CBD can offer you many health benefits, but if you’re new to CBD, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of CBD products available. One form of CBD you may not be aware of if you’re new to CBD is CBD shatter.

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about CBD shatter to help you decide if it’s the best form of CBD for you.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. Other cannabinoids include THC, CBG, and CBN. CBD is a prominent compound in cannabis and hemp plants, and so it’s referred to as a ‘major cannabinoid.’

Thanks to the recent growth of cannabis and CBD legalization, research into CBD’s effects has boomed. This research shows us that CBD holds many therapeutic properties and could help ease symptoms of different medical conditions.

What is CBD shatter? 

CBD shatter is an extract product that contains only CBD and no other compounds from cannabis or hemp. You may be more familiar with CBD oil, but CBD shatter is not one that you should overlook.

CBD ‘shatter’ is named for its texture; this solid CBD extract is hard and brittle and can shatter easily. CBD shatter has this texture because of the filtration process it goes through. After CBD is extracted from cannabis or hemp plants, it will still contain some compounds from the plant it came from. To create a pure CBD product, this extract is then filtered repeatedly. If this pure extract is kept in a stable environment free of heat and light changes, it will then set and form CBD shatter.

How do I consume CBD shatter?

Because of its solid-state, it’s not immediately obvious how you might consume CBD shatter.

CBD shatter is a perfect fit for dabbing. Dabbing is a consumption method that involves adding a substance like CBD to an extremely hot surface like a hot plate and then inhaling the vapor created from this interaction.

When dabbing CBD shatter, you only need a small amount. Because of the high bioavailability of vaporized CBD, dabbing CBD shatter will deliver you strong concentrations of CBD fast. Bioavailability refers to the amount of a substance that reaches the bloodstream. With vaping, CBD’s bioavailability can reach as high as 70%, which is extremely impressive when considering that CBD edibles have a bioavailability of around 6-20% (1, 2).

To consume CBD shatter, place a small amount of CBD shatter onto the flat edge of a heated nail or small metal plate; this will create an instant cloud of vapor that you can then inhale.

Health benefits of CBD shatter

Because it is a highly concentrated form of CBD, CBD shatter can deliver you all the health benefits of CBD.

The potential health benefits of CBD shatter include:

Reduced inflammation

Inflammatory conditions can leave you in pain and with reduced functioning. We know that CBD can activate specific receptors that reduce inflammation and can also suppress the production of cells that cause inflammation to occur (3, 4). CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects are so impressive they have even been shown potential in treating severe inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (5).

Decreased anxiety

Anxiety is a mental health condition that can be debilitating and stop you from achieving your everyday activities. Impressively, CBD may improve the symptoms of anxiety thanks to its ability to increase serotonin and decrease cortisol levels, two hormones that play a significant role in improving and reducing mood, respectively (6, 7). One study even found that CBD was able to reduce anxiety in teenagers with social anxiety disorder (8).

Improved sleep quality

Sleep disorders can result in fatigue, reduced cognitive functioning, and even affect your breathing rhythm. CBD has shown impressive results in improving sleep, with studies finding that CBD can improve sleep scores and possibly improve sleep conditions like excessive daytime sleepiness and REM sleep behavior disorder (9, 10).

Please note that while there is a lot of positive research indicating the medical benefits of CBD, more research is needed to completely understand how CBD and specifically CBD shatter affect particular conditions and symptoms. Two people with the same conditions may experience completely different benefits or a lack of benefits from CBD, so be sure to speak with your doctor before using CBD shatter for a medical purpose.

Who is CBD shatter best for?

Because of the high bioavailability and speed of delivery of dabbing CBD shatter, it’s best suited for those who want high strength CBD effects quickly. This means that CBD shatter could potentially be a better option for those suffering from more severe forms of pain, anxiety, or sleep disorders.

CBD shatter can be intimidating for first-time users, and while it is easy to use once you learn, it may be better to start your CBD use with a product that is a bit more user-friendly and easier to dose, like CBD oil.

CBD side effects

Another impressive aspect of CBD is its high safety profile. CBD is considered exceptionally safe. Studies have shown that CBD doses as high as 1,500 mg have been used safely and effectively (11).

Side effects from CBD are mild but can include:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Sleepiness
• Reduced appetite (12)

Certain drugs can negatively interact with CBD, so please be sure to speak to your doctor first if you’re taking anything else regularly.

The bottom line

CBD shatter may not be the CBD product you’re most familiar with, but it sure does pack a punch. With a high bioavailability, CBD shatter is an excellent option to consider for people that need a more concentrated dose.

CBD shatter is best consumed through dabbing, which may be intimidating upon first look, but is essentially an alternative way to inhale CBD. Because of the strength of dabbing CBD and its more complex consumption method, CBD shatter is a more appropriate choice for those used to CBD, who understand their high dose needs and are comfortable with dabbing.