The market is full of cannabis products differing in consumption methods, effects and dosages, so we understand how difficult it can be to choose the one which is the best for you.
The thing is that there’s no universal method to use CBD since all our bodies have different reactions to that or another product. Depending on your experience and preferences, it may take a long time of experimenting to find your perfect way to take CBD. This article will try to outline all we know about CBD consumption to help you make the right choice.
Smoking and Vaping
If you want to see the effects of CBD as quickly as possible, inhalation is the best option. You can smoke CBD flowers in a joint or use cartridges with CBD oil in vape pens. However, there is another side – the effect lasts not so long as with other ways of consumption.
How to take: When CBD is inhaled, it reaches the lungs and rapidly passes into the bloodstream. Using different techniques of inhalation, you can optimize the amount of an absorbed product. To get a better effect try this: smoothly inhale two-thirds of the puff and finish it with a deep breath of clean air. This ensures that the remote parts of the lungs are exposed to CBD.
Onset: Up to 46% of inhaled CBD is absorbed within 10 minutes.
Duration: 2-4 hours.
Dosage: It is difficult to calculate the amount of CBD which gets into the bloodstream. It depends on how much you inhale in a single puff. For the first time take 1-3 puffs and see how you feel.
Side effects: Cannabis smoking isn’t so risky as tobacco smoking. A cross-sectional study found that up to 20 joint-years (equivalent to 1 joint a day for 20 years) of cannabis use don't cause adverse changes in lung function. There is also no evidence proving the association of cannabis with pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. However, regular smokers are more likely to cough and wheeze.
CBD Edibles
Browsing through the menus, you may notice how many CBD edibles are available – from chocolate, gummies, and cookies to capsules and pills. Such a method of consumption is quite popular among customers since it allows them to intake CBD in a usual way – as a food supplement. What is really awesome, in most edibles you won’t feel the “earthy” taste because of additional flavors and ingredients.
How to consume: When CBD is ingested, it goes through the digestive tract where it is processed and absorbed into the bloodstream. It’s better to avoid taking CBD edibles on an empty stomach. Swallowed CBD products have four times higher bioavailability when taken after a meal. Besides, food rich in fat – like avocado, fish, meat, eggs, nuts, or sweets – may even bolster the metabolism and CBD ingestion.
Onset: You’ll see the effects in less than an hour if your stomach is empty. Otherwise, it may take up to 2 hours. You can speed up the process of eating food that bolsters metabolism.
Duration: 6-12 hours.
Dosage: Read the label before consuming. Most products specify the amount of CBD in a single serving. Note: Start with lower dosages as it has four times higher bioavailability.
Side effects: On rare occasions, CBD edibles can cause such digestive issues as nausea and diarrhea. Other known side effects include changes in appetite and weight.
Sublingual CBD Consumption
Let’s assume, you don’t like smoking or vaping. At the same time, you’re not satisfied with edibles because you want to feel the effect much quicker. There is a solution – sublingual products like CBD oil, tinctures, and sprays.
How to take: The name speaks for itself - sublingual products are used under the tongue. This allows CBD to directly pass into the bloodstream without going through the digestive tract. Hold a few drops underneath your tongue for a minute before swallowing. Swish them around the mouth, thus you’ll increase the surface contacting with CBD.
Onset: The effect starts within 15-30 minutes. During this time, it’s better to avoid eating and drinking.
Duration: 6-8 hours.
Dosage: The amount of CBD per bottle is usually indicated on the label. It is easy to measure the recommended dosage using the dropper. 1 ml usually equals 20 drops.
Side effects: If there are any sores in the mouth, sublingual products can irritate them.
CBD Topicals
As we’ve mentioned in the previous article “What conditions can you treat with medical marijuana”, one of the main reasons why people start taking CBD is to relieve the pain. Using any suitable format, whether it be creams, lotions, ointments, serums, etc., topicals allow to focus the effect on specific body parts. In addition to pain relief, topical application of CBD may help to improve skin condition, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles.
How to use: CBD topicals are applied locally onto those skin areas where it is necessary to ease the pain. Rub in a thin layer of the cream (or whatever you’ve chosen) on the affected area. It will directly affect particular joints, muscles, and nerves without being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Onset: You may feel pain relief within 15 minutes.
Duration: 1-2 hours. For better results, topicals may be used together with other CBD products.
Dosage: The concentration of CBD is always specified in the product’s description. In the case of topicals, it is difficult to accurately calculate the dose for one application. On average it varies between 3 and 8 mg per use.
Side effects: CBD is generally well-tolerated by the skin. However, there may be possible irritations from other ingredients in topical products. To avoid them, do a patch test beforehand.
How to Patch-Test CBD Topicals:
- Use a Clear patch of skin
- Wash the area first.
- Apply a small amount of product to the skin.
- Wait at least 5 hours(24h is better).
CBD Suppositories
For a number of reasons from decreasing menstrual cramps to increasing sexual pleasure, CBD can be used vaginally and anally.
How to apply: CBD suppositories are inserted into the vagina or anus where they are dissolved. Lie on the back or on the side (depending on whether you apply CBD vaginally or anally). Press the suppository as far as it will go. After insertion, stay in a horizontal position within 15-20 minutes for better dissolution. The vaginal and rectal areas are rich in capillaries therefore CBD can quickly get into the bloodstream.
Onset: Suppositories become bioavailable in 30-60 minutes.
Duration: 4-8 hours.
Dosage: Usually it is 50-200 mg of CBD per suppository.
Side effects: The use of suppositories is contraindicated in case of allergic reactions to specific components of the product. Hypersensitivity to active ingredients may be accompanied by itching, burning sensation, tissue swelling, redness.
What is the best way to use CBD?
As you can see, the range of options is for all tastes. Choose one or experiment with different products.
In our humble opinion, taking CBD oil in a tincture is the best choice to start with. CBD oil may be applied not only sublingually – it is easy to add a few drops in coffee, cocktail or any other drink. When a topical effect is needed, you just need to rub it into the skin. Almost a universal means!
How to calculate CBD dosage?
It follows from the abovementioned that the dosage depends on various factors including the product’s type and route of administration. However, because of the lack of research, there is no universally agreed consensus on what dose might be safe for specific conditions.
In order to determine the right dosage for you, take the following into account:
Assess individual factors. These include your body weight, sex, age, etc. For example, people who weigh more usually need a larger dose than those who weigh less. Your sensitivity to CBD is also an important factor.
Consider the reason you need CBD. Higher doses are prescribed for treating serious conditions like epilepsy, while lower doses may be effective for poor sleep or headache.
Try online dosage calculators. There are a lot of options like mydosage.com helping to find the necessary CBD dosage. However, such services can’t take into consideration all the factors, thus their results are rather recommendatory.
Talk to your doctor. Self-medicating may have dangerous consequences. Consult the specialist who’ll explain how to use CBD in a way beneficial for your individual case.
How much CBD should I take daily?
Generally, CBD is well tolerated in humans even in high doses of 1500 mg a day. But there is no sense in taking such an amount of CBD without the need.
Unless your doctor prescribes you a specific amount of CBD per pay, start with a small dose – 20 to 40 mg. Pay attention to how you feel after taking such a dose for a week. If necessary, gradually increase it by 5 mg each week until you see the desired effect.
When to take CBD?
There are no strict rules on what the best time of the day to use CBD is. Again, as everything related to CBD consumption, it is quite individual.
Some people prefer taking CBD in the morning to cope with stress during the day and promote a balanced sensation. Meanwhile, others use CBD in the evening in order to relax after a hard day and improve the quality of sleep.
Speaking of a systematic treatment of chronic conditions, CBD is usually prescribed twice a day.
Well, we hope that you’ve got a fuller picture of how to take CBD. Now comes the truly hard decision – what to try first? Vape pens or yummies? Suppositories or lotions? Tinctures or capsules? The choice is yours!
If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate and visit our forum.hieye.at
Wish you an exciting journey across the CBD world!
