How to Take CBD Oil Under Your Tongue: A Complete Guide
Taking CBD oil under your tongue, known as taking it sublingually, is one of the most popular ways to use it, and for good reason: it is simple, quick and lets you control your dose right down to the drop. Here is exactly how to do it, how much to use, and how to get the most from your oil.
Why take CBD oil under the tongue?
The area under your tongue has lots of tiny blood vessels close to the surface. Holding CBD oil there for a short time lets it absorb through the tissue rather than passing straight through your digestive system. A lot of people like this method because it is fast, discreet and needs no special equipment, just the bottle and its dropper.
How to take CBD oil sublingually
It only takes a few seconds once you get the hang of it:
- Give the bottle a gentle shake.
- Use the dropper to measure out your serving.
- Squeeze the oil under your tongue.
- Hold it there for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing.
- Try not to eat or drink for 5 to 10 minutes afterwards.
How many drops should you take?
There is no single right answer, because it depends on the strength of your oil and on you. The best place to start is the label: check how many milligrams of CBD are in each drop or each serving, then begin with a small, sensible amount and build up slowly over time until you find what suits you. Keeping a simple note of how much you take and when makes this much easier.
How often can you take it?
Many people take CBD oil once or twice a day as part of a routine, often morning and evening. Consistency tends to matter more than taking large amounts. For reference, the UK Food Standards Agency currently advises healthy adults to keep to around 10mg of CBD a day, down from the 70mg it advised until late 2023. We think that is very cautious next to real-world use, where many regular users settle between 25mg and 100mg a day. Build up gradually to the amount that works for you, and check with your GP first if you take prescription medication.
Which CBD oil is best for sublingual use?
Most CBD oils are designed to be taken under the tongue. The main choice is the type: full spectrum oil keeps the natural range of hemp compounds, while CBD isolate is pure, THC-free CBD. If you are not sure, a full spectrum oil is a popular, straightforward place to begin. Whichever you choose, look for one that is lab-tested and clearly labelled with its CBD content.
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A few tips to get it right
- Take it at the same times each day so it becomes a habit.
- Hold the oil under your tongue rather than swallowing straight away.
- Start low and give it time before adjusting.
- Store your oil somewhere cool and dark, away from direct sunlight.
Sublingual CBD FAQs
How long should I hold CBD oil under my tongue?
Around 60 to 90 seconds is the usual guidance before you swallow. That gives the oil time to absorb through the tissue under your tongue.
Can I just swallow CBD oil instead?
You can, but it will then pass through your digestive system like a capsule or edible. Holding it under your tongue first is the reason people choose oil, so it is worth doing.
Does CBD oil taste of anything?
Full spectrum oils have a natural, earthy hemp taste that some people love and others prefer to avoid. If the taste is not for you, capsules or flavoured oils are alternatives.
How much CBD can I take in a day?
The UK Food Standards Agency currently advises around 10mg of CBD a day for healthy adults, though its advice until late 2023 was 70mg and many regular users settle higher. Start low and build up slowly within that.
Can I take CBD oil with food?
Yes. Some people take it around mealtimes as part of their routine. Just try not to eat or drink in the minute or two straight after taking it under your tongue.
Ready to try it?
Taking CBD oil under your tongue is simple, precise and needs nothing but the bottle. Our Full Spectrum CBD Oil is lab-tested at source, made in the UK and comes with free tracked delivery. If you have any questions, drop us a message and we will happily help.
We are a husband-and-wife business making honest, lab-tested CBD in the UK since 2018. We pack every order by hand and answer every email ourselves. More about us.
