CBD Administration Routes: How to Find the Best Way to Take CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol, once widely stereotyped as a psychoactive substance, is now easily available in regular drug stores. Research suggests that CBD has medicinal potential to treat various conditions, from epilepsy to chronic pain. CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid system to maintain our internal environment’s homeostasis. CBD’s ability to influence the endocannabinoid system’s critical receptors has made it an item of heightened scientific interest over the last decade. People administer CBD in different forms and through different routes. The options are vast and sundry, from topical CBD creams to smokes and vapes. Choosing the right CBD product is a tricky business, despite the compound’s widespread accessibility. In this article, we’ll explore almost every CBD product available in the market and try to nudge you in the right direction:

 #1 Sublingual oil 

Sublingual oils are go-to CBD products for many people. These are hemp-based and packaged in the form of oils and tinctures. The reason Sublingual oils are the number one choice of so many CBD users is their ease of ingestion. All you need to do is place a few drops under your tongue and wait for around one or one and a half minutes before swallowing. That’s easy!

One problem, though, is that the CBD industry is unregulated. Many products on the market are not rested for their safety and efficacy. 

Make sure your product is made from organically sourced hemp. And the method used for the plant’s extraction is supercritical CO2 extraction. Some companies also provide third-party lab results on their websites to ensure consumer transparency. Check these out, too, to be on the safe side. 

Pros:

• Very convenient to take.
• A wide array of products, making oils and tinctures pretty easy to get your hands on.
• They come with a measuring dropper, so dosing is really easy to keep track of. 
• Oils contain very little other additives. They’re mostly natural. 
• Great for beginners. Start with low doses and then work your way up. 
• Sublingual absorption has very high bioavailability and produces immediate effects. 

Cons:

• Sublingual products are not regulated, meaning you might come across a lot of poor quality products.
• The taste is not always the best. Some consumers have complained about a strong and bitter flavor. 

#2 CBD Capsules

Because many CBD users don’t find the taste of CBD oil palatable, CBD capsules have emerged as a great alternative. CBD capsules consist of CBD oil encapsulated in a tiny capsule, similar to how most other conventional pills are packaged. 

To make sure you’re buying good quality CBD capsules, it’s best to find a vendor who sells pills that don’t break apart from the middle easily. Fragile pills can leak and get contaminated. 

Another drawback of pills is that they aren’t as widespread as other CBD forms. Therefore, you might have some difficulty expanding your options when it comes to CBD capsules. 

Pros:

• No complications with swallowing. Simply pop a capsule in your mouth, and you’re good to go. 
• No problems with dosing whatsoever. The capsule dosage is always accurate. 
• People who don’t like oils and tinctures can use capsules without compromising any of CBD’s benefits. 

Cons:

• Not many options available when it comes to capsules. 

#3 CBD Dabs

All concentrated CBD extracts fall under the umbrella of dabs. This includes every CBD product, from CBD isolates and shatters to waxes. 

CBD isolate is a highly purified form of Broad Spectrum and Full Spectrum CBD-products. The only ingredient in a CBD isolate is 99.5% pure CBD. CBD isolates come in the form of a very refined and crystalline white powder. They don’t have any sharp odor, and you can easily add them to a variety of foods for easy digestion. 

When CBD isolate is infused with terpenes, it transforms into a shatter. Don’t worry: shatter doesn’t contain THC, so its legality and safety are not a concern. Depending on which terpenes are used in its formulation, you can experience different aromas emanating from the product. 

Lastly, CBD crystal or concentrate is liquidized to form a gooey texture known as CBD wax. The processes used in the formation of CBD wax are quite similar to those used in the production of shatters. 

In dabbing, the forms mentioned above of CBD are heated at high temperatures to vaporize them. Users inhale this vapor through certain tools to access CBD’s therapeutic effects. 

Pros:

• An enjoyable way of taking CBD oil
• Much better taste as compared to tinctures and oils.
• It contains 99% pure CBD, meaning you don’t have to worry about dangerous contaminants.
• Produces fast effects.

Cons:

• A Dabbing rig can be expensive.
• Requires a learning curve, so not recommended for newbies.
• Figuring out the exact dose is an uphill task.

#4 Vaping

Vaping is not one of the most recommended options. For starters, combusting CBD strains may cause damage to the lungs. 

There are vape pens available on the market that offer a safer alternative. These come with a cartridge of CBD oil that fits into the pen. However, you still need to weigh the pros and cons of vaping and then compare them with your reason for using CBD to make an educated guess.

Pros:

• A safer option than smoking
• Many options when it comes to vape pens and devices
• Vaping produces immediate effects because of high bioavailability.

Cons:

• Vaping devices are costly.
• Might not suit people who aren’t seasoned smokers
• It’s not easy to gauge dosing.

#5 CBD Topical lotions

People who have degenerative bone diseases, of which chronic pain is a common element, are using Topical CBD creams and lotions to manage their conditions. These products are only good for localized skin treatments as they are only absorbed into the skin and don’t make their way into the bloodstream. 

Pros:

• Great for localized treatments. 
• As easy to apply as any other cream or lotion.
• Quite popular, with many options available. 

Cons:

• You never know how much CBD you’re administering in each application.
• It doesn’t work for internal issues, just good for aches and joint pain.
• The effects are not as long-lasting as other treatments.

Summing Up

The way you take CBD oil depends on your preferences and needs. The best way to decide what suits you best is to go over the best five consumption methods above and weigh each of them against your tolerance to cannabis, the condition you want to treat, and other factors to make the right decision.