CBD or Cannabidiol is the main medicinal compound found in weed which is extracted and sold in many forms.
As a non-psychoactive ingredient, it does not cause any ‘high’ while delivering its therapeutic effects.
As a result, CBD is widely used for health purposes and can be taken in various methods due to the wide range of CBD products available in the market.
One of the most common is CBD oil which is meant for oral use but can also be administered through your favorite food items.
Then there are specific medicinal oils called CBD tinctures that are only meant for oral and sublingual use.
Likewise, CBD topicals, that you can directly apply over the skin.
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ToggleTypes of CBD Oil and Their Potency
While CBD oils can be found in various strengths and concentrations, most of them can be categorized into the following:
1. CBD isolates have nothing but pure CBD.
As the name suggests, CBD isolate oils are cannabis oils that contain pure CBD with no traces of other cannabinoids or terpenes.
Being completely free from other cannabinoids, especially THC, makes CBD isolate oils purely therapeutic with no side effects or intoxication.
As such, CBD isolates are primarily used by medicinal users who are looking to gain the health benefits of weed without experiencing the high.
2. Broad-spectrum CBD Oil has rich amounts of CBD along with other minor cannabinoids, except for THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD oils, on the other hand, have a wider range of cannabinoids with CBD being the most dominant and other minor cannabinoids as supporting ingredients for an enhanced or synergistic experience.
Similar to CBD isolates, broad-spectrum products do not contain any THC either, which makes them a preferred alternative over full-spectrum CBD oils.
3. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains a full range of cannabinoids including THC.
Full-spectrum products refer to those cannabis products that maintain a full range of cannabinoids including the psychoactive compound THC.
Usually obtained from hemp i.e. any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% THC (as should be the case with most legalized products), full-spectrum CBD oils produce a special “entourage effect” that only occurs when more cannabis compounds work together to produce an enhanced overall effect including the high.
As far as their potency is concerned, CBD isolates naturally have a higher CBD ratio compared to their counterparts including THC-less broad-spectrum products.
However, CBD isolates may further vary in their strengths ranging from low and moderate to high and pure which ultimately narrows your options based on your tolerance and experience.
Needless to say, you should always pick the least potent oil, especially, when starting.
How to Take CBD Oil: Common Methods of Consumption
CBD oils can be taken or used in numerous ways depending on your preferred method of consumption.
Some of the most common forms include tinctures, capsules, edibles, and topicals.
Depending on the type of product, you can further choose the desired method of consumption from the following:
• Sublingual
Although, orally edible, CBD tinctures work best when taken sublingually, meaning by letting a few drops under the tongue for an instant absorption through the mucous membrane. For best results, aim to hold the content for about a minute or so before swallowing.
• Oral
CBD oils can be packed and sold in many edible forms including capsules, gummies, and other goods. Like anything ingested, edible oils take a longer time of about 1-2 hours to metabolize and enter the bloodstream but do offer the longest-lasting effects of 8 hours or more, longer than any other product or method.
• Topical
Other than consumables, CBD oils can also be used topically or applied directly over the skin or parts of the body for instant relief.
There are tons of CBD topicals out there that come infused with high-quality CBD oil such as creams, lotions, balms, and salves that you can get your hands on.
Speaking of which, transdermal patches are yet another form of CBD topicals that are coming out in the cannabis market as of late.
• Inhalation/ Smokeables
Perhaps the fastest method to consume CBD oil and gain its potential effects is none other than vaping or smoking.
Better known as hash oil, they also come in the form of CBD vapes that you can heat and inhale using a vaping device such as a vape pen.
Traditionally, you could also inject it into your bowl or joint to enhance the overall smoking experience. Mind you, CBD, when taken with THC, tends to inhibit the potential intoxication caused by the latter. This makes it rather useful for potheads should their flower be too strong or potent to bear.
• Sprays
CBD oils also come as edible sprays that you can directly spray into the mouth for instant and quick absorption.
Best suited for on-the-go use, its effects can last up to 4-6 hours.
For prolonged and potent effects, pay attention to the dosage, regardless of the method of consumption.
Dosage Recommendations for CBD Oil
While the ideal recommended dosage of CBD is anywhere between 5-10 mg per serving, finding the right dosage of CBD oil that suits your interests may depend on several other factors than your tolerance itself.
These include but are not limited to your body fat, metabolism, and any specific health condition that you might have.
That said, while aiming for the ideal dosage of 5-10 mg, you should always be wary of your experience, and start low and go slow, especially, if you are a newcomer.
Once comfortable with a particular dosage level, you can gradually increase the intake until it hits your sweet spot.
At the same time, when consuming through edibles, be mindful of the calorie intake.
Similarly, for other types of products, use them as you deem fit according to your schedule or timings.
Best Times to Take CBD Oil
As a therapeutic substance, CBD/ CBD oil offers a wide range of health properties such as pain relief, anti-inflammation, relaxation, and sleep.
Depending on your particular condition, you can not only choose the most convenient method but also a suitable time.
For instance:
• For general health and well-being, the best time to take CBD oil is at any time of the day or night.
• Managing stress and anxiety, on the other hand, is something you want to deal with beforehand or before a stressful situation. As such, taking CBD oil 30 minutes before an anticipated stressful event must be able to do the trick.
• Relief from chronic pain and inflammation requires regular use of CBD oil in the morning and evening.
• Sleep and sedation can be achieved by taking CBD oil an hour or so before your bedtime.
• Focus and alertness are certain byproducts of CBD without feeling the ‘high.’ This makes it a safer alternative to THC, especially, during the daytime.
In addition to that, post-workout CBD oil massage or consumption can promote muscle recovery and reduce the chances of soreness and inflammation.
Tips for Enhancing CBD Oil’s Effects
The effects of CBD can be personalized or enhanced to target a specific condition.
E.g. with healthy fats such as nuts, avocados, and olive oil as they boost the absorption of CBD oil.
Similarly, a few other tips that you might want to consider while you are at it are:
• Choose the right delivery or consumption method with tinctures and vapes being two of the fastest. For longest-lasting effects though, eaten cannabis always trumps the rest of the mediums.
• Switch between different types of oils from CBD isolates to broad-spectrum and full-spectrum products.
• Start low and go slow with the doses.
• Stay consistent to obtain the long-term effects.
And finally, leave no holds barred when it comes to storing your precious CBD oil.
Possible Side Effects and Precautions
As safe as it is, with no risks of overdosing or intoxication, some users may still end up feeling certain side effects of weed.
For example,
• Dry or cotton mouth.
• Drowsiness and fatigue.
• Gastrointestinal Issues.
• Low Blood pressure.
• Mood swings.
To avoid all of that and leave no margin for discomfort, here are some precautions that you can try while you enjoy your favorite cannabis oil:
• If you feel drowsy or sleepy after consuming CBD oil, then avoid driving or indulging in heavy-duty work.
• Say no to CBD, and weed as a whole when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Look out for allergic reactions and potential drug interactions.
• Only use authentic and high-quality CBD oils.
If everything fails, get in touch with your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
CBD oil is a common form of CBD aka medical marijuana.
Used for a variety of purposes such as pain relief, anti-inflammation, and relaxation, it is made by extracting the oil from the raw plant matter and diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.
Besides being edible, CBD oils can be infused in vapes, joints, and topicals.
Regardless of the method though, the ideal dosage of CBD is said to be between 5-10 mg which you can titrate as per your tolerance.
For maximum effects, stick to the same time of use every day.
Last but not least, always look for authentic products from an authorized hemp dealer and only buy after thoroughly checking the ingredients and lab testing results displayed on the label.
FAQs
Start with 5-10 mg of CBD per serving when starting with CBD oils for mild effects and general wellness.
While you can certainly take CBD oil on an empty stomach; for best results, you might want to try taking it with a snack or meal rich in healthy fats as they can significantly improve the bioavailability of CBD.
Depending on the method of consumption, the effects of CBD oil may also vary. E.g., tinctures and vapes can give you the effect almost immediately, whereas, oral consumption may take about an hour or more to digest and metabolize the content.
While CBD oil can be combined with other food supplements with no substantial side effects, to be safe, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider.
Among the long list of ingredients, some of the most important factors to look for in a quality CBD oil product include the type of CBD, potency levels, third-party lab testing, and the recommended dosage.