Are you wondering about the effectiveness and uses of CBD? Get your answers in today’s article as we look at some of the most common questions surrounding CBD and its properties.
How Effective is CBD?
Throughout human history, plants have provided help for many health issues that scientists have spent countless hours creating synthetic chemical treatments for. A few examples are white willow bark extract, made into common aspirin, and bread mold from where we get penicillin. Within the last 40 years, scientists discovered cannabinoid receptors in our bodies (CB1 and CB2) as they explored the uses of CBD. The human body contains more cannabinoid (CB) receptors than any other receptors in the body. These receptors regulate the neurological, endocrine, and immune systems, which is why we respond favorably to the plant versions of these compounds.
This response explains why we are seeing CBD oil’s incredible benefits and effectiveness on various mind and bodily conditions. Using CBD can prime our endocannabinoid system to be more effective at restoring balance throughout our body.
How to Feel the Effects of CBD?
If you feel CBD is not working for you, there are several things you can try to bring out its properties. Follow these steps to enhance the uses of CBD oil:
Increase the Dosage
Increase the dosage in 1/4 dropper increments, waiting 3-4 days to see if it improves.
Increase the Strength
Increase the strength of the CBD product you’re using. For instance, if you use a 500 mg bottle, increase it to 1000 mg to feel CBD’s properties.
Microdose
Microdosing CBD may also be effective. This means using a much smaller amount than normal every 4-6 hours for a few days.
Spread Out Your Dosing Schedule
Try spreading out your dosing schedule. You might try taking a 10mg dose four times throughout the day (40mg) rather than one large dosage once a day.
Check the Expiration Date
Make sure the product is not expired. Expired CBD products will not provide the expected effects.
Switch Brands
Try another brand to explore the uses of CBD, and look for pure hemp oil with no added oils.
How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil to Work?
Several factors determine how long CBD takes to work. CBD must be absorbed into the bloodstream and can take a few minutes to several hours or more to affect the body. How quickly it reaches the bloodstream depends on how you’re using it; using CBD oils will often provide faster effects than CBD edibles. The impact on how much and quickly the body absorbs CBD is called bioavailability. Your biological sex, weight, health, metabolism, experience levels, and more can affect this bioavailability.
Different Uses of CBD
The main determining factor is what form of CBD you’re using, and the time is pretty consistent with each one. There are four methods for taking the cannabinoid and testing the uses of CBD.
Bioavailability for each method is:
- Inhalation – 30-40%
- Sublingual – 20-30%
- Ingestion – 15-20%
- Topical – 5-10%
Inhalation
CBD can be smoked as flower (bud), or vaped, usually in glycerin or coconut oil base, for the highest bioavailability. Since the lungs’ capillaries absorb the cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream in larger quantities, you can feel the CBD’s properties within a minute or less. However, inhalation is generally known as the shortest-lasting method, with effects lasting usually for 2-4 hours.
Sublingual
Sublingual application involves using a CBD tincture directly under the tongue and letting it sit for about a minute or more. This is one of the fastest uses of CBD. You may feel the effects immediately, but it could take 15-60 minutes. For most people, this is one of the most preferred ways to take CBD for both speed and effect. The capillaries under your tongue can quickly absorb it, although not as fast as inhalation.
Ingestion
Ingestion is a method preferred by many who don’t like smoking CBD or using it sublingually. It sends the CBD through the digestive tract. There, the liver breaks it down and sends it to the bloodstream. The most popular products for this method are gummies, chocolates, candies, tea, and coffee. Although this method can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes on average. It is also the longest-lasting method for exploring the uses of CBD.
Topical
This method involves applying the cannabinoid directly to the skin to feel CBD’s properties. Topical use of CBD is the best method for localized areas of the body. It’s a good idea to apply CBD-infused topicals liberally since the skin has a low cannabinoid absorption rate. Some can feel the effects in a few minutes, while it can take up to about 90 minutes for others.
Dosage
The basic rule is to start slowly and increase the dosage until the desired effect is reached, with each change in dosage after 3-4 days. The dosages needed also depend on the uses of CBD. A higher dosage, strength, or potency of CBD will increase the amount your body will eventually absorb. So start slow and work your way up until you feel the desired effects.
User’s Weight
Weight is a factor that influences your metabolism, circulation, health, and CBD absorption. Those who weigh more will have more fat cells and can absorb and store more CBD, but may also require more CBD. As a result, they will likely experience prolonged effects of CBD.
Concentration
CBD products with higher concentrations tend to produce more dramatic results. Although there are no set dosages for different uses of CBD, beginners should usually start with lower concentrations. If using a higher concentration of CBD, you should stick with a lower dose.
Does CBD Have Side Effects?
One of the most common questions we get asked is about side effects and the safety properties of CBD.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that CBD looked promising as a treatment for several medical conditions. WHO also stated that CBD is safe and well-tolerated for everyone, young to old. Plus, it has very little to no side effects with a low risk of forming dependence.
So far, thousands of scientific articles performed over the years with CBD seem to show little or no evidence that this cannabinoid has any dangerous side effects or contraindications. Every year, hundreds of scientific papers testing the uses of CBD are published globally. Most of them point out that CBD is safe and effective for numerous conditions. Currently, many trials are testing what CBD can do. Plus, many universities and labs are recruiting people to participate in further studies which can test CBD’s effectiveness and benefits.
Side effects are rare with CBD, but a few reported side effects from using too much CBD include dry mouth, drowsiness, lightheadedness, and low blood pressure.
Can I Use CBD With Prescription Drugs?
When taking CBD and any medications, you want to wait an hour or more between them. If you try to explore the uses of CBD at the same time you take medications, it may cause the body to increase or decrease the levels of those drugs in your bloodstream. Always discuss using CBD with your doctor if you are on any medications.
CBD’s properties in the body induce a similar response to grapefruits. CBD can occupy certain enzymes (cytochrome p450) used by your body to process certain pharmaceutical drugs. If the medication you are using warns you not to take it with grapefruit, you would want to speak with a medical professional before taking it with CBD. These medications may include anti-epileptics, chemotherapy, HIV antivirals, or warfarin. As far as blood pressure medications go, one of the rare side effects of exploring the uses of CBD is that the cannabinoid can temporarily lower your blood pressure. So if you are taking any blood pressure medication, you should talk with your doctor before using CBD.
Pregnant or nursing women should avoid all cannabinoids as there is little evidence of how CBD may affect a developing baby.
Try Premium Quality CBD
Now that you know about the uses of CBD, you can try this promising cannabinoid for yourself. Visit our shop for premium CBD products to boost your wellness routine and live your best life. Our friendly staff is here to answer all your questions. So don’t hesitate to reach out. If you enjoyed this article, read more about the uses of CBD and its properties on our blog.