Using CBD in Your Daily Routine: What to Know

CBD has been taking the world by storm - and for good reason! People are incorporating CBD into their daily routine to support multiple aspects of their health and wellness. CBD is becoming a go-to for health-savvy consumers. 

For those of you who already know and love CBD, there are multiple ways you can use CBD in your daily routine that you may not yet be familiar with. Plus, there are tips and tricks to optimize your experience, such as adjusting the time of day you take CBD and selecting specific types of CBD products for different uses.

We will dive into the top things you should know about using CBD in this blog. But first, let’s dive into what CBD is, where it comes from, and how to use it for those of you who may be new to CBD.

CBD: A Brief Overview 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is derived from the industrial hemp plant. CBD is one of the many different cannabinoids naturally present in hemp. Along with cannabinoids, including CBD, other plant components are found within hemp plants, such as terpenes, fatty acids, flavonoids, and more. 

CBD is extracted from hemp using CO2, steam-distillation, or ethanol. It is then used to create various products such as CBD oils, CBD gummies, CBD topical products, and others.

There are three types of CBD: isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum. With CBD isolate, the CBD is purified to produce a product that is 99%+ pure CBD. Both broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD contain a blend of the hemp plant's naturally occurring plant components, such as terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids.  

The main difference between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum is the THC content. Broad-spectrum CBD has no detectable THC, while full-spectrum CBD can contain up to 0.3% THC. In the United States, all CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be considered a legal hemp product. Reputable CBD companies third-party test their products to ensure that they meet these requirements.

Researchers have begun to study how CBD affects the brain and body. They have found that CBD works primarily through the endocannabinoid system. This is a system within our bodies that modulates pain perception, inflammatory signals, mood and emotions, and more.

CBD’s effects on our brains, bodies, and emotions are through its ability to stimulate the endocannabinoid system.  

Choosing the Right Form of CBD To Use

There are so many different CBD products to choose from these days - from gummy bears to oils to topical creams to bath bombs and more. Having so many available choices is wonderful, but can feel overwhelming. You may struggle with choosing the best option for yourself.

The form of CBD you use can impact how quickly it enters your system, affecting how rapidly (or slowly) you feel the effects. To feel the effects of CBD body-wide, the CBD must enter your bloodstream.

Some types of CBD products enter the bloodstream very quickly (within twenty minutes). Others take a longer time, while some forms have limited absorption into the bloodstream altogether. Let me explain further by diving into the details.

CBD Oils

CBD oils, sometimes referred to as CBD tinctures, blend CBD in a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil, fractionated coconut oil, or another type of oil. These are available in CBD isolate form, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum varieties. Sometimes they are flavored or sweetened to improve the taste.  

The intended use for CBD oils is to be consumed orally and held under the tongue for 30 seconds. Keep in mind that this recommendation is from CBD companies and has not been verified by the FDA. CBD oils enter the bloodstream within about 20 minutes or so, which means their effects can be felt somewhat quickly, in under half an hour. The absorption rate of CBD oils placed under the tongue ranges from 12-35%.

CBD Edibles & Capsules

For those of you with a sweet tooth, CBD gummies and various other CBD edibles are available. These candies range from gummy bears to chocolates, to cooking oil and beyond. The type of CBD they contain varies, depending on the company. CBD capsules are similar to CBD oils - just contained in a capsule. 

When you consume CBD orally, it must pass through your digestive system and get metabolized to release the candy's CBD. This means it takes longer for the CBD to reach your bloodstream. Some studies have shown that it can take 2-4 hours to fully enter the bloodstream. Plus, if you have recently eaten and other food in your stomach, this will further slow the process.

Studies have shown that the bioavailability of CBD consumed orally is between 6-33%. This broad range, according to research, is influenced by one thing - dietary fat. Studies have shown that by simply eating a high-fat meal with your CBD dose it can increase the amount that gets absorbed from 6% to 24%.

CBD edibles may be a good option if you want the effects to “kick-in” later, such as at bedtime. Just keep in mind that you may need a higher dose of CBD in a gummy than CBD oil to experience the same effects, and adding a high-fat snack can boost CBD absorption.

Topical CBD

Topical CBD include products such as lotions, creams, and salves. When they are applied directly to the skin, they do not have to be metabolized in the digestive system or liver, required with orally consumed CBD.

The CBD can absorb directly through the skin and affect the tissues it was applied to. It is unclear how much is absorbed systemically into the bloodstream, therefore its effects are almost entirely localized to the area of application.

Each type of CBD product has its benefits and place in your daily routine. You may be using one type of CBD, such as a CBD oil, during the day, and realize that you may benefit from incorporating a topical CBD product as well.

Or perhaps you are using CBD gummies at night and as well as during the day and now understand that a CBD oil may be a better option for your daytime use.

Still curious about what CBD is right for you? Read more about the types of CBD here! 

The next important factor in optimizing your CBD routine is the timing of your CBD dose. Let’s explore this topic.

Timing Your CBD Use

Now that we discussed the different forms of CBD products, how quickly they take effect, and their bioavailability, you may be wondering when the best time to use CBD is. The answer depends on what you are trying to achieve.

It is important to consider that some forms of CBD take longer to enter your system than others. For instance, CBD edibles can take a few hours to enter the bloodstream. In contrast, CBD oils do not have to pass through the digestive tract before entering your system.

If you are using CBD to enhance your sleep with CBD gummies, then it is important to take your gummies a few hours before you wish to go to sleep and give it time to metabolize. If you reach your CBD tincture once your stress has peaked, you may want to consider dosing 30-60 minutes before a stressful situation, to allow the CBD to enter your system.

Another vital aspect of CBD timing is allowing enough time for the CBD to work before redosing. It is common when a person first begins using CBD to play around with what dosages work best for them.

If you take some CBD oil and do not notice anything immediately - give it at least 30 minutes before taking another dose. If you keep increasing your dose too quickly, you may end up taking a larger amount than optimal. 

The timing of topical CBD is simple and straightforward. Topical CBD that is applied to joints, muscles, or skin concerns is usually applied (and reapplied) as needed.

This brings us to the next thing to know about using CBD - the dosage.

Dosage of CBD 

The question of “what the best CBD dosage is” is a tricky question to answer. This is because the answer is different for everyone.

To date, there have been studies that use less than 1mg of CBD per kg of body weight and up to 50mg of CBD per mg of body weight. As you can see, the range is very broad.

The most crucial aspect to keep in mind when it comes to CBD dosage is that you are your best barometer. It is always better to start off with a low dose and see how your body responds. 

The Safety of Daily CBD Use

Now that we have covered many of the ins and outs of using CBD in your daily routine, you may be wondering if using CBD daily poses any health risks or has any downsides. 

Overall, CBD is very well tolerated by most and has very few side effects, if any, which are mild to moderate in severity. Plus, there are no reported overdoses or deaths from using CBD - ever! In fact, doses up to 1,500mg/day are well-tolerated in research.

Some of the most common side effects are:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Dry mouth

It is important to note that CBD is metabolized in the liver. Many medications are also metabolized by the liver, so it is possible that taking CBD could affect medication’s effect on your body. It is always best to check in with your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.

Another common concern with taking CBD daily is developing a tolerance. Developing a tolerance means when you must take increasingly larger doses of something to continue to feel the same effects.

You may notice this is caffeine - where now one cup of coffee isn’t enough, and now you are needing two cups to get you up and moving in the morning.

The good news is, from what research indicates so far, CBD does not seem to induce tolerance in people. The good news for you is that you don’t need to worry about having to up your CBD dose each week to continue to experience the benefits!

Tips for Beginners

Start Simple

If you are new to the world of CBD and unclear about how to get started, remember to start simple. It is easy to get overwhelmed with so many options and either put off purchasing any products or feeling like you need to purchase one of everything. Don’t worry, we get it. 

When considering all CBD products available, CBD oils tend to have the most versatility, and they are one of the best CBD products to get started with. With CBD oils, you can change your dose drop by drop, which allows you to determine what amount is best for you.

Plus, CBD oils can be added to beverages like tea or smoothie or added into your dishes while cooking. For all you beginners out there, a CBD oil is a solid place to start.

Experiment with Products

Finding a CBD product you really like is important, especially if you plan to use it daily. If you have tried CBD oil in the past and did not like the taste or how it made you feel, don't be afraid to try a different variety. If flavored CBD oil is your jam, there are so many options for tastes available. Each person will have their own preferences. At Penguin CBD, we have all sorts of great flavor options like mint, strawberry, citrus, and even cookies & cream. 

If CBD edibles are more your thing, remember that each product is made a bit differently, so texture and taste can vary greatly.

On the other hand, once you have found a product that you love and have been using consistently and successfully, consider trying out a different type of CBD product, such as a topical, a skincare product, or even a pet product for your furry friend.

Stay Consistent

When you first begin to use CBD, make sure you stay consistent with your timing and dose. It is easy to fall off track and forget to use your product here and there, but consistency is key to see the full benefit. For some, pairing their CBD dose with something they do at the same time each day is helpful.

For example, taking your CBD gummy right before you brush your teeth before you go to bed may help create consistency in your routine.

Or, using your CBD oil on your lunch break to get ahead of your afternoon stress. Each person will need something a bit different, depending on their needs and their schedule.