How Do You Take a CBD Tincture Sublingually?

People who have a lot of experience with taking CBD will most likely recommend that you use a CBD tincture if you are curious about the potential beneficial effects. This is mainly due to the fact that out of all the CBD product options available on the market, tinctures are the easiest to measure a dose with. They can provide the most consistent ratio of CBD for a user, and high doses of CBD when necessary.

However, they are often recommended to take “sublingually”. But what does that even mean? And why is sublingual application the most effective method for taking a CBD tincture? Read on to get a quick overview of CBD tinctures and how to take them.

What Is a CBD Tincture?

A CBD tincture is simply a tincture made with CBD extract. However, there are a few different kinds of hemp-derived CBD extract included in tinctures, including full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates. Although each of these methods will include the cannabidiol compound, otherwise known as CBD, they will not all contain a range of potentially beneficial compounds found in hemp. The concentrated extract is often made by soaking CBD-heavy dry herb in a solvent for a few weeks. This solvent is typically alcohol or food-grade oils, which will bind with the CBD compounds and carry them into the final product.

What Does “Sublingual” Mean?

More than just CBD tinctures are taken sublingually, but that still does not explain what the term means. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, “sublingual” is just a succinct way of saying, “situated or administered under the tongue”. So, when a CBD tincture is taken sublingually, it is a fancy way of saying the drops of the tincture are placed under your tongue to be absorbed into your bloodstream. The benefits of taking CBD tinctures in this method if that they are immediately exposed to capillaries in the cheek, gums, and under the tongue, and absorbed quickly into your endocannabinoid system. You will typically drop the tincture underneath your tongue and allow it a moment to soak in properly before swallowing it. The longer you hold it under your tongue, the more efficiently it will be absorbed into your bloodstream and start having effects. When you swallow the tincture after placing it under your tongue, the tincture is absorbed into your digestive system as well.

What CBD Tinctures Are Best to Take Sublingually?

Although all CBD tinctures can be taken sublingually, not all of them taste great when you take them in this method. We’ve found that the oil-based tinctures tend to burn less when placed under your tongue than the alternative alcohol-based tinctures. Tinctures that are packaged in bottles with a dropper are a convenient option because the dropper allows large doses of CBD to be applied right under your tongue easily. The droppers will also often having milliliter measurement marks as well so that you can measure out a consistent dose of CBD.

Some CBD tinctures are bottled up in mini spray bottles instead of the typical dropper bottle, in order to allow easy sublingual application. These tinctures are also normally alcohol-based but the burn is cut with the addition of other food-safe oils such as peppermint oil. They will administer a smaller dose than a dropper though, and are therefore ideal for discreet micro-dosing throughout the day.

How Do You Take A CBD Tincture Sublingually?

When you pick up your first bottle of CBD tincture, you should start by taking a close look at the label. Be sure to make note of the method of CBD-extraction, so that you know if other hemp plant compounds are included in the mix to make it a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum extract. If it is a full-spectrum CBD extract, then it can also be helpful to look up what terpenes were included in the mix. Third-party laboratory analysis results are the most helpful tool for learning more about a specific CBD product. If the tincture manufacturer is reputable, then they will have these results readily available to share. These lab test results will also tell you exactly how much CBD is included in a bottle so that you can measure out the correct dose for you.

Before you try out your tincture for the first time, give the bottle a good shake to make sure that the CBD is mixed evenly throughout the base. Then use the bottle dropper to measure out just the right amount of tincture to meet your needs. Use the dropper to then squeeze out the tincture under your tongue, and hold it in your mouth for up to three minutes. You can rub the tincture around in your mouth with your tongue too if you want extra saturation. Once the tincture has absorbed enough, swallow the remaining liquid. Effects will set in anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes after being administered, with an initial onset from the sublingual application and an additional onset when it hits your digestive system.

From there you can sit back and relax. It can also help to eat a high-fat snack with your CBD tincture, to increase the absorption of the CBD in your system. The CBD molecules will bind easily with these fatty molecules, making the potential effects onset faster. It might take a while to find the right amount of CBD tincture for you, but it can help to keep track of your doses in a journal or note on your phone, along with when you took the dose and what food went along with it.

How Else Can You Take CBD Tinctures?

If you don’t like taking CBD tinctures sublingually, we don’t blame you. They can taste overwhelmingly like hemp plant matter and can be a real turn-off for those who are sensitive to tastes. Instead, you can drop your CBD tincture into a relaxing cup of tea or with your pick-me-up cup of coffee. Although the effects of tinctures taken in this fashion might not set on as quickly as taking it sublingually, the CBD still makes it effectively into your digestive system.

CBD tinctures are a great option if you are taking CBD regularly, in higher doses. They are also a great choice if you have dietary restrictions since they are typically made with just hemp plant-extract and an alcohol or oil base. Because CBD tinctures deliver such a high dose of CBD per drop, they are also favored by medical patients. Tinctures have virtually zero mess when taken sublingually and quick onset of effects. If you are considering working CBD into your daily routine, give a tincture a try and save yourself some time and effort.

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