How To Take CBD Tincture Under Your Tongue

The world of CBD products is somewhat of a treasure-trove. (I mean, there are Delta 9 gummies now!)

(Yeah, things are moving fast.) And for as many different CBD products as there are out there, there are so many different ways to take CBD too.

Sometimes, this can become a little bit confusing if not intimidating. And odds are, you've landed here because you have decided to diligently do your research before diving in.

So first of all, good on you! And second, welcome.

We're here to answer questions such as "How much CBD should I take?" or "Does the sublingual method cause pain?" Well, let us quell that first concern right off the bat.

No, it does not. No pain is involved when CBD is absorbed sublingually. And as for the other question, looks like you'll have to get reading!

That's right. We left you with a cliffhanger. And no, we don't feel bad about it.

See Related: What Strength Of CBD Oil Should I Get?

What is a CBD oil tincture?

Okay, okay, you might be a little more advanced. But it never hurts to start from the very beginning, right?

So let's just start with the basics. A CBD or THC tincture is an oil concoction that you take in small drops under your tongue or through a spray.

Sublingual tinctures mix CBD oil with a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Easy enough, right?

Taking CBD this way allows those few drops to enter your bloodstream quickly. But we're already getting ahead of ourselves.

(You'll notice that's a trend. Suffice it to say you should keep reading!)

Why take CBD oil under the tongue?

The International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences found that sublingual administration of CBD is the most effective way to take CBD. (Whew! Try saying that five times fast.)

(Okay, informational hat back on.) That's because this area of your mouth is a capillary rich area, AKA full of tiny blood vessels. No, seriously tiny.

This is just a fancy way of saying that CBD gets absorbed directly into your blood stream when you take a CBD product this way. In other words, because the tincture gets absorbed quickly by your body, the CBD's effectiveness goes up.

See? Not too difficult to understand.

How does sublingual administration compare to other ways to take CBD?

The effectiveness of each form or method of taking CBD depends on its wait time. So how does sublingual administration add up to its fellow methodologies?

Ingested (swallowed)

When you ingest CBD through food supplements, that CBD has a longer way to travel in order for your body to process it. It must go through your digestive system and gastrointestinal tract in your stomach.

The uptake into your bloodstream lies anywhere between 4% and 20%. But that also means it will take 30 minutes to 2 hours for your cannabinoid receptors to acknowledge the CBD oil in your body.

Additionally, this is how you would administer CBD for your pets. So this info is also good to know if you've got your furry friend in mind!

Under your tongue (sublingually)

Sublingual tinctures are great for most people who want a discreet and easy way of administering CBD oil into their wellness routine or even daily routine. That's because it results in a 35% uptake in your bloodstream.

And unlike ingestion, taking CBD under your tongue only needs about 15 to 25 minutes for your body to register its presence. That's right. When taken under the tongue, CBD works fast!

Rectally

(Yes, rectally. Sometimes, a person's gotta do what a person's gotta do.)

This method results in an 8% to 50% uptake of CBD in your bloodstream. But it can take 20 to 60 minutes for the CBD to be registered by your bloodstream and, in turn, the rest of your body.

Inhaled or vaped

Aside from taking a CBD tincture under the tongue, vaping CBD is the next most effective way to take CBD oil. Vape pens allow for an uptake of up to 56% of CBD into your bloodstream.

And it takes only 10 to 20 minutes for the body to process its presence. In terms of quickness, these two forms are definitely side by side for our impatient friends out there (no judgment!).

Rubbed into skin (topically)

Topical CBD products like a CBD rub are a little bit different from the previous methods we talked about above. Typically, these CBD products are applied to a localized area so its efficacy is measured differently.

But even still, there is an up to 45% uptake of CBD into your bloodstream through this topical method. And it takes anywhere between 25 and 45 minutes for your body to register the CBD in your system.

Bonus: CBD 101: All The Basics You Need To Know

Best practices on taking CBD oil sublingually

Ready for a spoiler? The key part of taking CBD sublingually is patience!

(What? We left you with a cliffhanger in the beginning so we kinda felt like we owed you a spoiler...)

#1. Choose your CBD oil drops

Remember how we said that the world of CBD products is somewhat of a treasure-trove? Well, take your pick of oil - whether that's a Delta 8 tincture, a tincture that has less CBD in it, or a tincture with more CBD than your average.

And feel free to consult your doctor on the particular product you're interested in using. Especially if you have questions about a specific medical condition.

Tinctures can contain many compounds meant to access your endocannabinoid system. So make sure you feel totally secure and well-informed throughout the process.

#2. Avoid eating immediately before or after you take sublingual CBD

We don't want to tell you how to eat but you want the CBD oil to be consistently absorbed into your bloodstream, don't you? So don't let food get in the way of that process!

Wait about 50 to 20 minutes to eat after using the tincture. But feel free to eat something 15 to 20 minutes before you administer the CBD so that you're not taking it on an empty stomach.

Alright, alright, that's all we'll say about food... But remember to eat a balanced and nutritious meal!

(Not a CBD fact. Just a parental instinct we're going after.)

#3. Put the recommended number of drops of CBD oil under your tongue

Alright, the question you asked in the beginning and have been waiting to have answered! Well, unfortunately we can't tell you a specific number of drops because it varies depending on a couple of factors.

The recommended number may come from the packaging itself. Or, maybe from a conversation you had with your doctor.

Really, it just depends on what you're looking for. Just remember not to put the tincture on top of your tongue, but below it.

And if it's in a spray form, spray it under your tongue. You can also spray the side of your mouth but that method is not considered "sublingual."

And besides, that's what this article is about, right? Under the tongue, my friend!

#4. Hold the CBD under your tongue for 30 seconds, then swallow

Depending on whether you're a patient person or not, this might be the hardest part. You need to allow the remaining oil to sit under your tongue for at least 30 seconds.

And if it's a spray, wait at least a minute before you swallow. This will give the remaining CBD enough time to enter your bloodstream.

We get it, it's hard, but try not to swallow too soon! It's tempting because you'll likely build up a lot of saliva.

But this is where our key advice comes into play: have patience. And remember: all good things come to those who wait.

Final thoughts

Hopefully, that introduction to CBD oil and how to take it sublingually helped to quell any other concerns you might have been brewing on. It's perfectly normal to be hesitant.

And even more normal to be curious! For example, if you wanted to go skydiving, you'd research everything you could about it first, right?

Okay, maybe that's an extreme example. But I guess that's what we're leaving you with to finish off this article.

So, ta-ta for now! And remember: patience is key.

Keep Reading: Can Methylene Blue Be A Nootropic?

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