In what forms should CBD be consumed?

CBD can be consumed in many ways. By directly ingesting it or as part of recipes or drinks, by vaporisation for inhalation, in capsules, in creams, etc. It’s up to you to choose the consumption method that best suits you.

The way in which CBD is consumed has an influence on its action, both in terms of intensity and duration. The fastest way for CBD to enter the body is sublingually, followed by inhalation, and then ingestion. The absorption mechanisms of CBD are different in the digestive tract and the respiratory tract. The first effects on the body after smoking CBD can be felt after 15 to 20 minutes, whereas consuming it in a recipe delays its action. Therefore, a recipe containing CBD can take effect after one to two hours, the time needed for digestion to start and for the cannabidiol to pass through the gastrointestinal mucosa. People who are looking for long-term relief often prefer this type of consumption, so that they can, for example, sleep through the night without anxiety attacks or pain. 

The different varieties of CBD hemp also have different flavours and characteristics due to variable levels of certain compounds. So don’t be afraid to try different varieties and ways of consuming hemp in order to find your favourite CBD. CBD is available in a variety of forms, from dried flowers to oils to capsules. 

To choose the right form and amount of CBD for you, you also need to consider your consumption habits and your body’s sensitivity to cannabinoids. If you are not a regular user or if you are new to CBD consumption, it is best to start with a low-dose or products that can be easily divided into smaller pieces. This will allow you to adapt your consumption to how you feel and the impact of CBD on your body. 

CBD is available in different forms and dosages, so you’ll have no problem finding the CBD form that suits you best!

CBD oil

There are 3 types of CBD oils which we will list in order of increasing efficacy. The first form is cannabidiol isolate oil containing CBD crystals. You will also find broad spectrum or full spectrum oil, obtained by distilling pure hemp oil. Distillation is often used to remove all traces of THC, but the downside of this is that it also removes beneficial compounds such as certain terpenes and other cannabinoids. Finally, the full spectrum oil is the most effective and, therefore, the most beneficial CBD oil. Full spectrum CBD oil contains all the compounds present in the plant. It contains all the cannabinoids, but also other compounds such as terpenes, vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as omega 3 and 6, flavonoids and fibres. All the components of full spectrum CBD oil work synergistically to enhance the desired outcome. 

Placing a few drops of CBD oil sublingually with a dropper is the easiest and most effective way to consume cannabidiol. When applied sublingually, CBD is very quickly absorbed by the mucous membranes of the tongue. After one to two minutes under the tongue, you can swallow the CBD oil which will then be absorbed by the digestive system. You can also add a few drops of CBD oil to your food. 

CBD oil can be dispensed with a pipette and consumed on its own or mixed into food or drink. However, smoking CBD oil is not recommended. Burning CBD oil produces carcinogenic compounds. Other forms of CBD are much more suitable for inhalation or vaping!

CBD flowers

The active ingredient in CBD is extracted from the flowering tops of the hemp plant, specifically from the female flowers. The male hemp flowers are used to produce seeds for new plants. Female CBD flowers can be consumed directly. There are different varieties of CBD flowers with specific organoleptic properties and quite a distinct herbal flavour. You can choose CBD flowers according to their active ingredient content but also according to your preferred taste. We recommend two ways to effectively enjoy the benefits of CBD flowers: vaporisation or infusion. 

Firstly, you can inhale CBD vapours using a vaporiser. There is a wide range of reasonably priced vaporisers on the market that will allow you to heat your CBD gently and gradually so that it gives off vapours without burning. CBD vaping is an increasingly popular method because it remains subtle and gentle. CBD vapours released by vaping are much less aggressive and harmful than fumes produced by burning. It is also much cheaper to consume CBD flowers by vaping them rather than smoking them. 

It is also very popular to consume CBD flower infusions, in food or drinks.

CBD in food

CBD oils and CBD flowers are used in many recipes and drinks. The benefit of using cannabidiol in cooking is that it spreads slowly throughout the body for a gentle, long-term effect. If you want to cook with CBD, you should be aware that cannabinoids are not soluble in water. A CBD flower infusion using water will not extract the active ingredients to produce a drink with a relaxing effect. The presence of a fatty substance is needed in order to release the CBD present in hemp flowers by infusion or in food. Some enthusiasts use milk, usually whole milk, to make CBD infusions. You can also add vegetable oil, butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, or cream to the liquid used for the infusion. The higher the fat content, the faster and more efficient the extraction of CBD from the flower. If you want to make a chai-style tea with semi-skimmed milk, it will take more than two hours to extract the CBD by heating it up.... If you don’t like the herbal flavours of CBD, you can flavour the drink to your liking using cocoa, honey, or a spice like cinnamon. You can find a lot of CBD recipes on the internet, both sweet and savoury. You can cook an entire meal using CBD, from starter to dessert! There are two main ways of using CBD in cooking. You can first extract CBD from hemp flowers by infusing them in fat before cooking. But some recipes use CBD flowers directly, for example, by crushing them. However the CBD flowers are prepared in the kitchen, it is important to use fats and heat to extract the active ingredients. 

Finally, you will find a wide range of CBD food products available on the market, from chewing gum to sweets, ready-made meals, cakes, or drinks with cannabidiol.

CBD e-liquids

E-liquids containing CBD are becoming increasingly popular and commonly available. Vaping CBD is a particularly pleasant way to enjoy its relaxing effects without the need for a sophisticated or expensive vaporiser. Inhaling CBD by vaping also enhances the body’s absorption of the active ingredient. 

Like any e-liquid, CBD e-liquids contain propylene glycol (PG) which carries the flavours and amplifies the "hit", as well as vegetable glycerine (VG) to aid vapour production. An e-liquid is characterised above all by its variable PG/VG ratio. One of the particular features of CBD e-liquids is that it produces a strong "hit" when the vapour is inhaled, especially if the cannabinoid concentration is high. If the "hit" sensation due to CBD is too strong, you can opt for an e-liquid with a lower concentration of cannabidiol or adjust your vaporiser to reduce its power or increase the resistance value of the resistors. 

There is a wide variety of CBD e-liquids. To help you choose a CBD liquid, we advise that you think about your tastes as well as your consumption habits, whether you like direct inhalation or not. CBD e-liquids containing terpenes will have a plant-like aroma reminiscent of hemp. There are also CBD e-liquids with fruitier flavours (vanilla, red fruits, etc.) or more distinct flavours, such as menthol. In order to choose an e-liquid with the right concentration of CBD for you, you need to think about your consumption habits and your sensitivity to the compound. Also, the CBD dosage in your e-liquid should be lower as your e-cigarette will produce a thick vapour. 

You will need to vape for longer to feel the effects as CBD as the body absorbs it more slowly than nicotine. We generally advise that you vape intensively for about 15 minutes, and then wait to enjoy the effects of CBD. If you are used to vaping for longer periods of time throughout the day, you can use e-liquids with a lower CBD content. 

CBD e-liquids are available in different concentrations. E-liquids with a low level of CBD (30 mg to 100 mg per vial) are very mild and recommended for occasional or daily vaping over long periods of time. With an average dosage between 100 mg and 300 mg per vial, CBD e-liquids will have a stronger effect when consumed at a specific time of the day. Higher concentration CBD e-liquids (above 300 mg per vial) are more suitable for occasional use. Finally, there are e-liquids with a high concentration of CBD (over 500 mg per vial) called boosters, which are not to be used on their own but diluted in a mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine.

CBD resins

CBD resins are one of the best known traditional forms of hemp. This form of CBD is so widely available that you must be careful about the origin and quality of CBD resin. There are a lot of fakes and mixtures with poor-quality ingredients. Good-quality CBD resin is 100% natural and is obtained from hemp pollen or by extraction from the hemp plant. Like all natural products containing CBD, there is a wide range of tastes and flavours available to you. CBD resin can be consumed as an infusion or in food recipes. CBD resin can also be consumed by vaporisation or inhalation. A simple bowl or non-flammable holder is all you need to enjoy CBD resin vapours. Finally, there are vaporisers with a grid specifically adapted for consuming CBD resins.

CBD capsules

If you don’t use CBD for recreational purposes but only to benefit from its relaxing and soothing action, or if you don’t like the taste of hemp, CBD is now available in the form of capsules. CBD capsules are very practical and can be consumed discreetly anywhere. They are ideal for those who are looking to take CBD in a very accurate dose which can be easily-absorbed. The CBD in capsules is released in the stomach for rapid and effective absorption through the gastrointestinal mucosa. People seeking supplements for pain relief often prefer this form of CBD. CBD capsules are available in different forms and dosages and are always accompanied by consumption advice for optimal use. For example, you can find tablets that include CBD as just one of the ingredients. There are also capsules containing only CBD oil for added efficacy . 

Finally, CBD oil is available as a suppository. Please note that the CBD absorption through the mucous membranes of the rectum is particularly effective, as effective as a few drops of CBD placed sublingually.