How to take CBD oil: 4 best ways
Discover the best ways to take your CBD oil, whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Caley Scott, ND
Everyone is eager to get on board with the CBD lifestyle, whether in search of better sleep, reduced discomfort, or general well-being. With so many CBD oil and hemp extract products on the market, it's never been easier to get started. From CBD capsules to CBD gummies to CBD topicals and more, there are plenty of options.
Exploring the CBD marketplace is always fun, but when it comes time to make CBD part of your routine, how do you actually take CBD oil most effectively? You'll hear many suggestions and tips for taking CBD oil, but best practices exist for a reason.
Let's explore the best ways to take CBD oil to get the most for your money and experience all the benefits that these products have to offer.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil can mean many different things depending on who you ask. Still, as an umbrella term, it refers to liquid forms of cannabis extracts that feature cannabidiol (CBD) as the primary compound.
In some cases, CBD oil is synonymous with CBD isolate, which contains only cannabidiol and nothing else. However, premium CBD oils feature a range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds—with CBD as the main active ingredient.
At Sunmed, we use the term "hemp extracts" to describe our selection of plant-rich tinctures with CBD and other cannabinoids. Many of our liquid products also contain extra ingredients and terpene blends to boost health benefits for specific use cases.*
Some brands use different terms to describe their liquid CBD products, but here’s the golden rule: always look beyond a product's name to reveal the truth about its ingredients and cannabinoid content.
You may find that some products aren't as advertised, and you'll want to gather as much information as possible to get the most from your cannabis routine. This goes for vapes, gummies, topicals, and all types of CBD edibles. There's always more to learn about CBD oil and its variants, so investigate labels, ingredient lists, and certificates of analysis every time.
Does CBD oil contain THC?
You won't find detectable levels of tetrahydrocannabinol in most CBD oils, as manufacturers work hard to keep their products compliant with regulators for widespread distribution.
However, with 2018 Farm Bill in effect, CBD oils can legally contain up to 0.3% THC by dry weight. Oils with 0.3% THC or less are known as full spectrum products, while products with non-detectable levels of THC are known as broad spectrum products. As always, state legislation regarding THC content is always changing, so best practice is to check your state-specific laws before deciding to purchase a full spectrum product.
As CBD regulatory standards are still being worked out, many CBD oils n the market are unique. To know your products' exact THC and CBD content, always consult the label and COAs to get the full story.
How can you take CBD oil?
CBD oil can be taken in many ways, varying in convenience and effects. The most important part is to keep taking CBD oil each day, but the method of delivery also impacts efficacy and results. Here are four ways to take CBD oil and the pros and cons of each.
1. Use it sublingually
Sublingual delivery is the most popular and effective way to take CBD oil, tinctures, and other liquid hemp extracts. This is done by using the dropper to dispense your desired amount of CBD oil onto the area below your tongue, allowing it to absorb for at least a minute or longer.
The first advantage of sublingual administration is the absorption rate—this area of the body contains many blood vessels and membranes, allowing CBD compounds to absorb rapidly into the bloodstream, meaning you can feel the effects of CBD quickly.
While the delivery rate is slightly slower than smoking cannabis, this is one of the optimal way to get CBD oil into the system without the harsh effects of smoke inhalation.
Sublingual delivery is also quick and convenient compared to other methods, allowing for discrete consumption in a short timeframe.
For newcomers to CBD oil, we suggest sublingual delivery to familiarize yourself with the effects of different cannabinoids and find the right amount to meet your needs.
2. Add it to baked goods
Adding CBD oil to baked goods is a popular way to utilize these products while enjoying your favorite cookies, brownies, breads, and other recipes fresh from the oven,
The best CBD oils contain carrier oils like coconut or MCT, making them easy to implement into your favorite goodies. As long as you are mindful of your ingredients and stay true to the recipes, you'll find that CBD oil is a useful ingredient in baking that also grants you the benefits of cannabinoids.
However, baking with CBD oil does come with some drawbacks worth noting. Because of high temperatures and the presence of other fats and sugars, the active compounds in CBD oil might be diminished when using them in baked goods recipes. It also takes longer to absorb CBD in the digestive system, and fewer receptors may be targeted.*
From a cost-efficiency standpoint, there are better ways to utilize your CBD oil if you're looking to make the most of each drop. Baking with CBD oil is a good way to use a lot of extra CBD with lower potency, but we don't recommend it with our premium hemp extracts.
3. Infuse it into butter
Infusing CBD oil into butter is a popular way to add beneficial cannabis compounds to your everyday cooking. Whether spreading CBD butter onto your morning toast or cooking an omelet, this is an easy and versatile way to get some of the benefits of CBD.
To infuse CBD oil into butter, melt butter on low heat in order to keep its structure intact. Slowly add CBD oil to the mix and incorporate the ingredients with a steady hand. Once mixed, you can drop the heat and allow the butter to return to solid form before refrigerating it for later use.
The process is easy to follow and lets you cook freely with CBD oil throughout the day, but this approach has its downsides. It's harder to know exactly how much CBD oil is in each serving of butter, so you may need to rely on estimates to get your desired amount.
Plus, you may lose some of the efficacy of CBD oil by mixing it with butter and lose out on some benefits as a result. When using premium hemp extracts, butter may not be the best way to ingest CBD oil.
4. Use it in salad dressing
CBD oil can be used in salad dressing, just as you would use olive oil or vegetable oil to make your favorite salads more appetizing. Simply create a custom mixture with your go-to ingredients and drizzle it over greens, veggies, and other accouterments.
This method ensures that the CBD oil maintains its efficacy as it won't be exposed to heat or other chemical reactions. Still, it may be difficult to know exactly how much CBD oil you're getting per serving, so keep an eye on the amount of CBD oil you pour into a batch of dressing.
For those living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying salads daily, this is a good way to keep the CBD flowing while eating right.
Should you use CBD oil on an empty stomach?
CBD oil can certainly be used on an empty stomach, whether you’re kicking off your day or supplementing between meals. Because CBD is non-psychoactive and contains other balancing plant compounds, you won’t have to worry about side effects like dizziness or tiredness that might come with taking THC-focused hemp extracts.*
CBD newcomers will want to experiment with variables such as coordinating consumption with meals, snacks, and other supplements.
Studies support the idea that while CBD oil is absorbed more quickly on an empty stomach, consuming hemp extracts with healthy fats and complex carbohydrates can further increase the bioavailability of these compounds and add to therapeutic benefits.*
This means that the best way to consume CBD oil is alongside a small snack or with carrier oils like MCT or coconut oil. Sunmed’s best-selling CBD tinctures are formulated with high-quality carrier oils to support absorption and sustain the effects of your preferred compounds.*
How can you increase the absorption of CBD oil?
While the properties of CBD oil are fixed, you can increase your body’s ability to absorb it by eating a balanced diet with healthy fats and staying hydrated with electrolytes throughout the day. You’ll find that CBD oil taken with a meal might cause the effects to take longer to kick in, but the benefits will be more pronounced and last for longer.
This is a good trade-off for anyone looking to get the most value from their CBD products and keep the endocannabinoid system balanced throughout the day.
The bottom line
Taking CBD oil should be simple, intuitive, and fit in naturally with your routine, whether building momentum in the morning or winding down at night. Sunmed is here to help you maximize the effects of your favorite cannabinoids with support from other proven ingredients and delivery methods.
With our high-quality products, you can start applying these best practices today and enjoy your favorite CBD oil to the fullest.
Sources:
How to Safely Use CBD: Should You Inhale, Spray, Apply, or Eat It? | Consumer Reports
The Effects of Food on Cannabidiol Bioaccessibility | NIH