5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of CBD

If you have tried CBD in the past but didn’t get any of the effects you were expecting, then you might believe that it doesn’t work for you. However, there are a number of considerations to cover before you dismiss it entirely. The quality of the product, your consumption habits, and other lifestyle factors can all come together to affect your experience of CBD. In this post, we will run through 5 of the more common things that might help troubleshoot your relationship with CBD.

1. Not using a reputable product

The most obvious reason that CBD might not be working for you is the product itself. Many CBD companies are legitimate and trustworthy, but many are not and will falsely represent the CBD and THC content present in their products. Even in supposedly reputable stores, CBD oil products have been tested as well over the legal limits of THC, or lacking CBD content, and in one instance a product even contained enough alcohol to be classified as an alcoholic beverage. Another common technique from some brands is to advertise “hemp oil” so that it looks like CBD oil, especially on Amazon, when in reality the two oils are completely different.

There are also a growing number of gimmick CBD products that sound very cool, but actually have no benefit whatsoever, in an effort to exploit the current opportunistic market. As an example, a CBD spray that goes on your pillow is not an efficient way to absorb CBD into the body (if any CBD is even absorbed at all). The same applies for products such as CBD infused clothing; there are no studies to support that this is an effective way to absorb CBD into the body, and starts to fall very much into the realm of pseudoscience.

Whilst regulation is chasing to catch up, some of these less honest brands are unfortunately still available on the market today, and if you don’t know what to watch out for it’s easy to get caught out with a sub-par product. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with a previous post of ours which addresses the main things you should look for to make sure your product is right for you. As a priority, make sure that the product is lab-tested with published results, as this will let you see exactly how much CBD is present, as well as other cannabinoid levels like THC.

2. Your dosage needs adjusting 

CBD dosage will change from person to person depending on many factors, so it’s important to make sure you’re taking a suitable amount for your lifestyle and physiology - it is impossible to state a definitive dose that will be perfect for everyone. However, it’s very simple and easy to calculate what is best for you. As a recommendation, start small and work your way up. To calculate exact mg dosages, you can check out our post on exactly that; but a good starting point is to aim for 5-10mg a day, and building this up over several days until you feel as though you have reached an optimum.

As a side note to make this “testing period” the most effective, bear in mind that this can’t be rushed in a day or two. Your body needs time to process and metabolise CBD, so taking multiple doses over a short period will make your total bodily CBD content hard to measure, and won’t give you an accurate result. Try to leave at least 12-24 hours between dosages when starting out, as this will help you find your balance much more comfortably and precisely.

3. You need to give it more time

So what happens if you are taking a reasonable daily dosage, but a week later you’ve experienced absolutely nothing? This is a possibility with CBD, and actually quite common as far as individuals’ experiences go. However, this doesn’t mean CBD is a lost cause for you. Although many people who use CBD report instant relief or immediate effects, for others it just doesn’t work that way. Instead, many find that taking CBD as part of a longer term routine - whether that’s a week, or a month, or longer - will bring a gradual balance to many areas of their wellness. Remember, CBD is no instant miracle cure, but patience and consistency can go a long way. 

4. Check you are taking CBD correctly 

Consuming CBD, especially in tincture form, is definitely a bit of an unfamiliar experience for most of us the first couple of times. When we put CBD oil under the tongue and hold it, this allows it to absorb through the soft tissues in our mouth. If swallowed too quickly, this will greatly impact the efficacy of the CBD and might be one of the reasons it’s not effective for you. As a super quick guide:

1. Take your pipette with your desired quantity of CBD oil.

2. With your head tilted slightly back, lift your tongue as though you’re trying to lick the roof of your mouth and gently squeeze the drops underneath the tongue.

3. Bring your tongue back down and let the CBD oil rest in your mouth for 30-60 seconds (or longer if you like) before swallowing. This process lets the CBD absorb gently and efficiently.

Although this is the quickest method for taking CBD oil, there are always alternatives. If you aren’t confident taking a tincture this way, try adding the drops to a tea, smoothie, shake, or alongside any other essential oils.

5. Balance your lifestyle

CBD is best taken as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. As we’ve mentioned already, it’s no miracle cure that is going to solve all your problems overnight. Many approach CBD with false expectations of sudden and significant improvements to their life, but for most this is not their experience. If your everyday lifestyle is inconsistent or unhealthy, you can’t expect CBD to counteract this. CBD won’t undo the effects of eating junk food or a lack of exercise; making sure you’re balanced across all aspects of your lifestyle may not only improve your experience with CBD, but all aspects of your wellbeing too.

It is also worth remembering that you should not take CBD if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and you should consult with a doctor beforehand if you are currently taking medication or have a pre-existing medical condition. The reasoning for this is that some prescription medications can be influenced by CBD and not work as well as they are supposed to. Many medications won’t cause any issues, but it’s always worth get an expert opinion.