How to use CBD oil
Present in the Chinese pharmacopoeia for centuries, hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) is a natural plant with multiple benefits. It is currently under the spotlight due to the emergence of cannabidiol products, including CBD oil. CBD balances the body’s functions to achieve a sense of well-being and mental calm. Neuroprotective, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antiemetic properties: there’s no shortage of benefits.
But how can you use CBD oil to take advantage of its benefits? Between the different types of oils, the different methods of administration, and the different concentrations, it can be difficult to understand all the information. Read our comprehensive guide on how to take CBD oil effectively in order to maximise results! By the end of this guide, you will know exactly why, how, and when to take CBD.
What is cannabidiol oil?
Definition
Before you find out how to use CBD oil, you need to understand what it is. It is an essence obtained by extracting cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound present in the flowers of cannabis plants. Cannabidiol oil is a vegetable oil obtained through extraction from the hemp flower. It is important to know that CBD is lipophilic, which means that it absorbs fatty substances and that these substances help to activate the beneficial properties of CBD to maximise its effects. This is why consuming CBD oil mixed with a fat is frequently recommended.
Types of CBD oils
In order to learn how to use CBD oil, it is important to distinguish between the 2 types of oil available on the market:
- Full spectrum oil: contains all the phytocannabinoids (CBD, CBDV, CBG, CBC, etc.) as well as terpenes and flavonoids. With a very low THC content, it allows you to take benefit from the plant’s entourage effect. Cannabinoids are believed to be more effective when consumed together rather than in isolation, and have a more powerful action on the endocannabinoid system.
- Broad spectrum oil: this type of oil undergoes an additional extraction step to remove all traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Terpenes and flavonoids are preserved. The entourage effect still occurs, although it may be more limited than with a full spectrum CBD oil.
Why should you take CBD oil?
Although studies and clinical trials are still needed to officially confirm the benefits of CBD oil, it is a product that is increasing in popularity due to its benefits on the well-being of the body and mind. Using CBD oil would help to:
- benefit from its anti-inflammatory effects;
- reduce levels of anxiety, anguish, and stress;
- sleep better;
- regulate and relieve pain;
- promote recovery in sportsmen and women;
- reduce skin inflammation (acne, psoriasis, eczema, etc.).
- moisturise the hair and skin.
How to use CBD oil: 3 methods of administration
1. Sublingual
How do you use CBD sublingually?
The best way to use CBD oil is sublingually, or placing it under the tongue. This method of administration allows CBD to act more quickly on your body. Simply take a few drops of CBD oil and place them under your tongue. Leave them for 1 to 2 minutes before swallowing. The CBD compound will quickly penetrate your mucous membranes, which are rich in small blood vessels, and enter the bloodstream directly. The first effects appear within 10 to 15 minutes and last for about 3 hours.
How long does it take to work?
To use CBD oil sublingually, we recommend that you keep the drops under the tongue for about 2 minutes to allow enough time for the compound to enter the blood stream. However, the taste of CBD oil can be unpleasant, it is naturally bitter. Therefore, you can place your cannabidiol oil drops on a sugar cube and let this melt under your tongue. But if you can’t keep it there for 2 minutes, it’s no problem: you still get the long-lasting benefits of CBD, which will simply take a little longer to kick in.
When should this method be used?
CBD oil should be used sublingually whenever you need quick relief: episodes of pain, nausea, major stress, etc. It is a method of administration suitable for quick and frequent consumption of CBD: with this method, the advantage is that CBD is not broken down by the liver. You can take CBD oil up to 3 times a day. Find out about potential drug interactions beforehand. If you are undergoing treatment, you should speak to your doctor to discuss the possibility of taking cannabidiol and check compatibility with your medication.
2. Oral
How do you use CBD sublingually?
What if you don’t like the taste of hemp and have sensitive taste buds? Don’t worry! You can also take CBD oil via oral administration. All you need to do is mix a few drops of CBD oil into your favourite food or drink, preferably something high in fat such as dairy. Always choose a food or drink intended to be consumed in one sitting, and never in a food to be cooked above 160°C (CBD starts to degrade). You can also incorporate CBD oil into herbal teas (vervain, lime, chamomile, lavender, etc.) to combine the benefits of the plants with those of CBD. Forget about coffee or tea, as their stimulating properties are counterproductive to cannabidiol!
How long does it take to work?
Consuming edible CBD oil means that the liver starts to break CBD down before it can be absorbed by your body in the intestines, which results in a slight reduction in the therapeutic potential and slower absorption. The effects appear after 1 or 2 hours and last for 6 to 8 hours on average. To avoid losing the effects of cannabidiol and to improve absorption compared to raw consumption, you can also use CBD capsules.
When should this method be used?
As for how and when to use CBD oil via oral administration, you should chose this method when you need a long-term response to persistent pain and daily discomfort which impact your overall well-being, such as spasmodic gastrointestinal conditions or insomnia. It is ideal during evenings meal to allow you fall asleep easily and enjoy a more restful sleep. Ingesting CBD oil about 1.5 hours before going to bed allows you to get the full effects, with a long-lasting action during the night.
3. Topical
How do you use CBD sublingually?
For application to the skin, never apply an oil with more than 25% CBD, and apply small amounts of product. Generally, 1 to 2 drops are enough: warm them in your hands and massage them into the face and neck, and always apply them to clean skin. Sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate the direct application of a vegetable oil: in this case, incorporate a drop of CBD oil into a small amount of your day cream or moisturising body lotion.
When should this method be used?
For those suffering from inflammatory skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, or rosacea, you will find relief with non-comedogenic cosmetic CBD oil, suitable for sensitive, atopic, and fragile skin. Cannabidiol oil is suitable for topical application as a serum, if possible after gently cleansing the skin and before applying a day or night cream. For greater efficacy, choose hemp cosmetics. They soften the skin, regulate sebum production, and help prevent the effects of skin aging. CBD oil can also be applied topically after sports activities to aid recovery or, for insect bites, to soothe itching.
Which fatty substance should CBD oil be mixed with before use?
We previously that CBD oil must be mixed with a fat to maximise cannabidiol’s therapeutic properties. To help you decide which fat to use, you should know that each one has its own attributes:
- Hemp seed oil: it is rich in omega 3 and omega 6, which are the two fatty acids required by the body as it does not produce them naturally. It is also rich in vitamin E, known for its antioxidant properties. It has a strong, herbaceous taste.
- Olive oil: renowned for its many benefits to health and longevity, olive oil contains vitamin E and vitamin K, which helps strengthen bones and reduce blood clotting. It has a sweet and smooth taste.
- Coconut oil: it is quickly converted into ketones, which provide energy to the brain, heart, organs, and muscles. Refuel without storing fatty acids and improve your digestion. The taste is relatively neutral.
- Dairy products: including yoghurt or milk, you disguise the taste of hemp while filling up on proteins. Dairy products are also a source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, protein, and vitamin K, for strong and healthy bones.
How do you use CBD oil and when is the right time to consume it?
Should CBD oil consumption be spread out in intervals between eating or during meals? With sublingual administration, it doesn’t matter because you feel the first effects in about 10 minutes. The oil will then join your food to be digested slowly and release its effects over time. Oral administration, or taking the oil in liquid or capsule form outside of mealtimes (on an empty stomach) helps to promote absorption in the digestive system: the more work your stomach has to do, the more slowly it will pass the CBD oil to your intestines. However, as consuming a fat at the same time as cannabidiol is recommended to enjoy its full benefits, taking CBD with meals is also worthwhile. For daily consumption, 3 equal doses of cannabidiol are recommended, for example, one dose before each meal, 3 times a day.
CBD oil concentration and doses
There are 3 types of CBD doses
Research by Juliana Birnbaum and Leonardo Leinow has identified 3 categories of CBD oil doses:
- Microdosing: this entails using low dose between 0.5 mg to 20 mg of cannabidiol per day, mainly for treating sleep and mood disorders, stress, nausea, or headaches.
- The standard dose is between 10 mg and 100 mg per day depending on individuals and their sensitivity to CBD. This is the recommended dose for pain, inflammation, depression or anxiety, but also for fibromyalgia, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, and some forms of autism.
- Macrodosing: this entails a high dose of CBD between 50 mg to 800 mg per day for more serious conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, or liver disease.
Quantities of oil available
When it comes to how to use CBD oil, it all depends on individuals and their needs. The cannabidiol content is expressed as a percentage, often between 5% and 40%, with increments of 5 or 10%. There are also liposomal CBD oils, with increased bioavailability, in small doses such as 2.5% and 4%. Put simply, a 5% CBD oil contains 5% CBD and 95% carrier oil, while a 40% CBD oil contains 40% CBD and 60% carrier oil. Choosing the right CBD dose is crucial for achieving the desired outcome without the risk overdosing. But, beware: as mentioned previously, a 25% CBD oil or higher is too high for cosmetic use on the face.
The right CBD dose
The maximum recommended daily limit is 20 mg/kg, which is 1,600 mg per day for a person weighing 80 kg. However, the average consumption for CBD users is between 20 mg and 70 mg per day. This is far from the recommended maximum, so there is little risk of overdosing! The dose of CBD oil depends on an individual’s weight, their body’s sensitivity, and their needs. To find the ideal dose of CBD, it is best to start with a low concentration and gradually increase the dose according to the desired effects and the impact felt. A basic calculation can be done: 1 mg to 6 mg of CBD per 5 kg of body weight.
Number of drops
Once you know how to use CBD oil and how much to take per day, how do you translate that dose into a number of drops? To get this number, you need to work out the dose in mg contained in one drop of CBD oil. To help you, here are some tips:
|
Percentage of CBD oil |
10% |
15% |
20% |
25% |
|
Amount of CBD in 10 ml (about 200 drops) |
1,000 mg |
1,500 mg |
2,000 mg |
2,500 mg |
|
Amount of CBD per drop |
5 mg |
7.5 mg |
10 mg |
12.5 mg |
If you choose a 10 ml bottle of CBD oil with a 10% dosage, one drop contains 5mg of cannabidiol: to get a daily dose of 14 mg, you will need to take between 2 and 3 drops per day. Please note: calculations are not universal. You should adjust the dosage according to your health and how your body reacts. This is why we always recommend gradual dose increases!
Our tips for storing cannabidiol oil
Now that you know how to use CBD oil, you also need to know how to store it to preserve all its benefits. It is a natural product and is therefore sensitive to light and heat. We advise that you keep your bottle in a cool place, away from light (ideally between 15°C and 20°C). You must use your oil within 6 months of opening. An additional warning: keep your CBD oil out of the reach of children and pets. And if you have any concerns, always speak to a healthcare professional.
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Comments
Dermatite athopique
JACQUEMARD January 29th 2024Ma chienne a une dermatose ,est ce que ça pourrait la soulager ?pouvez vous me dire quel produit choisir ,et comment lui faire avaler. Merci beaucoup.
Miranda E January 30th 2024
Renseignements svp
Jupin October 31st 2023Bonjour
Possible d avoir.une.brochure sur.la prise de cbd.
Est ce compatible avec apnée du sommeil ?
Merci pour vos réponses.
Cordialement.
Mme Jupin
Miranda E October 31st 2023
INCOMPTABILITE ?
DANIELLE SOULAINE September 22nd 2023est-ce qu'un traitement anti phlébite est compatible avec le CBD
Miranda E September 25th 2023
SUPER ARTICLE
GABRIELLE FARATTI April 25th 2023Super article ! Mon conseil reste le hash jaune mousseux pour des résultats performants
conseil sur le cbd
Mangeot February 12th 2023bonjour je me suis fait opéré des cervicales il y a plusieurs mois. mais la douleur est pire que dois je prendre merci
Miranda E February 14th 2023
douleurs lombaires
Barriere jean-paul February 8th 2023bonjour, je souffre de douleurs lombaires ( coxarthrose) et les médicaments ne me soulagent pas; de la plante ou en huile , laquelle est le plus efficace ? à quel dose % faut-il la prendre ? merci de votre réponse
Miranda E February 8th 2023
Miranda E February 8th 2023
sweet cbd encore mieux
Louise January 24th 2023ce qui est encore mieux que l'huile, ce sont les fleurs de cbd comme la sweet cbd par exemple