Cannabinol (CBD) has shut down any other social media trend — from matcha to avocado toast and become one of the most popular products among influencers and users alike. This natural compound has been around for thousands of years. Yet, only with its legalization have people got on board the trend. But what is CBD exactly, and what are the best ways to take CBD? This article will answer these two critical questions.
What is CBD?
CBD is like marijuana because it comes from the same plant species, and it has a similar chemical structure. However, unlike marijuana, which can contain up to 30 percent THC and make users high, hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3 percent THC. So when you take this natural compound, there is no risk of an overdose, getting high, or becoming paranoid because it has no psychoactive effects.
Research on CBD is still in its early stages; however, researchers have already noted the considerable effects of this natural compound on several chronic and mental health issues. CBD can help with anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain management, epilepsy, infertility, and more.
Thanks to these potential health benefits and its legalization, more people are turning to CBD to help them in their day-to-day lives, and with the increase in demand, manufacturers have stepped up their game as well. Nowadays, it is far easier to find a trusted source like Sunday Scaries, oil tinctures, balms, skincare products, edibles, and more.
What is the best way to take CBD?
You can always depend on high-quality CBD products delivering positive results, but by varying your CBD intake, you can experience this natural compound in different ways. The following are the six most effective ways to take CBD.
Orally
Taking CBD orally is the most discreet way to do so in public when you wish to avoid drawing attention to yourself. Examples of CBD products you can take orally include CBD edibles such as chocolate, gummies, and brownies. When you take CBD orally, expect a one-to-two-hour onset delay.
Although they start slow, the effects of taking CBD orally last far longer than other methods. You can expect results to last up to 12 hours. Oral CBD products pass through the gut and are modified in the liver, but they are gentle on the organs. After that, the effects spread throughout the body.
Topical
Topical CBD products never reach the bloodstream. Instead, the cannabinoids in these products interact with the receptors on the skin. Examples of topical CBD products include skincare products, medical CBD creams, balms, and eye gels.
The advantage of topical products is the ability to address a specific pain head-on with CBD, such as muscle pain or acne issues. The effects of topical CBD products peak at around 90 minutes.
Inhalation
For an instant effect, inhalation products are the best way to go. Inhaled CBD goes through the lungs and enters the bloodstream through the alveoli. Examples of how you can inhale CBD include vaping e-liquids and extracts, using inhalers, smoking and vaporizing CBD flowers. While the effects of inhaling CBD are instant, you can expect them not to last long once you stop.
Sublingual
Taking CBD sublingually means putting the CBD product under the tongue to be absorbed by the oral mucosa. Discrete and providing immediate effects, you can take CBD oil or CBD isolates sublingually. Using CBD nasal spray falls under this category, too, even though it is applied in the nostril.
CBD products that are taken sublingually enter the bloodstream, cells, and capillaries rapidly. Unlike oral CBD products, however, the effects of sublingual CBD products don’t last as long.
Ingest
Like oral and sublingual CBD products, you can take this natural compound as you would other medicine as a pill. This method of taking CBD is subtle and safer for those around you when you fear others might take a CBD gummy or a bite of CBD-infused chocolate without being aware of the effect it can have on them. CBD gel capsules are odorless and tasteless. You can take a capsule with the rest of your multivitamins first thing in the morning and expect a 12-hour period to reap its benefits.
Water solubles
Thanks to a new technology known as nanoencapsulation, CBD is now being sold in different beverage varieties. Since CBD is oil in its purest state, scientists struggled to infuse CBD in liquid because it is hard to blend oil with water. With this new technology, it is now possible to buy CBD-infused drinks to sip throughout the day as required. Examples of CBD-infused drinks include kombucha, wine, bottled water, and flavored drinks.
Regardless of the method, you choose to take CBD, what’s important is to opt for high-quality CBD products. When you are buying CBD, make sure the manufacturer is transparent and answers your questions. Having a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) available for download through the website or the QR code on the product and third-party lab results of the CBD are all indications of a high-quality product.