What is the best method to consume CBD?

CBD ADMINISTRATION METHODS

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a non-intoxicating compound produced by the cannabis plant. CBD has proven to be an excellent ally for those suffering from a series of health conditions, typically associated with pain, inflammation, anxiety, among others.

As such, CBD products are increasingly popular, and hundreds of new CBD-infused products have appeared in recent years. To understand how all these products work, it is important to know that there are different ways to introduce CBD into our body.

What is the best method to consume CBD?

Each method of consuming CBD has its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the problem we want to solve and our personal preference, the type of CBD product chosen must be designed to adapt to us and our needs.

When consumed, CBD must be absorbed into the bloodstream, through which it will be distributed throughout the cells and tissues of the body, where it will produce its effects. More than reaching the bloodstream, it is desirable that CBD remains available in the blood for some time, before it is completely metabolized and eliminated by the body.

When we consume CBD, only a portion of that CBD will be able to reach the bloodstream and will be distributed and utilized by cells. The efficiency with which CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream can be called bioavailability. The greater the bioavailability, the greater the amount of CBD consumed will be used by our body.

Different CBD administration methods produce different results in terms of absorption speed, bioavailability, and degradation speed.

In this article we aim to explain what happens to CBD when it is introduced into the body through different routes, and what we can expect from CBD depending on the chosen administration method.

Oral administration

Oral consumption of CBD is one of the most popular options, possibly because it is a convenient and comfortable way to introduce CBD into the body, as it is only necessary to swallow the chosen CBD product.

This method is also known as the ingestion method. In fact, the use of the term oral can cause some confusion, because we can associate the term oral with placing CBD in the mouth, for example under the tongue.

However, this method is called sublingual or buccal administration. As we have already mentioned, oral consumption refers to swallowing the CBD product, so that it is absorbed during digestion.

There are lots of CBD products that can be consumed orally: CBD-infused foods and drinks, CBD capsules, CBD gummies. CBD oil itself is often the product of choice for people opting for the ingestion method.

The oral administration method has a low bioavailability rate, with values between 10 and 20%, and in some cases it may have lower values, around 6%. This is largely because CBD is a substance with low water solubility, which means it cannot dissolve well in water.

Once ingested, some of the CBD is degraded by acids and digestive enzymes, before it has the opportunity to have any effect. Furthermore, as CBD is poorly soluble in water, it does not dissolve well during digestion.

This makes intestinal absorption more difficult and, therefore, part of the CBD ends up being excreted by the body. Still, there is a part of CBD that will be effectively absorbed in the intestine.

After being absorbed in the intestine, CBD is metabolized in the liver, before reaching the bloodstream. There, it undergoes extensive metabolism, a process known as first-pass or pre-systemic metabolism. This results in the degradation of part of the CBD, which is transformed into other compounds that do not have therapeutic effects.

After going through all these steps, only a part of the CBD that was consumed reaches the bloodstream, where it becomes available to the cells and tissues of our body, where it will act.

The fact that CBD has to cross all these barriers to reach the bloodstream means that it can take an hour or more for CBD to begin to take effect, which can be seen as a disadvantage compared to other methods. . On the other hand, CBD consumed orally results in longer-lasting effects, which can last between 4 and 8 hours, depending on several factors.

Sublingual administration

Another method widely used by CBD consumers is sublingual or buccal administration. This method is based on the ability of the oral mucosa to quickly absorb CBD, bypassing the passage through the digestive system and liver, and being introduced directly into the bloodstream.

Sublingual administration can be done using products such as CBD oils or tinctures in the form of drops, placed under the tongue (sublingual) or as a spray, sprayed on the oral mucosa (buccal). With a minimum recommended time of 30 seconds, the longer the CBD oil is under the tongue, the greater the amount of CBD that will reach the blood.

The oral mucosa, particularly the sublingual area, is an area irrigated by many blood capillaries that have a great capacity to absorb CBD and other compounds. The bioavailability of sublingual CBD is thought to be between 15 and 35%.

Using the sublingual method, part of the CBD is degraded by enzymes present in saliva. However, a lot of CBD is still available to be absorbed, and it will not have to go through the digestion process or metabolization in the liver.

By not going through all these processes, CBD can reach the bloodstream much faster. The effects of sublingual CBD begin less than 30 minutes after administration, and can last between 2 and 6 hours.

It is certain that, using the sublingual method, most of the compounds are absorbed into the oral mucosa. However, some of the CBD inevitably ends up being swallowed, going through all the processes we mentioned in the oral administration method.

Inhalation

The inhalation method is a method of consumption that consists of inhaling a vapor or smoke that contains CBD and other active compounds that, in the lungs, are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and metabolization in the liver.

The most basic inhalation method is consumption through smoking. The smoked material typically consists of unprocessed, CBD-rich hemp flowers. Vaporization is a more sophisticated and less aggressive method of inhalation for the body. Hemp flowers or cartridges with specific CBD formulations for vaporization can be vaporized. Finally, there are inhalers, which release CBD in aerosol form, but these types of products are normally reserved for healthcare professionals.

In terms of absorption, bioavailability and degradation of CBD, the 3 mentioned inhalation methods show very similar results. However, smoking has disadvantages, as combustion creates byproducts that can irritate and damage the lungs. Vaping also has some risks for the lungs, but is thought to be less harmful than smoking.

The inhalation method is one of the methods with the highest bioavailability rates which, depending on several factors, can present values between 30% and 70%. This is due to the great absorption capacity of the lung membranes and the fact that inhaled CBD avoids passing through the digestive system and liver.

In the inhalation method, hemp flowers or other CBD products are heated to specific temperatures, producing vapors that can be inhaled. CBD and the other compounds contained in this vapor are transported to the lungs, where they are easily absorbed by the thin membranes of the lung alveoli, passing directly into the bloodstream.

Through this method, CBD reaches the bloodstream very quickly, and can produce effects in less than 5 minutes. The effects can last between 45 minutes to 2 hours.

One disadvantage of the inhalation method is that it is difficult to dose. The number of inhalations, and their intensity and duration, directly influence the amount of CBD that is absorbed.

Topical administration

Topical CBD administration involves directly applying CBD to the skin. Although we can apply CBD oil directly to the skin, there are CBD-infused products designed specifically for this purpose, such as creams, lotions or balms.

These types of products often contain other analgesic ingredients, such as arnica, menthol or camphor. CBD topicals are an excellent choice for treating localized problems, especially around the skin, muscles and joints.

When applied topically, CBD can be absorbed through the skin, fat, and muscles. However, it is very difficult for it to be absorbed into the bloodstream when applied through a simple cream or lotion. For this reason, the bioavailability of CBD administered topically is very close to zero.

Although, through this method, CBD does not reach the bloodstream, it is capable of producing very interesting effects, mainly in relieving pain and reducing inflammation. The use of topical CBD should be considered when looking for a solution to a localized problem, not when looking for systemic effects.

Transdermal administration

CBD products for transdermal application are designed so that the CBD is able to penetrate the skin and reach the bloodstream, producing a systemic and prolonged action.

Transdermal products typically consist of adhesive patches that contain a certain dose of CBD and are adhered to the skin. This method offers a convenient and discreet way to get CBD into the bloodstream, which is then distributed throughout the body without going through the digestive process and liver.

In addition to ease of use, transdermal CBD has other advantages. When absorbed, CBD forms a kind of reservoir in the skin, which is released over time. This happens because CBD has a high affinity for fat and little affinity for water, which means that it can easily pass through the first fatty layer of the skin, but passes through the more watery layers more slowly.

Transdermal administration of CBD also offers a prolonged and consistent duration of CBD effects. The transdermal method is probably the method that results in more stable CBD blood concentrations over time.

Transdermally administered CBD is thought to be effective in a range of conditions, including chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, among others. However, more research is needed to better understand the benefits of transdermal CBD delivery.

Intranasal administration

In the intranasal delivery method, a CBD spray product is inhaled through the nose. The compounds are absorbed through the nasal mucosa, which has many blood vessels, and also go to the lungs, where they are absorbed. The intranasal administration method has high bioavailability and the effects appear approximately 10 minutes after inhalation.

Intravenous administration

In intravenous administration of CBD, which is reserved for hospital use, CBD is injected directly into the bloodstream, offering 100% bioavailability. However, CBD blood levels decrease faster than through other methods.

Rectal administration

Rectal administration of CBD is done using CBD suppositories. It is a little studied method, but it appears to have high bioavailability. This method can be very useful for people who suffer from intestinal diseases, and for whom the oral administration method is not having the desired effects.

Different routes of CBD administration serve different purposes

There are a wide variety of CBD products on the market today, and there are many different ways to consume CBD. In fact, it cannot be said that there is one method of administration that is better than another.

Regarding CBD and its effects on the body, scientific research is still developing, and there is still a lot to discover in this area. However, science has already shown that different CBD administration methods result in different results when it comes to the absorption and assimilation of CBD by our body.

Regardless of the method of administration, it is very important to look for high-quality CBD products, as these will certainly produce better results.

Regarding administration routes, CBD consumed orally has low bioavailability rates. On the other hand, its effect is more prolonged. In the case of inhalation, the onset of effects is extraordinarily quick, but the concentration of CBD in the blood decreased considerably after a short time.

Although the effect of CBD differs from person to person, it is important to know the different administration methods and their bioavailability, in order to be able to make informed decisions about the products and doses of CBD we choose, opting for solutions that adapt well to our lives and our needs.

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