How To Use CBD Oil
A recent YouGov survey found that a huge 11% of UK adults have tried CBD. For many, the effects have been transformational, with most people using CBD oil for self-perceived anxiety, closely followed by sleep. But for others, they can’t see what all the fuss is about.
“I tried it a few times and it did nothing for me” is something I hear a lot from these people. And to them I explain, you’re not doing it right!
Although most have now heard of CBD oil and all its potential benefits, understanding how to use this unique, hemp-derived supplement properly for the best results is something less known.
There are a few very simple tips that are essential to follow to get the best results from using CBD, which I’m going to fill you in on right now!
In this article you will learn:
- What is CBD oil?
- How to take CBD oil
- Tips for enhancing CBD oil absorption
- How long does CBD last?
And then you’ll be well on your way to discovering just how amazing CBD can be.
What is CBD oil?
For those of you unfamiliar with how CBD oil works, it’s largely to do with the endocannabinoid system (ECs) – a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters (endocannabinoids) in the body, which works constantly to bring all (yes, all!) bodily processes back into balance. That’s how it can have such widespread effects.
The CBD molecule (the most abundant cannabinoid in CBD oil) supports the ECs by temporarily inhibiting the enzyme which ordinarily breaks down our endocannabinoids. This leads to higher levels of endocannabinoids flowing around the body for longer, which is particularly helpful for anyone who might have depleted endocannabinoids (which is thought to occur due to lack of sleep, chronic stress, illness and so on).
How to use CBD oil
Now, what many people don’t know is that cannabinoids, like CBD, have:
- An accumulative effect (they, and your endocannabinoids, will build up over time with regular use)
- A fairly short active life span in the body which varies depending on how you take your CBD (i.e. as oral drops, in capsule form, via a vape pen etc.).
So, simply put, taking CBD oil sporadically or just a few times is unlikely to have much effect, other than a brief immediate response when endocannabinoids (and serotonin, dopamine and vanilloid) receptors are activated.
To see the benefits of CBD oil, you must give yourself a little time.
This is even more important if you feel you may be needing to restore balance in some way (rather than maintain) which is often the case for people wanting to try CBD products.
It’s vital that you take CBD in the right way. If you’re using CBD oral drops, like the Voyager CBD oil, you need to allow a minute or two for absorption by holding the oil under your tongue. If you swallow the oil (as you would with capsules) this takes much longer to take effect and you’d likely need a larger dose, as a lot of the potency is lost in the digestive process.
If you’re taking CBD drops, there are a couple of ways you can increase the absorption even more, to get the most out of your product:
- Take CBD right after eating or brushing your teeth. These both increase blood flow to the mouth, which enhances absorption.
- Take CBD after eating something fatty, like mayonnaise or butter. Cannabinoids are fatty molecules, so this will help them cross over into the bloodstream with greater ease.
How long does CBD stay in the body?
According to a systematic review of CBD in humans, the length of time CBD actually stays in your system can be anywhere between 1.5 hours and 5 days. However, this isn’t the length of time it remains active in the body (i.e. how long it actually works for).
The length of time CBD stays active in the body (which will give you an idea of how frequently you might want to top up) depends on the type of product.
CBD Vape: CBD vapes get to work pretty much instantly, mainly targeting the receptors in your brain and lungs. This form of CBD also stays active for the shortest time, between 1 and 2 hours. This makes them great for someone who might be using CBD as a smoking cessation aid, and also as an addition to another longer lasting product like an oil or capsule for an instant boost. But not so good for anyone who wants the effects to keep them going through the day.
CBD Oil: Taking CBD oil via oral drops becomes active in the body in just a few minutes, as long as you remember to hold it under your tongue for a least 60 seconds! Once absorbed in this way, CBD oil circulates throughout the body via the bloodstream in a fairly evenly spread way and remains active for 2 – 3 hours.
CBD Capsules and Edibles: When you swallow or eat a CBD product, such as capsules or gummies, the oil needs to go through the digestive process before it becomes active. This take anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours (depending on your digestive system) and lowers the eventual potency (which is why capsule doses are usually higher than oral drop doses). But it does last much longer than other forms. Once CBD via a capsule becomes active, it stays active for 4 – 6 hours.
So, now you know how to take CBD oil.
The key points are:
Use CBD regularly and consistently
Take CBD the right way (i.e. allow time for absorption)
Top up throughout the day (depending on the form of CBD you take)
And finally, give it some time. Stick to these simple rules for around 4 – 6 weeks until you decide whether or not CBD is working for you. The effects can be subtle for some, but you’ll probably notice the difference when you’re waiting for your next bottle of Voyager CBD oil to arrive!
