Since the federal legalization of industrial hemp in late 2018, the market has become flooded with cannabidiol (CBD) products. The sheer variety of delivery methods – ranging from tinctures to topical lotions and creams – can leave you wondering just how to take CBD oil.
Ultimately, though, there are just a few underlying delivery methods here: ingesting CBD oil, vaping CBD oil, and absorbing CBD oil topically through the skin. The finer details of the products may make them more convenient or enjoyable, depending on what best suits your needs.
Let’s break down how to use CBD tinctures, capsules, topicals, and other products and see which combinations can fit your lifestyle!
How to Use CBD Tincture Drops
CBD tincture drops are one of the most commonly used methods of ingesting CBD oil, partly because it is simple to use and control daily amounts. Here’s a brief overview of CBD tinctures, how they can fit into your daily lifestyle, and why you might choose this method of ingesting CBD oil
CBD Tinctures Work Well / Are Recommended For:
- Daily users
- Situational users
- Athletes
- CBD chefs
- New users
- Advanced users
Why Choose CBD Tinctures?
CBD oil tinctures are easy to use, efficient, and certainly the most versatile option around.
Tinctures are oils infused with CBD. They’re primarily intended for sublingual absorption, meaning you hold it under your tongue for about 30 seconds so it can permeate the membrane. Ingesting CBD oil for absorption through the digestive tract is an option, but it doesn’t act as quickly as sublingual absorption because of its metabolic process.
Generally, you can feel the effects of sublingual absorption in about 30 minutes, while ingestion can take an hour or two. Still, swallowing it is definitely faster on the front end. Many people use both methods.
How Do You Use the CBD Tinctures?
Using oils of this variety allows you to customize servings to your exact specifications. For instance, daily users may decide to take 10 mg in the morning and a larger quantity in the evening before bed.
You can also use CBD tinctures in your favorite recipes or add them to a soothing cup of tea. Tinctures can come in different flavors – ours include orange, mint, and berry – so they can liven up the taste and boost wellness.
Tinctures can also include other beneficial ingredients. CBD PM contains melatonin, a hormone that your body naturally produces to regulate your sleep/wake cycle. So if you take it about 30 minutes before bedtime, it can help you get a good night’s sleep.
The heavy glass bottle-and-dropper combo may present challenges for frequent flyers. People whose belongings are subject to rough handling on the job – like construction workers – may also have difficulty carrying tincture bottles.
How to use CBD oil?
Put one or more drops of CBD oil under the tongue and wait 30-60 seconds before swallowing. CBD oil can also be added to drinks by putting one or more tincture drops to a beverage like tea or coffee. Under-the-tongue CBD sprays can be used as well.
How to Take CBD Oil Capsules
Some people prefer to take CBD in a capsule form and like the consistency of a set amount of CBD oil per serving.
CBD Oil Capsules Work Well / Are Recommended For:
- Daily users
- Athletes
- New users
- Travelers
Why Choose CBD Capsules?
CBD capsules are the easiest method for taking a preset and regular serving. There is no dropper, no measuring, and no potential for spills. The simplicity makes capsules perfect for those trying CBD for the first time or who have been on CBD for a while and don’t want to count the drops of tinctures.
How Do You Use the CBD Capsules?
For those using multiple supplements, you can easily integrate capsules into your daily routine. They’re practical for people on the go. Just swallow a capsule whole with water or any other kind of drink.
While convenient, capsules lack the versatility of tinctures. If you want to adjust serving sizes, you’ll need an entirely different product. Furthermore, ingesting CBD oil through the mouth is a less efficient introduction method than sublingual absorption or vaping. It may take over an hour for you to feel the effects.
How to Take CBD Oil Gummies
For added support, many find the convenience of gummies to be a good option. It allows you full control when you need a little extra support – like before an activity that usually makes you uncomfortable or at night when you may have difficulty winding down.
CBD Oil Gummies Work Well / Are Recommended For:
- Daily users
- New users
- Situational users
- Users who just love gummies!
Why Choose CBD Gummies?
If you’re going to take CBD, why not get all of the benefits inside a sweet treat? CBD gummies combine the ease and consistency of capsules with great flavor and a little fun.
Gummies are a good option if tinctures or capsules seem too medicinal or regimented. If you’re around other people, they can be an inconspicuous way to enjoy CBD since it just looks like you’re eating candy. At the same time, they’re the best sort of CBD product to share with friends!
How Do You Use the CBD Gummies?
Use CBD gummies according to the packaging directions, so you know what serving size to take. Then, it’s simple: chew up and swallow – easy peasy!
Note: If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, be sure to consider the ingredients carefully. Some diets strictly regulate sugar intake as well.
What About Vaping CBD Oil?
Vaping is another way to get CBD oil into your system, and it works rather quickly. Of course, the vaping option isn’t for everyone, but for those who prefer the method, it’s a great option to have available.
Vaping CBD Oil Method Works Well / Is Recommended For:
- Daily users
- Situational users
- New users
- Advanced users
- Travelers
Why Choose the Vaping Method for CBD Oil Products?
Vaping CBD oil is an extremely fast-acting method for introducing CBD into the body. The speed of delivery makes CBD-infused e-liquids perfect for people looking to use CBD situationally.
Vape juices are also a discreet method for those who choose not to carry a cumbersome tincture bottle. Simply fill your favorite vaping device in the morning, and you’ll have the CBD you need for the entire day.
How Do You Vape CBD Oil Products?
Similar to gummies, there are numerous CBD vape liquid flavors to provide a refreshing twist to your experience.
Though vaping CBD oil is a fast, effective way to introduce CBD to the body, it isn’t recommended for those with lung problems like asthma. And while occasional servings through a vaporizer aren’t likely to inhibit performance, athletes may want to consider different delivery methods.
Vaping method requires inhaling the vaporized liquid using a vaporizer. Follow the packaging instructions on your vaporizer and the CBD vape juice that you choose.
How to Use CBD Topicals
For a quick, targeted approach that does not involve ingesting CBD oil products, you can use a topical formula in the form of a cream, gel, oil, or lotion.
CBD Topicals Work Well / Are Recommended For:
- Everyone, especially athletes!
- People who need quick application
- Travelers
Why Choose CBD Topicals Over Ingesting CBD Oil?
First, you don’t have to use topicals as a replacement for other CBD oil products. They can be used in conjunction for added support and targeted application to problem areas. This option is especially useful for athletes for laser-focused relief where it’s needed most.
But athletes aren’t the only ones who need quick relief in particular areas of their body. What if you overdo it raking leaves, working on the job, or picking up your grandchildren? That’s why CBD topicals are great for everyone!
If you’re experiencing sore muscles or joints from exercise, arthritis, or another chronic condition, you’ll want to go with a topical that combines CBD with medicinal ingredients. CBD Freeze is an award-winning gel that incorporates menthol, the active component of products like Bengay. The menthol provides an instant cooling sensation that can feel great on an inflamed spot.
CBD Recover doesn’t have menthol, but it does have histamine dihydrochloride, the pain reliever in products like the Australian Dream and Golden Creme. It also contains arnica and MSM, popular in the alternative-medicine world, and a vast array of essential oils. Recover is a thick cream, so it might be a better option than Freeze if you have dry skin.
How Do You Use the CBD Topicals?
CBD topicals come in a variety of formulas and concentrations, so which one you choose depends on your purpose in using it. Simply rub the product onto the area where you need it and allow it to absorb into the skin.
Topicals with medicines should be used only on painful spots, up to four times a day until the problem eases. For everyday use, CBD Revive is a light moisturizer that helps keep skin supple with an added boost of CBD for overall wellness. Also, use topicals for undamaged skin – don’t use them if the area has scratches or cuts. Stop using them if your skin becomes irritated.
One potential issue with topicals is that they can get on your clothes, so be sure to give it time to sink in before dressing the affected area.
How to Use CBD Transdermal Patches
Another external option for CBD oil absorption is to use CBD transdermal patches.
CBD Transdermal Patches Work Well / Are Recommended For:
- Busy people and anyone who’s on the go
- Travelers
Why Choose CBD Transdermal Patches Over Ingesting CBD Oil?
CBD transdermal patches contain ingredients in them for absorption into the skin. You stick it on, and your body heat gradually induces the product to infuse through your skin.
Patches are great if your life is hectic because they’re basically “set it and forget it.” You don’t have to stick to a schedule of imbibing a tincture or capsule. And you don’t have to figure out where to store the bottle in the meantime. Moreover, the patch can hide discreetly under your clothes, so no one needs to wonder what you’re putting in your mouth.
Patches can also combine the benefits of ingestibles and topicals. The CBD does eventually get through your skin, but on the way, it can impart the same targeted effects as topicals. And also, like topicals, patches can contain pain-relieving medicines to help alleviate sore spots.
How Do You Use the CBD Transdermal Patches?
Transdermal patches are simple to use. Following the manufacturer’s instructions is key to getting the most optimal use of your patches. Some products may recommend cleansing the area before you apply them, for example. The product instructions should dictate how often and when to apply a new patch.
Note: Some people’s skin reacts badly to patches, however, so stop using them if they’re uncomfortable for you.
How to Use CBD Bath Bombs
Likely the most soothing method of CBD oil absorption is to take a nice, relaxing bath with a CBD bath bomb.
CBD Bath Bombs Work Well / Are Recommended For:
- Everyone!
Why Choose CBD Bath Bombs Over Ingesting CBD Oil?
Like with the topicals, you don’t have to replace your daily CBD regimen if you choose to use the CBD bath bombs. You can use them whenever you need that extra relaxing support or in the mood for some TLC.
Some believe that fancy baths are a ladies-only affair, but everyone deserves a little relaxation now and then. Even verified tough guys could enjoy such decadence.
Bath bombs combine the soothing relief of CBD with the calming effects of essential oils, aromatics, and Epsom salts. When it’s ambiance and relaxation you want, CBD Bath Bombs really hit their mark!
How Do You Use the CBD Bath Bombs?
They’re super easy to use. Simply draw a warm bath, remove the packaging or plastic wrapping from the bath bomb, and drop it into the water. Let it dissolve, and enjoy!
As with any botanical-infused product, people with allergies should pay special attention to the ingredients to avoid skin or respiratory reactions.
How Much of the CBD Oil Tinctures or Other Products Should You Take?
As you can tell, some CBD products are designed for daily use, while others target specific problems. But they all come in a range of different concentrations. So how do you know which to use?
Scientific research on CBD is still in the works, and there’s no specific guidance yet on the subject. So if you’re just starting with it, you should probably begin with a lower concentration and, if need be, work your way up.
Keep in mind that research suggests that CBD builds up in your system over time. So if you start ingesting CBD oil in the morning and don’t feel anything right off the bat, that’s not a license to crank up the quantity. Instead, use it daily for a couple of weeks to get a sense of what that regimen does for you.
If you still feel that you need more CBD, increase it gradually or simply add in an additional product, like the gummies, for times when you need it most.
What’s the Best CBD Oil Combination for You?
Now that you know how to take CBD oil in every way, you may want to combine multiple products to best suit your lifestyle.
A good example is a health-conscious business traveler. We’ll call her Aria.
She takes a CBD capsule daily as part of her morning routine. From there, she hits the treadmill in her hotel’s fitness center. After a shower, she’s on her way to the office.
After work, Aria makes her way to the airport. As she trudges through the concourse, her knee starts to ache – a common problem for runners. On reaching her gate and finding a seat nearby, she goes for her tube of CBD gel and applies it directly to her nagging knee.
Aria’s exhausted when she finally turns the key in the lock of her apartment. Even so, she’s still wound tight from her hectic day. The CBD sleep formula she keeps on her nightstand is an option. But tonight, she prefers a faster-acting method. She retrieves the small vape pen she keeps in her purse. It contains a CBD-infused vape liquid that usually does the trick in times like these.
After a refreshing night of sleep, Aria’s at it again.
You can easily see how keeping a variety of options available can help when the time is right.
How Do You Prefer to Take CBD Oil?
What’s your preferred way to take CBD? And what combination of superior CBD products best suits your needs in life? It all depends on your lifestyle and habits, but we’d love to hear from you. Let us know by following us on Instagram and Facebook, where we’re happy to help answer any questions, comments, and concerns – or just to chit-chat!