Benefits Of Taking CBD Oil Under The Tongue

The cannabis plant is packed with therapeutic potential. Between cannabinoids and terpenes, these compounds have become extremely popular for their wide range of wellness benefits.

One particular cannabinoid that’s arguably the most accessible in the United States is CBD. In 2022, a good 26% of Americans reported using CBD almost daily.

While we all have our reasons for using cannabis and hemp products, one question remains: how should I use CBD for best results? There are several ways to take CBD, but taking it sublingually (under the tongue) might be the most effective.

This guide covers the science behind sublingual CBD, its unique benefits compared to other methods, and how to get the most from your CBD oil drops.

This is the easiest, most straightforward way to experience the benefits of CBD. It’s simple—just place CBD oil under the tongue and hold it there for about a minute.

It doesn’t involve smoking, vaping, or the extra calories of edibles. Sublingual CBD might even be more efficient than other methods since it kicks in quicker than edibles and doesn’t require the extra tools involved with smoking and vaping.

Mucous membranes and microscopic blood vessels exist under the tongue to help CBD take effect. When taken orally and held under the tongue, CBD is absorbed through your mucous membranes and travels directly into the bloodstream.

When it comes to those tiny blood vessels, they’re much closer to the surface than most blood vessels in the body. So, holding CBD oil on or near them can make absorption into the bloodstream much faster.

Here’s an even deeper dive into how sublingual CBD is delivered to the bloodstream versus every other CBD consumption method out there:

CBD Edibles/Capsules: Edibles must travel through the lengthy digestive system to take effect. Plus, they interact with stomach acid on the way, which could reduce potency and efficiency.

Sublingual: Often kicks in faster than edibles, within 10 to 30 minutes. Since it’s not interacting with powerful stomach acids that could potentially break down its contents, sublingual CBD might have a more powerful effect than CBD edibles.

Vaping: One of the fastest ways to experience effects, but they’ll be short-lived. The effects of CBD vaporizers only last about an hour, depending on your tolerance. It’s also not the best option for those with respiratory health concerns.

Sublingual: On the other hand, sublingual CBD offers the perfect middle ground. It’s faster than edibles and lasts longer than vaping without sacrificing lung health.

Smoking: When puffing on CBD flower, it takes effect instantly. The effects might last a couple of hours, but it’s not ideal for frequent users wanting to keep their respiratory health in tip-top shape.

Sublingual: Again, sublingual CBD offers a solid alternative to smoking for various reasons. It takes effect within 10-30 minutes, doesn’t sacrifice lung health, and can last much longer than vaping or smoking CBD.

Here’s a quick look at the bioavailability between different CBD consumption methods:

• Edibles (swallowing CBD): 13-19% bioavailability
• Sublingual administration: 20-35% bioavailability
• Vaping/inhalation: 31-56% bioavailability

Edibles are the least bioavailable since they take so long to pass through the digestive tract and have to interact with powerful stomach acid.

Next is sublingual. It offers a solid middle ground for those who want a fast onset of effects that last longer than vaping while also keeping respiratory health a top priority.

While vaping technically offers higher bioavailability, it’s not necessarily the healthiest route for those looking to use CBD daily.

The higher bioavailability of sublingual CBD doesn’t just mean faster effects—it also means a more efficient process, which will save you money in the long run.

Since more CBD reaches your bloodstream when taken sublingually, you can often get the same effects with a lower dose compared to edibles or capsules. That means:

• Your CBD products last longer
• You spend less money for the same benefits
• You’re avoiding the potential calories and sugar in edibles

If you usually need 25mg CBD in edibles, you might experience similar effects with just 15-20mg using the sublingual method since it has a higher absorption rate.

Since CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t produce the typical “high” involved with cannabis, it’s a great option for anyone looking to improve their daily wellness.

Some potential health benefits include:

• Pain relief and chronic pain
• Sleep support
• Mood elevation
• Anxiety and stress relief
• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Neuroprotective properties
• Can help with antipsychotic effects
• Can help with insomnia
• Might help with substance abuse treatment
• Treat seizures (with FDA-approved CBD medications)

You can’t just swallow some CBD oil and expect it to take full effect. It takes the proper technique to maximize absorption and benefit from CBD oil.

Follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Start With The Right Dose: Use the dropper to measure your dose. Always check the packaging to verify what the starter dose is (usually 0.5-1ml of oil).
2. Placement Matters: Lift your tongue and place the drops directly under it.
3. Hold It: Keep the oil under your tongue for 60-90 seconds. Any shorter, and your mucous membranes won’t absorb the full concentration of CBD.
4. Don’t Dilute It: Your mouth will naturally produce more saliva when holding the oil. Try not to swallow or let the saliva wash away the oil until after 60-90 seconds.
5. Take It Down: After the holding period, take it down the hatch.

This really depends on your preferences and what you want from your CBD oil. Keep these tips in mind:

Morning: Best for daytime anxiety, focus, or regular pain management

Evening: Better for sleep support or unwinding after a stressful day

Before Meals: Taking CBD on an empty stomach might have a stronger effect.

Consistency: If you’re using CBD oil for chronic pain and conditions, try taking it at the same times daily for consistent relief without random upticks in pain.

Want to make the most of your sublingual CBD oil? Follow these tips below to guarantee maximum absorption for long-lasting effects.

• Avoid eating/drinking for 5-10 minutes before and after taking it
• Floss or use a toothpick before taking CBD to remove food particles
• Try holding the oil under your tongue for longer than 90 seconds, up to 2 minutes
• Don’t brush your teeth right before or after (it can irritate membranes and reduce absorption)

There are a few things to keep in mind to avoid making some common mistakes when taking CBD oil sublingually. Even the most experienced users are caught doing these from time to time:

Swallowing Too Quickly

Don’t skip the holding period! That 60-90 seconds (maybe even 2 minutes) is crucial for your mucous membranes and tiny blood vessels to absorb CBD and send it to the bloodstream.

If swallowed too quickly, you’re seriously reducing the bioavailability of your CBD oil by forcing it through the digestive system.

Wrong Placement

Don’t skip the holding period! That 60-90 seconds (maybe even 2 minutes) is crucial for your mucous membranes and tiny blood vessels to absorb CBD and send it to the bloodstream.

If swallowed too quickly, you’re seriously reducing the bioavailability of your CBD oil by forcing it through the digestive system.

Inconsistent Use

CBD will always work best with consistent use.

It turns out that cannabinoids actually have cumulative effects on your endocannabinoid system, sort of like taking a regular medication.

Sporadic use might not deliver the same benefits as a regular routine.

You won’t find too many side effects when taking CBD sublingually. By far, it’s the safest, most effective way to experience this cannabinoid.

Regardless, here’s what you may experience:

Dry Mouth: Other cannabinoids in broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD products might reduce saliva production temporarily.

Mild Mouth Irritation: CBD oils contain a carrier oil to help deliver effects to the bloodstream. In rare cases, some oils or flavors might cause sensitivity.

Altered Taste: For a brief period after holding CBD oil under the tongue, it might alter your taste thanks to its natural, earthy flavor.

Potential Drug Interactions: Always research how certain medications interact with CBD to ensure you’re in the clear.

The final thing you should know about sublingual CBD is its risk of showing up on a drug test. In short—yes, it can. But it solely depends on which kind of CBD oil you’re using:

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is the safest option if you have an upcoming drug test. It usually contains 99%+ pure CBD, and it will never contain other cannabinoids like THC.

However, CBD isolate is often the least effective out of the options below. Since it only contains CBD, it doesn’t produce the beneficial entourage effect, where more than one compound works together to enhance each other’s effects.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

This is the happy medium between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD. These oils contain a “broad spectrum” of cannabinoids and terpenes from the original plant, just without THC.

Theoretically, broad-spectrum CBD shouldn’t cause a positive test. But since there are more cannabinoids in the mix, it’s risky territory.

Full-Spectrum CBD

These oils are often the most effective for harnessing the complete benefits CBD has to offer. It contains the “full spectrum” of cannabinoids and terpenes in the original plant while staying under 0.3% THC.

Since it’s such a small amount of THC, it’s not guaranteed that full-spectrum CBD oil will cause a positive result. But it’s definitely something to consider, especially if it is used frequently. Regular use could accumulate enough THC to trigger a positive test.

CBD exists in a legal gray area, but here’s the breakdown: It depends on where you live and what kind of CBD you’re using.

In the United States, hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. That means you can legally buy, sell, and use CBD products made from industrial hemp—whether it’s oils, gummies, topicals, vapes or CBD tinctures. But state laws vary.

Some states have stricter rules on CBD, especially when it comes to certain product types like edibles or full-spectrum formulas.

In Idaho, Kansas, and South Dakota, CBD products must contain 0% THC to be legal, effectively banning full-spectrum CBD products that include trace amounts of THC.

In Iowa, CBD is legal only for medical use, requiring specific conditions and, in some cases, enrollment in state programs. ​

Given the evolving nature of CBD regulations and potential changes in state laws, it’s always a good idea to check up on local laws to make sure you’re in the clear when wanting to consume CBD products.

Sublingual CBD oil is an excellent option for anyone looking to experience the benefits of this natural cannabinoid.

Between CBD isolate, broad spectrum, and full spectrum options, this guide should help you make the most of your chosen product for maximum absorption and benefits.