Taking CBD under the tongue is a speedy, reliable, and incredibly effective way of using CBD. But how does it work? And how can it fit into my daily routine?
CBD is absorbed sublingually, or under the tongue, incredibly readily. The mouth tissues are laden with capillaries that will take CBD right through your bloodstream without any downtime or risk of losing potency through metabolism.
Still wondering how it works? Here, we’ll break down the science of it, and give you some down-and-dirty tips on how to make your next experience with sublingual CBD your best one yet.
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Brief overview on sublingual absorbtion
CBD is absorbed under the tongue through sublingual mucosa, where thin mucous membranes and capillaries allow direct entry into the bloodstream. Here’s how it works:
Mechanism of Absorption
- Mucous Membranes: The area beneath the tongue contains a network of thin mucous membranes rich in capillaries.
- Passive Diffusion: CBD, being lipophilic, diffuses passively through these membranes into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver metabolism.
- Bypassing First-Pass Metabolism: Sublingual absorption avoids the “first-pass effect,” where oral CBD is partially broken down by liver enzymes, reducing bioavailability.
Bioavailability Comparison
- Sublingual: 12–35% bioavailability due to direct absorption.
- Oral (Swallowed): 9–13% bioavailability, as CBD is metabolized by the liver and digestive enzymes.
- Inhalation: Highest bioavailability (up to 56% in some studies).
Optimal Usage
- Hold Time: 60–90 seconds under the tongue ensures maximum absorption.
- Avoiding Interference: Refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking immediately before/after to maximize absorption.
Why It’s Effective
Sublingual administration delivers CBD directly to the bloodstream, enabling faster onset (15–30 minutes) compared to oral ingestion (1–2 hours). This method also preserves more CBD by avoiding digestive degradation
How does sublingual CBD oil work?
Taking CBD sublingually is a delivery method in which you place CBD oil droplets under the tongue, hold them there, and then swallow the excess in order to enable faster and more potent absorption. This is a very popular method of taking CBD, as it can be easily integrated into daily routines with high effectiveness and fast rates of benefits.
Sublingually delivered CBD works for three major reasons: the tissues in your mouth are very absorbent and will soak up supplements without the need to swallow, they are not connected to your digestive system, but rather are highly linked to a system of capillaries that connect to your entire bloodstream.
Your mouth is full of tiny little capillaries that help to transport blood to and from, and the actual tissues that cover them are porous and easy to penetrate with little droplets of CBD. When placed in the mouth for a minute or two, CBD makes its way through the mouth’s soft tissues, into the capillaries, into the bloodstream, and all over your body within minutes. This way, the CBD is able to travel fast without being bogged down by the time it takes to process and digest swallowed substances through the gut. There’s no middle-man: it’s able to get right to the bloodstream, where it can take effect and lend users full-body relief.
Is sublingual CBD processed by the liver?
No, sublingual CBD is not processed by the liver. While the liver is an incredibly important organ for keeping our bodies safe from toxins, sublingual CBD’s ability to bypass liver processing can actually be a huge benefit for CBD users.
One of the liver’s primary purposes in the body is to filter and detoxify drugs and other substances before allowing them to pass into the body. This process has allowed humans to survive small doses of toxins and drugs for millennia without incurring lasting damage to the body. However, the liver’s filtering mechanism doesn’t shut off, even when we’re ingesting beneficial compounds, like vital medications, or helpful supplements like CBD.
In fact, a well-known antagonist to a supplement’s full absorption into the body is known as first-pass metabolism in pharmacology. In first-pass metabolism, substances ingested orally undergo a primary metabolism that robs them of their potency well before they hit the bloodstream.
Fortunately, sublingual CBD bypasses this by avoiding digestion altogether. Since the CBD is absorbed through the porous tissues of the mouth, it goes directly into capillaries that direct it throughout the entire body without any interaction with the liver. In fact, the only sort of degradation in potency that sublingual CBD risks is degradation from mouth enzymes, which pale in comparison to the rigorous filtering and breakdown the CBD would endure when processed through digestive acids, enzymes, and liver processing.
How long do you have to hold CBD oil under your tongue?
The best length seems to be somewhere between 30 seconds to two minutes when keeping user comfort and efficacy in mind. This length of time seems to be perfect for seeing maximum positive effects without being overkill.
With that being said, in a very literal sense, the length of time to hold CBD under ones’ tongue is not a precise science — in fact, it doesn’t really seem to be a science at all, since most of the practical advice is based on a mixture of many, many anecdotes, along with the common sense understanding of how long of a time would be too uncomfortable or yucky to keep a room temperature oil under ones’ tongue.
Still, however, some users swear by the idea of keeping it in for as long as possible, which certainly makes sense — it would mean more absorption of the product, as some amount often gets left behind. Some will keep it in for anywhere from five to ten minutes, with the hopes that this will boost absorption and get them the best effects they could hope for.
While the efficacy of this method might be somewhat questionable, if you have the time and desire, go for it. We’re just letting you know — one minute should do the trick.
Do you swallow CBD oil after holding it under the tongue?
It is not at all uncommon for there to be leftover product in your mouth even after you have held it for the recommended length of time. If this is the case, swallowing the remainder is perfectly acceptable, though some users even recommend using the tongue to push the remaining oil into the gums and the sides of the mouth for even more absorption potential. Once you’ve done this, feel free to swallow knowing that you’re achieving great potency with your CBD product.
How long does sublingual CBD take to kick in?
Fortunately for impatient users, sublingually ingested CBD can start kicking in anywhere from under ten minutes to around thirty. This is one of the better rates of delivery for a CBD product, especially as compared with orally ingested products, which may take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
Some factors may impact how readily CBD is absorbed into the mouth sublingually, which may ultimately impact onset time. For instance, drinking, smoking, or eating before taking CBD sublingually may slow down absorption into your body. The amount that they can all impact absorption can be difficult to quantify. However, if you’re intending on getting the fastest results for your time, it may be helpful to avoid anything that’s interacting with the inside of your mouth for a little while before using sublingual CBD.
How long do the effects of sublingual CBD last?
The effects of sublingual CBD typically last 4–6 hours, though this can vary depending on factors like dosage, individual metabolism, and frequency of use. Higher doses may extend the duration, while faster metabolisms or occasional use might shorten it. Regular users may experience prolonged effects due to CBD accumulating in fat cells over time.
What are the benefits of sublingual CBD absorption compared to other methods?
Sublingual CBD absorption offers distinct advantages over other administration methods, particularly in bioavailability and speed of onset. Here’s a breakdown of its key benefits:
1. Higher Bioavailability
Sublingual absorption bypasses the digestive system and liver metabolism, allowing 12–35% of CBD to enter the bloodstream compared to 9–13% for oral ingestion. This direct absorption minimizes degradation, ensuring more active CBD reaches systemic circulation.
2. Faster Onset of Effects
Effects typically begin within 15–30 minutes (vs. 1–2 hours for oral ingestion), as CBD diffuses directly into capillaries under the tongue. This makes it ideal for acute symptom relief, such as anxiety or sudden pain.
3. Avoids First-Pass Metabolism
By bypassing the liver, sublingual CBD retains potency that would otherwise be reduced by enzymatic breakdown during digestion. This results in greater therapeutic efficiency per dose.
Comparison Table
| Method | Bioavailability | Onset Time | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sublingual | 12–35% | 15–30 min | 4–6 hrs | |
| Oral | 9–13% | 1–2 hrs | 6–8 hrs | |
| Inhalation | ~56% | 2–5 min | 2–3 hrs | |
| Topical | <10% | 30–90 min | Localized |
Sublingual administration strikes a practical balance between speed, efficiency, and ease of use, making it a preferred choice for many users.
Takeaway
Sublingual CBD absorption offers a potent, efficient, and user-friendly method to experience CBD’s benefits. By bypassing the digestive system and liver metabolism, it delivers faster onset (10–30 minutes) and higher bioavailability compared to oral ingestion, making it ideal for those seeking quick relief from anxiety, pain, or stress.
Its discreet, equipment-free administration suits beginners and on-the-go users alike, while the ability to retain potency ensures maximum therapeutic impact. Whether you’re new to CBD or prioritizing convenience without compromising efficacy, sublingual use strikes an optimal balance between speed, simplicity, and effectiveness. For those exploring CBD options, sublingual oils stand out as a versatile choice, seamlessly integrating into daily routines while delivering reliable, full-body benefits.
If you’re looking to find a CBD oil to use sublingually, consider browsing through our directory of CBD products. In addition to CBD oils, we offer isolates, edibles, topical creams, pre-rolls, and more. All of our vendors have been tried before, and they are reputable companies that are focused on consumer health and improving trust.
FABCBD Oil
✔️ Three Different Potencies and Five Tasty Flavors
✔️ Full-Spectrum of Cannabinoids and Terpenes
✔️ Bottles are Made to Order Ensuring Freshness
✔️ 60 Servings Per Bottle
✔️ 12 Month Shelf Life
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FABCBD CBG Oil
✔️ 1:1 Ratio of CBD to CBG (cannabigerol)
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✔️ Full-Spectrum of Cannabinoids and Terpenes
✔️ Bottles are Made to Order Ensuring Freshness
✔️ 12 Month Shelf Life
✔️ 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
