Sublingual Administration of CBD Oil Explained
Sublingual (abbreviated SL), or “under the tongue,” refers to the pharmacological route of administration by which substances diffuse into the blood through tissues under the tongue and is one of the most effective ways to get your daily dose of CBD. But why does this method of administration have advantages over oral administration? In today’s blog we will cover the sublingual method, its advantages, ways to pass time while holding CBD oil under your tongue and more. So, if you’re interested in learning more, keep reading.
What is the sublingual method of administration?
Sublingual administration is Latin for “under the tongue.” It involves placing a drug under your tongue to dissolve and absorb into your bloodstream through tissue there. Many drugs are absorbed through sublingual administration but for the sake of today’s blog, sublingual administration of CBD will be our focus. So how does it work? When a chemical (i.e., CBD oil) comes in contact with the mucous membrane beneath the tongue, it is absorbed. Because the connective tissue beneath the epithelium contains a profusion of capillaries, the substance diffuses into them and enters the venous circulation. Conversely, substances absorbed in the intestines are subject to first-pass metabolism in the liver before entering general circulation.
What are some advantages of the sublingual method?
1)Increased bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a drug or other substance that is readily absorbed thus causing an effect. And aside from smoking or vaping, CBD administered sublingually has the next greatest bioavailability. The sublingual method allows CBD to bypass the digestive tract and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream via mucosa membranes in the oral cavity. Conversely and as referenced above, oral administration of CBD has the lowest bioavailability because it must first pass through the digestive system. An article published by Daily CBD states, on average, ingested CBD has a bioavailability of between 6-19%.
2)Quicker onset than oral administration
Because the sublingual method has greater bioavailability, onset of effects will be felt much faster than oral routes of administration. On average, users who utilize the sublingual method typically feel the effects within 20 minutes and blood levels typically reach their peak around 2 hours. To compare, edibles or soft gels typically take 30-60 minutes to kick in and although the onset of smoking or vaping is quick, effects reach their peak around 3 minutes causing one to use more product in a shorter period of time.
3)It’s Discrete
Administering CBD oil sublingually is a quick and discrete way of getting your daily dose of CBD. Just drop your desired dose under your tongue, hold and swallow. No one will be the wiser because our tinctures are odorless and relatively compact fitting easily into your purse or pocket.
How long do I need to hold CBD oil under my tongue for it to be effective?
If you ask around, or dive into a Google search rabbit hole, you may find a variety of answers to this question! Reason being- there is no “one size fits all” formula and it is often based on personal preference. However, to keep things simple, for maximum absorption we recommend holding the CBD oil under your tongue for 30-60 seconds before swallowing.
Some of our favorite ways to pass time while holding CBD oil under your tongue
- Delete apps off your phone
- Clean your room
- Get ready for the day
- Plan out your week
- Watch a YouTube video or Netflix show, whichever you prefer
- Scroll away on social media
- Read a book
- Text a friend
Does this mean other methods of administration aren’t effective?
No, definitely not! Every method of administration has its pros and cons and it’s up to you as the consumer to decide which method is best for you.
Final Thoughts: How to know if the sublingual method is right for me?
- Smoking or vaping CBD can cause irritation to the lung tissue.
- Edibles take longer to kick in, so if you’re looking to feel the effects of CBD fast without smoking or vaping, the sublingual method may be for you.
- It’s a discrete method of administration and you can easily tote the tincture in your purse or pocket.
- CBD oil tinctures come with a dropper that allows you to accurately adjust and administer your dose.