CBD 101, Part 9
What Are The Different Ways to Take CBD?
When you look up CBD products, odds are you'll find stores that sell CBD oils, vape pens, capsules, and even food. Because CBD is growing in popularity, and because people prefer taking it in different forms, the hemp and CBD industry now offers a variety of ways that you can take CBD. This means that you can get the benefits of CBD in a way that is comfortable to you and fits your daily routine. Here, we're going to cover just a few of the most common ways you can use CBD.
Tinctures
An herbal tincture, like CBD, is an herbal liquid extract that is often combined with other ingredients, such as alcohol, vegetable oil, or flavorings. When you choose to use a CBD tincture, you will likely receive a bottle of your tincture with a dropper. To take your CBD dose, you simply take the tincture by mouth, usually holding the oil under the tongue for about a minute before swallowing. By holding the oil under your tongue, your body can quickly absorb the CBD into your bloodstream without it having to go through the digestive process.
CBD tinctures are great for those who are looking to experience fast results and relief. Depending on your daily dosage amount, you can typically start to feel the effects of CBD within 30 to 90 minutes, and the effects will last anywhere between four and six hours.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is very similar to a CBD tincture in the fact that they both are liquid herbal extracts. However, CBD oil does not contain the alcohol or other ingredients that are often in tinctures. CBD oil contains a high amount of pure, natural CBD that comes from the hemp plant flowers, stalks, and seeds. In addition, CBD oils may contain other natural cannabinoids, vitamins, micronutrients, flavonoids, and fatty acids. These additional ingredients can be part of the plant extraction, or they can be added to the oil later.
When you take CBD oil, it is best to take it the same way you would a tincture: by holding the oil underneath your tongue for about a minute before swallowing. This allows the membranes in the mouth to absorb the compounds (CBD, vitamins, etc.) in the oil. Through absorption, the compounds can bypass the digestive process and reach the bloodstream faster. As a result, you can begin to experience effects within about 20 to 30 minutes, and the effects will typically last for a few hours.
Capsules and Edibles
CBD capsules are just like other capsule medicines you may take. CBD edibles can include just about anything that you ingest, including gummies, brownies, and beverages. Because you ingest both capsules and edibles, the CBD inside of those products will need to go through the digestive process. This means that your liver will metabolize the contents, and then the active ingredients (ie: the CBD) can enter the bloodstream.
How long depends on your metabolism and how well your digestive system works. For some, this takes on 20 minutes, but for most people, it takes about 60 minutes before the effects kick in. You can typically help speed up the process if you take your CBD capsule or edible on an empty stomach. Generally, the effects will still last for a few hours.
Topicals
Topical CBD products come in a variety of ways, including lotions, balms, creams, salves, oils, and patches. These types of CBD products are great for those who experience more isolated pain or discomfort, such as in joints, and are looking for relief. Topical products are also great for those looking to use CBD as a form of skin care, whether that includes treating acne, reducing wrinkles, or easing irritated skin.
CBD topicals work differently than other products in that they do not enter the bloodstream. Instead, they activate the cannabinoid receptors that are near the skin as the product is absorbed. However, because the skin absorbs cannabinoids slowly, it typically takes an hour or more before you can start to feel the effects. But, once your skin absorbs the CBD and activates the receptors, you can experience relief for typically five hours or more.
Vaping
Vaping CBD is one of the most popular ways to use CBD. Perhaps the biggest reason why so many people choose to vape CBD is because vaping is one of the fastest ways to start experiencing the benefits. When you vape CBD, the molecules do not need to go through the digestive system; instead, they go directly into the bloodstream via the lungs. This means that you can start to feel the effects in as little as a few minutes, and they usually last for several hours.
While vaping CBD is becoming rapidly popular, it is important to know that there are some cautions when it comes to vaping CBD. First, you should always vape an actual vaping oil, not a regular CBD oil or tincture. Non-vaping oils are too thick and can burn easier than vaping oil, which could produce a toxic smoke. While vaping oils are generally safe, there are currently no regulations on the quality of vaping oils. This means that if you end up using an adulterated oil, you could experience negative side effects. In addition, vaping oils are thinned, typically with polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol. While vapers say that both of these thinning agents are safe, there are not enough studies to know for sure.
It is also important to know that you can take too much CBD, especially while vaping. If you take too much, you can experience coughing fits or nausea. Should you chose to vape, you need to monitor how much you vape, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. As always, consult with your medical professional before vaping to determine if you may experience any negative side effects.
Many believe that vaping is a safer and healthier way to smoke than using traditional cigarettes. The fact is that vaping can cause a host of health problems, just as cigarettes do. For example, vaping has been shown to cause what is called popcorn lung, which can restrict your breathing, among other things. Because of these and other findings, our team at Rocky Mountain Oils does not recommend vaping in any form.
As you can see, there are several different ways that you can use CBD and experience its many benefits. The type of CBD product you choose to use simply depends on your preferences and how quickly you are looking to find relief. Whatever you decide to use, keep in mind that it is important to start with low doses and work your way up until you experience the relief you want.
What to expect in part ten: Choosing a Good CBD Oil
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