Alternatives to vaping and smoking CBD hemp
Real alternatives to vaping and smoking CBD hemp
Education around CBD and hemp has come a long way in the last few years. Early adopters flocked to it and swore by the therapeutic effects, while others remained stigmatized by its relation to cannabis. One thing that consistently stands in the way of allowing consumers to feel comfortable with utilizing CBD is the fear of having to smoke or vape it.
To be fair, smoking or vaping is not for everyone. Thankfully, there are many different ways you can incorporate CBD into your life to feel its therapeutic benefits that don’t require combustion or vaporization.
What are my consumption options?
There are many ways to consume CBD. Some options are more effective than others, but there may be underlying reasons why someone would want to use one method over another.
Topicals are infused salves, lotions, or balms that provide therapeutic effects topically to the skin, sore muscles, or joints. This method of use allows your body to absorb the CBD into your skin, but it doesn’t make its way into your blood, nor does it cross the blood-brain barrier.
Edibles are infused foods that are meant to be ingested or swallowed. This method requires your body to digest and absorb the CBD through the stomach and liver which can take hours.
Sublinguals are infused oils or fluids that are meant to be applied under the tongue where the CBD is absorbed into the blood and makes its way to the brain. Oftentimes, much of the CBD isn’t absorbed in the mouth as intended and is swallowed and absorbed in the digestive tract.
Tablets and capsules look like pills but are often formulated to be absorbed and broken down in the stomach and liver like an edible.
Dermal & Transdermal Patches are medicated adhesive patches that are applied to the skin. Dermal patches allow CBD to be absorbed through the layers of skin, whereas transdermal patches absorb CBD through the skin and into the bloodstream.
Water-Compatible CBD is made up of microscopic particles (or nanoparticles) of CBD, which makes the molecules much easier to absorb by the body. These nanoparticles can be infused into edibles or sublingual tinctures for fast application and ingestion.
Which routes are absorbed the fastest?
Some methods of consumption are more effective than others. This has to do with how they are formulated, infused, and the bioavailability of each method. When you smoke or inhale CBD, the alveoli in your lungs absorb the particles into your bloodstream. This sends CBD molecules in your blood to the heart where they are then pumped through the body to enter the brain. This process is quite quick and can take mere seconds to be felt. But is there another option that is as fast and promising as inhalation?
Another option that can deliver CBD to the brain at near lightening-speed is nano CBD. Because of its microscopic size, it is absorbed easily by the tissue in your mouth, digestive tract, and stomach. That means that if it’s not fully absorbed in your mouth, it will still be quickly absorbed during digestion. Once it’s absorbed through your oral or digestive tissues, the CBD is carried by the blood to the heart and brain.
Does method impact onset time?
Not all methods of consumption have a quick onset. Depending on the dose and method in which CBD is consumed, the therapeutic effects may be felt within minutes or may take hours to be felt. Generally speaking, the forms that take the longest to take effect are typically those that must be digested - like edibles, capsules/tablets, and some sublinguals. However, if they’re formulated with nano-particle water-compatible CBD, the onset time drops dramatically. In fact, the onset time may be as fast as a few minutes.
Are there healthy edible options?
Some edibles contain an unhealthy amount of sugar and other unsavory ingredients to help preserve them. Although desserts and candy have their place in moderation, they aren’t exactly suitable for everyone. It’s a bit counterintuitive to consume a product with the intention of receiving therapeutic benefits from CBD while putting other toxins in your body. Not to mention, some edibles are formulated in a way that doesn’t allow for ideal bioavailability, making them… well, not very useful.
Instead of sugary gummies or brownies, look for a water-compatible CBD option. Nano-particle (water-compatible) CBD has been broken down into microscopic segments, which allows your body to absorb it easier, faster, and sooner. When purchased in a tincture, it can be mixed into food or a beverage. This eliminates the need for sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or other preservatives. Stick with clean water-compatible CBD, and your body will thank you.
If you are curious about water-soluble CBD, check out the shop page for products that fit your needs.
Resources:
Bruni, N., Della Pepa, C., Oliaro-Bosso, S., Pessione, E., Gastaldi, D., & Dosio, F. (2018). Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(10), 2478. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23102478
Millar, S. A., Maguire, R. F., Yates, A. S., & O'Sullivan, S. E. (2020). Towards Better Delivery of Cannabidiol (CBD). Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 13(9), 219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13090219
Bruni, N., Della Pepa, C., Oliaro-Bosso, S., Pessione, E., Gastaldi, D., & Dosio, F. (2018). Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(10), 2478. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23102478
Kalpana S. Paudel, Dana C. Hammell, Remigius U. Agu, Satyanarayana Valiveti & Audra L. Stinchcomb (2010) Cannabidiol bioavailability after nasal and transdermal application: effect of permeation enhancers, Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 36:9, 1088-1097, DOI: 10.3109/03639041003657295. https://doi.org/10.3109/03639041003657295
Scuderi, Caterina, De Filippis, Daniele, Filippis, Daniele De, Iuvone, Teresa, Blasio, Angelo, Steardo, Antonio, & Esposito, Giuseppe. (2009). Cannabidiol in medicine: a review of its therapeutic potential in CNS disorders. http://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2625
Author: Bri Smith
