When it comes to taking CBD, a lot of people feel like they’re “doing it wrong” or not using it the “right way.” While the terminology and technicalities of the cannabis plant can feel a little overwhelming sometimes, taking CBD shouldn’t be!
When Alexis Rosenbaum started Rosebud CBD, her mission was simple; to create a CBD oil that was simple and versatile enough to allow the powers of the hemp plant to speak for itself.
There are many different ways to use CBD, and each method delivers the cannabinoid to your body in slightly different ways- which can affect how you’ll want to use it, what it will be used for, and how often you’ll want to take it. As if that’s not complicated enough, each person’s body will respond differently to the CBD, which means that there is no “one-size-fits-all” recommendation. Let us help clear the air!
It may take time to find the right dose and consumption method that fits your desired effects or needs, so we wanted to break down the ways to consume CBD, so you can find what works best for you! In this article, we’re going to outline a few of the different ways to use CBD, so you can experience all of the benefits of CBD without any stress or confusion.
Why Should I Take CBD?
Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Do you have a job that requires you to work long hours at a desk? Do you suffer from menstrual cramps or menopause symptoms? Do you experience soreness after a workout or yoga class? Do you have aches and pains associated with physical labor or aging?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may likely benefit from adding CBD to your daily routine.
But, you don’t have to take our word for it!
Since Congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018 (a bill that allocated billions of dollars to support farmers- especially the ones trying to legalize hemp) the demand for CBD products has absolutely skyrocketed. This means that there has been an even higher demand for scientifically-sound research into the benefits of CBD.
Research has shown that CBD may help alleviate inflammation and the pain associated with it, as well as aid in the reduction of stress and anxiety, help with insomnia and sleeplessness, and improve overall quality of life.
If you’re interested in reading more about the benefits of CBD, check out some of these other helpful articles on The Bloom:
- What We Know About Using CBD for Anxiety
- 3 Benefits of CBD for Women’s Health
- Using CBD for Better Sleep
- Using CBD Oil & CBD Salve for Chronic Pain Relief
Different Ways to Use CBD
Sublingual
The most popular method of using CBD is by taking it orally. If you haven’t taken CBD before, this is a great place to start.
When you consume CBD oil orally, it passes through the digestive system, and is metabolized by the liver- eventually sending it to your bloodstream. With this method of taking CBD, it’s easy to adjust your dose by adding or subtracting a few drops.
Administration – Blood vessels in the mouth and under the tongue absorb the compound. Fill the dropper to desired amount, drop oil directly under the tongue, hold for 30-40 seconds before swallowing. For consistency, it’s best to avoid eating immediately before or after when using a CBD tincture.
Onset – 15-60 minutes depending on the size of the dose
Duration – may last 4-6 hours
Topical
If you’re looking to try CBD for aches and pains, a topical CBD salve (that you rub into your skin, not drop into your mouth) can be a great option.
CBD salves that are applied topically work to target specific areas of pain. This is why many athletes, trainers and gym-junkies prefer CBD salves and lotions for local pain and post-workout soreness.
CBD lotions and salves are much like any other body lotion- just gently massage it into the target spot, and sit back while it works it’s magic.
You can also relax in a bath with CBD bath soaks if you’re looking for additional ways to use CBD besides orally ingesting it.
Administration – When struggling with inflammation, sore muscles, or chronic pain, many people choose to apply CBD topically. Some people choose to use a CBD balm or CBD salve – and you can also apply CBD oil directly to your skin or mix it in with your favorite lotion. Cannabinoids applied topically will not be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Onset – 15 minutes
Duration – 2-4 hours
Inhalation
In most CBD vape pens, the coil inside heats up a vape liquid, which produces an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs.
However, the commonly-used thinning agents in many products on the market now are extremely harmful when heated and inhaled. For more information on CBD vape pens, read this blog post.
With all of the different ways to use CBD, vaping is not recommended as a safe and healthy way to consume CBD.
Administration – Cannabinoids enter the bloodstream directly from the lungs.
Onset – immediate
Duration – 2-4 hours depending on the dose
While vaping is very popular, we caution against a lot of the vape options currently on the market as many of them aren’t made with medical grade materials. For more information, read our recent blog post about CBD vape pen safety.
Edible
You’ve more than likely heard about CBD edibles at some point; these yummy and calm-inducing treats are growing like weeds (see what we did there?)
But did you know that CBD isn’t relegated to just the store-bought gummies that are sold on supermarket shelves?? That’s right, you can make your own “CBD edibles” at home by adding CBD to a food or drink that you already enjoy, but would like to improve with a few drops of CBD.
If you don’t love the idea of taking a supplement by itself, this is a great way to still reap the benefits of CBD oil, without having to take it straight.
- Making smoothies part of your daily routine? Try our CBD smoothie recipe!
- Love a bulletproof latte in the morning? Add a little CBD to it!
- Trying to cool down poolside this summer? Experiment with a CBD Mocktail!
Administration – CBD is absorbed through the bloodstream digested by the liver and distributing pretty evenly throughout the body.
Onset – 1-2hours, but may be erratic
Duration – may last 6-8 hours
Transdermal
Administration – While applying transdermal patches to the skin may seem similar to using a topical, the effects are completely different. Transdermal patches release cannabinoids at a constant rate into the bloodstream.
Onset – 15 minutes
Duration – may last up to 12 hours
Onset 15 minutes and usually lasts 12 hours
Can I Take Too Much CBD?
The short answer is: NO.
CBD, even in reasonably high doses, has shown little to no negative side effects.
Clinical trials have prescribed up to 1,200 mg of CBD daily to participants for extended periods of time, without any serious side effects. To put it into perspective, that’s more than an entire bottle of Rosebud CBD oil, or 60+ suggested servings per day. Furthermore, CBD is one of the only substances that appears to not cause dependency or addiction.
Studies have shown that CBD can potentially interact with some prescription drugs– be sure to check with your doctor before adding CBD to your wellness routine, if you’re taking any kind of medications.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
As you can tell, there are many different ways to take CBD; there is no “right” way, and there’s not really a wrong way either.
If you find a method that works for you, stick with it! Do what’s best for you. If you are having trouble finding your ideal CBD dosage or favorite method, try experimenting! And remember, consistency is key- so don’t give up if you start to feel frustrated with lack of results. Start low, and go slow- and keep a journal of your results to keep track of where you started!
If you have any questions about the different ways to take CBD, email us at hello@rosebudcbd.come and we’ll help as best we can!
Do you take CBD? If so, how? We’d love to hear how in the comments below!
Please note that research, regulations and data surrounding CBD is ever-evolving. As such, the information published on The Bloom should not be construed as medical or legal advice. Please always consult with your doctor before trying any new substance or wellness supplement.