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Before choosing a CBD product, think about the way you want to consume it. Are you more interested in eating an edible, smoking a vape pen, taking CBD oil, or applying a topical cream?
Besides this question, another important one to ask is “what does CBD feel like?” The answer to this second question lies in the consumption method chosen. This article will explore each way to consume CBD and the effects that come along with it.
The Reason Why You Feel Effects of CBD
By supplementing with CBD, you may experience a host of therapeutic benefits. Some of these benefits can be felt within the physical body, while others may be felt on a mental or psychological level. But how is this possible? Well, the answer requires a scientific explanation.
You see, we have an endocannabinoid system or ECS for short. The main role of this system is to maintain homeostasis or internal balance.
Although recently discovered in the early 1990s, scientists found that Cannabidiol indirectly interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors that make up this system. These receptors primarily live in the immune system, brain, central and peripheral nervous systems.
For this reason, the effects of CBD can impact bodily functions like appetite, mood, memory, movement, and sleep.
What Does CBD Feel Like?
Now that you know how CBD works in the body, let’s talk about how it makes you feel. But, before we do that, it’s important to note that CBD will not make you high. Its chemical structure proves that CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid.
Although you won’t get high consuming CBD, the effects of CBD can vary depending on the method of consumption. For instance, some of the most common delivery methods include sublingual, inhalation, ingestion, and topical application. In this next section, we’re going to help answer the question “how does CBD oil make you feel?”
Sublingual: Under the Tongue
When you buy CBD oil, one of the best ways to take it is by placing a few drops under your tongue. Ideally, you would hold the CBD oil under your tongue for 45 to 60 seconds for maximum results.
The CBD oil gets absorbed by the mucous membrane and allows the contents to enter the bloodstream faster. This also means that you’ll feel the effects faster.
Furthermore, by taking CBD oil this way, you can improve the rate of absorption. In fact, studies show that the bioavailability of CBD oil, when taken sublingually, is between 19 to 35 percent.
As far as the effects of CBD oil are concerned, people report various results when using it. Some people find that they experience an increase in relaxation, while others notice a decrease in their discomfort. Also, users reflect on how calm they feel and notice a reduction in their anxiety levels.
For others, the effects may not be very noticeable, yet they still get relief from their ailments. Even when effects are subtle change is still taking place in the background via the ECS. Balance is being restored, inflammation may be decreasing, and thereby helping the body and mind come back into harmony.
Inhalation: Vaping or Smoking
If you choose to vape or smoke with CBD, you’ll likely feel the effects within minutes. Plus, the absorption rate is higher than any other method out there. You could potentially reap up to 56 percent of the benefits of CBD through inhalation.
When you smoke CBD flower, it enters your lungs immediately, and quickly reaches the bloodstream. For this reason, vaping CBD provides the fastest onset of CBD effects.
People who choose to vape often select this method because of its speedy effects. Users also enjoy feeling the relief of stress, a reduction in pain levels, and having a clearer, less busy mind. Others may smoke CBD to help them fall asleep easier.
Ingestion: Edibles & Capsules
Those who choose to ingest CBD, such as gummies or capsules, generally do so because of the precise dosage and long-lasting effects. The reason why the effects of CBD edibles last longer than CBD oil and CBD flower is due to the ‘first-pass effect.’
Let’s explore this concept in more detail.
When you ingest a CBD gummy for instance, it must pass through the digestive tract. Its first stop is the liver. The liver metabolizes CBD and in a sense ‘cleanses’ it before being passed through the bloodstream.
Once it reaches the bloodstream, the CBD effects are circulated throughout the entire body. But this can take some time — up to 1 or 2 hours!
However, once the effects kick in they can last for several hours, much longer than smoking or consuming CBD sublingually.
Typical effects of CBD edibles are similar to those felt by CBD oil. Consumers report more energy, clear-headedness, and inner calm. They also have an easier time falling asleep, especially when the product is combined with other beneficial herbs and plant extracts.
Topical: Creams & Salves
A topical CBD is meant for a very specific audience. People with muscle pain and soreness, dry skin, skin rashes, or bodily aches could potentially reduce these conditions by using a topical application.
Although a CBD salve or lotion has the lowest bioavailability compared to the other forms, it targets a specific area. In other words, it takes a very localized approach to enhancing your well-being. People who use CBD topicals often notice an improvement in muscle recovery, and it helps to soothe dry itchy skin and increase joint mobility.
Several Variables to Consider
We want to share another critical point with you about the effects of CBD. Certain factors will contribute to your individual experience with CBD. A few of these factors include your body weight, your dosage, the frequency of dosing, and the severity of the health issue you’re working to address.
If you’re not feeling the effects you desire, it could come down to one of these factors. And in this case, it’s best to consult with a professional for more specific advice regarding your individual situation.
In Summary
When we go back to our original question, “how does CBD make you feel”, we see that the majority of the effects are positive, which is why people use CBD in the first place.
Although CBD effects can vary based on the consumption method, there’s one major commonality between all the delivery methods — and that is a relief.