Drop Vs. Rub: What Is the Most Efficient Way to Take CBD?

Looking to incorporate CBD into your daily routine but not sure the best way to go about it? We know the options can be overwhelming when you first start looking into the world of CBD. While a large part of your perfect method will come from personal preference and lifestyle, we think it’s important to be informed as possible to get the best results.

We’re breaking down two popular methods of CBD administration today to take the guesswork out of choosing the right CBD.

Defining CBD drop vs. rub

Here at Mind Ful, we offer two methods in which you can use your CBD, each having their own unique benefits. You can either rub your CBD directly onto your skin, or you can drop your CBD under your tongue.

Drop with Think Happy Wellness Tincture is a tincture made from CBD. Tinctures are concentrated extracts, typically containing a  plant material that is dissolved in alcohol or a fatty acid like MCT oil. Tinctures are not new. They have historically been used for different ailments for many years.

To take CBD drop, users place 3-4 drops of tincture under their tongue, wait one minute, and then swallow it. The CBD will typically take effect within the first 10 to 30 minutes after administration. We’ll get to why this is such a quick and effective method in a bit.

Rub with It’s A-Okay Wellness Stick is a topical solution made from CBD. It can be used to target specific areas of pain or discomfort, like sore muscles or achy joints.

Users just massage the It’s A-Okay Wellness Stick directly on their achy joints, wrists, temples, or wherever they feel discomfort or stress.

It’s A-Okay Wellness Stick is a wonderful tool for improving wellness. If you have any pain or areas of tension in the body, you can just rub some on the affected area and get the benefits of localized relief.

Think Happy Wellness Tincture is also a powerful wellness tool. Rather than targeting one specific location with the stick, the tincture affects the entire body by working with the endocannabinoid system to reach homeostasis. Its ability to signal receptors in the endocannabinoid system helps the body find balance, which can mean relief from a number of ailments, including pain.

How it Works: Drop with Think Happy Wellness Tincture

What’s great about Think Happy is that it’s versatile. Whether it’s excessive stress, anxiety, pain, or sluggishness, you may be able to restore balance and find relief by using a CBD tincture.

When you place CBD under the tongue and hold it, you’re administering it sublingually. Our tongues are equipped with lots of tiny blood capillaries that allow for quick absorption into the bloodstream. Sublingual administration means you will experience a direct absorption into the bloodstream because when you place CBD under the tongue to administer, you completely bypass the digestive system.

After holding the tincture under your tongue for a full minute, you can swallow it. The remaining CBD will go through your digestive system, where it is broken down further before being circulated into the bloodstream.

How it works: Rub with It’s A-Okay Wellness Stick

It’s A-Okay is very simple to use. Just administer it directly to the affected area on your body by generously rubbing. Don’t press too hard, though! The heat from your skin should allow CBD rub to melt for a gentle application.

When you apply It’s A-Okay, you’re targeting local cannabinoid receptors in the specific area of application. If you have a certain affliction you want to target, It’s A-Okay will help you get there. It won’t necessarily enter the bloodstream, though, so you won’t experience any balancing effects on the endocannabinoid system as a whole.

Drop or Rub: Which is a more efficient method?

Again, the right method of CBD administration will depend on several things, like personal preference and lifestyle. But as a whole, CBD drop is more efficient than CBD rub. In fact, CBD drop might just be the most efficient method of administration there is.

Why? It all comes down to bioavailability.

CBD and bioavailability

The bioavailability of CBD is important to consider when looking for the right method of administration. Bioavailability means the amount, and the rate at which, something can be absorbed by the bloodstream. 

We emphasize looking at the bioavailability of something before using it because it will tell you how much you should take to get an effective dose. You don’t want to take too small of a dose that becomes inaccessible to your body.

The oral bioavailability of CBD (such as if you were to swallow all of it or eat a CBD-infused food) is considered very low, with estimates around 13-19%. Taking CBD sublingually bypasses the digestive system (which breaks down the CBD) and allows for higher bioavailability, and thus, stronger effects.

Researchers believe fat can help increase the bioavailability of CBD as well. That’s why CBD tinctures include a carrier oil, like MCT oil, to even further the bioavailability of the substance.

CBD topicals have lower bioavailability. There haven’t been enough studies to really quantify the range, but it’s expected to be significantly lower than sublingual administration.

Topicals do not provide as much bioavailability because the skin is not porous enough to allow much to get through to the bloodstream. That’s why a liberal application of CBD rub is recommended to ensure absorption.

The short version 

• Bioavailability refers to the amount and rate at which something can be absorbed into the bloodstream.  
• The most efficient method of CBD administration may be DROP because it has a higher bioavailability than RUB and takes effect quickly.
• When you RUB your CBD it targets local areas and does not enter the bloodstream. It’s a great choice for targeted relief, but will not interact with cannabinoid receptors in other areas. 
• Overall, the best way to take CBD comes down to your lifestyle and personal preference.