Best Way to Take CBD Oil

You can find it in just about anything these days. Fast food restaurants are putting it burgers, cafes in coffee, bakeries in cakes and brownies. Skincare companies are putting in in face creams and make-ups. And we even read about CBD infused work-out gear recently.

It’s clear we’re in the midst of a CBD boom.

But what’s the best way to take CBD oil? Will all of these methods deliver the same results? No, of course not. Obviously, some are meant for different things anyway. But is there one method that stands above the rest?

If you’re overwhelmed by the wide variety of CBD products, you’re not alone. This breakdown will help.

How to Use CBD Oil

Before we get to the best way, what are some of the most popular ways? Each method delivers CBD to your body in a different way, which affects what it does. Depending on your reasons for using CBD, certain products may be more beneficial than others.

1. Ingestion

This includes food or drink. This also includes CBD gummies or capsules. This is an easy way to get your CBD dosage no matter the time or place.

The drawback with eating something that contains CBD is that quickly swallowing the oil prevents the CBD from immediately entering the bloodstream. In this case, it needs to pass through the digestive tract and eventually onto the liver, where it’s broken down before finally reaching the bloodstream. 

Studies show that when CBD compounds are metabolized by the liver, it undergoes what is called the “first pass effect.” This is where cytochrome P450 (CYP450) oxidases enzymes in the liver and reduces the concentration of the CBD before the remainder is finally sent to the bloodstream and circulated throughout the body.

Ingesting CBD can also include taking the drops sublingually (under the tongue).

Sublingual CBD administration is different from ingesting it in food or drink. With this method, you drop the oil underneath your tongue, holding it there for several seconds (or longer). By taking it this way, the CBD is absorbed by the mucous membranes located in the mouth, bypassing the digestive system and liver. This means it works much faster and you don’t lose any of the concentration.

Read this next: to get all those great benefits you’ve read about, make sure you’re getting the good stuff. Here’s how.

2. Topicals

If you’re looking for localized benefits, a topical cream or salve may be better than ingesting it. With a cream or salve, you simply massage the product into the area that’s giving you grief.

When it’s applied directly to the skin it can be absorbed through the surface of the skin to interact with localized cannabinoid receptors. That said, the skin can have a lower cannabinoid absorption rate, so apply it liberally.

Read this next: what happens when you pair a CBD salve and a yoga session? Find out here.

3. Inhalation

If you’re looking for almost immediate relief, then inhaling CBD is the way to go. That said, the relief is typically much shorter lasting compared to ingesting CBD.

However, you may be wary of this method because of the bad press vaping has received over the last few months. Yes, as of last week there’d been over 1000 cases of a mysterious vaping-related illness reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only a small portion of those reports included a CBD vape, but still, the CDC is warning people to “consider refraining” from vaping altogether.

This is largely a result of the lack of regulations and the addition of harmful substances in those vaping cartridges. If you still plan on vaping CBD, do your research. Ensure the product is tested and doesn’t contain ingredients like vitamin E acetate.

Read this next: have another question about CBD? Check out our top 10 FAQs right here!

The Best Way to Take CBD Oil

We’re big fans of straight CBD oil, used sublingually (under the tongue).

As the most common method for CBD consumption, administering a couple of drops directly into the mouth is the quickest and easiest way to reap the benefits of this therapeutic cannabinoid.

It’s also great if you want to maintain steady levels of CBD throughout the day.

And, if you’ve never taken CBD before, a tincture is an easy place to start.

Remember, each of our bodies responds differently to CBD, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. Start slow, and increase the dose as needed.