Best ways to take CBD

Best Ways to Take CBD in Australia: CBD Tinctures, CBD Creams, CBD Tea, and More

In today’s CBD Oil Australia article, we will be discussing the best ways to take CBD in the forms of oil, creams, tea and more along with its benefits and drawbacks.CBD is short for cannabidiol, and it is one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD is a non-intoxicating compound, meaning it will not get you high. CBD has been shown to have various health benefits, including reducing anxiety, relieving pain, and improving sleep. CBD is now legal in Australia but regulated and it can be purchased in the form of oils, capsules, edibles, and more.

CBD Oil Health Benefits

CBD has been the subject of extensive scientific research over the past few years. Studies have shown that CBD can offer tremendous health benefits from a wide variety of conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia and arthritis. CBD is also being studied as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and other conditions.

As for chronic pain treatment, a 2021 survey on the general use of all legal CBD products to treat chronic pain found that from 253 responses, the majority said that these products have reduced their need for pain medications, including opioids, and have helped them with their pain. Respondents stated that they thought CBD was an effective treatment option, that it wasn’t dangerous, and that it wasn’t addictive.

For sleep and anxiety, case study on CBD’s effect on Anxiety and Sleep demonstrated that CBD administered in capsule form proved to have positive results on sleep and anxiety, results showed that with a sample of 72 people who had primarily expressed concerns about anxiousness and poor sleep, the majority had their anxiety scores dropped within the first month and stayed low throughout the research. In 48 individuals (66.7%), sleep ratings improved within the first month.

Our other article about CBD’s anti-inflammatory benefits against Arthritis. It is also a natural and safer alternative to generic anti-inflammatory drugs as the potential to cause addiction is very low. Moreover, CBD has the capacity to naturally stimulate the formation of anti-inflammatory cells within your body, and for some people suffering arthritis it can be life-altering. In addition to reducing pain, CBD also enhances sleep, which, as you’ll discover, has other advantages related to maintaining a good sleep cycle and physical recovery of the body.

CBD Oil vs CBD Cream vs CBD Tea vs CBD Gummies vs CBD Vapes

Now we come to focus on different CBD products, what are they? how to consume them? and are they any good to treat the problems you have? Which is why we decided to to compare the most common methods CBD is take such as CBD Oil, CBD Cream, CBD Tea, and more.

CBD Tincture in Australia

Cannabidiol (CBD) from the cannabis plant is combined with a carrier oil, such as coconut or hemp seed oil, to create CBD oil or tincture. To aid in the body’s absorption of the CBD oil, CBD is diluted with a carrier oil. Additionally, a carrier oil makes dosing easier to administer with a dropper and more precise.

It is believed that cannabinoids, such as CBD oil, can assist the body’s endocannabinoid system work properly and help lessen disease symptoms, though more research is required in this area. Furthermore, understanding the body’s endocannabinoid system is essential to comprehending the medicinal uses of CBD oil. Our internal body processes are controlled by the endocannabinoid system, which also keeps things in balance (homeostasis). This encompasses things like mood, inflammation, memory, reproduction, appetite, and more.

You can take CBD oil sublingually, or beneath the tongue, for a simpler method. When taking a conventional tincture, this is the quickest way to observe effects. Use a dropper to apply CBD oil under your tongue for this technique. Before swallowing, hold the oil in place for 30 to 90 seconds. To allow the cannabinoids to reach your bloodstream, you must let the CBD oil sit as suggested beneath your tongue.

Ultimately, there are three types of CBD tincture in the Australian market which are Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and CBD isolate. Full Spectrum CBD oil refers to the oil having all cannabinoids, terpenes and waxes of the hemp plant with trace amounts of THC that is less than 0.2%. On the other hand, Broad Spectrum is similar to Full Spectrum with the exception that all traces of THC have been completely removed. Last, CBD isolate is an oil with only CBD and no other hemp plant compounds in it.

CBD Tincture Pros

  • Currently the most researched type of CBD supplement with proven health benefits.
  • Taken sublingually, it is the fastest and most efficient way to get CBD in your system and to feel its effects.

CBD Tincture Cons

  • If bought from an inadequate source, it might contain unwanted added ingredients such as additives and preservatives. Also the potency will be lower.
  • Some people might not like the taste of it.

Australian CBD Creams/Topicals

If you’re looking for relief from aches and pains or help with skin conditions, a topical might be your best bet. A CBD topical is any cream, lotion, balm, or salve that’s infused with CBD and can be applied directly to the skin.

It’s crucial to remember that CBD cream is a catch-all name for a variety of hemp products that you can apply to your skin. Meaning that it frequently includes numerous other formulae for diverse reasons in addition to CBD lotions, gels, and sprays. CBD topicals come in a variety of forms, but they all function the same way.

Topical CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors on the skin’s surface to provide benefits to a specific, localised area when applied to the skin. CBD creams are a great way to enjoy the benefits of CBD without having to ingest it orally. CBD creams offer a wide range of benefits, including relief from muscle pain, joint pain, and inflammation. CBD creams are also said to be effective in treating eczema and psoriasis.

Furthermore, According to a 2016 study on CBD effects for arthritis, topical CBD application has the therapeutic ability to reduce inflammation and behaviours associated with pain from arthritis without producing any obvious negative effects.

CBD Cream Pros

  • Can be used as a substitute for CBD oil to treat joint inflammation, arthritis discomfort or muscle pains.
  • Easy to use, generally safe as it does not need to be ingested. Limits the risk of side effects.

CBD Cream Cons

  • Depending on added ingredients, might cause allergic reactions to skin
  • As a product still unregulated and more research is needed to offer maximum benefits

Brewing CBD Tea in Australia

CBD tea is a beverage that employs varied CBD concentrations to promote relaxation or other claimed CBD health advantages. Brewing tea containing cannabidiol is neither a medication nor a dietary supplement. It is important to also remember to be cautious of a products’ potential for impurities or unwanted additives.

There are many different flavours and formulations of CBD teas. Some contain other ingredients that are said to have health benefits, such mint for congestion or chamomile for sleep.

CBD teas must have the ingredients listed on their labels and be free of dangerous or harmful substances, just like all other foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. However, there is not much regulation or specific research done on CBD teas as of now.

CBD teas are more of a blend of different types of tea products with the addition of CBD in it. It is unsure if the CBD compound works effectively by being mixed with other ingredients and as it is ingested, it will take longer for the CBD effects to be felt compared to CBD oil taken sublingually for example. There still needs to be more research done on CBD tea and its effects.

CBD Tea Pros

  • May support gut health, combined with stomach – soothing herbal teas, may help with upset stomachs or feelings of nausea.
  • Soothing and relaxing alternative which can be consumed in the morning or evening.

CBD Tea Cons

  • Not the most efficient way to get CBD in your system as it is mixed with other ingredients, might hinder its effectiveness as it takes longer for the body to absorb the CBD.
  • There still is a lack of research on its efficacy.

CBD Gummies Australia

Also familiarly known as CBD edibles, are CBD-infused products that come in the form of a gummy bear. CBD gummies are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenient and easy-to-use nature. CBD gummies could be an alternative to get your daily dose of CBD, as they should provide all the benefits of CBD in a chewable form.

However, again, it is really important to notice that there are other ingredients that are combined in edibles. Usually gummy bears or candy formed edibles contain high amounts of sugars, food colouring to make it appear appetising, flavouring and thickeners such as gelatin. So make sure that you don’t have any allergies to any of these ingredients and be attentive to the extra sugar intake. Additionally, it takes a couple of hours to feel the effects of CBD as it has to go through the digestive system, also it may interact with other things you might have already eaten which could interfere with the absorption of CBD.

On the other hand, CBD gummies/edibles offer the chance of a more convenient way of ingesting CBD for people that dont like the raw or grassy taste of CBD oil for example. It is simple to use as you just have to eat it, and it could also be a safer alternative for people that don’t smoke or vape which has been linked to lung damage.

CBD Gummies Pros

  • More palatable and appealing alternative to get CBD through orally.
  • Convenient and safer substitute of CBD administration compared to vaping or inhalation.

CBD Gummies Cons

  • High sugar content, added ingredients that you might be allergic to or affect your digestive and metabolic system.
  • Not efficient as there is a chance that it interacts with food already in your digestive system delaying or hindering absorption of CBD.

CBD Vapes Australia

CBD vapes are CBD products that are specifically designed for vaping through inhalation. A CBD vape is a vaporiser device that uses a heating element to heat the CBD e liquid to the point where beneficial compounds are released in the form of steam. It comes with CBD vape cartridges, which are pre-filled cartridges that can be inhaled after being attached to a compatible vaporizer battery. A CBD vape e liquid is not the same as CBD oil liquid as it has a specific formulation to enable it to be vaporised.

CBD vapes are a popular method of consuming CBD because they provide a quick and easy way to get your daily dose of CBD. Vaping is also one of the most efficient ways to consume CBD because it allows the CBD to enter your bloodstream directly through your lungs. CBD vapes come with a variety of CBD oil formulations, such as isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum CBD.

Unfortunately, vapes come with additives, flavourings and have been linked to pulmonary complications. Vape liquids come with added chemicals such as glycerin and propylene glycol – a thinning agent that when heated may deteriorate into carcinogenic compounds. It is important to always check the label and ingredients when purchasing CBD vape liquids to make sure it has the least amount of additives or unwanted ingredients. it is equally important to make sure CBD vapes are complacent to the local laws and regulations to avoid problems with the law. At last, there is also consideration needed for the cost of device and cartridge refills, does it fit your budget? as there are cheaper alternatives available.

CBD Vapes Pros

  • Fast and high absorption rate of CBD through the lungs to the bloodstream.
  • Practical for already – smokers, does not produce noxious odours and steam dissipates fast.

CBD Vapes Cons

  • Vaping has been linked to lung damage.
  • Cost of device and cartridge refills.

Getting CBD online in Australia and through pharmacies

Now that you have some idea of the aforementioned CBD products, we will guide you through on how to find them here in Australia and on what to look for in these products to make sure you get the most suitable product for your needs.

Related Article: CBD Oil at Priceline Pharmacy

As for CBD oil, there are many CBD Oil brands in Australia, it is imperative that you do some research beforehand to make sure that the product you purchase comes from a certified, safe and reputable brand. Also, make sure that you are familiar with the different types of CBD oil – Full spectrum, Broad spectrum or CBD isolate and choose accordingly to your issues for a better result. CBD Oil in Australia can be obtained freely online or with a doctor’s prescription in most pharmacies. Finally, what’s important to look for when purchasing CBD oil online is to make sure the product has good potency, fair price and no additives or preservatives added.

For CBD cream, and CBD tea, after much research, the latest legal CBD in Australia laws state that the sale of a therapeutic significant dose of CBD is mostly online. It is mentioned by the Therapeutic Goods Association that low dose CBD products with the maximum dosage of 150mg/ day could be sold over the counter. This means that as of now, the only way to get CBD creams or tea that would be beneficial to you is only online, and online is unregulated, bringing us back to the point of being diligent in choosing a product against false claims, scams and dangerous added ingredients.

Last, CBD products in an edible form of gummies or in an inhaled form of vapes can also be found mainly online for potent doses. Low dose gummies can be bought in stores whereas doses with therapeutic benefits are found online. Furthermore, Australia has strict and confusing regulations on vaping – vaporiser sales are legal in all Australian states and territories if you are over the age of 18. There are websites where you can look at and shop for new vape devices, and each site usually has a large selection of devices. However, in order to obtain CBD e liquid in Australia, you must first obtain a medical prescription. While this is the only legal way to obtain a CBD vape product, you can look for unregulated suppliers on the internet, with caution, of course. CBD edibles and vapes are fun alternatives but for a proper therapeutic use, they are not efficient cost wise or health wise for the long run, as they contain other byproducts that have the potential to give adverse effects to your body.

If you wish to continue reading more on the legality and accessibility of CBD products in Australia specifically, we recommend you to check out our other article: CBD Oil Australia: Prescription, Prices & Buying Online

How To Choose The Best CBD For You

In summary, the key factors to look at before buying any CBD products are:

  • Source, make sure the hemp is grown in Australia, where there are strict regulations on pesticides and harmful chemicals. You want to make sure your product is of the highest quality.
  • Ingredients, be rigorous in checking the ingredients to make sure that no unwanted additives or preservatives are added that could potentially hinder the effectiveness of CBD.
  • Potency, be sure to choose a product that is potent enough to meet your needs.
  • Price, be sure to compare prices to get the most for your money.
  • Certification and lab testing reports, it is always safer and better to know that the product you choose has already undergone testing.

Out of all the best ways to take CBD, which is the best?

Since CBD has only been recently legalised in Australia, there is still much testing and regulations to be implemented in the future, hopefully, more relaxed ones. That being said, with many options available to consume CBD, more research has been done on Full Spectrum CBD oil.

So if you are interested in trying a CBD product we recommend a Full Spectrum CBD Oil as there is more data available indicating its health benefits. You can start with a low dose to see how you react to it before diving in the full potency realm.

We are not saying that other CBD products are bad or wont work, for example CBD creams already have some minimal research and can be effective to treat Arthritis pain or inflammation transdermally. However, if you are looking for better efficacy and safety, CBD oil would be a better option to start.

If you are still unsure or if you are suffering from an illness, it is always best to talk to a healthcare professional before using any CBD products.

References

  1. Schilling, J. M., Hughes, C. G., Wallace, M. S., Sexton, M., Backonja, M., & Moeller-Bertram, T. (2021). Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Survey of Patients’ Perspectives and Attitudes. Journal of Pain ResearchVolume 14, 1241–1250. https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s278718
  2. Shannon, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal23. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-041
  3. CBD Oil Australia: CBD For Inflammation & Pain. (2022, October 5). Cbdoilaustralia.info. https://cbdoilaustralia.info/cbd-oil-vs-anti-inflammatory-drugs/
  4. Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2015). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain20(6), 936–948. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.818
  5. Casey, A. M., Muise, E. D., & Crotty Alexander, L. E. (2020). Vaping and e-cigarette use. Mysterious lung manifestations and an epidemic. Current Opinion in Immunology66, 143–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coi.2020.10.003
  6. CBD Oil Australia | Buy CBD Oil Online. (2019, November 26). Cbdoilaustralia.info. https://cbdoilaustralia.info/
  7. CBD Oil Australia: Prescription Prices & Buying Online. (2022, January 1). Cbdoilaustralia.info. https://cbdoilaustralia.info/how-much-is-prescription-cbd-oil-in-australia/
  8. Goods, T. (2022, June 21). Over-the-counter access to low dose cannabidiol. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/over-counter-access-low-dose-cannabidiol
  9. CBD Oil Australia: Prescription Prices & Buying Online. (2022, January 1). Cbdoilaustralia.info. https://cbdoilaustralia.info/how-much-is-prescription-cbd-oil-in-australia/

Written by Martin Harris

Martin Harris is a cannabis activist, free lance journalist, and writer. He has been writing about cannabis for over 10 years, and has been published in over 20 different publications. Martin’s work focuses on the benefits of decriminalization of cannabis for wellness purposes.