How to take CBD

So you have decided to try CBD, selected the product best suited to your needs and are now ready to take.

So how do you take CBD? What are different methods available to you? How do they differ? 

We’ll start by looking at the main methods of taking cbd: 

Inhalation

This is achieved through either smoking or vaping your CBD. We haven’t heard of many examples of people smoking cbd and this method probably adds toxins that could be created during the burning process.

Vaping cbd is much more common but requires vaping equipment (normally a pen). You should be able to buy an oil based cbd product specially designed to fit into the pen.

Inhalation obviously delivers the cbd into your body quickly so you should feel the effects relatively quickly. 

Application to the skin or topical

This is a very popular, widespread method. You basically buy an oil based cbd product and apply it directly to the skin or use a cbd cream. This approach is most often used to treat muscle or skins complaints as the cbd can be applied directly to affected area of the body

Eating CBD

Ingestion is also a very popular method and many products are available such as chocolate, biscuits, tea, cold drinks, gummies. You can also explore adding cbd to your recipes. This method can require some time for the cbd to take effect as it has to circulate through the digestive system in order to be absorbed.

Under the tongue or sublingual

This is an extremely fast way for your body to absorb the cbd and so hopefully feel some results as quickly as possible. You need to place drops of cbd oil under your tongue. Most users of this method recommend using a flavoured oil to make it easier to take. 

Suppository

An unusual, and perhaps potentially uncomfortable, means of delivery is actually highly effective and is obviously a must for people who are having difficulty using one of the other methods. 

Not all methods of taking CBD work well with all conditions

Product and delivery methods determine absorption

How does the type of CBD product and delivery method affect the amount of CBD your body absorbs?

For CBD to take effect it needs to be absorbed by your body. The amount absorbed and the speed at which it enters your body’s circulation is known as bioavailability. Each type of CBD (oil, edibles, creams etc…) has a different level of bioavailability, the way in which you then take the product also affects how much and how quickly the CBD can circulate in your body and start to take effect.

For example, any product you eat will need to pass through the digestive system before circulating in your body. The digestion process also removes a quantity of CBD thus diluting the amount of CBD that is finally absorbed by your body.

This is why CBD oil taken under the tongue (sublingual) offers the best bioavailability along with inhalation as they avoid the digestive system.

Please note it is important to take into consideration the downside of vaping in general. If the sublingual method is not appropriate for you for medical reasons or other considerations then the other methods of delivery are still effective but you may need to take more cbd and wait longer to feel the effects. 

Find the best method for you

As we often state in our articles, we all need to take our individual characteristics into consideration before making a decision and then proceed with care. For example, if you know that you have digestive issues then eating cbd might be the best way for you to take the product.

Once you have taken it you should monitor how you feel and contact a health professional if you feel ill. We have an article on some of the main side effects you might encounter. 

As discussed above, a cream would be most effective when applied to the zone where you are experience muscle pain but should not be used to help with insomnia or anxiety.