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Last reviewed: October 2026
Buying your first bottle of CBD oil is the easy part. Then you open it and wonder: how many drops, under the tongue or in a drink, morning or night, with food or without? This guide walks you through how to take CBD oil step by step, with practical tips and the safety points that matter.
Step 1: Read the label first
Every CBD oil sold as a food supplement in Ireland should state the total CBD in the bottle, the amount of CBD per drop or per serving, and the recommended daily serving, with a warning not to exceed it. That recommended serving is your upper limit. Do not go above it.
To work out how much CBD is in each drop: a 10ml bottle holds roughly 200 drops. A 10% oil contains 1,000mg of CBD, so each drop holds about 5mg. A 5% oil gives about 2.5mg per drop, a 20% oil about 10mg, and a 30% oil about 15mg.
Step 2: Shake the bottle
CBD extract can settle in the carrier oil over time. A gentle shake before each use helps keep the amount per drop consistent.
Step 3: Place the drops under your tongue
The most common way to take CBD oil is sublingually, meaning under the tongue.
- Fill the dropper by squeezing and releasing the bulb, or count drops from the dropper tip.
- Lift your tongue and place the drops underneath.
- Hold them there for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing.
- Try not to eat or drink for a few minutes afterwards.
Holding the oil under the tongue lets some CBD be absorbed through the tissue in your mouth. Whatever is swallowed is digested, which takes longer.
Step 4: Choose a regular time
There is no single best time of day. Some people prefer the morning as part of their breakfast routine; others prefer the evening as part of winding down. What helps most is consistency: taking CBD at roughly the same time each day makes it easier to notice any difference and keeps your routine simple.
Step 5: Start low and stay steady
If you are new to CBD, start with a small amount within the label’s recommended serving and keep to it for at least a week or two before changing anything. Changing the amount every day makes it impossible to judge what is going on. If you decide to adjust, do so in small steps and never exceed the maximum daily serving on the label.
Step 6: Keep a short diary
For the first four weeks, jot down the date, time, number of drops and anything relevant to why you are taking CBD, such as sleep, mood or how you feel after exercise. Be honest, including days when you notice nothing. After a month you will have a much clearer picture than memory alone can give.
Other ways to take CBD oil
In food or drink
You can add drops to a smoothie, yoghurt, porridge or a cold drink. Because CBD is fat-soluble, mixing it with something containing a little fat, such as milk or nut butter, is better than water. Very hot drinks are best avoided, as heat can affect the oil’s quality and taste.
Capsules
If you dislike the taste, CBD capsules give a fixed amount per capsule with no taste at all. They are swallowed and digested, so they take longer to be absorbed.
Gummies
Gummies also give a fixed amount per piece and taste pleasant. Keep them away from children, as they look like ordinary sweets.
Topicals
Creams and balms are applied to the skin as part of a massage or skincare routine. They are not swallowed and are used differently from oil.
With or without food?
Some studies suggest CBD is absorbed better when taken with a meal containing some fat. Taking it with food may also help if you find oil on an empty stomach unpleasant. Whichever you choose, keep it consistent.
How long does a bottle last?
| Drops per day | Approximate days from a 10ml bottle (about 200 drops) |
|---|---|
| 3 | About 66 days |
| 5 | About 40 days |
| 10 | About 20 days |
A higher-strength oil means fewer drops for the same amount of CBD, so a bottle lasts longer and the price per milligram is usually lower.
How to store CBD oil
Keep the bottle upright, tightly closed, in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat. Most CBD oils last 12 to 24 months unopened; check the best-before date. Once opened, use it within the time stated on the label. Always store it out of reach of children and pets.
Safety points
- Talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking CBD if you take any medication. CBD can interact with some medicines, including blood thinners and some epilepsy medicines.
- CBD is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Do not give CBD food supplements to children.
- Avoid combining CBD with alcohol until you know how it affects you.
- Stop if you notice side effects such as drowsiness, stomach upset or changes in appetite.
- Only use oils with a lab report showing THC is not detected. Products containing THC can affect driving and cause a positive drug test.
Common mistakes
- Swallowing the drops straight away instead of holding them under the tongue.
- Not shaking the bottle.
- Taking different amounts every day.
- Going above the label’s maximum daily serving.
- Expecting an instant effect. CBD is not a painkiller or a sleeping tablet.
- Confusing hemp seed oil, which has little or no CBD, with CBD oil.
Choosing the right strength
CBD oils in Ireland usually come in strengths from about 5% to 30%. The percentage tells you how concentrated the oil is, not how good it is. A 5% or 10% oil suits beginners because each drop holds a small amount, which makes gradual changes easy. A 20% or 30% oil suits people who already know the amount they use and want fewer drops per day; higher strengths also tend to cost less per milligram. If you switch strength, recalculate your drops so the total CBD stays the same.
Understanding full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate
You will see these terms on many labels. A full spectrum extract keeps a wide range of the hemp plant’s natural compounds; a broad spectrum extract has had THC removed; an isolate is CBD on its own. All three can be taken in exactly the same way. The important thing is the lab report confirming how much CBD is in the bottle and that THC is not detected.
What does CBD oil taste like?
Unflavoured CBD oil has an earthy, grassy, slightly nutty taste that some people find bitter. If the taste bothers you, try holding the drops under the tongue and then following with a drink of water after a minute, taking the oil with a small spoonful of yoghurt or nut butter, or switching to capsules. Flavoured oils exist, but check the ingredients for added sugars or sweeteners.
Taking CBD when travelling
CBD laws vary from country to country, and some countries treat any cannabis-derived product as a controlled drug. Before you travel, check the rules at your destination and in any country you pass through. Keep the oil in its original labelled bottle, carry a copy of the lab report, and remember that liquids in hand luggage must meet airport limits.
Frequently asked questions
How many drops of CBD oil should I take?
Follow the recommended daily serving on your bottle and do not exceed it. Many people start at the lower end of that range and keep it steady for a week or two.
Should I take CBD oil under the tongue or swallow it?
Holding it under the tongue for 30 to 60 seconds is the most common method. Swallowing it straight away still works, but absorption is slower.
What time of day is best to take CBD oil?
There is no single best time. Choose a time that suits your routine and keep it consistent.
Can I put CBD oil in coffee?
You can add it to drinks, but very hot drinks are best avoided. A drink with a little fat, such as milk, helps it mix.
How long does CBD oil take to work?
Held under the tongue, some is absorbed within minutes to an hour; swallowed or in food it can take longer. Effects, if any, are subtle and vary between people.
Can I take CBD oil every day?
Many people take it daily within the label’s recommended serving. Speak to your pharmacist if you take other medication.
Does CBD oil expire?
Yes. Check the best-before date and the use-within period after opening. Store it in a cool, dark place.
Can I drive after taking CBD oil?
CBD itself is not intoxicating, but if it makes you drowsy, do not drive. Only use products with no THC.
Related guides
This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. CBD products sold in Ireland are food supplements or cosmetics, not medicines. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before using CBD, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.