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What Are the Best Ways to Feel the Effects of CBD?
Taking CBD in different ways results in slightly different outcomes. Sublingual administration and smoking provide almost instant effects, whereas edibles take longer to set in yet will take you on a longer ride. Whichever method you prefer, we'll show you tips and tricks to improve the absorption process and feel the clear-headed effects without wasting CBD.
When taking any supplement, most consumers are curious as to how fast the effects kick in. When it comes to CBD, the answer depends on how you choose to take it. Cannabidiol produces a clear-headed and soothing effect, but different routes of administration offer slightly different experiences.
You can modify how fast the effects of CBD set in, and how long they linger, by changing the way you take the cannabinoid.
Smoking dried flowers, eating edibles, and applying CBD oil under the tongue all serve as different options with distinct advantages and some drawbacks.
If you decide to take CBD, explore all of the options below to see which consumption method works the fastest, and which suits your lifestyle the best.
How to Take CBD
When it comes to speed of onset, smoking, vaping, and sublingual administration take the crown. These swift methods guarantee a fast and efficient transfer of CBD into the bloodstream.
In contrast, oral CBD must first pass through the digestive tract and liver, giving rise to a slower-acting yet longer-lasting experience.
Topically applied CBD, on the other hand, is in a league of its own, as CBD doesn't reach the bloodstream through the skin.
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Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping give CBD near-instant access to the bloodstream. Upon taking a hit from a joint, blunt, or vape pen, cannabis smoke or vapor quickly enters the lungs. Here, CBD and a cocktail of terpenes diffuse into small sacs called alveoli. It doesn’t take long for the molecules to enter the bloodstream, latch onto their corresponding receptor sites, and begin exerting their effects.
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient: Smoking and vaping don’t waste any time. These methods offer an almost instant dose of CBD, whenever you want it. | Satisfying: Smoking and vaping serve as a relaxing ritual for many users. Sitting back with a large joint and some close friends brings relaxation and peace of mind. | ||||||
| Flexible: This method of administration allows users to mix and match their favourite strains and concentrates with ease. | |||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Odour: Every time you take a hit, you’ll send aromatic terpenes into the surrounding area. If you’re looking to keep your cannabis use private, you’ll need to consider this. | Health: While vaping avoids combustion and the subsequent creation of carcinogens, we all know smoking doesn’t do the lungs—and our general health—any favours. | ||||||
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient: Smoking and vaping don’t waste any time. These methods offer an almost instant dose of CBD, whenever you want it. | Satisfying: Smoking and vaping serve as a relaxing ritual for many users. Sitting back with a large joint and some close friends brings relaxation and peace of mind. | ||||||
| Flexible: This method of administration allows users to mix and match their favourite strains and concentrates with ease. | |||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Odour: Every time you take a hit, you’ll send aromatic terpenes into the surrounding area. If you’re looking to keep your cannabis use private, you’ll need to consider this. | Health: While vaping avoids combustion and the subsequent creation of carcinogens, we all know smoking doesn’t do the lungs—and our general health—any favours. | ||||||
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Sublingually
Sublingual administration refers to placing CBD underneath the tongue. The thin layer of tissue here allows CBD oil to rapidly diffuse into the capillary beds and straight into the bloodstream. Many doctors prescribe sublingual drugs to provide patients with immediate effects, and the same logic applies to CBD. If you’re looking for a fast onset, without smoking or vaping, you’ll appreciate the sublingual method.
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthier: No smoke. No vapor. Leave your lungs feeling clear while still gaining access to a swift onset of effects. | Stealth: Sublingual administration doesn’t send a plume of terpenes into the air. Take CBD at home or work without raising any eyebrows. Simply pop to the bathroom if you work in a crowded office and would rather keep your regimen to yourself. | ||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Taste: Personally, we enjoy the nutty taste of CBD oil. However, some users are put off by it. Although this method places CBD oil under the tongue and away from the taste buds, you can still taste the flavour when you eventually swallow the remnants of the drops. | Dose: Overall, CBD oil offers highly accurate dosing. However, placing drops under your tongue without a mirror handy can easily result in you administering more than you'd usually opt for. | ||||||
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthier: No smoke. No vapor. Leave your lungs feeling clear while still gaining access to a swift onset of effects. | Stealth: Sublingual administration doesn’t send a plume of terpenes into the air. Take CBD at home or work without raising any eyebrows. Simply pop to the bathroom if you work in a crowded office and would rather keep your regimen to yourself. | ||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Taste: Personally, we enjoy the nutty taste of CBD oil. However, some users are put off by it. Although this method places CBD oil under the tongue and away from the taste buds, you can still taste the flavour when you eventually swallow the remnants of the drops. | Dose: Overall, CBD oil offers highly accurate dosing. However, placing drops under your tongue without a mirror handy can easily result in you administering more than you'd usually opt for. | ||||||
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Orally
Oral CBD passes through the digestive tube. After making it through the throes of this system, the body whisks it off to the liver for processing. Then, CBD enters the bloodstream where it begins to take effect soon after interacting with the cannabinoid receptors. This can take anywhere from thirty minutes to one hour. However, the effects typically last longer and feel stronger. If you’re in no rush, oral CBD will provide you with a sustained, clear-headed experience.
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum stealth: By adding CBD oil to coffee, tea, juice, and soups, you can consume the cannabinoid in complete privacy—especially if you prepare the beverage at home before heading out. | Taste: You can mix CBD oil with almost anything. Place it on top of candy, fruit, or whatever else your palate fancies. | ||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Waiting: If you prefer a fast onset, you might find your patience wears thin while waiting for oral CBD to take effect. | Bioavailability: Although there are ways to boost the absorption rate of CBD, the digestive tract is a hostile place. Some CBD will always pass right through without making it to the bloodstream. | ||||||
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum stealth: By adding CBD oil to coffee, tea, juice, and soups, you can consume the cannabinoid in complete privacy—especially if you prepare the beverage at home before heading out. | Taste: You can mix CBD oil with almost anything. Place it on top of candy, fruit, or whatever else your palate fancies. | ||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Waiting: If you prefer a fast onset, you might find your patience wears thin while waiting for oral CBD to take effect. | Bioavailability: Although there are ways to boost the absorption rate of CBD, the digestive tract is a hostile place. Some CBD will always pass right through without making it to the bloodstream. | ||||||
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Topically
Topically applied CBD serves as a fantastic way to nourish your skin. It leaves the epidermis feeling smooth, silky, fresh, and youthful. With a huge range of products available, you can add CBD into your cosmetics routine in any way you want.
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diversity: CBD users are spoilt for choice when it comes to cosmetics. Choose from a huge range of creams, balms, lotions, and serums. | Supportive ingredients: CBD cosmetics almost always contain other natural skin-nourishing ingredients that work in concert with the cannabinoid. Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E are but a few examples you’ll commonly find. | ||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Skin-deep: Topically applied CBD doesn’t reach the bloodstream, so you won’t feel any mental effect. However, the skin features a wealth of cannabinoid receptors that regulate skin health and are ready and waiting for a dose of cannabidiol. | |||||||
| Pros | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diversity: CBD users are spoilt for choice when it comes to cosmetics. Choose from a huge range of creams, balms, lotions, and serums. | Supportive ingredients: CBD cosmetics almost always contain other natural skin-nourishing ingredients that work in concert with the cannabinoid. Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E are but a few examples you’ll commonly find. | ||||||
| Cons | |||||||
| Skin-deep: Topically applied CBD doesn’t reach the bloodstream, so you won’t feel any mental effect. However, the skin features a wealth of cannabinoid receptors that regulate skin health and are ready and waiting for a dose of cannabidiol. | |||||||
How to Make CBD Work Faster
Now you know the most common ways to take CBD. And although we mentioned some efficient consumption methods, many of you may still be seeking an even more efficient method to increase CBD’s effects.
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CBD With Fatty Foods
Cannabinoids are fat-soluble molecules. You’ll always find a good amount of fat in any edibles recipe—hence the popularity of cannabutter. If you’re cooking with CBD, adding this wonderful extract to your dish can bring some desired effects, such as increased absorption.
In summary, the better the absorption, the less CBD is wasted and the higher the biodisponibility (drug concentration in the bloodstream), which also means more intense and longer-lasting effects.
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Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Full-spectrum CBD oils provide a rich cocktail of cannabis phytochemicals. In addition to high levels of CBD, you’ll receive a good dose of aromatic terpenes that work alongside the cannabinoid to create more pronounced effects.
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CBD Supplements With Liposomes
Cannabis technology has come a long way—liposomes are a perfect example of this. These small “bubbles”, formed from phospholipid bilayers, wrap around CBD and terpene molecules. Liposomes work as protective 3-dimensional shields that prevent the degradation of active ingredients in the digestive tract, letting them reach the bloodstream in the highest possible concentration.
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CBD Oil Under Your Tongue
Sublingual administration offers a rapid onset of effects, but still requires a small element of patience. Many users swallow the oil a bit too early, minimising its effects. Leave the drops under your tongue for at least one minute to allow for maximum absorption before swallowing.
Get the Most Benefits From Your CBD
Every high-quality CBD oil states the exact amount of CBD within the bottle. If you decide to use CBD, use the tips and tricks mentioned above to make the most of every molecule and experience the fastest possible onset of effects. Choose the method that best suits your lifestyle and—most of all—enjoy the cannabinoid’s wholesome effects!
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