If you're thinking about starting to use CBD oil, you might be wondering how to best approach it. There are different methods, each with its own pros and cons. In this blog post, we'll discuss the various methods of taking CBD drops and which might be most effective for you.
Sublingual Intake of CBD Oil
The sublingual intake of CBD, that is, under the tongue, is one of the most popular methods. It's also one of the most effective, as the CBD is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, making the effects almost immediately noticeable.
The downside of sublingual CBD oil intake is that it can be easy to spill some of the oil. Also, if you dislike the taste of CBD oil, this form of intake may not be recommended.
Mixing CBD Oil with Food or Drinks
Adding CBD oil to food and drinks is another popular method. This is a great way to mask the taste of CBD oil if you don't like it. Plus, you can control your CBD oil intake in a manageable way as you can actually see how much CBD you're taking.
The downside to this method is that it might take a bit longer to feel the effects of the CBD oil as it first needs to be digested.
Applying CBD Oil Directly to the Skin
You can apply CBD oil directly to your skin or mix it with your skincare products. This method is good for localized pain relief or skin conditions.
The downside of this method is that it can take a while to feel the effects as the CBD needs to be absorbed through the skin.
How Not to Take CBD Oil
CBD oil should never be put in the nose or ears. These are two very sensitive areas and even a small amount of oil can cause irritation.
Do not vape CBD oil. If you put CBD oil into your e-cigarette or vape pen, the devices are likely to clog and get sticky. CBD oil differs from a CBD vape liquid as it is thicker in consistency and is primarily intended for oral use.
The same goes for vape liquids: they are not suitable for oral consumption but are exclusively for use in an e-cigarette or vape pen.
How Often Should You Take CBD Oil?
Although there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine how often you should take CBD oil.
One of the most important factors you should consider is the CBD concentration in the oil. If you're using an oil with a high CBD concentration, you may only need to take it once or twice a day. But if you're using an oil with a lower CBD concentration, you might need to take it multiple times a day.
Another factor to consider is why you're taking CBD oil. If you're taking it for general wellness, you might only need to take it once or twice a day.
It's also important to start with a low dose and gradually increase it as needed. This way, you can find the optimal dose for your individual needs.
Long-Term Use of CBD
You can take CBD for an extended period of time. This type of intake is suitable for conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, or chronic anxiety.
CBD is generally considered safe. Additionally, you don't develop a tolerance to it, as often happens with medications.
Therefore, you can safely take CBD for the long term if you want or if your symptoms require it.
Taking CBD in Cycles
It's also possible to take CBD in cycles, for example, for acute pain. If you're suffering from acute back pain, CBD can support your mobility until the back pain subsides.
Using CBD As Needed
Of course, you can take CBD as needed. Examples of on-demand intake are particularly stressful days, where you might use cannabidiol to relax a little more.
The active ingredient is also suitable for single-use before a big performance (lecture, speech, etc.) to help calm your nerves.
What Times of the Day Should I Take CBD?
The time of day you take CBD entirely depends on what effect you're hoping for. If taken in the morning, CBD can elevate your mood and ensure you start the day off energetically.
In the evening, the right dosage of CBD can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
How often you take CBD also depends on the desired effect or your complaints. For pain and anxiety, taking CBD 2-3 times a day has proven beneficial.
What Other Ways Can I Take CBD?
Given the popularity of CBD, there are now many different forms of consumption. The most important are:
- CBD capsules
- CBD liquid
- CBD crystals
- CBD creams or salves
- CBD paste
How Do I Properly Take CBD Capsules?
As mentioned before, capsules are an excellent alternative if you don't like the taste of CBD, as they are flavorless. These are CBD oil encased in a soft capsule. They are the easiest and most convenient form of consumption, as you simply swallow them with a bit of liquid.
How Do I Properly Use CBD Liquid?
CBD liquid is vaporized in an e-cigarette or a vaporizer. Vaporizing cannabidiol is much gentler on the lungs than smoking. It also has the advantage that the active substance almost immediately reaches the bloodstream through the pulmonary alveoli.
For newcomers, there are so-called starter kits that will make it easy for you to get started. The CBD liquid is filled into the tank of your vaporizer or e-cigarette and heated. You then inhale the resulting vapor.
How Do I Properly Use CBD Crystals?
CBD crystals are very pure CBD and have an almost 100% CBD content. This makes them the most potent CBD product. They come as pure CBD crystals or also mixed with terpenes to achieve the entourage effect.
Given the high CBD content of the crystals, you can take them in various ways:
Orally, which means you can "eat" them. Some manufacturers compare eating the crystals to eating caviar - a little on the back of your hand, then enjoy.
Vaporize. The crystals can also be vaporized in a specific vaporizer suitable for crystals.
Dissolved in oil. You can use the crystals as a base for your own CBD oil blend and take it like regular CBD.
In food. You can also enrich foods with the crystals. A popular form of intake is baking them into cookies.
You see, crystals are very versatile, and the form of intake depends on your personal preferences. The downside of the crystals is their slightly higher price, as well as the fact that they contain only CBD, no other cannabinoids.
How Do I Properly Use CBD Salves or Creams?
CBD salves or creams are intended for direct application on the skin. Not only internally but also externally applied, CBD has a strong effect.
The application is straightforward. You simply apply the desired amount of cream to the skin and let it work there.
CBD salves and creams are very effective for muscle and joint pain, migraines, or inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis or acne.
How Do I Properly Take CBD Paste?
CBD paste is a viscous substance that usually consists of CBD extract and a somewhat sticky carrier medium like butter or wax. The CBD concentration is usually very high. The advantage is that you can achieve a high dosage of CBD with the intake of a small amount of paste.
The paste is ideally taken sublingually, just like CBD oil. Alternatively, you can also dissolve it in food or drinks.
Other Methods of CBD Intake
We have now introduced you to the most important CBD products in more detail. However, the steadily growing market also continually brings forth new products. Other interesting methods of CBD intake include:
- CBD Gummies. You eat these just like regular gummies. They have a fixed CBD content, making dosage easy.
- CBD Coffee. There's already coffee that is enriched with CBD during the roasting process. When you enjoy a cup, you benefit from the effect at the same time. Usually, manufacturers specify the CBD content per cup on the packaging.
- CBD Water. Here, the CBD is dissolved not in fat (oil), but in water. According to manufacturers, the bioavailability of CBD dissolved in water is very good, as it can particularly well bind with our cellular fluids.
- CBD Patches. These are applied to the skin like nicotine patches. They have the advantage of releasing a steady amount of CBD over a long period (often 36 hours).
CBD Dosage - How Much CBD Should I Take?
Dosing CBD is very individual and somewhat difficult to determine, especially if you're new to CBD. The dosage depends on four factors:
- Your body weight
- The conditions you want to treat
- Your individual body chemistry
- The CBD concentration in your product
- There are no official dosage guidelines yet. However, the general rule is to start with a small dose and slowly increase until you feel the desired effect.
It's considered that less body mass requires a lower dosage than more body mass. You can also guide yourself by the effects of CBD:
To lift the mood and gain energy, a small dosage suffices (for example, one drop in the morning and evening).
To promote sleep or alleviate pain, a higher dosage is required (for example, 3-5 drops in the morning and/or evening).
Conclusion
There are various ways to take CBD oil, and each has its own pros and cons. Each person responds differently to CBD because everyone's body responds differently to the individual components.
Try out all the above-mentioned methods of CBD intake, listen to your body, and observe its reaction. This way, you can find out which method is best suited for you.