What Are the 4 Different Ways to Consume CBD?
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is a compound found in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, another cannabinoid, CBD does not have psychoactive properties. Instead, it is known for its health benefits.
Recent changes in legislation have made CBD available to a far wider range of consumers, leading to a precipitous rise in its popularity to combat pain, insomnia, anxiety, and an array of other disorders.
Those who are new to CBD consumption can find out more about CBD online or read on to find out about four ways they can join the growing crowd of avid CBD advocates and consumers.
Oral Ingestion
For those who have never taken CBD, oral ingestion is a good place to start. There are plenty of options available to consumers who want to ingest their CBD, including capsules, gummies, and tinctures.
Consumers can buy CBD oil in capsule form, which makes it easy to dose and offers a convenient, comfortable way to treat common chronic pain disorders, sleep disorders, and other ailments. Capsules can take up to an hour to work, but consumers can expect their effects to last for several hours.
Chewable gummies are available in a variety of flavors and concentrations, while CBD tinctures can be added to just about any food or drink. These edible options have a systemic effect, which makes them great for consumers with whole-body issues.
Sublingual Tinctures
CBD tinctures can also be applied sublingually. Just place a few drops of the tincture beneath the tongue and wait at least 30 seconds before swallowing the liquid. This method offers quicker release than standard oral ingestion but still has the benefit of providing long-lasting effects.
Vaping or Inhalation
The fastest way to introduce CBD into the bloodstream is via inhalation. Most consumers use specialized vaporizers to inhale their CBD oil, although smoking is also an option. In either case, this method of ingestion requires some specialized equipment, such as a vaporizer or a dabber.
Like other methods of ingesting CBD, vaporizing and smoking produce no psychoactive effects. Some consumers may feel uncomfortable with this ingestion method because of its common association with marijuana, but it’s important to differentiate between the two. While CBD is found in marijuana plants, it’s also found in hemp plants. Either way, it is not the CBD in marijuana, but the THC, that produces psychoactive effects, so there’s no reason to worry about vaporizing or smoking CBD oil.
Topical Application
Topical application is a good solution for consumers who want to treat muscle aches and pains. This method for using CBD works quickly and targets one particular area, making it perfect to reduce pain from injuries or chronic conditions like arthritis.
Another great thing about topical CBD application is that consumers can find products that also feature other herbal and natural remedies. Try a warming CBD cream to keep joint pain at bay on a cold day or an arnica formulation to treat muscle aches, joint pain, and arthritis.
The Bottom Line
CBD oil offers relief from pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, neurological disorders, and a host of other medical and psychological problems. Every patient is different, though, so it’s a good idea to start off with small doses of CBD. Consume only a few drops of tincture or a small amount of oil to start out, then increase the dose slowly to get maximum relief without unwanted side effects.
