There are millions of people in the UK taking CBD supplements and it’s increasing daily. If you’re interested in trying CBD oil for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions about how to use CBD oil. How to take CBD oil? How much CBD oil should I take?
While CBD is growing in popularity, there is still a lot of confusion, and it may be overwhelming to someone who has never tried it before. In this blog we have put together this easy-to-follow CBD guide to help you understand the following:
How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?
How To Take CBD
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound from the Cannabis Sativa plant, which is also known as cannabis or hemp and has been known throughout history to have a wealth of health benefits. First discovered in 1940, it is one of over 100 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract.
The cannabis plant is made up of two main players: CBD and THC. CBD is the non-psychoactive portion of the plant, so what that means is you won’t have any effects like euphoria. CBD is not psychoactive and won’t make you ‘high’. CBD is a naturally occurring substance that’s used in products like oils and edibles.
How Does CBD Work?
Our body has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that translates signals from cannabinoids through thousands of receptors in our brain, central nervous system, immune system etc. The ECS is responsible for regulating many of our body functions. The ECS produces cannabinoids of its own, which are called endocannabinoids. When cannabinoids from plants (phytocannabinoids) enter the body, they interact with our ECS receptors in the same way our internal cannabinoids do. These phytocannabinoids activate responses and provide a host of benefits for our mind, body, and soul.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?
Finding the ideal dose is an individual process as each person is different, as well as the method of ingestion, so it may take a bit of trial and error to find the right dose of CBD for you. Several factors influence each person’s effective dose of CBD including weight, diet, metabolism, sleep patterns, stress levels and genetics. Also, some individuals are just more sensitive to CBD than others.
We always advise you to start with a low dose and see how you react. You can slowly increase the dose to find the most effective dose for you and your goals.
Most people take somewhere between 10 and 70mg of CBD per day.
To help you to find which CBD products suit you best, its probably best to try a starter kit in which you will find a small selection of different products to try at an affordable price.
Where Can I Buy CBD?
There are many places to buy CBD now, you will find an array of CBD products in all the major high street stores now. When starting for the first time we always recommend that you do your research first – CBD is an investment for YOU. We do not recommend you buy solely on price from a random shop. You get what you pay for and with CBD you need to be able to see transparent lab reports and reviews. You cannot go far wrong with purchasing from a CBD specialist online store and of course, it’s convenient as it’s posted directly to you.
What Different Types of CBD Are There?
There are three main types of CBD oils extracted from the hemp plant. These include Full Spectrum CDD, Broad Spectrum THC Free CBD and CBD Isolate.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Refers to the whole plant hemp extract, including up to 0.2% of THC.
Broad Spectrum THC Free CBD Oil
Starts as full-spectrum CBD that then goes through an additional process to remove the trace amounts of THC, making it a THC Free Oil. It offers the “entourage effect” associated with full-spectrum CBD, just without any chance of THC being absorbed into the body.
CBD Isolate
Contains pure CBD only, and none of the other cannabinoids, terpenes or other natural compounds found in the hemp plant.
How to Take CBD
With so many people in the UK turning to CBD, there are many different formats for taking CBD – such as tinctures, capsules, topicals, vapes, and edibles. There is no best way to take CBD oil, however, there are some pros and cons to each and at the end of the day, it’s down to your personal preference, lifestyle and , what works best for and your personal goals.
Here are the most common ways to take CBD and the pros and cons of each.
CBD Oral Drops/Tinctures
Pros:
Fast absorption and high bioavailability taking sublingual CBD as the capillaries under the tongue lead directly to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system
Versatility (can be consumed sublingually or added to food and beverages)
Flexible dosing (use the dropper to take the desired dose and can also be split into multiple doses throughout the day)
Cons:
Not everyone likes the ‘hempy’ taste.
Some people feel that the process of holding the oil under the tongue for 60-90 seconds is inconvenient and unpleasant.
CBD Patches
Pros:
Accurate dosage as each patch contains an exact amount of CBD
Long-lasting because our CBD patches are 24-hour slow-release, ensuring you’re topped upright throughout the day
Easy and convenient, just one small packet to take with you on the move.
Cons:
Although any sticky residue washes off easily with warm soapy water, not everyone likes the feel of the patch
CBD Capsules
Pros:
For some – the most convenient way to consume CBD
Tasteless and odourless
Exact dosage – no measuring
Taking a CBD capsule doesn’t feel different or intimidating if you’re used to taking vitamins, supplements or other medications
Additional ingredients can be included in a capsule. Our hapihemp CBD capsules also include Turmeric, Ginger and Black pepper.
Cons:
Effects may take a little longer to work as the CBD needs to go through the digestive system first
Ingesting CBD may be less effective for some people.
Topical CBD
Pros:
Targeted relief for anywhere on your body.
Useful for aiding skin repair and skin conditions.
Simple to use – CBD topical products are popular for a reason! They can be used as often as you like and are found to be very effective.
Can be formulated and combined with other essential oils and beneficial ingredients which can then create a really powerful topical CBD product.
Cons:
Can be messy before fully absorbing into the skin.
Vaping / Smoking
Pros:
Effects can be felt almost immediately
Easy to carry around and use on the go
Cons:
Effects will last a shorter time vs ingesting CBD orally
Additional vaping apparatus is required
Stigma around vaping/smoking.
Not enough long-term research on the health benefits connected to vaping.
CBD Drinks and Edibles
Pros:
Fun and convenient way to consume CBD.
Can be a tasty treat
Everyone likes to eat and drink.
A great intro to CBD.
A super way to compliment your current CBD supplements.
CBD drinks can be very soothing – our CBD tea has been created for this purpose!
Cons:
Typically contains low doses of CBD vs other methods
Some edibles include artificial ingredients and sweeteners
Not all edibles adhere to dietary restrictions such as coeliacs or vegans.
Is taking CBD Oil safe?
Like some other plant compounds (such as those found in grapefruit, watercress and St John’s Wort) CBD oil may affect the metabolization of certain prescribed medicines. You should always speak to your GP or other healthcare professional before considering using CBD oil to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you to do so. This is particularly important if you have any pre-existing conditions or if you are taking any medications including statins, calcium channel blockers or blood thinning medication.
This article was written by guest writer Samantha Day, Co-founder of Hapi Hemp
Listen to our podcast where we chat with Samantha & Lorraine from Hapi Hemp and learn about CBD.
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Further reading The CBD Oils: The Essential Guide by Mary Biles
Please visit our health resources page which has a collection of useful links from 3rd party websites and content.
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