There are different kinds of cannabidiol (CBD) products, and they all produce different levels of effectiveness. Some produce their effects instantly, which last for a short period, while the effects take longer in others to kickstart and last longer in the body. So, it’s important to know how to use CBD depending on the affects you want to attain and the type of health issues you want to manage. This article offers an overview of how to take CBD Oil in different ways.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the prominent cannabis compounds normally extracted from the hemp plant. It should be noted that hemp is a cannabis sub-strain with low levels of THC, a psychoactive compound. CBD is normally mixed with a carrier oil such as MCT coconut oil to create CBD oil that’s more bioavailable.
How to Take CBD
There are plenty of ways of using CBD. Whether you want CBD to improve your general wellness or treat an underlying health condition, you can use CBD in the form of:
- Sublingual intake
- Ingestion
- Vaping and smoking
- Topicals
Sublingual Intake
It’s a simple approach that involves placing CBD oil drops under the tongue. Sublingual intake provides faster effects since the CBD compound goes directly into the bloodstream via the blood capillaries found underneath the mouth’s lining. Place the recommended oil drops under the tongue hold the oil in place for 30-60 seconds before spitting or swallowing it.
Ingestion
It’s an oral technique that involves putting the CBD product in the mouth and swallowing it. This mode of application is ideal for treating chronic pain since the CBD compound stays in the body for longer. However, the effects normally take longer to kickstart. This is because the CBD compound must pass through the liver before getting into the bloodstream. This can take an hour or even more.
CBD Capsules/ Soft Gels: They are important to those who want to maintain a consistent CBD intake. Besides that, capsules also provide discreetness, and you can take them anywhere, anytime.
Coffee/Tea/Smoothie: The earthy taste and pungent raw smell of hemp can be a turnoff. However, certain food products can be used to mask all these. You can take CBD now in the form of tea, coffee, or a smoothie and in the flavor you like.
Salad Dressing: You can incorporate CBD oil drops in your daily cooking routine to get its health benefits. Note that you can add it as a salad dressing with olive oil. Add salt, pepper, and fragrant lemon for a delicious and nutritious dressing.
Vaping and Smoking
You can smoke a cannabis flower joint or inhale, vape CBD oil, or use a vaporizer. Smoking and vaping are almost identical since the CBD compound passes through the lung’s lining to reach the bloodstream. The effects are normally felt within 10 minutes are less, and your lungs can absorb 34-56% of the CBD content.
However, you need to be careful when smoking cannabis. This is because you can expose yourself to carcinogenic compounds that may result in respiratory issues. Additionally, vaping isn’t safe since some CBD vape cartridges are made with carriers or thinning agents such as vegetable glycerin or propylene agent. A 2017 review established that these compounds could result in lung damage.
Topicals
Topical CBD products are for direct skin application. They normally provide a localized effect since you need to apply them to a specific body part. You can find CBD topicals in the form of creams, lotions, salves, balms, and transdermal patches.
Topical products are great in managing joint and muscle tissues and skin conditions such as eczema. However, their effectiveness isn’t high since the skin has mucous membranes that reduce the rate of absorption. Additionally, topical CBD products don’t reach the bloodstream but interact with the endocannabinoid system found in the bloodstream.
These are some of the common ways how to use CBD. Each method has its pros and cons, and it’s up to you to determine the best one that suits your needs.
What are the Benefits of CBD?
CBD provides the body with many benefits, thanks to its many properties. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic, anti-anxiety, anti-epileptic properties, and others. CBD works with the endocannabinoid system in the body to promote a sense of normalcy. Its benefits include:
- Anxiety and stress reduction
- Improved sleep
- Chronic pain relief
Anxiety and Stress Reduction
CBD has anti-anxiety properties that make it effective in alleviating the symptoms of stress and reducing stress levels. The natural calming abilities of CBD make it possible for it to promote relaxation without causing the “high” effects.
Sleep and Insomnia
The effectiveness of CBD in helping you to de-stress after a long day may also help to improve your sleep patterns. It’s a compound that’s therapeutic to the mind and physical body, thereby improving the quality and quantity of sleep.
Pain and Inflammation
The anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD make it effective in providing users with chronic pain relief. Its organic profile and high efficiency level have made it a popular natural remedy for pain management. Additionally, CBD doesn’t have the many negative side effects of over-the-counter drugs. This makes it effective for long-term pain management.
Note: While CBD isn’t a cure for chronic ailments, it can help to minimize their harsh side effects significantly. Besides that, it isn’t addictive hence can’t result in dependability.
What to Look in CBD Product
Regardless of the form of CBD you pick for use, there are a few things you need to consider when shopping. The essential things to consider include:
- Type of CBD
- Hemp sources
- Independent 3rd-party lab tests
Type of CBD
Do you want full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate CBD? If you are looking for CBD for pain, then consider full-spectrum CBD. It normally produces the entourage effect that makes it ideal for dealing with chronic pain. Such products are less processed, and the cannabis’ volatile organic compounds are usually preserved. Broad-spectrum and isolate CBD are suitable for dealing with chronic everyday conditions such as anxiety, headaches, and mild inflammation.
Hemp Sources
The most effective sources of CBD are those that come from organic, domestic sources. When shopping, go for those products that are organic and the U.S grown. It should be noted that cannabis grown in the US is of high quality since its subjected to strict agricultural regulations and can’t have over 0.3% THC. Besides that, they are likely to contain pesticides and other chemicals.
Independent 3rd-Party Lab Tests
The FDA doesn’t regulate the current cannabis industry. That’s why new brands are constantly popping up, and with a lack of proper measures in place, your chances of buying low-quality CBD products are high.
However, brands that want to protect their reputations usually subject all their product batches to independent 3rd-party tests. This will allow you to clearly see what you expose your body to. Additionally, you can verify that the contents on the product packaging are correct.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to use CBD, depending on your preferences and the medical effects you want to attain. You can use CBD topically, especially if you want to attain a localized effect when treating joint pain. Besides that, you can consume it as an edible orally or in the form of capsules. Other alternatives such as vaping, smoking, and sublingual intake offer different types of experience. You simply have to decide which technique suits you best. Make sure that you use CBD as recommended by the manufacturer to avoid unwanted side effects. Additionally, it’s important to seek the medical opinion of your doctor before using any CBD product.
