A Smörgåsbord of Choices – A Guide to Consumption Methods

A Guide to the 4 Primary Consumption Methods of CBD

The mounting evidence and the near constant buzz generated from the testimonials of the multitude of Swedish CBD users has pushed the hemp cannabinoid into the forefront of many therapeutic and self-care routines. With the vast and ever-growing array of CBD products available on the market today, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you, let alone the best way to consume CBD.

With so many options and so many products requiring a different delivery method, it can be tricky to determine the most effective way to consume your cannabinoid product of choice. We’re going to take a closer look at the different methods to take CBD so that you can make an informed decision about which delivery method is best for you. The four general areas by which CBD can be consumed are: Edibles/Ingestibles; Topicals; Inhalants; and Tinctures/Sprays. Different consumption methods come with different onset times, different absorption rates, and different benefits. Like we said, there is no right or wrong, it’s just a matter of understanding what your needs are and what to expect. 

Before we look at the different general methods of CBD consumption, let’s just clear up a few of the key terms that when understood will assist you in making more informed decisions as to the means and the methods by which you want to include CBD in your wellness routine.

• • • First Pass Metabolism – The first pass effect is a phenomenon in which a drug gets metabolized at a specific location in the body before entering into the body’s circulation. This means that CBD taken orally (as a tincture) begins breaking down locally in your mouth, having a different effect then if taken by the other three methods.
    • Bioavailability – this refers to how much of the CBD (in %) is actually available in your blood stream to be circulated.

• • • Onset Time – refers to the time it takes for CBD to take affect after consumption.
    • Duration – The duration of action of a drug is the length of time that particular drug is effective. 
    • Oil v. Products – CBD Oil is a concentrated liquid that is refined by distilling the hemp plant for its extract and then mixing it with a carrier oil (coconut, grapeseed, hempseed). A CBD product is any product (edible, vapour, beverage etc) into which the CBD oil has been infused.
    • Oil v. Tinctures – CBD oils are generally made with just two ingredients: CBD and carrier oil. CBD tinctures are alcohol-based extracts that use high proof alcohol to distill the plant material. This is strained, and the entire solution is bottled, along with additional ingredients for flavor or specific benefits.

Edibles/Ingestibles

Yummy, yummy, gummy in the tummy! The edibles market is a favourite of CBD consumers. The breadth of this market is steadily expanding as more and more gummies, chocolates, drinks and snacks, capsules and caplets are hitting the shelves. Ingestables are one of the largest and most well- established consumption methods. How do they operate in your system, and what factors should you consider? The most important factors to consider with ingestible CBD products are their relatively low bioavailability and slow onset time. Ingestibles are subject to first pass metabolism, this delays the onset of your CBD and it decreases the overall bioavailability.

When you eat that CBD gummie, the compound travels from your GI tract to your liver, where it transforms into metabolites. Once the metabolites and the remainder of the original compound leave your liver, they enter your bloodstream, where they get distributed throughout your body. Edibles are usually the go-to choice for CBD users who are seeking longer-lasting saturation of CBD in their bodies. Because edibles need to be digested, it can take up to 2 hours for the effects to be felt – but once they kick in, they can last 6-8 hours.  Once the cannabinoids have been deployed through your bloodstream, they can get to work on delivering beneficial assistance to your endocannabinoid system which in turn can start reducing acne, calming anxiety, easing pain, soothing your pet, lowering your blood pressure, boosting your brain’s health, and more!

Many do not like the earthy taste of natural CBD products. So, gummies with tropical fruit flavours or chocolates with different fillings are a great way to get CBD without enduring the hempy or bitter taste. Edibles provide for precise dosages, they are easy to swallow, and they are inconspicuous and discrete. For these reasons, amongst others, ingestibles are extremely popular among those new to CBD and those with chronic conditions.

Tinctures/Oral Sprays

There are several ways you can use a tincture:

• Oral application (squirting or spraying to the back of the tongue and swallowing)
• Sublingual (squirting/spraying under the tongue, holding for 1-3 minutes, and then swallowing)
• Dropped or Sprayed in food or liquids

CBD oil tinctures and mouth sprays absorb best sublingually, which means under the tongue. Sublingual absorption offers some of the fastest saturation of CBD into the bloodstream. Sprays do not absorb as fast or as completely as drops, but many find it easier and cleaner.

Sublingual consumption is a way of consuming a medicine or supplement through the mouth by placing the tincture under the tongue and holding it for 1-3 minutes. The layer under the tongue is very thin, and there are prominent blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which allows the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other essential plant compounds to absorb into the mucous membranes. If you take that extra 60 seconds to hold the tincture under your tongue, you can expect an average absorption rate of 15-20%. An improvement from edibles, but not a huge difference. The first pass metabolism is by-passed through this method, allowing for higher bioavailability and quicker onset; however, do keep in mind that the tincture that is not absorbed will then be swallowed and metabolise in the same way as an ingestible, reaching onset in about 30-60 minutes.

Topicals

CBD topicals are gels, patches, lotions, balms, salves, roll-ons and other products applied directly to the skin. With studies suggesting that the endocannabinoid system also exists in our skin, topicals provide a unique opportunity as they interact with your cannabinoid receptors on the surface to bring benefits to a targeted, localized area. By applying it directly where you need it most, the topical CBD application allows you to skip first pass metabolism and get an extremely quick effect as the CBD is absorbed, resulting in localized action within the tissue where the product is applied. So, for example, this is an excellent method for dealing with specific pain or inflammation such as arthritis, or skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema; however not as effective for dealing with social anxiety or sleeping issues.

CBD topicals should be used in small amounts and rubbed into the skin until they are absorbed. Topicals are the most difficult of the methods of consumption to properly determine the dosage of due to the nature of their application, which is why it’s recommended to use them sparingly – especially if you are new to CBD, until you get a better understanding of the dosage.

With many topicals made using camphor and menthol and other natural ingredients designed to soothe sore, aching muscles or support healthy skin, these products remain a popular choice for those seeking local and rapid results. CBD topicals usually kick in within 15-30 minutes, and their effects can last up to 4 hours. The topical application of CBD has a bioavailability rate of 45%. It also allows for a steady and consistent infusion into the bloodstream that doesn’t fluctuate, increasing the time and the regularity in our system. 

Inhalants

The popularity of CBD vaping is rising for several reasons. The primary reason is that it has quick-acting effects, making it a practical choice for people who require pain or anxiety treatment right away. People can take CBD without calling attention to themselves for another reason: it is discrete. It is also simple to use and requires no specialised equipment, preparation, or awkward containers. The bioavailability of CBD from vaping is somewhere in the 40-50% range so it is a very efficient method of consumption.

The technology for CBD vape pens has also grown considerably in recent years. With more efficient vaporizers and extra customization options, and most particularly disposable vape pens, enjoying CBD has never been smoother and more flavorful. Vaping CBD is extremely quick, convenient, flavorful, and hassle-free. There’s a reason it is the method of choice for many people. Portable vapes (vape pens) offer an easy, on-the-go option to enjoy CBD anytime, anywhere. With the fast-paced lifestyles we live in today, vaping is likely the best option for most of us.

The vapes are designed to heat the e-liquid or flower just before the combustion point, so less CBD is wasted or burned off. Some points to make note of: Vape or E-Cigarette CBD Oil (or Juice) is not the same thing as CBD Oil. You cannot just take any oil and vaporize it. CBD Vape pens contain 4 elements –

• • Vegetable Glycerine (VG) – normally made from soybean, coconut or palm oil. 
  • Propylene Glycol (PG) – is a base food additive that you can find in medicine, food and beverages.
  • Flavouring – brand dependant but all with the purpose of masking the bitter hemp-y taste.
  • CBD – Vaping liquid can contain CBD isolate or broad spectrum CBD and has been tested to ensure there is no THC content.

Inhaling your CBD is actually one of the most effective ways to consume! Inhalation fully bypasses first pass metabolism. Your lungs provide direct access to the bloodstream. Once CBD vapor enters the lungs, it passes through the bronchi and into the alveoli (air sacs), where the cannabinoids enter into the bloodstream and get distributed through the rest of the body. With a 50% availability you are consuming more of the CBD than any other consumption method; and because the onset time is so quick (10min max), it is easy to regulate and adjust — take a few puffs, wait ten minutes, and adjust accordingly.

Currently there are 3 ways that you can purchase your CBD e-liquid:

Bottles of CBD Vaping e-liquid – These will be for someone who has already got a refillable Vape kit.  You will need to take care of the equipment on your own and maintain it with needed replacement parts. For someone just trying vaping for the first time this can mean a lot more investment and work than desired. A little more expensive and time-consuming but more customized and adjustable.

Disposable CBD vape pens – To most, especially new consumers, this will be the easiest choice. You don’t have to refill or change parts, everything is built into the disposable and once you are done with it you throw the whole thing away. It does mean though that you can’t change the flavour, or adjust it in any way.

CBD Pods – A middle ground between the disposable types and the bottles. The Pods are pre-filled (just like the disposable pens) but you can buy multiple refills and re-charge the battery. That means less waste, no maintenance (relatively) and the convenience of pre-filled in one package, but you still must buy and care for your own pen.