Thinking about taking CBD? Here are 4 methods of administration

Cannabis CBD

It is possible you heard about CBD at least once from one of your friends or even at the workplace. Regardless of whether they have mentioned taking CBD products or the desire to do so, you are probably one of those who are still not sure of how it works. Perhaps you are interested in treating a condition or have difficulties managing your pain, so CBD has caught your interest at some point. 

One of the biggest questions is what precisely CBD is or where it is coming from. 

The cannabis Sativa plant has over 80 cannabinoids, which are different sorts of chemicals. One of those is cannabidiol, better known by its abbreviated form – CBD. An important aspect to mention is that marijuana and hemp are not different species at all, as they both come from the Sativa plant. Cannabidiol can be extracted either from marijuana or hemp. Therefore, initially, the level of THC, the compound which gives the intoxicating sensation, is similar. However, the difference lies in the THC level of the final product. As long as CBD products only contain up to 0.3% THC, specialized companies can legally sell them, and consumers can legally use them. What’s more, although slightly psychoactive, these CBD products are non-addictive and do not generate the “high” feeling.

The next question you might be asking yourself is how many CBD product types there are or what differentiates one from the other. There are numerous ways of administrating CBD, and each type has different advantages depending on the reason you are taking it. 

Sublingually

One of the most common administration methods is with CBD products that can be easily absorbed into the system. These products include tincture, oil, or spray. The way CBD tincture works, for instance, is by placing a few drops under the tongue. The proper dosage depends on the health condition and the intensity of the symptoms you need to alleviate.

cbd
Source: Hinterland co.

An advantage of this method and why people choose it is due to the fact that oil, or tincture, reaches the bloodstream faster. Buccal administration works similarly to sublingual administration. So, CBD spray is another type that can provide the same quick response from when you take it until you can notice results.

There are two main reasons why this is such a highly effective administration method. Firstly, because such substances enter your body through your gums, cheek, and salivary glands, which means it reaches your bloodstream quicker than any other method.

A second reason why this can work better in terms of faster results is that it doesn’t need to go through the digestive system. This means that there is no product that needs to be broken down in the stomach. So, CBD taken sublingually will have a higher CBD percentage entered in your system, as the substance reaches your bloodstream more instantly.

Smoking

It isn’t uncommon that some people are under the impression that smoking CBD is, in fact, similar to smoking cannabis with the chemical that is rich in tetrahydrocannabinol, or better known as THC.

However, smoking CBD is safe from feeling the mind-altering sensation you get when smoking the intoxicating alternative, given that it doesn’t have more than 0.3% THC in its compound. Therefore, if smoking is the option that best suits your needs, you can use CBD hemp flowers such as the one from Pure Hemp Farms

For some people, smoking CBD can help better manage conditions such as anxiety and depression, or insomnia. It is essential to mention it shouldn’t be used as a sole way of treatment, as CBD is not a cure for any health conditions. However, together with therapy, it can be effective in finding symptom alleviation.

Similar to CBD oil and tincture, the smoking product can also reach the bloodstream quite fast. Research has shown that up to 56% of the CBD substance can be absorbed from smoking in no more than 10 minutes. 

Topicals

These types of CBD products are applied straight to the skin. CBD-based topicals include a variety of options, from cream and lotion to salves and patches. Given the nature of the products, they are highly effective for relieving localized pain in a relatively fast manner. For this reason, it is essential you apply a generous amount so you can begin to notice any effects. 

CBD Oil

These topical products might be helpful to you in providing pain relief if you have trouble with joint inflammation, as well as treating skin conditions or eczemas. Symptoms of dermatitis or psoriasis can be lessened when you apply topical containing CBD.

Edibles

CBD-based products such as gummies, chocolate, cookies, or candies are sometimes preferred as they are easy to administrate, and more often than not, they manage to hide the distinctive taste of CBD. So, the possibilities are vast if this is a method that better suits your preferences. Research so far shows that edibles can help people suffering from anxiety or having a difficult time managing their stress levels. 

A noteworthy mention would be that the recommended dosage is between 300 and 600 mg for the product to be more effective. However, edibles on the market contain no more than 25 mg. In addition, given that edibles are ultimately food, the process of digesting results in having a lower percentage of CBD absorbed through your bloodstream compared to other methods of administration. So, depending on your health condition’s intensity and on what your medical provider advises you to do, you can decide if edibles are helping your situation.

Conclusion

Although a particular CBD product can be more helpful to you depending on the health condition you have and how long you wish to wait until you start seeing results, it is still a matter of personal choice. You might not want to take CBD oil due to the sublingual procedure, so smoking is a better choice. 

Regardless of the administration method, it is highly recommended you speak with your medical provider in terms of dosage and suitable products. As is the case with any natural supplement, the expert’s advice is to take CBD products on a regular basis to allow enough time for your body to assimilate them.