CBD is extracted from marijuana which is derived from hemp plants. In spite of CBD being a component of marijuana, it does not give a high effect which is why most of the users are comfortable taking it and the most common form used is CBD oil. However, a major question arises about how CBD oil should be taken. Whether CBD oil should be taken along with food or without food?
HOW SHOULD CBD OIL BE CONSUMED?
There are various methods of taking Pure natural CBD oil:
- Inhalation (vaping).
- Putting it under the tongue (sublingual method).
- Orally.
- Swallowing.
- Applying on the skin by using creams or lotions.
However, taking CBD oil via mouth is said to be the most effective.
THE BIG QUESTION: CBD OIL WITH OR WITHOUT FOOD?
If a user is taking CBD oil orally, a usual question arises: ‘Whether CBD oil should be taken empty stomach or should it be consumed along with food?
The answer to this question is that the CBD oil should be taken along with food. The reason behind this is that if you take CBD oil along with food, it increases the bioavailability as well as the concentration of the CBD which reaches your bloodstream.
WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘BIOAVAILABILITY’?
Bioavailability is the measure of absorption of a substance into our body. CBD oil comprises active ingredients which are required to be taken with food so as to increase the potential bioavailability.
WHAT HAPPENS IF CBD OIL IS CONSUMED WITHOUT FOOD OR ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?
As per studies, if CBD oil is consumed without food or on an empty stomach, the active ingredients present in the CBD oil gets absorbed through digestion. This leads to decreased bioavailability of the active ingredients of the CBD oil and the chances of CBD oil structure getting metabolized to one of its metabolites are increased because of the first-pass metabolism.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE FIRST-PASS METABOLISM ON CBD OIL?
As discussed above, the reason for the diminished oral bioavailability of CBD oil is due to the first-pass metabolism. The next question arises, why does this occur? The cause is that the CBD oil gets acted upon by enzymes of the digestive system before it reaches the circulatory system. Due to which, the active ingredients of CBD oil get metabolized into several different types of metabolites that are not used by our body.
There are certain people who take CBD oil empty stomach to achieve faster results. The disadvantage of taking CBD oil is that it reduces the potency of the CBD oil. As discussed before, during the first-pass metabolism the effects of the digestive enzymes affect the potency of CBD oil. Due to the effect of first-pass metabolism and the effects of digestive enzymes, it is advised that CBD oil or other products such as CBD terpenes, CBD coffee, CBD capsules, and CBD candy should be taken along with food. Try that the meal you are consuming with CBD oil is rich in fatty acids.
WHY SHOULD CBD OIL BE TAKEN WITH FOOD?
Well, we talked about the first-pass metabolism and the effect that digestive enzymes put on the CBD oil but what happens when CBD oil is consumed along with food. When CBD oil is taken sublingually along with food, it shows positive effects and the bioavailability of CBD oil becomes 4 times more as compared to when it is taken empty stomach.
Although consuming CBD oil along with food can delay the peak concentration of CBD oil in the blood by a few hours which means that the CBD oil will act a little slower as compared to when it is taken empty stomach. However, taking CBD oil with food allows it to stay in your system for a longer period of time.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SWALLOW CBD OIL JUST LIKE THAT?
As discussed, CBD oil should not be taken empty stomach. It should be taken with food. However, even if you are taking it with food, it is important that you just don’t directly swallow it. When you take CBD oil sublingually, you should let it absorb to get the maximum benefit.
If you swallow the CBD oil just like that, it does not give the potential benefit. When you let it absorb under the tongue, it gets absorbed in the body better and its bioavailability increases.
IS CBD OIL SAFE TO CONSUME ALONG WITH ALCOHOL?
Usually, it is not advised to consume CBD oil along with alcohol as both the alcohol and CBD oil provide calmness and relaxation to the body. If both are taken together, it can cause increased sedation and sleepiness.
The major disadvantage of taking these together is that the combination of both can cause serious impairments of the body’s motor system and alter one’s perception of time. Therefore, it is advised to avoid taking CBD oil along with alcohol.
WHICH FOODS WORK BEST WITH CBD OIL?
There are several foods that help in better absorption of CBD oil. The foods which are high in fatty acids especially medium and long-chain fatty acids help in increasing the bioavailability of CBD oil.
Here are examples of such oils: Examples such oils include
- MCT oil (We mix MCT oil or ‘fractionated coconut oil in our CBD tinctures)
- ActivAloe
- Hemp seed oil
- Coconut oil
- Soybean oil
- Olive oil, and
- Sesame oil.
CONCLUSION
The dilemma of whether CBD oil should be consumed along with food or should be taken empty stomach is clear now. If you want pure natural CBD oil to give better results, it is advised to take CBD oil sublingually along with food. This will not only increase the bioavailability of CBD oil but will also make it stay longer in your system. Also, don’t just swallow the CBD oil. To gain maximum benefit, let the CBD oil absorb under your tongue.
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