Sublingual CBD

By Dr. Barry Morrison

CBD…it’s all about delivery. How would you like to double the impact of your CBD? This all depends on the delivery system you choose. So, pay close attention as I’ll help you understand how this simple hack can boost your CBD response

Hey everybody, I’m Dr. Barry…Now if you’re like most people, you’ve probably noticed that most CBD oil tinctures come with instructions to be administered (Sublingual CBD) sublingually, but what does this mean? Why do some brands suggest holding a tincture under the tongue for just ten seconds? While other brands instruct you to keep it there for more than a minute? Well, I’m going to clear up this confusion of the science of CBD once and for all. This information is based on my patient’s response as well as my own personal trials.

What Is Sublingual Ingestion?

The word sublingual is derived from the Latin term meaning “under the tongue”. This is a method of administration for substances including CBD oil tinctures. Sublingual ingestion involves holding a compound under the tongue for a specified time before swallowing. Some recommend placing the CBD specifically under the tongue. I’ve found that just placing it in the mouth and moving it around frequently with the tongue. This way gravity will cause the CBD to fall under the tongue allowing it to be easily absorbed.

There are different types of CBD preparations which come in several forms. Such as sprays, lozenges, strips, tablets, or liquids known as a tincture. Here I am going to be focusing primarily on CBD oil tinctures.

How Does Sublingual Administration Work?

The primary absorption process of the CBD tincture oil is through the numerous tiny capillaries found under the tongue. These capillaries supply the sublingual artery. This rich blood supply is only separated by a thin mucous membrane in the mouth allowing for rapid absorption.

When the CBD is held sublingually, prior to swallowing, it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Allowing for rapid absorption into the systemic circulation. The key factor here is the length of time the CBD is held in the mouth on a daily basis in order to maximize its absorption.

How Long Should the Sublingual CBD Oil Be Left Under the Tongue?

You’ve probably found conflicting information about how long you need to leave the CBD under the tongue for it to be effective. This is where CBD brands differ, but most recommend leaving it for 10-30 seconds which should be sufficient. However, I have tested different time frames of holding the CBD under the tongue. My findings are that maximum sublingual absorption may take up to 5 minutes.

Therefore, after working with hundreds of patients, I strongly recommend holding the CBD tincture in the mouth for a full 5 minutes prior to swallowing the remaining contents. Less than 5 minutes may not be enough time for absorption of the good stuff .

As a doctor, I have seen many patients who had previously used CBD oil stating that it just didn’t work for them. But after using this simple modification of holding the oil under the tongue to 5 minutes created maximum sublingual absorption, many of them saw amazing results. The maximum absorption or bioavailability rate for sublingual absorption, prior to swallowing, has been documented at 35%.

 

Second Chance for Absorption

Once the maximum sublingual absorption point of the CBD has been reached through the sublingual artery, the contents should then be swallowed. This allows the remaining 65% of the CBD to have a second opportunity to be absorbed as it enters the gut to be further digested and metabolized by the liver before it can go to work in the body. This process is known as the first pass metabolism. Therefore, this allows the total absorbed amount of CBD to have a double impact upon the body. Not only does the body benefit from the absorption from the sublingual process of 35%, now add to it the digestive absorption rate of 10% creating an additional effect of CBD on the body totaling 45%.

 

Sublingual vs Ingestion

As you can see, the CBD that is immediately swallowed vs. taken sublingually is less bioavailable. The result is that less CBD, when swallowed right away, will make it into the bloodstream, and up to 90 % in fact will go to waste.

It should also be noted that swallowing CBD oil immediately may provide some results, this method can take an hour or more to take effect. Absorbed under the tongue, the potential benefits of CBD may be felt within minutes.

Given the fact that taking a CBD oil sublingually provides the body with more CBD at a faster rate of absorption, I feel that the sublingual administration of CBD just makes sense and that’s why a sublingual CBD tincture is my delivery of choice.

To continue learning more about cannabinoids and the therapeutic properties they offer, or would like to learn what I recommend for my patients? Head on over to CBDPROONLINE.COM and visit our Education tab to view the many articles & videos that are posted for you.

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