CBD Sublingual Vs. CBD Topicals Vs. CBD Vapes

There are a lot of methods of consuming CBD, from taking them through the skin or applying them through the skin. But sometimes, it might be hard to choose, especially if someone is new to using CBD. This article discusses sublingual, topicals, and vapes, what advantages each form has, and what to consider when choosing the best structure for a person among those three.

Individuals have used the cannabis plant for many reasons for over 5000 years; whether it’s for medicinal or recreational use, it has proven to be an essential part of humans' everyday life. However, in recent years, the cannabis plant has enjoyed a little freedom from its previously harsh plant restrictions. This relaxation of laws on the plant has allowed many researchers to find more and more about the plant's medicinal benefits. CBD, the main compound under research for medicinal properties in the plant, can be applied in many ways. Let's look at some ways of using CBD and how they compare, but first, let's find out more about CBD. Learn more about should you hold it in cbd vape?

What is CBD?

The Cannabis plant has over one hundred compounds; the main two compounds, CBD and THC, have many similarities but make differences. THC is the dominant compound in the marijuana plant and is responsible for the high effect users report experiencing when they smoke or consume marijuana products. CBD, however, is prevalent in the hemp plant, the male plant of the marijuana plant, and has a low percentage of THC, making it unable to make a person feel 'high' when they consume CBD hemp products.

Lowin et al. (2020) explained that CBD has proven to be more than helpful, with the compound proving to be a potential solution for many ailments such as Acne and arthritis and can be used to suppress some symptoms of Cancer. One can apply it in many ways;

CBD Sublingual

CBD sublingual are Cannabinoid products taken orally under one's tongue, giving it time to rest and absorb into the bloodstream through the thin membrane tissues in the language. It might be similar to Buccal administration, where a product is placed between one's cheeks and gums to be absorbed into the circulatory system by tissues in the mouth. These two methods are common ways of administering drugs because it takes a short time for you to feel the effects of the drugs as they quickly enter the circulatory system. It is because the area under the tongue or cheeks is full of blood vessels and membranes. Compared to other methods of application of CBD, such as edibles, taking sublingual is a much faster way of enjoying CBD because when ingested through the mouth, it takes up to 2 hours as they first need to pass through the digestive system.

CBD Vapes

Vapes are a modern way of enjoying CBD and are rising in popularity even among teens that prefer this new way of vaping. CBD vape works by heating a vape, turning it into vapors, and then inhaling it through the lungs. This CBD vape oil is made by extracting CBD from a hemp plant using a solvent such as alcohol and then adding this CBD extract to a host oil such as vegetable glycerin or hemp oil. This CBD vape oil can then be packaged in smaller packages called cartridges that might be placed in a vape pen. The vape pen has a battery that one can use to heat this vape oil to vapor; one might sometimes make it with flavors to make it taste better, as CBD might have a bitter taste sometimes. When CBD vapes are inhaled through the lungs, they enter the bloodstream through the blood vessels and thin membranes in the lungs. It ensures those CBDs effects are felt in no time as the vape Is quickly absorbed in the lungs.

CBD Topicals

Topical CBD is easy to apply and is loved by many because it can be used in a specific area of discomfort for an out-of-this-world anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effect. There are many ways of enjoying CBD; however, unlike sublingual and vapes, topical CBD is not applied orally. Maida & Corban (2017) explained that CBD topicals are products used through the skin; they include lotion, creams, and salves.  

Baswan et al. (2020) explained that CBD topicals work by inhibiting pain receptors and enzymes through the skin as they react with the endocannabinoid system.

CBD topicals pass through the skin layers to respond to the endocannabinoid system, offering relief when applied to the skin. This endocannabinoid system is responsible for sleep, immune responses, and memory. Compared to vaping and sublingual application of CBD, topicals don’t enter the Circulatory system. They are a great way to deal with stubborn conditions such as Acne and eczema that are common in the skin; these ailments might cause unnecessary inflammation and discomfort.

Comparison Between Sublingual, Topicals, and Vapes

These methods of consuming CBD offer the user a wide range of choices concerning preferences. Many reasons might make a user choose a specific mode of taking CBD. One might consider the bioavailability of the application method and the products' availability. Sublingual and vapes are methods of taking CBD through the mouth, and both need to reach the bloodstream for the effects to take over. Topicals, however, are applied through the skin and don't need to get into the bloodstream for the results to take place. Some users might prefer CBD topicals as they are easy to apply and can be used anywhere.

Shannon & Opila-Lehman (2016) stated that if one wants a quicker way of feeling CBD effects, sublingual and vaping is best. Regarding bioavailability- that is how quickly it takes for a product to be absorbed and its effects to be felt- sublingual and vaping take less time for the results to kick in. Because Topicals are applied on the skin, topical products are best when combating problems associated with the skin, such as Acne and eczema, and pain relief in specific areas such as the knees or legs. Taking CBD orally through sublingual and vaping might work best for relieving public anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Conclusion

When it comes down to choosing the right product between Sublingual, vaping, or topicals, it comes down to personal preferences. Although CBD has impressive health benefits, the method of taking CBD might affect how fast the effects kick in and how long the results last. Try these different methods of taking CBD and find a favorite way of taking CBD. If one is new to taking CBD, it is advised that they try to explore the different methods of taking CBD.

 References

Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 13, 927.

Lowin, T., Tingting, R., Zurmahr, J., Classen, T., Schneider, M., & Pongratz, G. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD): A killer for inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. Cell death & disease, 11(8), 1-11.

Maida, V., & Corban, J. (2017). Topical medical cannabis: a new treatment for wound pain—three cases of pyoderma gangrenosum. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 54(5), 732-736.

Shannon, S., & Opila-Lehman, J. (2016). Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil for pediatric anxiety and insomnia as part of posttraumatic stress disorder: a case report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4).