Say Ah: 7 Reasons Why Sublingual Consumption is the Best for CBD
There seems to be no shortage of exciting news when it comes to CBD and its potential impact on our overall health and well-being. However, for CBD to work as quickly and efficiently as possible, it first needs to be completely absorbed by our body through the bloodstream. You can think of it as a fundamental pathway towards a secret dimension inside us (which we will reveal very soon!), where the natural properties of CBD are essentially delivered in order to help create a sense of balance and optimum wellness.
Our body may receive those nutrients from CBD in a myriad of ways, from oral administration to sublingual consumption, topical application, and more. All of these methods may affect the onset, duration, and intensity of CBD's potential effects- mainly because each of them has its own bioavailability (which in turn indicates the level of active micro-compounds absorbed from a substance, and the rate at which they enter our system).
While there are multiple ways to take CBD, sublingual consumption is by far considered to be the most effective way to get this compound circulating your bloodstream for quicker absorption and higher potency. However, some people may find the term itself a bit unusual when it comes to taking supplements and mainstream medications. Unless you're a hard-core CBD enthusiast who's always in the loop, you're probably wondering how this method may work, and why people take CBD sublingually.
Well, you don't have to scramble for a dictionary to find out what it means- because we are here to lend a hand and provide comprehensive answers to all your FAQs about CBD- starting with what exactly it is, and how it is best consumed, so that you never have to feel lost in the world of CBD.
What is CBD?
There are more than 100 naturally occurring compounds (also known as cannabinoids) that can be extracted from various strains of cannabis plants, most commonly industrial hemp. While medical researchers have only just begun analysing those essential cannabinoids, one, in particular, has already shown promise in the health and wellness space. This cannabinoid is widely known as cannabidiol, or CBD for short.
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that gives users the opportunity to receive the potential health benefits of the cannabis plant without any chances of getting "high". Its famous counterpart, called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant that is thought to be mostly responsible for altering a person's mindset, pleasure responses, behaviour, concentration, and other sensory functions.
Our body's endocannabinoid system (also known as the ECS) is what we've hinted at above as a "secret dimension" inside our body, which is mainly in charge of governing different bodily functions to create a sense of holistic balance (also known as homeostasis). The ECS is composed of numerous cell receptors that are distributed throughout our brain and body. These include cannabinoid receptors, such as CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are responsible for welcoming plant-based cannabinoids like CBD and THC to the body. CB1 receptors are typically found in the brain, while the majority of our CB2 receptors are located in the immune system.
THC is considered to be an intoxicating cannabinoid, because it is thought to stimulate the CB1 receptors, causing a dramatic release of dopamine hormones in the brain and thereby creating extreme euphoria. Unlike THC, CBD is reported to interact with CB2 receptors and other essential neurotransmitters in the body that do not interfere with the processing of information in the brain. This quality of CBD is something that partly opened the door to a large wave of new interest from medical researchers and wellness connoisseurs who are now embracing CBD as a natural supplement for a variety of healthy lifestyles.
As you delve into a wide spectrum of potential health benefits associated with the use of CBD, your journey will probably take you through hundreds of scientific studies and anecdotal evidence, all aiming to support CBD's therapeutic potential. Some preliminary research has shown that CBD may help manage a variety of symptoms related to several health conditions, such as anxiety, pain, and various skin problems (such as acne and general inflammation). While CBD has a plethora of potential uses, it really pays to keep in mind that some forms of CBD are more bioavailable (easy for the body to absorb) than others. Hence, one of the most important things to figure out when starting out with CBD is the best consumption method to match your needs.
Why take CBD sublingually?
So, if you've finally decided you want to try CBD, then what should be the next step? As mentioned above, it's time to choose how you'll be taking your CBD! When it comes to CBD consumption, consumers are spoilt for choice, with an overwhelming amount of options ranging from the sublingual method (which uses CBD oils and tinctures) to topical administration (which uses creams, lotions, balms), oral ingestion (which uses CBD-infused edibles, drinks, and capsules), vaping (which uses CBD juices or vape pens), and a whole host of other ways to take CBD!
In this section, we'll be holding a magnifying glass very close to sublingual consumption; in order to explore its unique approach and possible advantages compared to other methods when it comes to many different aspects, such as the ones listed below:
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Higher bioavailability
Sublingual consumption originates from the Latin words "sub" and "lingua", which relate to a simple English phrase: "under the tongue". In the context of CBD and healthcare, sublingual consumption is the act of placing a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue, and holding it in place for around 60 to 90 seconds before completely swallowing.
That should give the sublingual glands under the tongue enough time to absorb the potential benefits of CBD fairly directly, as the compound swiftly enters the bloodstream. This way, CBD may completely avoid the metabolic process in the digestive system, where some of the active ingredients would otherwise be broken down and lose any potential benefits in the process.
This phenomenon of CBD being lost to the liver and its enzymes, also known as the 'first-pass effect', is what partly degrades the bioavailability level of oral CBD consumption, making it as low as 6%, which means a minimal amount of CBD is left in the bloodstream, where it may actually take effect.
By using a sublingual method, most of the CBD oil's active ingredients are directly diffused into the bloodstream through the glands that hold a large number of capillaries beneath the tongue. Since higher levels of CBD can be potentially obtained when taking the compound sublingually, some studies suggest that this method may have higher bioavailability when compared to other consumption methods. In many cases, CBD oil has been found to have a bioavailability of up to 35% when administered sublingually. Hence, if you wish to get the most out of your CBD experience, taking sublingual CBD might be your best option.
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Quicker onset of action
The best way of putting CBD to good use in your body is to make sure most of the compound is able to reach the bloodstream. As mentioned above, using consumption methods that require CBD to go on a long-winded journey to the bloodstream is less likely to provide a fast-acting possible effect. The longer CBD travels inside the body, the more chance that this compound has to break down during the first-pass metabolic phase before it may be potentially utilised within the bloodstream.
Fortunately, sublingual consumption may be a game-changer when it comes to taking CBD. This method may not give you an instantaneous potential effect. Still, it may essentially provide a shorter route to the bloodstream for much quicker possible effects than if you were to take CBD products orally. In fact, some research suggests that one may typically achieve the possible 'peak effect' of CBD within 10-15 minutes when administered sublingually. This duration is significantly quicker when compared to the potential effects of oral consumption, which usually take several hours to kick in due to metabolism.
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Precise dosing
Sublingual products, such as CBD oils and tinctures, typically come with standard dosage guidelines indicated in their labels. Plus, with the use of a dropper, you can easily measure the suggested minimum dosage to start your CBD journey. Most droppers typically hold around 1 ml of fluid, and from there you can calculate how many milligrams of CBD are present within each dropper. To receive your desired dosage, simply take the total CBD milligrams listed on the label and divide them by the total millilitres in the bottle- this should give you the potency of the oil.
Newbies to the world of CBD are highly recommended to start low and go slow with CBD. For instance, consuming the standard amount of 5 mg per dose may be an excellent place to begin if you have little to no experience using CBD. Our premium CBD oil provides you with an easy 5% CBD oil, making dosage easy to calculate and keep track of. This product essentially suggests that a single dropper may contain around 2 mg of CBD, so you may use a few drops to reach your preferred dose. Over the course of a few weeks of CBD consumption, you may gradually increase your dosage, (ensuring you keep your sweet spot below 70 mg per day) until your desired potential effects are achieved.
The best thing about CBD oils and tinctures is that they do not necessarily have to pass through any metabolic process in the digestive system when consumed sublingually. This way allows you to take a lower dose and still get the same potential results that you might with a higher-potency CBD edible.
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Easy to use
Most people who have problems swallowing pills may find CBD oils and tinctures a lot easier to take, because you simply place the liquid under your tongue. Essentially, sublingual consumption can be considered as a fancy way to say "Ah" while holding a few drops of CBD oil beneath your tongue for a couple of minutes before swallowing. It may not be as easy as applying CBD topicals to your skin, but as long as none of it is accidentally swallowed, sublingual consumption is considered a reasonably convenient way to take CBD.
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Minimal adverse side effects
Sublingual and intranasal CBD consumption methods are usually set against each other when it comes to debating which has the highest possible bioavailability when compared to all the other methods available. Intranasal administration, if you haven't heard yet, simply refers to inhaling a substance through the nose (which comprises a number of blood vessels), allowing the active ingredients to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream (mainly via the lungs). Vaping CBD is one of the most common examples of intranasal administration. Similar to sublingual consumption, this method may also provide a quick route to the bloodstream by avoiding the first-pass effect in the digestive system. However, the question remains: which method is better?
A study published in the National Library of Medicine has reported that the potential bioavailability of intranasal administration may range between 34% to 46%. While these numbers are slightly higher than the possible bioavailability of sublingual consumption, this may not necessarily mean that smoking or vaping CBD is right for you. These methods may potentially induce a host of adverse effects on your overall health. Until medical researchers have found that vaping CBD is risk-free, intranasal consumption may not be the best option for you- particularly when taking sublingual CBD is simple, effective, and has comparatively few adverse effects.
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Easy Availability
If it seems like you're witnessing CBD oil's rapid rise in popularity, that's because you really are! A variety of high-quality CBD oils and tinctures are legally sold in many states across the UK, exploding in massive availability over the past few years. Here at PP Health, you can score an endless selection of CBD products that come in various strengths and flavours to help you figure out which best matches your style and needs. Suppose research on CBD's therapeutic potential continues on its current trajectory. In that case, we can expect more of these products to be widely obtainable not just in the UK and Europe, but everywhere in the world!
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Longer Shelf Life
One of the things that primarily determines the expiration date of a CBD product is the extraction method that was used in order to turn the plant material into its oil form. All of our CBD oils have gone through a meticulous process of extraction that involves carbon dioxide (CO2) as an amazingly versatile component. This method is considered to be the most efficient when it comes to preserving the natural properties of the plant, ensuring that the chemical composition of CBD oil's essential compounds remains stable. The more stable it appears to be, the longer the product may last.
The Final Verdict
More and more people are now embracing the potential benefits of CBD oil than ever before. As a result of this growing demand for CBD, an extensive range of CBD products has dramatically entered the health and wellness market. And, with an ever-increasing list of newly-invented CBD products comes a wide range of CBD consumption methods for you to choose from!
When it comes to incorporating CBD into your daily wellness routine, your individual lifestyle, tastes, and needs should be your top priority. Hence, it is essential to take the time to find the CBD products that are right for you. Some people might like taking CBD oil sublingually, while others would never want to try it at all. While this method may not be as tasty as CBD gummies or provide a social experience like vaping CBD might, sublingual consumption may still be your best bet if you want to potentially receive the most out of CBD for purported overall wellness.
If you're still unconvinced, and you want to learn some tricks in order to level up your "this or that" game, we think it might be useful for you to consider trying out different ways of taking CBD until you figure out your favourite. The CBD industry just keeps on thriving and becoming even more saturated with high-quality products, so we see no reason to skip an exciting range of premium CBD products in order to discover what may work best for you. At the end of the day, it's all down to your unique needs and preferences! You may also consult your physician when choosing the right CBD product if you plan to use it as a complementary supplement for a specific health condition, or alongside medication. On top of that, further developing your CBD knowledge, or simply understanding how this cannabinoid may potentially help you can make you feel more confident in whatever buying decisions you make on your CBD journey.
