
Key Takeaways
- Holding CBD oil under the tongue allows for faster absorption through the soft tissue of the mouth, known as sublingual absorption.
- The potency and quality of CBD oil affect the time needed for it to provide desired effects.
- Individual body chemistry plays a role in determining the effectiveness of CBD.
- One minute has become the standard time to hold CBD oil under the tongue for desired results.
- Holding CBD oil for too long or too short may not provide the advertised results, and waiting too long may result in the oil dissolving and no further absorption.
If you are a long-time CBD user, the question of how long to hold CBD oil under your tongue may sound like a trivial matter. After all, many users take their oil without even thinking about how long they should be holding it in their mouths – about a minute will do just fine, right?
While this is true for the most part, there are a few things to consider before deciding on how long to hold CBD oil under your tongue, from the CBD oil concentration to the user’s individual body chemistry. With that being said, let’s dive into the details of how long to keep CBD oil under your tongue.
Sublingual Absorption
When you hold CBD oil under your tongue, the active ingredients are absorbed through the soft tissue of your mouth. This process is known as sublingual absorption, and it allows the CBD to bypass digestion, which is the primary advantage of this method.
In other words, holding CBD under your tongue allows you to receive the benefits of CBD faster than if you were to swallow it. Therefore, how long you hold CBD oil under your tongue is an important factor in how effective it will be.
CBD Concentration and Quality
The potency of your CBD oil will also impact how long to keep CBD oil under your tongue – the recipe is rather simple, the higher the concentration, the shorter it will take for the CBD oil to provide the desired effect.
Apart from that, you should also be wary of the quality of your CBD oil. Low-quality products may contain impurities or other unwanted substances that can inhibit the absorption process. Likewise, certain formulas may work better than others for you.
Individual Body Chemistry
The science behind CBD and its effects on the human body shows that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to taking CBD. Everyone’s body chemistry is different, meaning that the same amount of CBD can produce different results in different people.
Furthermore, considering how specific the effects of CBD can be, the ideal serving of CBD oil may change on a daily basis. Yet, the low-risk nature of CBD – even for such direct administration methods – allows you to experiment a bit and find the optimal dosage for your needs.
Recommended Timeframe
With all of the above, you may be wondering why not just drop the oil under your tongue and forget about it. There are two reasons: precise dosing and oil dissolution.
As the one-minute mark has become a standard, most CBD oils and tinctures aim to provide the desired effects within that timeframe. This means that if you hold it for too long or too short, you may not get the advertised results.
Likewise, if you wait too long, the oil may dissolve after the initial absorption. As a result, you won’t be getting any more CBD in your system than if you had swallowed it – leaving just the aftertaste of the oil to remind you of your efforts.

In Conclusion
All in all, how long to hold CBD oil under your tongue is a subjective matter. However, if you want to get the most out of your CBD oil and make sure that it’s working for you, we recommend holding it in your mouth for around one minute.
This should give enough time for the CBD to be absorbed through your sublingual tissue and provide you with the desired effects. After this time, swallow the oil (or clean it up if you wish) and enjoy the results.
FAQ
Why is holding CBD oil under the tongue beneficial?
Holding CBD oil under the tongue allows for faster absorption through the soft tissue of the mouth, known as sublingual absorption, which bypasses digestion and provides quicker results.
Does the potency of CBD oil affect how long it should be held under the tongue?
Yes, the higher the concentration of CBD in the oil, the shorter the time needed for it to provide desired effects.
Can individual body chemistry affect the effectiveness of CBD?
Yes, individual body chemistry plays a role in determining the effectiveness of CBD and can result in different results from the same amount of CBD in different people.
Is there a standard time to hold CBD oil under the tongue?
One minute has become the standard time to hold CBD oil under the tongue for desired results; however, the optimal serving may vary. For instance, low-quality products may contain impurities or other unwanted substances that can inhibit the absorption process.
Can holding CBD oil under the tongue for too long or too short result in decreased effectiveness?
Yes, holding the oil for too long or too short may not provide the desired results, and waiting too long may result in the oil dissolving, preventing further absorption.