With so many CBD options available, it can be difficult to decide on which type of CBD product might work best for you. Some people prefer an ingestible CBD product, while others want a topical product to apply directly to the source of their discomfort.
Don’t be confused with all the different options of CBD products out there. There are a number of ways to treat yourself to CBD with ingestible and topical products. Here’s a quick rundown of both CBD topicals and CBD ingestible products to help you decide which may be best for you.
What are CBD topicals?
Topical products are applied directly to the skin to target a specific area. You can find them made as either lotions or balms, which have their own unique properties.
- CBD Lotions are creamy and absorb quickly into the skin. Some are meant for skincare to support chapped or dry skin. While others are meant to provide relief from areas of pain or soreness.
- CBD Balms, or salves, are thicker than lotions and can sit on the skin to support dry skin, and they also help with sore muscles after a long workout. Balms stay on the surface of the skin longer than creams to provide a long-lasting reduction in exercise-induced pain.1
When to use CBD topicals?
Consider using topical CBD products when you can identify the area of discomfort. The effects are typically immediate and more centralized than other application methods. The effects of topical CBD are more concentrated because it isn’t spread through the entire body through the bloodstream. Many people opt to pair a topical product with an ingestible product to target persistent issues.
What are CBD ingestibles?
If your CBD needs are more internal or whole-body rather than a specific area, then taking ingestible CBD may be a better option. CBD ingestibles are any CBD products you take by mouth. These include CBD oils, CBD capsules, and CBD gummies.
- CBD Oils are taken sublingually—placed under the tongue with a dropper and held there for 30-60 seconds while the oil absorbs into the capillaries under your tongue. This method creates more bioavailability of the product, which is how much of the product makes it to your bloodstream without being metabolized or broken down.1
- CBD Capsules are swallowed and pass through the digestive system into the bloodstream, decreasing their bioavailability. Capsules are easy to fit into your daily wellness routine, but have a lower bioavailability than CBD oils.
- CBD Gummies are fun! They’re soft, chewy, fruit-flavored bites. Like capsules, they must go through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. And like CBD oils, some of what you’re chewing can be absorbed by the capillaries under your tongue for slightly greater bioavailability.
When to use CBD ingestible or a topical?
Choose CBD ingestibles when you are suffering from a whole-body issue, like muscle soreness, stress, or sleep issues. Once you ingest the oil, capsule, or gummy, the CBD moves through the bloodstream to target cannabinoid receptors throughout your body.
Are your sleep patterns not as healthy as you would prefer? Try some CBD oil sublingually. But if you can’t sleep because of your knee from a long workout, perhaps pair that oil with a CBD balm, or just use a balm by itself.
Are you stressed out? Pop a couple of CBD capsules in the morning. But if you’re stressed because you’re not sure you’re going to make it through today’s 5K charity run with your sore leg muscles? Maybe add some CBD lotion to your pre-exercise routine.
With some experimenting, you can find the ideal combination of ingestible CBD and topical CBD products that work best for your lifestyle.
REFERENCES
- “A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars” La Clinica Tereputica. March/April 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30993303/
- “Critical Aspects Affecting Cannabidiol Oral Bioavailability and Metabolic Elimination, and Related Clinical Implications.” CNS Drugs. August 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32504461/
