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What are the different ways to use CBD?

August 25, 2020 5 min read

What are the different ways to use CBD?

You’ve read up oncannabidiol(CBD); you like the sound of it and think your health condition could benefit from this truly impressiveCannabis(hemp plant) compound. Hopefully, you also consulted with a medical professional over possible interactions between CBD and the medications you’re taking, if you’re taking any.

Once you decide to try CBD, you face an overwhelming choice of CBD products. There are drops, tinctures, CBD gummies, vaping CBD oil products, softgels, creams, and many others. For someone who’s just starting out in this wonderful world of cannabidiol, the variety of CBD products quickly gets confusing.

Fear not; we are here to help. In this post, we’re going to explain different ways of using CBD and thedifferences in their bioavailability. The more bioavailable CBD is, the better it will be absorbed by your body – meaning you will get better results. However, a product with high CBD bioavailability may not be suitable for you for different reasons. For example, if you suffer from lung disease, inhaling CBD – a method that delivers a lot of CBD in a short amount of time – would be out of the question, so it’s always good to know your options.

CBD Edibles

CBD oil edibles are products that you eat. These can begummies, lollipops, CBD capsules, CBD softgels, and pre-made foods infused with CBD. You can even make your favorite food or drink with CBD, just be careful of how much CBD oil you add and how much you consume.

When ingested this way, it takes anywhere from one to four hours for the CBD to take effect. This slower onset is because CBD needs to pass from your digestive system into the bloodstream. It also undergoes what is called first-pass metabolism – a process where CBD is partially broken down in the liver, reducing its bioavailability. All of this adds to the slow onset and the longer-lasting effects of the edibles.

If you have a chronic condition that requires the effects of CBD to last for a more extended period of time, CBD edibles and capsules are a great choice.

Sublingual Products

Sublingual means under the tongue; CBD formulations intended for this application are CBD drops or tinctures, sprays, and lozenges (tablets that you don’t swallow but suck on). The tinctures are usually packaged in small bottles with convenient droppers.

When you feel like taking your CBD, use the dropper to apply a few drops of the CBD oil under your tongue. Hold the oil tincture there for about a minute before you swallow. For the best results, don’t eat or drink anything before or right after using CBD in this way.

As opposed to the edibles, CBD absorbed through the mucous membranes under your tongue isn’t subjected to first-pass metabolism. The onset is quicker – from 15 minutes to an hour, and the effect is shorter than if you ingest an edible. Additionally, thanks to the dropper applicator, it is easier to control how much CBD you intake.

Be warned that some CBD oil tinctures contain alcohol. If you want to avoid alcohol, always read the ingredients and go for products made with vegetable glycerin instead.

Topical CBD

Topical application means application on the skin. Out of all the methods of CBD use, applying CBD on your skin is by far the easiest. It doesn’t require any preparation or special tools. All you need to do is take your product and rub it on your skin in the appropriate areas.

The most common CBD topicals are CBD creams, balms, and transdermal patches. Some skin irritation is possible, so always make sure to test your sensitivity to the product on a small area of your skin before you apply it generously.

Topical CBD doesn’t go through the liver (no first-pass metabolism), and it absorbs more slowly through your skin than through mucous membranes (like under the tongue). When choosing a topical product, go for one with a relatively high amount of CBD.

Topical products that also contain menthol, camphor, and capsaicin add even more soothing effects in certain conditions. (Make sure that you’re not too sensitive to these ingredients, either!)

Smoking CBD and CBD Vape

Inhaling CBD, whether through smoking or vaping, is one of the quickest ways to feel its effects. The CBD is absorbed directly from the lungs into your bloodstream, and the onset time is only a few minutes. To inhale CBD, you can smoke a joint of cannabis flower high in CBD or hemp flower, use a vaporizer with a CBD oil cartridge, or use a vape pen and a CBD oil concentrate.

  • Smoking

To smoke CBD oil concentrates, you will need a so-called ‘oil rig’ – essentially a water pipe that produces smoke for you to inhale. If you’re not sure how to work a pipe like this and are not interested in learning, you can always roll a joint. However, be advised that smoking a joint with a high-CBD cannabis flower also means you might get high from the THC in that flower.

Smoking is excellent for fast effects, but it can be rough on the throat and the lungs. This method of using CBD is not recommended for beginners because you can intake a relatively high amount of CBD.

  • Vaping

Vaping CBD is less of a hassle than smoking it for the simple reason thatvapor pens exist. All you need to do is buy a disposable pen or a vape starter kit with an appropriate CBD oil cartridge. It won’t take long for you to get a handle on the process.

The same benefits that you get from smoking, you also get from vaping – a fast onset and a relatively high concentration of CBD. Moreover, vaping is not as aggravating for the throat as smoking, which is a nice bonus.

CBD Dosage

Every CBD product comes with a different recommended usage. If you’ve never used CBD before and aren’t sure how you will react to it, start with a low amount. The product-recommended usage should be fine, though in some cases (such as liver disease), it would be best to go with an even lower amount. Consult your physician for advice on CBD usage.

If you have serious health issues and are taking prescribed medication, make sure to consult with your doctor on the correct CBD amount. Different CBD products’ overall effects vary from person to person, so if something worked for your friend, it doesn’t mean it will work the same for you. CBD is well-tolerated andconsidered safe, but you should still go slow and be careful until you’re sure that you won’t experience any adverse effects.

Conclusion

The main question when choosing the right CBD product is how fast you want to feel the effects. Consider whether you’re comfortable with smoking/vaping, eating CBD-infused foods, or applying a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue. Take into account the amount of CBD in each product and calculate the correct dose for yourself.

While there is no conclusive scientific evidence that CBD can treat, cure, or prevent any disease, the number of personal accounts that testify to the benefits of CBD is increasing. Taking CBD doesn’t carry many risks, and it may improve your everyday life.Take a peek atour wide range of productsand pick one that would be the easiest way for you to consume CBD.