Tips for using CBD oil

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has risen in popularity since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived CBD. It consists of CBD-rich hemp extract diluted in a carrier oil, like multi-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or hempseed oil.

CBD oil comes in a dropper bottle for easy administration and precise dosing.  It’s known for its versatility and can help relieve pain, boost mood, and promote relaxation.

Learn how to find the best CBD oil for you — and discover the most effective ways to use it as a personalized form of cannabis medicine.

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Different ways to use CBD oil

There is no one right way to use CBD oil, but here are some popular methods you may want to try.

Put it under the tongue

One common method of using CBD oil is placing it under the tongue. This is known as the sublingual method.

CBD oil usually comes in a bottle with a dropper cap, which makes it easy to measure the right dosage.

Most people feel the effects of this method within 30 minutes, which may last a few hours.

Add it to food

CBD oil also works well as an ingredient for homemade edibles. However, CBD breaks down and loses its effectiveness at 320°F, so avoid high heat when cooking or baking with it.

If you don’t want to cook or bake CBD edibles, you can add drops of CBD oil directly into a preferred dish or beverage.

When ingested, it can take 2 to 4 hours to feel the effects of CBD oil, which may then last for several hours.

Apply it to the skin

Some people use CBD oil topically by adding it to a cream or lotion or applying it directly to the skin.

Using CBD oil topically can deliver targeted relief to the skin, muscles, and joints. Topicals provide localized relief, so side effects like drowsiness are unlikely. This means you can be more flexible with your CBD dose, as long as you apply enough to cover the affected area.

Take it in capsule form

Some people make their own CBD capsules by pouring the desired amount of CBD oil into empty gel capsule shells. You can also purchase pre-made CBD oil capsules in varying dosages.

How to dose CBD oil

CBD oils are sold in different sizes and strengths. Most come in 1-ounce or 30-milliliter (mL) dropper bottles, and each dropper contains roughly 1 mL of oil, or about 20 drops.

To estimate the amount of CBD in one dropper, divide the number of milligrams (mg) in the bottle by the number of mL.

For example, if your product’s label says it contains 1,000 mg of CBD, and the bottle is 30 mL, a full dropper’s worth of product would contain roughly 33 mg of CBD.

Finding the right CBD oil dose

If your doctor hasn’t recommended a specific dosage, use the “start low and go slow” method. Try starting with 10 to 20 mg CBD per day, and increase your dose as tolerated and needed.

Studies have found that people can tolerate up to 1,500 mg CBD per day.

Ultimately, the dose that’s best for you depends on a number of personal factors, including your:

• Genetics
• Sex
• Metabolism
• Weight
• Age
• Overall health

You’ll also need to consider the severity of your symptoms and how well you tolerate CBD. While CBD doesn’t produce a “high” like THC, some people report drowsiness and other mild symptoms after taking it.

When using CBD oil to treat a health condition, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider to establish a personalized dosing regimen. Be sure to mention any medications you’re taking, as this may influence the best CBD dosage for you.

How often can you take CBD oil?

Some people may benefit from using CBD oil more than once a day. This can be especially helpful for those who are treating a condition like anxiety or chronic pain.

The effects of CBD oil may last for a few hours, depending on how much you consumed and how quickly your body breaks down the cannabinoid. Because people can generally tolerate up to 1,500 mg CBD daily, it’s likely safe to take another dose once the first one has worn off.

However, when creating a dosage plan, it’s best to ask your doctor how often you should take CBD oil.

Finding the right CBD oil for you

A few different types of CBD oil are available. It can be made with CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, or full-spectrum CBD. Each comes with unique pros and cons.

CBD isolate 

CBD isolate is an extract of pure CBD, meaning it only contains cannabidiol. It contains zero tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. It also does not come with the hundreds of other beneficial compounds found in cannabis, including minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and nutrients.

But by itself, CBD offers a multitude of benefits, including:

• Anxiety relief
• Pain relief
• Increased focus

Because CBD isolate lacks other plant compounds, it is flavorless, colorless, and odorless. This may be appealing if you don’t like the taste and smell of cannabis.

Broad-spectrum CBD

Like CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD products contain no THC. However, these products do contain other therapeutic cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and nutrients found in the hemp plant.

Full-spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD contains the entire variety of beneficial compounds found in hemp. This includes a trace amount of THC, which does not exceed 0.3% by law. This amount of THC is far too low to cause intoxication.

Only full-spectrum CBD provides the “entourage effect,” where taking all of the plant’s compounds together can enhance their effectiveness.

Other CBD oil differences to consider

There are other ways in which CBD oils can differ from one another, including whether or not they’re flavored, and the type of carrier oil that they use.

Different formulas may also come in varying strengths, which are measured in milligrams (mg). This affects the potency of each serving.

Quality is another factor. Look for a CBD oil that has been third-party-tested for safety and purity to ensure high quality.

Finally, keep in mind that CBD oil may also be referred to as “CBD drops” or “CBD tincture,” all of which are the same type of product.

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The bottom line: There are many ways to use CBD oil for your health

CBD oil is extremely versatile and offers various health benefits. A few popular methods of using it include applying it directly to the skin, consuming it in food or drinks, and placing it under the tongue.

Most CBD oils come in a bottle with a dropper cap, so measuring out the dose is simple. The key is determining the right dose for your individual needs, and finding an administration method that suits you.

If you’re seeking personalized guidance for using CBD oil, set up an appointment with a Leafwell healthcare professional today. Tailoring your CBD oil routine to your needs can help ensure you find the relief you’re looking for.

Resources

• A phase I trial of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol administered as single-dose oil solution and single and multiple doses of a sublingual wafer in healthy volunteers. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.14617
• A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6275223/
• An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5569602/
• Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: A large case series. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6326553/
• Evaluation of thermo-chemical conversion temperatures of cannabinoid acids in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biomass by pressurized liquid extraction. https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-021-00098-6
• Hemp production and the 2018 Farm Bill. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
• Labeling accuracy of cannabidiol extracts sold online. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661569
• Mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetics of cannabis. https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/19.200
• The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6177698/

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