannabidiol) initially began to gain momentum in 2017, the excitement seemed to stem from curiosity more than anything. What could a substance made of cannabis or hemp be so likely to be beneficial, and not have the psychoactive side effects? But as the benefits became more widely known (and it was made legal through the 2018 Farm Bill), the ingredient started popping up in everything from dog food to chocolates. Today, CBD has gone from a wellness niche to something that could be something that even “just say no to drugs” mom would be interested in.

CBD is available in many formats, including in oil and tinctures, gummies, and, most recently, CBD water. One of CBD’s biggest benefits is the ability to decrease anxiety, which is certainly on a level right now. This could lead more people to think that CBD water might be the solution to their pandemic anxiety or provide some relief.

It’s a good idea not to shell out for something that’s not authentic. Before investing in CBD water, it’s essential to know the basics of CBD water to know how it can be beneficial, any potential dangers and which CBD products are worthy of your time and effort. This guide will cover everything you must know.

How it’s made

To refresh your memory, CBD is one of the active ingredients in marijuana (and hemp). It is extracted from hemp or cannabis plants either to produce an individual CBD-only compound or a complete spectrum compound that includes CBD along with other components from the plant. Jamie Evans, the founder of The Herb Somm and author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD, explains that CBD water is simply water that’s had a tincture of CBD.

If you’ve ever tried mixing CBD oil in a glass at home, then you’ve seen from experience that oil and water aren’t easy to mix. Because of this, Evans claims that CBD water companies employ nanoemulsions, which aid with infusion by reducing the resistance of the liquid. “It makes the molecules in the water less likely to stick to themselves and more likely to interact with the oil,” she says. “By agitating the mixture together, the CBD that’s in the drink is broken down into microscopic droplets, which prevents the oil from separating out. This process helps CBD be more easily absorbed by the body.” For this reason, it’s possible to buy CBD water rather than making it yourself.

How is CBD water different from CBD oil?

When you’re looking to choose between CBD water or CBD oil (which includes extracted cannabidiols which are then diluted in the form of carrier oil), Evans says it’s primarily a personal choice as both have the same benefits. “One benefit to the water is that it may have a higher bioavailability rate,” she claims. Because the human body is composed of 60% water, it’s possible to allow the CBD within the water to be taken in by the body than the CBD that is in the oil. But more scientific research needs to be conducted to confirm the benefits of this.

However, in general, she states that CBD water as well as CBD oil possess similar benefits, as the benefits come from the CBD in itself, not from the water or oil.