Edibles, vaporisers, oils or creams: How to choose your ideal delivery method
CBD can be used to treat several health issues as discussed in many of our previous blog posts (see here) including mental health issues, and chronic pain. It can also be used as a health supplement to support a healthy, active, and balanced lifestyle. Depending on what you would like to treat, or achieve through using CBD, can determine your most effective delivery method.
Below are some of the details of some of the currently available delivery methods:
- Sublingual
The oil tincture can be dripped directly under the tongue, using the dropper that comes with the bottle. The dosage will be determined by the concentration of CBD in the mixture, and by the amount of drops administered. You may want to do some more research into the correct dosage for you age, height and weight as well as the ailment you wish to treat. The CBD is delivered straight into the blood stream this way, which is why many users prefer it as they feel they can more accurately control the dosage. The downsides to this method are the taste, some report a bitter aftertaste to the tincture that they find unpleasant.
- Edibles
CBD oil can be made into edible products such as cookies, brownies, cakes and gummies. It’s even possible to add a few drops of the raw oil to salads, teas or cocktails! There are many of these products already on the market or it’s very simple to make your own. This is probably the best method for giving CBD to your pets, or for those who are adverse to the taste of the oil tincture. This method can often give a much lower dosage than the oil tincture, and is harder to control how much you have, making it a more common choice for those looking to incorporate light doses of CBD into their life to promote general health and wellbeing.
- Vaping CBD oil
Another common product now on the market are CBD-based vape juices. This is another method that is delivered directly into the blood stream, so must be used carefully! The right dosage needs to be optimised for each user. This form of administration is often favoured by those trying to treat nicotine cessation, as the act of inhaling something can help with this. This method can also give a stronger sense of relaxation, as it will enter the blood stream very quickly, so can be better for mental health problems or for treatment of sleep disorders.
- Creams and Topical Ointments
For skin problems, or muscle soreness a cream or ointment is generally the best delivery method, as it gets right to the source of the problem. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help with a variety of skin conditions (see our blog about CBD in skincare) or with muscle soreness from sports or over exertion (see our blog about CBD for athletes). CBD is also a hydrophobic compound, therefore it helps the skin retain moisture and keeps your skin hydrated, meaning anyone may choose to use a CBD cream just to look fresh!
- Capsules and Tablets
This is similar to edibles, in that it is injested and digested to release the CBD into the system. This method, like with edibles can give a slow-release effect that might last you all day, except that you don’t need to measure your own dose, or worry about an unregulated dosage as the pills will be formulated to contain a specific dosage. This can be useful for beginners, or people looking to increase their general mood.
As always, always consult your doctor before taking CBD to make sure you won’t be causing yourself harm, or interfering with any medication you may currently be on, and to get advise on the best dosage for you!