Cannabidiol (CBD) is a molecule found in hemp plants that matches one produced naturally by our own bodies in the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system helps keep the body in balance, or, to use the technical term, homeostasis. It helps regulate sleep, mood, appetite, pain, inflammation, memory and reproduction by communicating to the cells when things need to be done or when things need to stop.
If the endocannabinoid system is not functioning well, supplementing the body with cannabinoids like cannabidiol may help with some conditions.
CBD is very safe. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 'CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.'
It would take a lot to overdose on CBD. Even a very high dose of 15000mg (30 times the OTO recommended standard) has been shown to be well tolerated by humans. The good news is that all the studies do not indicate any adverse symptoms and the main side effect of a very high dosage is tiredness.
CBD Oil Roll-on (through the skin)
As used in OTO Essential Oils, the CBD oil is rolled on to the temples or wrists, where it permeates the skin and into the nearby blood vessels. Users say it is a lot more enjoyable way to take it than the usual under-the-tongue methods.
CBD Drinks
CBD Oil is specially blended in a liquid for users to drink – a method we use for OTO CBD Shots and OTO CBD Bitters.
CBD Topicals
Like roll-ons, these are rubbed into your skin, but the primary focus is to treat the covered area for skincare or anti-inflammatory purposes.
Sublingual (under the tongue) CBD Oil
At present, this is the most common way to take CBD. A couple of drops of CBD Oil is dropped under the tongue and held there for a minute. The CBD goes through the skin and into the bloodstream. However, this method requires a bit of patience and the taste may not be to your liking.
CBD Capsules
CBD is taken like a tablet and swallowed. Because it has to go through the digestive system, it takes longer to feel the effects. It also passes through the liver, which diminishes its effectiveness.
Edibles
CCBD is blended into foods, like chocolate or gummy bears, and ingested.
Vaping
CBD is blended with flavourings, nicotine and carrier substances and smoked in e-cigarettes. Whilst it gets into the bloodstream quickly, there are many people who aren’t keen on vaping.
Patches
CBD is placed in a specially formulated patch to encourage a slow-measured release.
The time it takes to feel the effects depends on a combination of the way you take it, the bioavailability of the CBD product and your body's metabolism.
CBD Oil Roll-on
As used by OTO, it takes around 15 to 30 minutes for the CBD to take effect.
CBD Ingestibles and Capsules
These take 20-60 minutes to start working.
CBD Oil Sublinguals
Like the roll-on, this takes 15 to 30 minutes to feel an effect.
Vaping
This is the quickest and takes usually a few minutes to feel an effect.
Bioavailability is essentially how much of a product is effective. With CBD, bioavailability depends very much on how it’s taken, and the way CBD is blended with particular carriers.
Skin absorption (roll-ons/ topicals)
There is not much data on the actual bioavailability of CBD skin absorption, but recent studies (Hammel et al 2016) have shown that transdermal application shows good absorption and therapeutic levels. What will enhance skin absorption is proximity to veins, which is why we recommend using OTO roll-ons on the wrists and temples.
Ingestibles (capsules, edibles and drinks)
Research suggests bioavailability is very low. Only 6-15% is absorbed by the digestive system into the bloodstream as a lot of CBD is metabolised away by the liver..
However, CBD can be made more water soluble by a combination of mixing it with enhancers and using special blending techniques. This is the technology we use for OTO CBD Shots and Bitters which can increase the bioavailability of CBD into your body.
A lot depends on individual factors such as weight or metabolism. It also depends on the bioavailability of the CBD blend and delivery method.
The scientists at OTO have sourced through worldwide scientific research and recommend a daily dose of 50mg.
You can get this dose by applying the OTO CBD Roll-on onto your wrists or temples three times a day, by spraying OTO Pillow Mist three times on your pillow, or by having two measures of OTO CBD Bitters.
CBD has a half-life of 18 to 32 hours. Although the effects will begin after 15-20 minutes, you will reach the optimum levels after 2-3 days, if taken as recommended.
The short answer is no. It’s the THC molecules of the cannabis plant that have this effect. Our products use CBD oils that have no trace of THC.
CBD itself is perfectly legal. However, if a product contains 1mg of another cannabinoid e.g. THC, then it could be classed as a scheduled drug. That’s why at OTO, we ensure our CBD is pure and our products are well within the legal limits.
No. Drug tests look for THC. At OTO, we ensure our products contain no THC, so there are no issues with taking CBD alongside professional sport etc.