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How To Use CBD Oil | Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
If you’re not quite sure how to use CBD oil, you’re certainly not alone. The sheer number of CBD products currently available is growing by the day, and determining which delivery method is right for you can be confusing.
The key is to familiarize yourself with the many ways of taking CBD and learning the correct way to take your chosen product. Once you master this hurdle, you can start to enjoy the many benefits that CBD offers in the safest way possible.
Guide To Using Different Forms of CBD Oil
In 2024, an estimated 35% of the US population is using cannabidiol (CBD) in some form, and those numbers are projected to continue to rise, leading to approximately $6.9 billion of revenue worldwide. Those numbers are rather staggering!
However, many users take CBD haphazardly, risking their health and failing to reap the full benefits possible. Instead of falling into this category, use the guide below to educate yourself about the numerous dosing methods and how to get the most out of CBD.
CBD Oil Drops
Almost all CBD oils come in convenient glass dropper bottles for fast and easy dosing. You simply unscrew the top, squeeze the dropper until you have the desired amount, and then place the oil under your tongue and hold it there for a full minute before swallowing.
You can also use the dropper to add a few drops of CBD oil to drinks and food or apply it directly to your skin for targeted relief.
CBD Tinctures
The terms CBD oil and CBD tincture are often used interchangeably, but true CBD tinctures have an alcohol base, as opposed to the oil base of CBD oils, and tend to taste rather bitter. CBD tinctures can be used in the same way as CBD oils and produce the same beneficial effects.
Topical CBD
Topical CBD products, including CBD lotions, creams, balms, gels, and salves are applied directly to the skin at the source of discomfort. They penetrate layers of the skin to provide effective, targeted relief without being absorbed into the bloodstream.
To use topical CBD, apply a small amount of the product to the affected area, and gently rub it in. Relief is typically felt almost immediately and can last for several hours before reapplication is needed.
CBD Gummies and Edibles
CBD gummies and other CBD edibles contain pre-measured doses of CBD and come in a variety of flavors.
Because they travel through your digestive system before entering the bloodstream, effects are not as fast or potent as when taking CBD sublingually (under the tongue), but dosing is easy and discreet.
To glean the full benefits of CBD gummies, place one in your mouth, and chew slowly without swallowing for one minute. With other CBD edibles, it’s best to follow the package directions.
CBD Softgels and Tablets
Taking CBD in the form of a softgel or capsule allows you to maintain consistent dosing while avoiding the taste of CBD.
Some CBD tablets are meant to be swallowed as you would any other pill, but others are created to dissolve in your mouth so that the CBD can be absorbed into the bloodstream right away. Be sure to read the product directions carefully to gain the most benefits possible.
CBD Vape Pens
CBD vape pens allow you to inhale cannabidiol in the form of a fine mist into your lungs where it is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream. Although this method delivers the fastest results, vaping can damage your lungs, and the effects do not last long.
CBD With Food and Drinks
CBD oils can be added to beverages such as coffee, tea, juice, water, hot chocolate, smoothies, and even cocktails. The possibilities don’t stop with beverages, however.
Try adding CBD oil to salad dressings, sauces, yogurt, ice cream, and baked goods, such as cookies and brownies. High temperatures can destroy CBD’s beneficial properties, so use temperatures below 350℉ when cooking or baking with CBD.
Research shows that consuming CBD with fatty foods increases the absorption of CBD within the body, leading to higher concentrations and improved effectiveness, so don’t feel too guilty if you choose to indulge in a late-night CBD brownie.
Transdermal CBD Products
Unlike topical CBD products, transdermal CBD products are designed to pass through the layers of skin and reach the bloodstream to provide both targeted and systemic relief. They are available as patches, gels, creams, balms, and more.
To use transdermal CBD, clean the targeted area with soap and water, and apply the product as directed to the area causing discomfort. Patches are typically worn for one-two days, but creams, gels, and balms can be reapplied as needed.
Most Effective Way To Use CBD Oil
The safest, most effective way to take CBD oil is to take it sublingually. This involves placing the desired dose of oil under your tongue and holding it in place for one full minute before swallowing.
This method provides fast relief because the tiny capillaries in your mouth absorb the CBD into your bloodstream quickly where it will be metabolized by your liver and made available to your endocannabinoid system.
By directly entering the bloodstream, the CBD avoids first-pass metabolism in the digestive tract, which means that higher concentrations are available for the endocannabinoid system to utilize.
Full-Spectrum CBD, Broad-Spectrum CBD, and CBD Isolate
Those new to CBD oil might not be aware that three different forms are available and that they differ significantly in composition and effectiveness.
Full-spectrum CBD contains the full compound profile of the hemp plant. This includes terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, natural cannabinoids, and THC, though federal law mandates that the amount of THC must not exceed 0.3%.
Each component works differently in the body, but when all compounds are taken together as nature intended, they are more powerful than when taken individually. This is known as the entourage effect.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains the same terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and cannabinoids that full-spectrum CBD does, but the THC has been carefully removed. The benefits provided are very similar to that of full-spectrum CBD, but the entourage effect might not be quite as pronounced.
CBD isolate, often called pure CBD or CBD crystals, contains only CBD—all other hemp plant compounds have been removed. It is produced in a crystal form but is often ground and sold as a powder.
This form of CBD is thought to be the least effective because nearly all of the original plant compounds that work so well together are absent.
Benefits of Using CBD Oil
In reality, CBD research is still in the beginning phases, and there is a lot that is not fully understood yet. However, with the current data available, experts agree that CBD is safe when used responsibly.
People use CBD to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, inflammation, stress, anxiety, sleep issues, high blood pressure, migraines, depression, appetite issues, and more.
Claims that CBD is an effective remedy for many of these conditions are backed by scientific findings, and research also shows that CBD possibly can be used to control seizures, fight certain types of cancer, help with drug dependency, and protect against neurodegenerative diseases as well.
Possible Side Effects & Precautions
Side effects from CBD are not very common and are usually quite mild when they do occur. Possible side effects include dry mouth, irritability, drowsiness, fatigue, digestive issues, and lightheadedness due to a temporary drop in blood pressure.
Cannabidiol can interact with certain medications, resulting in negative reactions and reduced drug effectiveness. Always tell your doctor if you plan on taking CBD. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, experts do not recommend taking CBD.
To be certain of the purity and the accuracy of concentration levels, check the product’s Certificate of Analysis before purchasing—reputable companies will have COAs readily available for viewing.
Use Only the Highest-Quality CBD
Now that you understand the various forms of CBD available and how to use CBD oil correctly, the next step is to choose a trustworthy brand that prioritizes your health, ingredient transparency, and the safety of its products.
Spruce CBD products are made with highly potent full-spectrum CBD, and each batch is lab-tested for purity and safety. Don’t waste money on inferior CBD oils—feel the difference that the Spruce Effect makes today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is CBD oil so popular?
CBD’s popularity is exploding because of its wide range of health benefits, lack of serious or common side effects, and ease of use.
CBD is currently being used to treat pain, discomfort, inflammation, stress, anxiety, migraines, sleep disorders, seizures, depression, appetite issues, and more, but its full capabilities are not fully understood yet.
How do you use CBD oil for the first time?
First-time CBD users should start with a small dose of high-quality CBD oil to see how their bodies respond. If no negative effects are noted, the dose can be gradually increased over time until the desired effect is reached.
Ideally, you should take CBD at the same time each day, preferably after a meal high in healthy fats.
How is CBD oil supposed to be used?
There are many methods for using CBD oil, but the sublingual method is thought to be the most effective.
Placing the oil under your tongue and holding it there for a minute allows the oil to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream so it can interact with your endocannabinoid system and provide fast relief.
What does CBD feel like when it kicks in?
You will not experience a “high,” but as your body processes CBD, you should find relief from pain and discomfort and feel more relaxed and less stressed than you did.
Because your pain and stress levels are decreased, you might notice that you have an increased ability to concentrate and feel more balanced overall.
How quickly do you see results with CBD oil?
When taken sublingually, you should feel the effects of CBD oil within 15-30 minutes, though this can vary based on your metabolism, size, degree of discomfort, and other factors.
Because CBD builds up within your system over time, the most drastic results are often noted several weeks into your dosing regimen.
What types of CBD oil have THC?
By federal law, full-spectrum CBD can contain up to 0.3% THC. Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate should not contain any THC at all, though you should use caution with broad-spectrum CBD as some products have been found to contain trace amounts of THC despite “THC-free” labeling.
Is CBD active without THC?
You can still experience the many benefits CBD provides even if it doesn’t contain THC, the psychoactive compound of cannabis.
This is because CBD contains many compounds, such as terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids that work differently within the body but produce the greatest effects when taken together.
When should you avoid CBD?
Avoid using CBD if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Those taking prescription medications should obtain clearance from their doctor before adding CBD to their wellness routine because cannabidiol can impact the effectiveness of certain medications and cause side effects.
