What’s the best way to take CBD? The world is divided, but we’re going to give you the lowdown on the CBD showdown in this article.
CBD isn’t like other supplements. One reason for that is because it has so many purported benefits. But the other is because there are so many ways to take it!
You’ve never heard of anyone vaping vitamin C or eating fish oil cake pops (eww), but these are just a few of the dozens of ways that CBD can be consumed.
Today, we’re going to look at the three most popular ways to take CBD: by eating it, absorbing it in the form of an oil, or inhaling it with a vaporizer (we’ll save the CBD suppositories for another article…). We’re going to tell you how to do each and explain the benefits of each method so you can get the most out of your CBD.
But first, let’s answer the question everyone is asking: “What’s the best way to take CBD?”
What is the Best Way to Take CBD?
For most users, the best way to take CBD is to absorb it sublingually under the tongue in the form of an oil. This is because CBD oil acts both immediately and over time (we’ll explain this shortly).
BUT…
There is no definitive best way to take CBD (why does life always have to be so complicated!?) The optimal way to use CBD depends on why you’re using it.
For example, someone using CBD for panic attacks will have a different preferred delivery method than someone using it for gastrointestinal issues.
So, how should you take CBD? Let the showdown begin.
CBD Showdown: The Best Way to Take CBD
Before you stock up on CBD gummies or invest in a high-end vape rig, you should know how those CBD delivery methods are actually going to affect you. Let’s take a look at edibles, oils, and vaping CBD in more detail. We’ll tell you exactly how effective each method is, what it’s used for, and how you can get the most out of it.
Let’s get started.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is one of the most versatile CBD products. In fact, most other CBD products such as edibles, creams, and even vape juice are made with CBD oil. But what is it exactly?
What is it?
CBD oil is a combination of hemp extract (which contains CBD) and a carrier oil. The hemp extract may be a mixture of CBD and other cannabinoids (such as CBG, CBA, and THC), or it might be an isolated extract which contains only CBD. The carrier oil is usually a natural oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. This oil boosts the bioavailability of CBD, which means it makes it easier for your body to absorb.
CBD oil is most commonly taken by placing it under the tongue using a dropper. The oil is quickly absorbed into the capillaries in your gums, so you can feel the effect right away.
How effective is it?
Taking CBD oil sublingually is highly effective, which is why we think it’s the best way to take CBD for most people.
The reason it’s so effective is that CBD oil acts both quickly and over time. How does that work?
As we stated above, CBD oil acts quickly because it is absorbed directly into your bloodstream via the capillaries under your tongue. But, it’s impossible for you to absorb it all (your capillaries are too tiny for that). As a result, you end up swallowing some of it and sending it through your digestive system.
Now, if you’ve ever eaten a big Christmas dinner and loosened your belt afterward, you know that the digestive process takes time. It’s the same when you’re digesting CBD. It takes time to feel the effects (as long as an hour). The good news is, the effects will last longer.
So, when you take CBD oil, you get instant relief from the CBD absorbed under your tongue and all-day relief (5-6 hours approx.) from the CBD that ends up getting digested. In a way, you’re getting the best of both worlds.
What is it used for?
CBD oil is a middle-of-the-road delivery method, so it’s used for many things. Some of the most common ailments people use CBD oil for are:
What is the best way to take it?
We’ve already discussed how CBD is normally taken sublingually, but it can be taken in other ways too. Some people add it to smoothies, cook it into food, or add it to homemade cosmetics.
We recommend sticking to the sublingual delivery method to get the best results.
To absorb the highest amount of CBD when taking CBD oil, follow these instructions:
Vaping CBD
For many, vaping is just a trend. But vaping CBD is actually a great way to get immediate relief from a number of conditions. Let’s take a look.
What is it?
“Vaping” is a way of inhaling substances (most commonly nicotine) while avoiding all of the toxic byproducts of smoking. By infusing water vapor with your substance of choice, you can enjoy the effectiveness of smoking without the harmful tar and chemicals.
CBD is vaped much in the same way as nicotine, but instead of nicotine-infused vape juice, the liquid inside your vaporizer is infused with CBD. To be clear, CBD vape juice does not contain nicotine, and nicotine vape juice does not contain CBD (though it is possible, depending on the legal regulations in your state, that your CBD vape juice may also contain the THC, or the part of cannabis that gets you high, so make sure to read all the ingredients of your CBD before you buy).
How effective is it?
Vaping CBD is highly effective if you’re looking for instant relief. In fact, vaping is the quickest way to get CBD into your system. But, it’s not very effective for a lot of issues because its effects don’t last long.
In a nutshell, vaping CBD is the fastest delivery method and also the most short-lived.
When you vape CBD, you inhale water vapor carrying microscopic droplets of CBD into your lungs. When the vapor fills your lungs, you absorb it nearly instantly, allowing you to feel its effects before you even exhale.
But, similar to the “buzz” of a cigarette, the effects of CBD, when inhaled, don’t last long. The amount of time you can expect to find relief is anywhere from 10-30 minutes. This is perfect for people with acute nausea or pain, but those who need long-term relief won’t likely get it from vaping CBD.
Still, we like to keep a CBD vape pen on hand because sometimes you just don’t want to wait. Plus, taking a few drags is a great way to keep the stress at bay.
What is it used for?
Vaping CBD is used for fewer issues because it is not as versatile as other methods. Nonetheless, there are still some issues for which vaping CBD provides unparalleled relief. These include:
What is the best way to take it?
Vaping CBD is pretty easy—all you have to do is breathe in, and breathe out. But not all vaporizers are created equal.
If you’re interested in vaping CBD as a first-timer, the best way to do it is to buy a disposable CBD vape pen. These products come preloaded and ready to vape, so all you have to do is open the box and take a drag.
Disposable vape pens are not a very efficient way to vape CBD. As they are made to be thrown away, the vaporizer technology inside them is pretty cheap. But, this is the most affordable way to test the waters and see if vaping is for you.
If you enjoy it, we recommend purchasing a vape rig. These are larger devices which you have to manually load with CBD vape juice, but they are much more efficient at delivering CBD into your system, and they are also much more environmentally friendly than disposable options.
When taking a drag of your vape pen or vape rig, remember that the longer you hold the CBD vapor inside your lungs, the more CBD you will absorb. All of the “smoke” that you breath out after you take a drag is CBD that is being set free into the air (aka wasted!).
So, make sure to be frugal with your vape juice, take economical drags, and hold your breath for a few seconds after each drag.
CBD Edibles
Cake pops, gummies, chocolates, cookies—if one thing is for sure, eating CBD is delicious. But is it an effective delivery method? Let’s find out.
What is it?
CBD edibles are CBD-infused food items that deliver CBD into your body via the digestive system (i.e. you eat them). There is a huge variety of CBD edibles on the market. The most popular options are gummies and chocolates, but you can also by CBD honey, peanut butter, energy drinks, and more.
CBD edibles are normally produced by cooking CBD oil into food or adding it to a finished food product. The best CBD companies will do the former, while cheaper companies practice the latter.
For the purposes of this article, we will also consider CBD capsules to be edibles because they are processed by the body in the same way. CBD capsules are swallowable tablets that you can take much like a daily vitamin to easily add CBD to your regimen. They may not be as fun as tasty edibles, but they are often a better value.
How effective is it?
Eating CBD is an effective way to take it, but only if you’re looking for under-the-radar relief. As we’ve discussed, it takes time (up to an hour) for CBD to go through your digestive tract and be absorbed by your intestines. Because of this, it is not an ideal delivery method for instant relief.
It isn’t likely that you will be able to feel the effect edibles have on you (unless you eat quite a lot). This is because they act slowly and over a longer period of time. For some, this is a good thing. Many don’t need (or want) to feel the calming sensation that CBD evokes when inhaled or absorbed under the tongue. For these people, edibles are ideal.
The main benefit of edibles is that they offer long-term relief. Taking a couple of gummies after each meal will ensure that CBD stays in your system all day long, offering relief from pain, inflammation, insomnia, and more. Also, because they pass directly through the digestive tract and stomach, edibles and capsules may have a more pronounced effect on gastrointestinal issues.
Finally, edibles are the most discreet way to take CBD. Taking drops or vaping might draw attention in public places, airplanes, or at work, but taking a capsule or making a cup of CBD tea is nothing out of the ordinary. This doesn’t directly impact effectiveness, but if you are able to take more CBD because of a discreet delivery method, then you’ll enjoy more of its benefits.
What is it used for?
CBD edibles are used for many conditions, and they are commonly mixed with other ingredients such as herbs, spices, supplements, or essential oils to enhance their effects. CBD edibles are commonly taken for:
What is the best way to take it?
The best way to take CBD edibles is after a meal. As we discussed previously, eating CBD after a meal rich in healthy fats can boost its bioavailability by up to three times. If your CBD edible is infused into a high-fat product (such as peanut butter), then it is not necessary to take it after a meal.
Because CBD is better absorbed after a meal, most CBD edibles are sweets. We recommend replacing your dessert with CBD edibles to make your day both sweeter and healthier.
If you’re taking CBD edibles for sleep, don’t take them directly after dinner. Instead, wait to take them until 30 minutes to an hour before you go to bed. If you eat an early dinner and go to bed late, we recommend taking CBD gel capsules instead of tablets to promote bioavailability.
And the Winner is…
The reason that there are so many ways to take CBD is that each delivery method affects the body in different ways. For that reason, we can’t really name a winner in this CBD showdown.
But, we still stand by our assertion that CBD oil is the best way to take CBD for most people because it offers a little bit of instant relief and a little long-term goodness.
If you’re interested in trying CBD edibles, oils, or vape products, make sure to buy from one of the trustworthy brands we’ve reviewed on this site (a lot of CBD companies are overpriced and ineffective!). And, as is standard with any supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor before adding CBD to your diet.
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