Key Takeaways:
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If you’re looking to achieve the greatest degree and range of potential benefits, consider trying full- or broad-spectrum cannabinoid (CBD) products.
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If you’re looking to feel the effects of CBD quickly while maximizing the absorption of CBD, try using CBD oil under your tongue or trying CBD products that use newer technologies to produce efficient, fast-acting effects.
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If you’re looking for long-lasting effects, consider taking CBD edibles.
Across the world, people are embracing CBD and other cannabinoids for their wide range of all-natural potential benefits.
With so many different CBD products available, it can be hard to know what’s right for you. One of the most common questions we get asked is “what is the most effective way to take CBD?”
While part of how you take CBD depends on what you’re looking to achieve with CBD, there are several methods that can maximize the absorption of CBD as well as methods to feel the effects of CBD quicker.
Let’s take a look into the most effective forms of CBD and the most effective ways to take CBD.
CBD 101
The three main types of CBD you’ll come across are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD. The main difference between the three depends on which cannabinoids are retained during the extraction process. Here are the key differences:
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Full-Spectrum CBD preserves all naturally-occurring compounds found in the hemp plants. For federally legal full-spectrum CBD products, this includes a very small amount of THC (<0.3%), other cannabinoids like cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabidivarin (CBDV), terpenes, and flavonoids.
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Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum but is further refined to remove the THC (though trace amounts are possible).
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Isolate CBD is pure, isolated CBD and does not retain any additional cannabinoids.
CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system which is a system of receptors that plays a key role in the regulation of processes and functions, including sleep, pain, mood, and memory.
When several cannabinoids are used together, the effects and benefits may be enhanced. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect—it suggests that taking multiple cannabinoids, such as CBD, THC, and terpenes, together may be more effective than taking any other single cannabinoid by itself. Because of this, many CBD experts believe that full- and broad-spectrum CBD products may be the most effective.
Most Effective Ways To Take CBD
Aside from the form of CBD you’re taking, the type of CBD product plays a role in how quickly you feel the effects (the rate of absorption), the efficacy (the degree of absorption), and how long the effects last. You may also hear the degree and rate of absorption of CBD referred to as the “bioavailability of CBD”.
Oils and Tinctures
Some of the most common CBD products you’ll come across are CBD oils and tinctures. In general, when taken under the tongue, CBD oils and tinctures take about 15 to 20 minutes to start working and the effects last for approximately four to six hours.
Absorption of CBD through the oral mucosa (mucous membrane)—accomplished by placing the oil or tincture under your tongue—can bypass the stomach and undergo reduced metabolism by the liver during its first pass through the body. This means more CBD is preserved and more CBD can get into the bloodstream.
“The amount of CBD that makes its way into the bloodstream can be nearly double that of the oral route (edibles), and in many studies, occurs quicker. That’s why many consider oils and tinctures to be a better bang-for-your-buck.” - Josh Kaplan, Ph.D.
Edibles
Edibles are a great and discreet way to take CBD. You can find a wide variety of edibles, including gummies, chocolates, beverages, or even mints. In general, it takes anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours for edibles to start working. However, the effects of edibles can last anywhere from six to 12 hours.
As alluded to above, there’s a phenomenon that limits the amount of CBD that can reach the bloodstream and be effective. This is known as the first-pass effect. When CBD is ingested orally (i.e., edibles), it’s absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and is moved through the portal vein to the liver where it’s then metabolized. Because of this process, only a limited amount of CBD actually reaches the bloodstream when you take edibles.
There are however newer technologies being used in CBD edibles that can not only increase the rate of absorption but also increase the degree of absorption, meaning you can get quick effects while maximizing the absorption of CBD. For example, liposomal encapsulation is a pharmaceutical-grade technology that uses liposomes—a stellar delivery system that mimics our cell membranes—to deliver CBD directly and efficiently.
Discover Feals
At Feals, we’re dedicated to providing you with a better way to feel better. Our full-spectrum CBD oils and CBD mints are made with only the purest ingredients and are designed to help you find balance and feel at your best. Our CBD mints are made using liposomal encapsulation to help you feel at ease in just a few minutes.
If you’re new to CBD or are looking to learn more about the most effective ways to take CBD, our customer service team would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
