CBD SUBLINGUAL vs. CBD TOPICALS vs. CBD VAPES

You may feel so stressed and exhausted that you look for ways to relax the mind with little success. Cannabidiol (CBD) offers you a variety of ways to consume it and enjoy every bit of it.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an oil obtained from the hemp or marijuana cannabis plant. It is a non-psychoactive compound of cannabis. Many people commonly use it for various benefits.  For instance, in the United States, some states have legalized CBD. Corroon & Kight (2018) noted that through the 2018 Farm bill, CBD was legalized but under restrictions that the hemp should not exceed 0.3% THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive component of cannabis that causes you to get ‘high’ after using. This article discusses different types of CBD, and different intake methods, like CBD sublingual, CBD Topicals, and CBD Vapes.

Types of CBD

They are three major types, namely, isolates, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum.

CBD Isolate

ElSohly et al. (2017) defined isolate as a compound that occurs as a powder or a crystalline solid comprising pure CBD that does not contain THC. If you want to try CBD for the first time, or if you do not want to eat any THC, then CBD isolate is the best option. During CBD isolate production, during processing, all other compounds, including THC, are extracted, leaving behind pure CBD isolate. It does not have any distinguished taste or smell. Most people use CBD isolate as pain relief. However, before purchasing or using, please read the label to ensure it is pure and free from toxins.

Full-spectrum CBD

The full-spectrum CBD contains all the cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis. It also retains terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids that occur naturally. However, the THC is less than 0.3%. If you want to feel ‘high,’ full-spectrum CBD is what you should go for. Having stress and wanting to relax the mind? Have trouble falling asleep? Try Full-spectrum CBD. Try it out, and you will have that relaxed mind and sound sleep. People use it to ease their brains from stress and to help them fall asleep.

Broad-spectrum CBD

It comprises combined naturally occurring compounds of cannabis like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, except THC. It is often preferred for health boosts due to its lack of THC. Since it does not contain THC, it does not cause unwanted ‘high’ feelings. However, Holst & Williamson (2008) clarified that it might cause heightened effects if used excessively as it contains a combination of compounds that work together. Just as the CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD, read the label before purchasing the broad-spectrum CBD to ensure it contains substances that may have side effects on your health.

CBD Consumption Methods

There are different ways of consuming CBD, including Vaping, using CBD topicals, and Use of CBD sublingual.

CBD Sublingual

Sublingual products are made to be absorbed beneath the tongue. Good examples of the sublingual are tinctures. These are solutions produced by steeping cannabis flowers in alcohol or oil. The effects are faster and more effective since the sublingual is absorbed directly into the bloodstream under the tongue. When you place the oil under your tongue, you leave it for about 30 sec to one minute. Some of it will be absorbed directly through the mucus membrane under the tongue, while some will remain, and you have to swallow. This results in two delivery processes of the CBD, sublingually, through the digestive tract and the mucus membrane. Go for sublingual when looking for a quicker result. For a beginner, start with a lower dose and increase gradually until you achieve the desired dose rate.

CBD Topicals

The use of CBD Topicals is also common among people. They are usually unadulterated natural organic hemp. It consists of creams or lotions applied to the skin. With this method, the CBD is not absorbed into the bloodstream. The CBD is thus concentrated in one area of the body and not the entire body. Wade et al. (2003) noted that they are used especially as pain relievers on aching body muscles. It is designed to penetrate the inner layer of the skin and the dermis and reach the B2 receptors of the muscles to relieve pain. Before you shop for any topicals, check for their content and whether they will satisfy your needs.

CBD Vapes

This is another common method of using CBD, becoming more popular. It occurs in different forms like CBD oil cartridges and CBD vape juice. The vape juice is obtained by hemp extraction through a process known as the C02 Extraction, which leaves pure CBD that does not contain THC. The vape oil comes in different flavors added to it. The vape oil comes in tanks that are either disposable or refillable. The disposable are thrown away after use, while the refillable are refilled with different flavors when empty. Vaped CBD passes straight to the lungs, skipping the liver and the stomach. This results in quicker absorption of the compound into the bloodstream. After about 10 minutes or less, you will feel the effect lasting 3-5 hours. First-timers should start with a little amount and gradually increase the intake until they achieve the desired effect level. Since the CBD is absorbed quicker into the blood, Vaping gives you a better choice if you want to feel the effects of CBD quicker. However, before purchasing, buy from reputable manufacturers.

Conclusion

The article has highlighted three ways of taking VBD: CBD vaping, CBD topicals, and CBD sublingual, stating the effect they have and after what duration of time. Taking CBD sublingually has slower effects compared to CBD Vapes and CBD Topical. This is because the sublingual has to go through the digestive system before being absorbed into the bloodstream leading to a bit delayed feeling of the effects. The topicals are quicker ineffective as they are absorbed quickly through the skin. On the other hand, the Vapes also give a quicker effect as they are absorbed quicker into the lungs without passing through the digestive system. It’s an individual choice. Depending on the effect you want and how fast you want, go for the best method that you feel will suit you.

References

Corroon, J., & Kight, R. (2018). Regulatory Status Of Cannabidiol In The United States: A Perspective. Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research, 3(1), 190-194.

Elsohly, M. A., Radwan, M. M., Gul, W., Chandra, S., & Galal, A. (2017). Phytochemistry Of Cannabis Sativa L. Phytocannabinoids, 1-36.

Holst, B., & Williamson, G. (2008). Nutrients And Phytochemicals: From Bioavailability To Bioefficacy Beyond Antioxidants. Current Opinion In Biotechnology, 19(2), 73-82.

Wade, D. T., Robson, P., House, H., Makela, P., & Aram, J. (2003). A Preliminary Controlled Study To Determine Whether Whole-Plant Cannabis Extracts Can Improve Intractable Neurogenic Symptoms. Clinical Rehabilitation, 17(1), 21-29.