Nearly 45% of people who used CBD to treat a medical condition report no longer using other traditional medications to help alleviate their symptoms.
Consumer sales of CBD are growing rapidly. Expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2020, these sales reflect the fact that more people are turning to CBD for relief from anxiety to muscle pain.
But, considering the industry is still largely unregulated, many new users are unsure about the different ways to take CBD oil. If you’re a CBD beginner, you should learn about the different methods of taking CBD and what their benefits are.
We’ll tell you all that and more in this guide to the best way to use CBD oil.
The Different Forms of CBD
There are three main ways to take CBD oil: orally, topically, or as an inhalant. Between those three forms, there are three things to consider when figuring out which is right for you. These are:
- How quickly the method takes effect in the body.
- How long those effects last.
- What part of the body the method it affects.
But another important item you want to think about is the dosage. We’ll explore this more in the next section.
CBD Dosage
There is no standardized way of measuring how much CBD a person should take. As of yet, the FDA has no Recommended Daily Intake and, as such, there’s no official serving size.
But there are a few factors that can help you decide where to start. When figuring out a dosage that’s right for you, think about:
- The CBD concentration
- Your own body chemistry
- Your body weight
- What you’re treating and how severe the condition is
Keep in mind that finding the right dose as a beginner is going to take some trial and error. You should also remember that your body adapts to CBD and your physiology begins to change. As that happens, your dosage will also shift.
Ways to Take CBD Oil
So how do you take CBD oil? There really is no best way… only the best way for you. We’ll explain each of the main methods and their benefits, so you can make an informed decision.
Taking CBD Orally
Taking CBD orally generally takes about 1-2 hours to take full effect. It can last for as long as 6 to 12 hours, depending on the dosage. And because it’s absorbed through the intestines in the digestive system and the liver, it’s spread throughout the body in an even distribution.
In terms of dosage, the great thing about taking CBD orally is that it’s very easy to measure your dosage. Capsules, tinctures, and sublingual methods come in pre-measured dosages, so you know exactly how much you’re taking.
For beginners, the easiest way to take CBD oil orally is to start with pills and capsules. It’s like taking any other medication that comes in pill form and there’s absolutely no taste. If you’ve taken Tylenol in the past, you should have no problem taking CBD capsules.
Tinctures, straight CBD oils, and sublingual tabs are other options for oral ingestion. You can take them directly as long as the taste doesn’t bother you. Alternatively, you can cook CBD oil into food or add it to beverages.
The only downside to taking CBD oil by ingestion is that it takes a little longer to absorb into your body. Because it has to go through the digestive tract, you’ll feel the effects far slower than with other methods. But once it does take effect, it will last much longer than both topical and inhalant methods.
Taking CBD Topically
Taking CBD topically is a bit different than the other two methods because it’s used specifically to treat aches and pains. Because it’s applied directly to the dermis, it takes as little as 5 to 20 minutes for the effects to begin. Those effects will be contained to the area on which it’s applied and can last for as long as 24 hours. Topical CBD salves for pain are useful for all of these reasons.
In terms of dosage, there’s no wrong dose of topical CBD. Creams, lotions, soaps, and even CBD shampoos are absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream that way. You can use it on an as-needed basis without any negative effects.
When using a cream or lotion to treat muscle ache and pain, make sure you let your skin fully absorb the CBD before washing. Washing the oils from the skin before it has a chance to absorb will reduce or nullify the benefits.
Vaping CBD Oil
Vaping CBD oil is the fastest-acting method. You’ll notice the effects immediately, within seconds to minutes, and they’ll last for about 2 to 3 hours. This is because vaping gets the CBD directly into your lungs, where it’s sent to the heart, brain, and the rest of the body.
In terms of dosing, vaping CBD is not recommended for beginners. It’s difficult to control the dosage when inhaling CBD, and everybody reacts differently to the immediacy of its effects. In addition, those who have no experience with vaping might find it difficult to inhale the vapors.
Although vaping CBD oil takes effect faster than any other method, it also leaves the bloodstream faster. So while the effect is immediate and powerful, it doesn’t last as long.
If you choose to vape your CBD oil, you’ll have to buy the right vaporizer for the job. The vaporizer should be made to handle CBD e-juice, which is a different consistency than regular e-juices. You can view more about that from a host of companies that specialize in the best CBD vape oils.
What’s The Best Way To Use CBD Oil?
The answer to that question is highly personal. It depends on how comfortable you are with CBD oil, what you’re treating, as well as your own body chemistry. That means that the best way to use CBD oil is the way that works best for you and your needs.
CBD is a hot topic right now. To check out more trending topics that may be of interest, check out our blog.
