CBD, or cannabidiol, is all the rage right now in the health and wellness industry. The product is considered as one of the most effective forms of treatment for various conditions such as anxiety, pain, insomnia, appetite disorders, and even certain forms of seizures.
Because of its potential health benefits, CBD has increasingly grown in popularity over the past decade or so. This prompted Congress to pass the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized the production of hemp; the plant from which CBD is extracted from.
While CBD is highly admired for its medical uses, it’s worth pointing out that some CBD-infused products have a higher bioavailability than others. This means the body absorbs them more effectively.
If you want to give CBD a try, you should familiarize yourself with the different methods of how you can use the product, which you can find the qualified ones from Wisdom Essentials. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you understand the different ways of using CBD.
1. Smoking or Vaping
Smoking is the most common method people use to consume medical marijuana because they have a much faster effect. People prefer to smoke CBD by either rolling a joint, smoking a pipe, or using a vape pen.
Smoking CBD means the cannabinoids directly go into the lungs where they are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and circulated through the body. The user experiences peak concentrations within 3 minutes of smoking CBD. But this depends on how long they smoked for, the inhaled volume of smoke, hold time, and how smoke puffs were spaced out.
Some people also find it very alluring because smoking medical marijuana will not give them the psychedelic effect that comes with marijuana smoking. Since it’s a common practice and is often done casually, smoking gives off a non-paranoid and calming feeling to the consumer.
Although smoking has rapid effects on the user, it is not advised for people with asthma or difficulties with their respiratory functions.
2. Applied Topically To the Skin
If smoking is not a preferable option for you, why not give topical CBD products a try? It is by far the easiest method of using CBD as it doesn’t require any special preparation or tools.
Topical application merely involves taking the product and rubbing it against the skin or in select areas. Examples of topical CBD products include creams, salves, ointments, and balms.
This method is used to treat skin conditions, sore muscles, and even migraines. Topical products combined with camphor or menthol can be even more effective. It is, however, absorbed slowly by the skin through its mucous membranes.
Some people have claimed that topical CBD products have left them with skin irritation so try and test your sensitivity level to the product on a small patch of skin before applying it generously. If possible, you should consult your dermatologist before giving topical CBD a go.
3. Consuming CBD in the Form of Edibles
If you’re a snack lover, then CBD edibles might just be the treat for you. CBD edibles are the tastiest option when it comes to consuming CBD. Some of the CBD-infused edibles you can expect to find in the market include CBD gummies, chocolate, cookies, and even beverages.
CBD edibles are very convenient since they can be used discreetly without anyone knowing as compared to a method like smoking. They don’t cause any irritation to the throat, eyes, or skin unless the consumer has an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients used in making the edible.
Like topical products, edibles take a bit of time to be absorbed into the body but they have a very long-lasting effect when you consider the process behind how they are absorbed.
While smoking will introduce cannabinoids through the lungs, cannabinoids from edibles will be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and into the blood as the food is digested by the body.
4. Under the Tongue
A lot of CBD products are often consumed sublingually or under the tongue in the form of a CBD tincture. There are plenty of differently flavored CBD tinctures available to choose from depending on your taste. Or you can simply go with non-flavored CBD oil.
How To Use a CBD Tincture
The process is very simple and straightforward. It involves using a dropper to place several drops of CBD oil under the tongue.
It’s recommended that the user lets the product linger under the tongue for one minute to allow the compound to be absorbed by the tissues in the tongue and diffused into the bloodstream. The dosage you consume will be determined by your tolerance, body weight, and the condition you’re trying to treat.
Swishing the oil around the mouth can also be beneficial since the product will be absorbed by all the mouth tissues. After a minute has elapsed, you can take it down your throat as it is safe to swallow.
This is a much healthier approach to using CBD than vaping or smoking, especially for people with respiratory challenges.
So, What’s the Best Way To Use CBD?
Well, the most appropriate method of consuming CBD is one that gives you the least undesirable side effects while providing an optimal dose for a desired amount of time.
The most ideal approach for you also depends on the condition you’re treating. Smoking or vaping is a good way of treating symptoms that need immediate attention. The user will feel the effects within minutes but will last for a couple of hours or more. The effects of an orally administered CBD product such as a CBD tincture will last for even longer.
The dose you consume will also impact the effectiveness of the product and the duration of the effects. An optimal dose can range from as little as a few milligrams to a gram or more.
A good rule of thumb is to start with a small dose of the product and monitor your body’s response as you work your way up until you manage to strike a balance.
Although it is very much a safe product, try and check with your doctor first if you want to try out the product, especially if you’re on any other medication.
