The very mention of CBD oil often elicits strange reactions from people whose only associations with the product are through its source, i.e. the marijuana plant. Discussions on marijuana tend to be rather polarizing, keeping a lot of people from experiencing the benefits of CBD even though it has so many to offer. CBD, however, is only one of the many non-psychoactive components of the hemp plant.
The main component of hemp that gets you “high” is known as Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. On the other hand, Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-psychoactive organic compound, which means it does not intoxicate or get you high. It has been shown to have a host of medical benefits including helping with anxiety, epilepsy, arthritis, pain management, and so on.
In this article, we will discuss the ways in which you can safely use CBD oil along with the effectiveness of each method to help you make the most of the health benefits CBD oil offers.
- Inhalation
CBD oil is available in the form of crystals that can be vaped or used in e-cigarettes to help you feel the effects of it immediately. However, you must keep in mind the fact that the side-effects of using vaping devices or e-cigarettes are still questionable. A recent outbreak of lung disease may be associated with vaping and/or using e-cigarettes. Do consult your medical practitioner before deciding to inhale CBD crystals.
- CBD Capsules
CBD oil is also available in the form of capsules that can be consumed in much the same way as cod liver oil capsules. However, the difference between cod liver oil and CBD oil lies in how their effectiveness is impacted by the process of digestion. The bioavailability of CBD oil, which refers to the amount of it that can effectively be sent into your bloodstream, is impacted negatively by digestion. In effect, only about 20-30% of the oil you consume will make its way to your bloodstream. However, if you do not like the taste of hemp directly in your mouth, this is a good way to go.
- CBD Edibles
Another way to take CBD is to use crystals that are designed to be put into edibles. You can make cakes, pies, cookies, etc. and add CBD crystals to the mix. It is important to buy the right kind of crystals for cooking, since not all of them will give you the best results. Keep in mind, however, that consuming edibles makes the oil subject to breakdown through your digestive tract. This means that edibles will also result in just about 20-30% of the CBD making it to your bloodstream.
- Sublingual Drops
This is one of the best ways to take CBD oil. It requires you to place drops of the oil directly into your mouth, under your tongue. Since the skin in the mouth is much easier to penetrate, this allows the oil to be absorbed much faster than it would be if you used a transdermal patch. It keeps digestive juices from breaking the compounds down, making the oil much more bioavailable and therefore, effective. The result of taking sublingual drops is that it takes effect rapidly and efficiently.
- Suppositories
The skin within bodily orifices is remarkably better at absorbing compounds as opposed to the skin on the rest of the body. This means that suppositories of CBD oil will be nearly as effective as sublingual drops, allowing your body to absorb it directly into your bloodstream. It is one of the most efficient methods to consume CBD oil safely.
The above-mentioned methods are popular among CBD consumers and have demonstrated excellent efficacy in a majority of cases. However, you must always consult your doctor before consuming CBD as it might be detrimental to your existing medical condition.