How to Take CBD Oil Under Your Tongue

Co-authored by Aimée Shunney, ND and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: August 9, 2024 References

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CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in hemp and marijuana plants. Unlike THC, the other active component in marijuana, CBD oil doesn’t cause a high. However, early research shows that it may have a variety of health benefits, such as reducing pain, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia.^{[1]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source} While there are several ways to take CBD oil, one of the safest and most effective is to use a tincture that goes under your tongue.^{[2]
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Consumer Reports
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Go to source} Before using a CBD tincture, talk to your doctor about the best dosage and whether you can use it safely.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Administering the CBD Oil

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1
Choose a tincture if you want to take CBD under your tongue. To use CBD oil under your tongue, you’ll need a tincture, which is CBD dissolved in a carrier oil (such as sesame or coconut oil). Tinctures typically come in the form of drops or sprays.^{[3]
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- You can find CBD tinctures online here.
- Tinctures in drop form usually go under your tongue, while sprays can go under your tongue or inside your cheeks.
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Avoid eating right before or after using the tincture. Eating immediately before or after you take the CBD can affect how consistently it absorbs into your bloodstream.^{[4]
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Research source} Hold off on having anything to eat for 15-20 minutes after using the tincture, or wait a similar amount of time after eating before you take your dose.
- This doesn’t mean you should take CBD oil on an empty stomach. In fact, taking CBD while there’s food in your stomach can increase the level of CBD in your bloodstream.^{[5]
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  PubMed Central
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- Brushing your teeth right before you use the tincture may also help it enter your bloodstream more effectively.
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Put the recommended number of drops under your tongue. Follow the dosing instructions on your product’s packaging or use your doctor’s recommended dosage. Measure out an appropriate dosage of the CBD tincture with the dropper and place the drops directly under your tongue.^{[6]
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- Don’t put the tincture on top of your tongue. It won’t absorb into your bloodstream as effectively, and you may accidentally swallow it too soon.
- If the tincture is in the form of a spray, spritz it under your tongue. The label on the product should tell you how much CBD is in each puff of the spray.^{[7]
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Tip: Swallowing a high-quality CBD tincture won’t harm you, but swallowing it too soon will make it take longer to enter your bloodstream. You might not start feeling the benefits of the CBD for half an hour or more.
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Hold the drops in your mouth for 30 seconds before swallowing. Keep the CBD under your tongue for at least 30 seconds to give it time to enter your bloodstream and start working. You may experience a buildup of saliva in your mouth while you’re holding onto the drops, but try to resist the urge to swallow!^{[8]
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- If you’re using a spray, wait at least a minute before you swallow.^{[9]
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EXPERT TIP

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in Santa Cruz, California where she specializes in women's health and hormone balancing. She also consults with various companies in the natural products industry including CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Dr. Aimée educates consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers about CBD oil through written articles, webinars, podcasts, and conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured at the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Conference, and on Fox News. She earned her ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Aimée Shunney, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Our Expert Agrees: For sublingual tinctures, drops, and sprays, place the liquid in your mouth and swish it around for 30 seconds. Be sure to disperse the liquid throughout your mouth, making contact with your cheeks and the area under your tongue. This will allow the CBD to absorb rapidly into your bloodstream.
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Expect to feel results in 15-30 minutes. Putting CBD oil under your tongue is one of the most efficient ways to get it into your bloodstream. However, it’s not instantaneous. You should start to feel the effects of the CBD within half an hour of taking the dose.^{[10]
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- The effectiveness of the CBD should peak about 1 ½ hours after you take it, and you may continue to feel it for up to 8 hours.^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using CBD Oil Safely

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1
Ask your doctor if you can use CBD oil safely. While CBD is generally considered safe, it can interact poorly with certain medications, such as blood thinners. It can also cause unwanted side effects, like drowsiness, dry mouth, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.^{[12]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Before taking CBD oil, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
- Give your doctor a full list of any medications or supplements you are currently taking.
- Let your doctor know if you are currently pregnant or nursing, or if you have any other health concerns.
- If you experience side effects while using CBD, stop taking it and consult your doctor.
Tip: Look for a doctor who specializes in medical marijuana, if there are any in your area. Doctors who work with cannabis are likely to have experience with CBD products.
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Talk to your doctor about what dose you should take. Since research on the medicinal uses of CBD oil is still in its early stages, there aren’t a lot of formal dosing guidelines available. However, your doctor should be able to give you some recommendations about what dose will be safe and effective for you.
- If you’re just taking CBD, 10 mg is a good starting dose.^{[13]
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  Go to source} A common starting dose for sublingual CBD with THC is 2.5-5 mg.^{[14]
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- Until you know how the CBD will affect you, it’s a good idea to use a relatively low dose. Gradually increase your dosage until you get the desired effect.^{[15]
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Pick a product that’s been third party verified. Since CBD products aren’t consistently regulated, it can be hard to know what you’re getting. CBD oil that’s low quality or contaminated won’t be as effective as a high-quality product, and it could even make you sick. Look for products that have been analyzed by reputable third party laboratories.^{[16]
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Consumer Reports
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- When you buy CBD from a store or dispensary, ask to see the COA (certificate of analysis) for the product. The COA contains detailed information about how the product was tested. Don’t buy from retailers who can’t or won’t share testing information.
- Check the ANSI National Accreditation Board’s search database for information about accredited labs that test CBD products. Do a search for “cannabidiol” or “CBD”: http://search.anab.org/.
- The FDA also maintains a list of warning letters issued to companies that have released possibly unsafe CBD products.^{[17]
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Choose a product that states how much CBD is in each dose. To ensure that you know how much CBD you’re getting, check the label on your product. It should state not only how much CBD is in the whole bottle, but also how much is in each individual dose, drop, or spray (e.g., 10 mg per 1 mL).^{[18]
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- You can find full-spectrum CBD oil options that clearly state their dosage easily online. Popular brands include: Just CBD, Green Roads, CBDistillery, and Sunday Scaries.
- You can choose between multiple dosage options on sites like CBDfx.
- Avoid products that list their total amount of “cannabinoids” rather than CBD or cannabidiol specifically. The term cannabinoids can refer to a wide variety of compounds, including THC.^{[19]
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Warnings

While CBD oil may have a number of health benefits, you should not use it as a replacement for medications or other treatments prescribed by your doctor.

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