CBD has been shown to help people deal with stress, physical discomfort, and sleep troubles. While there are a lot of different ways to take CBD, there are two particularly popular forms: chewable CBD gummies, and CBD tinctures, or drops. Some prefer the physical experience of chewing on a gummy, and some appreciate the ease of dripping a tincture under the tongue. While those preferences certainly play a part in choosing what form your CBD will take, the distinctions go a lot deeper.
Cannabinoid Absorption and the Effects
Human bodies contain a variety of neurotransmitter networks - systems of neurons that affect every part of the body.
The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, happens to be one of the body’s largest neurotransmitter networks.
It has been linked to a variety of processes including:
- Appetite and digestion
- Metabolism
- Inflammation
- Immune system response
- Mood
- Learning and memory
- Motor control
- Sleep
- Muscle formation
- Bone growth
- Stress
- Skin and nerve function
The body produces endocannabinoids natively, and the addition of cannabinoids like CBD has a positive effect on our internal environment as they bind to endocannabinoid receptors and signal the ECS to do its job.
When taken orally, there are two ways for the CBD or other cannabinoids to enter our systems and make their way to the endocannabinoid receptors.
The Digestive System: What Happens When You Eat a CBD Gummy
When CBD is taken orally, or eaten in a gummy form, the CBD is absorbed by the digestive system. From the stomach, the next step is the liver. CBD molecules are then metabolized by the liver. The compound ends up in the bloodstream, where it can be absorbed into the ECS.
The rate at which the cannabinoids take effect can take between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the metabolism of the person. However, the relief from CBD that goes through the digestive system is long-lasting - sticking with you for 4 to 12 hours.
Sublingual Absorption of CBD Tinctures: An Efficient Route into the Bloodstream
In tincture form, CBD and other cannabinoids are placed directly under the tongue, where there is a collection of capillaries linked to the arteries. If liquid is held under the tongue for 60 to 90 seconds before being swallowed, the cannabinoids can pass through the membranes under the tongue and directly enter that system of arteries.
Because the compounds don’t go through the process of being digested by the body, the benefits can be felt much more quickly - often in as little as 15 minutes. There’s better dosage control with tinctures - with no risk of the compounds being diluted by the GI tract, you can track exactly how much CBD you’re using.
The Bottom Line?
Whether you want all day relief with a CBD gummy absorbed through the digestive system, or controlled relief right away with a sublingual tincture, both are effective delivery systems for attaining the benefits of adding cannabinoids to your daily routine.
Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01671.x
