Cannabis is probably the world’s most talked about plant given its uses, benefits, derivative substances, and the means of administering them. Considering the number of products available that either incorporate these substances or complement them, it is easy to get confused about what to buy. Before you go out to buy topical CBD or buy CBD roll-on products, here is a quick recap on what CBD is and what it’s used for.

What is CBD?

CBD is the second most derived substance from the hemp plant. Hemp is a breed of cannabis, known for its high CBD content. Unlike THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which is a psychoactive substance found in the same plant, CBD does not have any psychoactive properties on its own?

Once extracted, CBD can be used to treat a variety of ailments. It has been found to be especially useful in treating anxiety and depression. It also serves as an effective painkiller and has often been recommended to patients suffering from arthritis, or chronic pain. It has also been used to treat insomnia, acne and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as alleviating cancer symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, and post-chemotherapy pains.

There are two main ways of consuming this substance to experience benefits – topically and orally. Here’s what you need to know about topical and oral CBD.

Consuming CBD Orally

As the name implies, oral CBD is consumed through the mouth and digested in the body. Depending on the product purchased, you either swallow it or hold it under your tongue until it dissolves.

When you place it under the tongue, it usually takes between 30 to 60 seconds for the active compounds in CBD to get absorbed into the mucus membranes of your mouth. This sends it straight into your bloodstream. It then finds and interacts with the various cannabinoid receptors in the human body.    

When you ingest it in the form of a pill or a dab of oil, the active ingredients of the CBD have to pass through your digestive system before they get metabolized in the liver. The liver then pushes it into your bloodstream.

Consuming CBD Topically

Using CBD topically involves applying it directly to your skin in the form of an oil-infused cosmetic product. The skin’s pores can absorb active compounds due to their permeability. This allows the product to directly interact with cannabinoid receptors located right under the skin’s surface to quickly deliver their benefits.

Topical administration has become a popular method of consuming CBD oils over the years. So popular, that you can now buy topical CBD in the form of balms, lotions, massage oils, and other cosmetic products. For the convenience of application, you can also buy CBD roll-on products for easy on-the-go application.

Choosing Between Topical and Oral Consumption

Keep in mind that there’s a difference in how you will end up experiencing the effects of CBD when consumed topically or orally. When consumed topically, the active compounds never make it to your bloodstream and you’ll only experience the physical effects on and around the region where the product was applied. This makes it the ideal choice for dealing with pain in a specific region.

With oral consumption, your circulatory system will transport the active ingredient to various organs all over your body. Oral consumption allows you to experience stronger results faster, making it suitable for more serious ailments such as post-cancer treatment pain, insomnia or anxiety.