4 MIN READ | ZOLT TEAM
How to Take CBD: A Guide to CBD Oil, Tincture & Powder
You want to see what CBD can do for you, but you’re confused about how to take CBD. There are just so many options. Should you take a CBD oil or powder? Are tinctures better than gummies? And what is a tincture anyway? If only taking CBD was as easy as drinking a glass of water.
It turns out that figuring out how to take CBD doesn’t have to be complicated. It all comes down to taste and effectiveness. Taste is just what flavors you prefer (and for many, herbaceous hemp isn’t a preferred flavor). Effectiveness is predicated upon your body’s ability to absorb and make use of the CBD, also known as bioavailability. Different methods of CBD delivery offer different absorption rates. Higher bioavailability means it’s easier for your body to access and use more of a product’s CBD.
TYPES OF CBD
CBD is one of the 113 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.
Full-spectrum hemp products include all of these, including trace amounts of THC (less than .3%). To get CBD without THC, you need a CBD isolate. “Isolating” the CBD strips away all of the other compounds.
In case you’re wondering, no, CBD won’t get you high. THC is the only cannabinoid that has psychoactive effects.
There are two common forms of CBD isolate—oil, and powder. You can take them as tinctures, pills, edibles… the list goes on. We have an obvious favorite (more on that later). But the best way to take CBD is the method that works for you.
HOW TO TAKE CBD TINCTURE
A CBD tincture is basically CBD suspended in MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil, alcohol or vinegar, which acts as a carrier. Do you swallow CBD? Yes, after you’ve let it sit under your tongue. To take it, place a single drop of the CBD tincture under your tongue. This is sometimes difficult to do. Hold it there for about 60 seconds. Then swallow. This is called a sublingual (under the tongue) application. Spitting it out prior to holding it under your tongue means you might not get the full dosage.
Studies have shown that a sublingual CBD tincture can offer 13-19% bioavailability. Some sources claim up to 35%, but we’d like to see more research on that. One downside is that tinctures often contain impurities such as pesticides and heavy metals, which often remain in the product beyond the production process. Other drawbacks are difficulty of use, dosage inconsistency, and its herbaceous taste. CBD tincture is known to be a bit (actually a lot) bitter in flavor. While some people don’t mind it, many find the taste off-putting.
CBD CAPSULES AND EDIBLES
Capsules and edibles deliver CBD in ways that are easy to consume.
Follow the recommendations of the manufacturer to decide how many capsules or gummies you should take per day. CBD dosage depends on your body size, activity level, and health goals, as well as the concentration of CBD in the capsule or edible. Pay close attention to manufacturer recommendations and only use a product that is third-party tested to make sure you’re getting consistent dosing, and that the product is free of toxins or pesticides. If the manufacturer won’t share a third-party test, don’t use that product.
These ingestible forms of CBD offer somewhere between 6-20% bioavailability. The exact number depends on concentration, other ingredients, and your body chemistry. In general, capsules tend to offer the lowest bioavailability. On the other hand, gummies may have that earthy flavor we mentioned before.
One thing to keep in mind about edibles: this CBD product category is the most prone to adulteration, as demonstrated through random testing conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showing little or no CBD content in some brands.
VAPING AND SMOKING: NOT RECOMMENDED
You can do this, but why would you? We all know that smoking is bad for you. There have been plenty of studies proving it. The long-term health effects of vaping are under investigation, and there’s reason to believe they’re not great. With so many other ways to take CBD, this one just doesn’t seem like the best option.
TOPICAL CBD CREAMS AND LOTIONS
Creams and lotions are rubbed directly on the skin.
They are often designed to soothe pain or inflammation. Just take a glob of lotion or cream and rub it directly on the skin. The main benefit of creams and lotions is also their major drawback: they are highly targeted. That means you may feel immediate (or at least speedy) effects at the application site. Yet, they probably won’t improve your overall wellbeing.
HOW TO TAKE CBD ISOLATE POWDER IN DRINKS
Now we come to our favorite way to get the benefits of CBD. Water-soluble CBD powder can be mixed in your favorite drinks without changing their flavor. A third party tester makes sure that every batch is consistent. Plus, CBD isolate powder delivers up to 5x greater bioavailability than tinctures or edible. CBD isolate powders are much more effective than other ways to take CBD.
Water-soluble CBD powder has no earthy taste. Mix unflavored Zolt Even with your favorite beverage without altering the flavor. Or jazz things up with a flavored mixie stick that tastes like coconut, lemon tea, or honey citrus. You can also choose a full-spectrum mixie, to get all 113 cannabinoids. Just remember full-spectrum CBD powder does have trace amounts of THC.
Whether you choose flavored or unflavored, isolate or full-spectrum, CBD powder is easy to take. Open a pack of powdered CBD isolate, dump it into your favorite tea (for a CBD tea), fruit juice, or water. Mix thoroughly to make sure those adaptogens really get moving. Gulp it down and get ready to have an awesome day.
As always, Zolt advises that you discuss with your doctor before starting a hemp regimen.
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