What is the Most Effective Way to Take CBD?

What is CBD?

CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is one of the many different kinds of cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants. With time, CBD has proven to be a natural remedy for many issues like seizures, muscle aches, anxiety, and lack of sleep. 

Thus, due to its multiple uses and growing demand, there are now multiple ways of consuming it. 

Methods of CBD Intake

Each method of intake is designed to fulfill the unique needs of individual consumers, since not every method will prove to be ideal for each consumer. For simplicity, we will make a broad division of the types of methods which include:

1. Ingestion
2. Topical
3. Sublingual
4. Inhalation

While all these four methods are different, here are a few essential points to consider before choosing any of them:

• Lab-Tested 

It is important to note that currently, CBD products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hence, it is essential to check at the time of purchase if the product has been lab-tested by a third party. 

This task is essential in knowing the safety level of the product you are about to consume.

• The Spectrum of the CBD

While buying, please ensure that the products are made with broad-spectrum or full oil instead of distillate or isolate. This is so that no compromise on health benefits is made. However, Broad-spectrum oils contain most cannabinoids, but unlike full spectrum, they generally do not contain THC. 

Full and broad-spectrum products tend to be less processed, which means some of cannabis's volatile organic compounds are preserved and provide health benefits at the time of consumption. 

Now that we have established the basic buying procedure, let us dive into WHAT to buy, which of course, is determined by the type of method that suits you best. 

Let’s first start with Ingestion

• Ingestion 

This is one of the easiest and safest ways of consuming CBD through edibles. In this, you can simply swallow some CBD oil, and if the taste does not suit well, then other methods of Ingestion can be used. 

Some other CBD edibles include gummies, truffles, mints, lollipops, CBD oil, etc. They are the most discreet methods of taking CBD, especially if you want to consume it while you are preoccupied or at a public place.

While resorting to this method, just be well aware of the amount of time this method requires to be effective. Do not overdose yourself in the expectation of an instant result. Take a small quantity and then wait for a few hours to check how you feel before consuming more of it. 

Pros of Ingestion

• Hassle-free consumption

CBD gummies, truffles, mints, lollipops can be easily consumed at any place at any time. No heavy bottles, water, or smoking areas need to be found. A simple small box of these items can be kept in handy bags. 

• Variety

Edibles offer you a lot of variety, from gummies, truffles, mints, lollipops to simply adding the oil to your favorite food. There is no one particular method you need to resort to; you have much variety to pick the best option from. 

• Discreet

Edibles, as stated previously, are one of the most discreet ways to consume CBD. They are odorless, portable, and silent. Hence, you can easily have them at work, in your car, at the mall-just anywhere you want. 

• Effect lasts long

While edibles take their time to kick in, their effect indeed lasts for long - almost 12 hours off a single serving. 

• Easy to measure and keep track

CBD gummies, truffles, mints, and lollipops are usually easy to measure. You can easily keep track of the dosage, for example, two gummies per day. No measuring cups etc, are needed. Just simply count and munch on, and you are good to go!

Now, like every other method, this method, too, has its fair amount of caveats. Let us have a look at some of those.

Cons of Ingestion

• Takes time to start working

As stated previously, edibles are not very rapid in starting their job. They take a fair amount of time to take effect. Hence, in the case where you look for some rapid reaction or solution, edibles are not the go-to method then. 

• First-pass effect

Edibles might not only take more time to effect but are sometimes ineffective too. As per research, Edibles take a few hours to start effecting, and once they do, one absorbs about 20 to 30 percent of the CBD consumed, hence total effectivity is hindered. 

You are now in an excellent position to analyze if this method suits you or not! Go on to discover the second method now.

• Topical Applications

Some people are not comfortable eating anything similar to medicine. Or even inhaling, which is another method that we will discuss further. It is okay, do not worry if you are one of those. 

You can resort to applying creams and balms. Yes, you heard that right! CBD creams and balms. The process is straightforward and self-explanatory from the title given above. All you have to do is apply CBD lotions, balms, creams, salves, and transdermal patches on the affected areas of your skin that might be suffering from sore muscles, skin conditions, or simple migraines in which you just have to massage the balm well on your temples.

Now let us look over the pros and cons of this method to evaluate better if this suits your need or not.

Pros of Topical Application

• Not subject to the first-pass effect

Unlike the ingestion method, this method is not susceptible to the first pass effect and so can be more effective in some instances like that of sore muscles. 

• Easy to use

All you have to do is apply the cream or balm to the affected area. And for this, all you require is prior experience of applying any simple cream, lotion, or even a makeup product. We are sure you have done that before, hence, this method should be super easy for you. No hassle!

• Direct Application

You just have to apply CBD on the affected area rather than bombarding the entire body with it. No need to affect the entire body when just a small area of skin is affected demands CBD. 

• Added Odors

Different flavors of CBD lotion-like Apple etc, are available. Hence, you have a variety to choose from and can smell great. It also works as an excellent alternative to regular lotions when the body requires CBD. 

Cons of Topical Application

• Hard to measure

Unlike edibles, cream and balms are hard to measure. No certain measure can be kept on the amount of cream and balm that is being applied each day, and so variations can occur. 

Extreme variations, which are unlikely, can cause unwanted health problems.

• Low Absorption

Unlike edibles CBD, is not directly reaching inside your body. The skin acts as a barrier, thereby lowering the absorption rate. Hence, more CBD will be needed to get the same results as achieved in other methods. 

Now let us head on to our third method, which is sublingual.

• Sublingual

Edibles, like CBD gummies and lollipops, usually contain sugar and other preservatives along with CBD, which some of you might not want. Hence to get away from the unwanted intake of sugar and other preservatives, you can always resort to the sublingual method.

Sublingual is said to be the most effective and prevalent method of taking CBD. In simpler words, sublingual is just applying sublingual CBD products under your tongue for about sixty to ninety seconds before you swallow it. Sublingual CBD products include tinctures, which are solutions made by soaking the cannabis flower in oil, alcohol sprays, oils, etc. 

However, we understand that keeping something under the tongue might be a source of discomfort for some of you. Do not worry, if that is the case. It is entirely normal to feel so, and that is why other forms of intake exist. 

But if you are fortunate enough not to feel so, you should carefully read the high benefits and a few disadvantages of this method.

Pros of Sublingual Method

• Rapid action

Sublingual products are usually rapid action products. Unlike the other two aforementioned methods, sublingual products take around 10-15 minutes to start their effect throughout the body. So, when you are in search of a quick heal, you now definitely know what to choose. 

• Better Absorption Rate

Since Sublingual products are not eaten, which means the users do not face metabolism issues. Moreover, they are not applied on the skin, where skin acts as a barrier for intake in the body. Instead, they are directly put into the body and so they have high absorption and, therefore, high effectiveness.

• Highly effective

Because CBD Sublingual products simultaneously have both a high absorption and quick effectivity rate, they are deemed as the most efficient way of consuming CBD.

• Discreet

Like other methods, this method too is easy to execute. Just keep a small bottle in your pocket or purse and use it whenever the need is, be that in your office or a mall. Just apply some CBD oil under your tongue and keep it there for sixty seconds.

Cons of Sublingual Method

• Difficult to measure

Sublingual products, unlike edibles, are challenging to measure. Hence, keeping an accurate track of daily doses can get tricky at times.

• Discomfort

Not everyone is comfortable holding CBD under their tongue for a minute or so. Some might feel nauseous while doing so. 

• Effects last for a short time

Although Sublingual products are quick to react, their effect usually lasts for a shorter time, unlike that of gummies. Hence, more doses might have to be taken in this case. 

Now let us move to our last method.

• Vaping and Smoking 

Another less common way of intaking CBD is through inhaling it. This can be done in multiple ways, such as inhaling CBD concentrates such as sugar waxes with any sort of vape or using a vaporizer with a cartridge that contains CBD oil. 

You should choose the method that’s most comfortable for you. While this method is effective because you can absorb around 30-60 percent of the CBD in ten minutes or less, it needs to be evaluated well before you decide to go with it. For that, let us have a fair pro and con analysis.

Pros of Vaping 

• High Absorption Rate

Unlike edibles, vape is not eaten, which means they do not face metabolism issues, nor applied on the skin, where skin acts as a barrier for intake in the body. Instead, it is directly inhaled into the body, and in ten minutes or less, you can absorb around 30-60 percent of the CBD. 

This means this method has a very high absorption rate.

• Routine task for daily consumers of Vape

For those who already smoke or vape, this method is super easy. They do not have to go through the effort of convincing themselves to do something different, like having gummies or applying creams. They simply can consume CBD through vaping or smoking.

Cons of Vaping

• Not the safest method

Smoking CBD can expose one to carcinogens. For those of you who do not know, a carcinogen is an agent that can cause cancer in individuals exposed to that agent. 

Furthermore, smoking CBD vape cartridges that are made with thinning agents that can cause detrimental effects on lung tissue. Hence, this method is not the most ideal and safest one.

• Short effectivity rate

Although this method has a high absorption rate, its effectiveness does not last for very long, and frequent doses need to be taken for a significant duration of effectiveness.

• Not very discreet

It cannot be practiced everywhere. Smoking areas need to be found for this method.