From oils, tinctures and e-liquids all the way to creams, lotions and even suppositories, CBD is available in an ever increasing myriad of forms. This article will detail some of the ways to most effectively dispense CBD products and maximize their effectiveness.
As with all supplements, proper dosing of CBD is extremely important. Typically, finding the precise dosage of CBD can be difficult, because doses are affected by factors such as: weight, method of application, type of product, etc. Thus, finding the correct dose is largely the result of trial and error. Therefore, we always recommend that you start with the lowest dose and gradually build your way up, until you feel you have reached the “optimal” level for you.
To do this, use the guide below to find out how to get started.
CBD Capsules – usually start to take effect within 5 to 20 minutes
CBD Tincture-by-mouth: 5 – 20 mins
CBD Edibles: 30 mins to 2 hours
CBD Topicals: 10 min
Oral administration of CBD is the commonest form of use.
There are two ways to take the CBD by mouth:
This is, technically, not the same as standard oral administration in that CBD enters the bloodstream pretty much immediately, bypassing the digestive system, and thus can take effect within as little as 10 to 15 minutes.
Oral Ingestion of CBD
Ingesting of CBD in any form, be it as capsules, candies, pills, or CBD oil, results in the digestion of CBD via the body’s digestive system before it can take effect. This process will take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on what form you take, how fast your metabolism is, and whether there is already food in the stomach.
When ingested as an edible, for instance as part of a foodstuff (like a hash-cake or muffin etc.) the effects of CBD take much longer to take effect, but also last longer (up to four hours). If you have never tried any form of CBD, then beginning with a medium-strength oil or capsule can be a good place to start.
Start with, for instance, a 10% oil, or a single 5 mg dose, on the first day, to assess your body’s response. The next day, increase the dose to 10 mg (only one a day to begin with) and do that for at least a week. Experiment by taking the product in either the morning or evening to assess which best achieves the desired effect. If, after one week, the 10 mg daily dose does not achieve the desired result, increase it to 15mg daily, and repeat (staying at this dose for a week before raising it further).
If you still do not see the desired effects after a week, increase the dose further by an additional 5mg (maintaining this for a week etc.).
The administration of inhaled CBD is a little trickier than the administration of sublingual oils and the ingestion of edible substances. Above all, the bioavailability of inhaled CBD is much higher (i.e., you will need lower doses than when given orally).
Secondly, everyone inhales differently, meaning the doses for each person may be a little different. If you are unfamiliar with CBD, begin with a low to medium strength cartridge or e-liquid. Inhale gently for 8 to 10 seconds, keeping in mind that it is not necessary to keep the steam in the lungs for an extended period of time. Evaporated CBD is absorbed very quickly – its effect should be felt quickly, within 1 to 3 minutes – but disappears within around two hours. If you want the effects to last for many hours, you may want to use it several times over the course of the day.
However, be sure to wait for no less than 15 to 20 minutes before assessing the effects of it, and taking another dose.
Topical CBD products (such as balms, oils, creams, or lubricants) do not actually enter the bloodstream (as opposed to CBD taken orally or inhaled). Instead, they interact with the endocannabinoid system through receptors in the skin. For the best results, be sure to follow the precise instructions that accompany the product.
As with all topical products, it is always prudent to do a patch test on a small part of the skin first, to ascertain if there is any adverse reaction.
Suppository products are tablet-sized and made to be inserted either vaginally or rectally, where they are absorbed through the mucosal membranes. This process is similar to sublingual administration of CBD, with effects occurring within approximately 15 minutes and lasting two hours. Suppository usage can be particularly helpful for people with oral, stomach or lung-related difficulties, for whom the more popular methods of cannabis use are subsequently problematic.
The dosage of suppositories depends on the effect you want to achieve. For example, some suppositories contain 50 mg per dose; but this number may vary by manufacturer. Always follow the dosing instructions provided with your product and consult your doctor before using suppositories.
Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation floating about regarding the psychoactive properties of CBD. First of all, CBD does not produce any of the mood-altering or psychoactive effects (the “high”) that are associated with cannabis. The “high” that cannabis creates is due to THC. Most CBD supplements come from hemp, which is a variety of cannabis grown for industrial use that contains only minute to non-existent traces of the psychoactive compound THC.
Governments across the globe have different policies regarding CBD. For example, in the United States, CBD products are legal in all 50 states because they are technically from hemp, not cannabis per-se, and contain less than 0.3% THC (the mood-altering component).
Most European countries have similar laws, so CBD products are legal if they contain less than 0.2% THC.
The human endocannabinoid system is itself involved in the treatment of many processes within the body, from memory to sleep to inflammation. At the present time, our scientific understanding of the ingredients in cannabis is still growing and continues to uncover increasingly exciting discoveries.
Early research so far has examined the relationship between the CBD and:
Although there is much debate about the therapeutic potential of CBD, it is believed that the compound promotes homeostasis – the state of equilibrium that ensures the best functioning of the body.
