Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been a buzzword in the medical and wellness industry for a while now, thanks to its various potential health benefits. From relieving minor issues, such as pain and insomnia, to approved medical purposes, such as reducing seizures, this cannabinoid has the power to improve your overall health and wellness.
Although there are clear advantages to using CBD, some people may need help to experience its full potential. If you’re one of those who tried CBD but don’t really feel it kick in, some strategies can help maximize its effects so you can reap the benefits in no time.
Purchase CBD Products From Reputable Providers
The best way to ensure that you get maximum benefits from your CBD is to choose the right products from a reputable provider.
The global CBD industry is yet to be regulated. As such, there’s a possibility of buying a counterfeit CBD product. Did you know that over 80% of CBD products were mislabeled in terms of the CBD amount listed on the bottle? Some products don’t contain any CBD or have alarming amounts of THC.
Thus, you need to take your time and research CBD products and suppliers before buying. Always look for third-party lab tests and read consumer reviews to determine the product’s effectiveness. You should always buy CBD isolate and other products from trustworthy and well-established brands to get the highest quality possible.
Read The Manufacturer’s Directions
Most people skip the manufacturer’s directions and consume CBD products right away. However, directions are included in the packaging for a reason.
And reading the instructions, including dosages and proper consumption, can help maximize the effects and benefits of the products. This is particularly true if you’re taking sublingual or oral CBD.
Be Strategic With Sublingual Consumption
Sublingual consumption offers the most effective results if you want to increase the absorption of CBD oil’s bioavailability. This is because consuming CBD sublingually offers a direct administration into the bloodstream, increasing bioavailability and absorption rate.
However, sublingual consumption isn’t as straightforward as it seems. You don’t just add a few drops into your mouth, swallow, and expect maximum benefits. This method causes the oil to slide down your esophagus and to your digestive system, where it takes time to process to experience its effects.
Instead, you want to drop CBD tinctures under your tongue and keep it there for 30–90 seconds before swallowing. Since your sublingual area is filled with salivary glands and capillaries, holding CBD tinctures for longer can give your body enough time to absorb the compounds into your bloodstream.
Try Vaping
Next to sublingual consumption, inhaling or vaping CBD offers the fastest and most effective results. As mentioned before, CBD needs to reach your bloodstream to quickly feel its effects and maximize its benefits. Inhaling or vaping allows you to get the active ingredients into your system in high concentration.
When vaping CBD, the active ingredients are ingested through your lungs. The lungs have millions of alveoli and blood vessels that allow blood cells and CBD to pass through. It then directly enters your bloodstream and into your endocannabinoid system. As a result, it offers faster and more powerful effects compared with other consumption methods.
Opt For Full-Spectrum CBD
If you wish to get the most health benefits out of CBD, always look for full-spectrum products. These products contain all active cannabis compounds. In recent years, experts have agreed that consuming full spectrum CBD products offer the best results.
This is because of the entourage effect. The theory is that the numerous cannabinoids, terpenes, and fatty acids in the cannabis plant harmoniously interact and work together to magnify the therapeutic effects of each cannabinoid instead of working individually.
Consume With Fatty Snacks
Speaking of fatty acids, consuming CBD with fatty snacks can help maximize the absorption of CBD molecules. Generally, the smaller the molecule, the better it’s absorbed by your body. This is the principle behind consuming CBD with meals or snacks high in fat.
In addition, since the molecular structure of CBD is fat soluble, consuming fatty oils can help dissolve large CBD compounds and make it easier for your body to absorb the cannabinoid. Most importantly, it allows CBD molecules to stay intact, ensuring that your body absorbs more of its therapeutic compounds.
Here are some fatty snacks and foods you can take along with CBD:
- Fatty fish like trout, salmon, and mackerel
- Eggs
- Dark chocolate
- Cheese
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Coconut oil
Supplement With Herbs
Like fatty foods, some herbs may also increase CBD’s bioavailability, which helps increase the absorption rate of CBD. Here are some herbs you may consider:
- Piperine
Commonly found in black pepper, piperine can enhance CBD’s bioavailability by inhibiting the liver’s metabolic effects.
- Apigenin
Primarily found in chamomile flowers, parsley, oregano, and celery, apigenin can prevent the breakdown of CBD and strengthen its overall bioavailability.
- Turmeric
Turmeric contains piperine and curcumin, which not only improve bioavailability but also magnify the effect of CBD.
- Capsaicin
Capsaicin, commonly found in hot peppers, shares a similar molecular structure to CBD. It can improve the response and absorption of cannabinoids, including CBD and THC.
Get The Right Dosage
The proper dosage is critical to get the most out of its benefits and effects. However, figuring out the correct CBD dosage for you can be tricky.
Dosing recommendations are made depending on the desired effect. They are also related to an individual’s biology and experience. For instance, adults need a higher dose than kids.
If unsure, you should always start with lower doses, working your way up to what works best for the symptom you’re trying to relieve. Generally, adults can take at least 10 mg–20 mg once or twice a day.
Micro-dosing is also recommended to experience better results. This method means taking small doses of CBD spread out instead of a larger dose at once.
Takeaway
It can be frustrating to spend your money on CBD products and don’t get the experience you want. Hopefully, with the above methods, you can now maximize and experience the therapeutic benefits of CBD. Maybe you’ll find that taking CBD with dark chocolate works best for you.
As always, you must consult your doctor before using any CBD products that can significantly impact your current health or any medication you’re taking.
