CBD products have taken over the world! There are endless ways to get your daily dose of CBD, from flavored oils and tinctures to edibles and pre-made drinks. But did you know that not all consumption methods are equal? There can be a variety of circumstances that determine how quickly CBD activates in the body after consumption. One of the biggest factors is the CBD product you choose and the way you consume it.
One easy hack to get the maximum amount of CBD absorbed in your body is through sublingual CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol has been used for centuries in alternative medicine practices and has been a part of the mainstream world of health and wellness. CBD interacts directly with the human body’s endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS. The ECS is responsible for transmitting messages to the brain through receptors.
CBD can impact the transmissions created between the CB1 and CB2 receptors, helping them block signals of pain, stress, anxiety, restlessness, inflammation, and more. Consuming CBD oil sublingually and targeting the sublingual glands can improve the absorption and interaction of CBD with humans.
How does sublingual CBD work?
You may have read about the sublingual gland in your anatomy class in school. The sublingual glands are a pair of glands located under the tongue that only produce a minimal amount of saliva in your mouth. Beneath these glands is an even richer tissue loaded with blood vessels, which is where sublingual CBD consumption comes into play.
A precise and rapid uptake of active ingredients into the bloodstream dramatically increases how fast the effects of CBD can be felt. Because of the thin lining and soft tissue below the sublingual glands, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and impacts the CBD1 and CB2 receptors more effectively.
By taking your CBD orally and strategically placing it within proximity to the sublingual glands under the tongue, you may be able to increase the therapeutic properties present in CBD.
How much is CBD absorbed sublingually?
Scientists have spent time conducting numerous clinical studies to compare different CBD administration methods. They’ve been looking specifically at the amount of CBD that ends up being used by the body.
For instance, if you take a CBD product and your body only ends up using less than 5% of the compound, then that would be a tremendous waste of money. The product packaging may say that the product contains a certain amount of CBD, but you will rarely find a product that can utilize almost all of it in the product.
Bioavailability is the proportion of a compound that enters circulation after being introduced to the body. The higher the bioavailability, the more efficient and cost-effective the product is.
When a few small drops of sublingual CBD oil are administered under the tongue, the absorption rate of the compound is between 13%-19%. In some cases, CBD oil has been found to have a sublingual bioavailability of up to 35%. While this is much lower than the bioavailability you could expect from intranasal administration, vaping CBD isn’t for everyone and absorption rates of sublingual CBD are still much better than those of orally consumed CBD products.
Why take CBD sublingually?
The two primary benefits of taking CBD sublingually are the speed of absorption and the level of potency achieved. There are other ways to take CBD effectively.
The speed of absorption is rapid under the tongue because the chemical is quickly absorbed by the mucous membrane. The tissue under the tongue has a huge number of capillaries to allow for the substance to diffuse directly into the bloodstream.
Higher levels of CBD can be absorbed if you take it sublingually. If you swallow a CBD product directly or consume it through other oral methods like edibles or capsules, then the CBD goes directly to your stomach. There are a couple of main risks to the CBD that can prevent its absorption in those cases.
The first is your gastrointestinal tract, including your stomach. This path is filled with dangers from various enzymes, stomach acid and bile. They attack and reduce the potency of the CBD.
The second risk is that anything absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract/stomach must be processed by the liver. The liver can significantly alter the CBD through what is known as the ‘first-pass effect’ of drug metabolism.
Consuming sublingual CBD avoids these risks and gets the CBD into your bloodstream quickly and with maximum potency.
How to take sublingual CBD?
The sublingual method of consumption may be safer than smoking or vaporizing CBD, especially for seniors who may have underlying health conditions. Although edibles and CBD gummies are also popular, they are less effective if you’re looking for quick relief, as your digestive system also plays a role in absorption. Sublingual CBD usage means turning to a quality CBD oil or tincture and placing it under the tongue instead of simply swallowing it. Let’s break that down a bit.
- Take a dropper full of Nass Valley’s Full Spectrum Hemp Extract tincture and place it directly under your tongue
- Allow the oil to sit and absorb under your tongue for 30 seconds to a minute (longer if you can)
- Swallow the rest of the oil
- Repeat as necessary
Pro tip: If you don’t like the taste or texture of CBD oil, you are not alone. But remember, there are always other options for effective CBD consumption. Try Nass Valley’s gummies, topicals, capsules, or smokables!
Nass Valley products are your most trusted source of high-quality, affordable, and high-efficacy CBD products. We aren’t here to use CBD as a gimmick, and that’s why we’ve infused all our products with tried and true ingredients that couple with CBD in the best ways possible. We believe in our products and stand by them wholeheartedly, which is why we provide a 60-day satisfaction guarantee! So, browse through our CBD products today, and begin your journey to wellness!
