CBD Capsules vs CBD Oil – Which One Should You Choose?

CBD capsules and CBD oil both offer a great way to get a daily intake of CBD goodness. CBD oil has been around longer. It’s the original CBD product and many people swear it’s the best. But new ways to take CBD have appeared during a rapid expansion of the market. CBD capsules are now a very popular format and are often seen on the shelf next to CBD oil. When it comes to CBD capsules vs CBD oil – which one should you choose?

These days CBD comes in a huge range of products. It can be infused in familiar products like chocolate, cookies and protein bars. There’s a wide selection of CBD skincare, creams and body lotions. Vaping CBD is also an option and helps many people to give up smoking tobacco. Gummy bears with CBD are a tempting favourite and more niche products like CBD paste and pouches are available for the CBD connoisseur. But the products most likely to be stocked in your local health store or chemist are CBD oils and CBD capsules. These are probably the first route into CBD for most people.

Are CBD Capsules the Same as CBD Oil?

It’s an obvious question but one that needs answering. CBD capsules are a soft shell containing CBD in a carrier oil. The capsules can be made from gelatine (an animal product) or plant-derived materials. The oil inside could be pure CBD held in hemp oil, or CBD suspended in a carrier oil like MCT.

CBD oil is a liquid. CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant and bottled in its natural hemp oil. However, the CBD can be extracted and then mixed with other carrier oils, like MCT or flaxseed, which give the oil a different texture and taste.

Finding Your Perfect Match: Exploring Personal Preferences for CBD Oil and CBD Gummies

Which Is More Effective?

Whichever way the CBD is packaged for sale, both CBD oils and CBD capsules deliver CBD via the mouth and/or the digestive system. They are both effective but work in different ways. If a dropper full of oil and a capsule both provide 10 mg of CBD, they should produce the same effect. But there are differences in the way they work, and you may prefer one option over the other. Let’s take a closer look at CBD capsules vs CBD oil to help you make that choice.

How Do CBD Capsules Work?

Capsules are swallowed, usually with water, and are designed to dissolve in the stomach. Once there, they break down and release the contents into the digestive system where they are metabolised. The CBD then enters the bloodstream via the intestines and gets to work. This process takes a while so the results of taking a capsule are not felt instantly. Most people feel the effect of a capsule at least an hour after taking it. This means if you want CBD to help you sleep, for example, you need to take a capsule a couple of hours before bed. The effects of a capsule last a long time so there is no need to keep topping up. Canndid’s best-selling soft gel capsules are available here.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

CBD oil is taken as drops from a dropper bottle and squeezed under the tongue. The liquid is held here until it is absorbed sublingually through the thin membranes of the mouth. The CBD gets straight to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. This provides a much faster delivery of CBD to the body and the effects are usually felt in under 30 minutes. However, the impact isn’t as long-lasting and you may need to take regular top-up doses to maintain the effect you need.

The Benefits of CBD Capsules

There are some distinct benefits to CBD capsules vs CBD oil and these make them a very popular choice. This is why you may prefer to try a capsule rather than CBD oil:

• Precise dosing. By taking a CBD capsule you are getting a precise dose of CBD. Containers of CBD capsules are clearly labelled with the amount of CBD contained in each capsule. This makes it very easy to record how much CBD you take in one day. You also have the option to start with a low strength and then move to a higher dose, rather than increase the number of capsules you take.
• Familiarity. Most people have taken a health supplement at some point and these are often packaged as capsules. This is particularly true for liquid supplements as capsules provide the perfect casing. We may have all taken a capsule of omega oil, evening primrose or vitamin E at some time. Capsules are a common way to take medication or supplements and provide familiarity when taking a new product like CBD.
• Easy, simple and clean. Capsules are easy to take and don’t make a mess in the hand. They feel dry, smooth and non-sticky, as long as they are correctly stored.
• Discreet. CBD capsules look like any other type of regular capsule so won’t attract attention or suspicion. It looks like you’re taking any basic health supplement.
• Taste-free. There is no associated taste with CBD capsules. They are designed to break down in contact with the acids in the stomach. Therefore, popping a CBD capsule should not taste of anything.

The Benefits of CBD Oil

CBD oil is the first choice CBD product for many and is extremely popular. Here’s why:

• Easy to swallow. In reality, there is no swallowing involved so it’s perfect if taking a lumpy, dry tablet or capsule causes difficulties for you. The drops are placed under the tongue and most of the oil is absorbed sublingually. Any remainder mixes with saliva and is swallowed naturally.
• Flexible dosage. CBD oil is dispensed with a dropper so you can deliver as few or as many drops as you need. If there is a known amount of CBD per dropper it’s simple to keep account of how much you have taken. Any time you need some support just reach for the little bottle and take a few drops. You’ll feel the results in minutes.
• High bioavailability. Every medicine or supplement has a level of bioavailability. This is the amount of compound delivered in the shortest time. CBD oil has high bioavailability as most of the therapeutic properties get through to the bloodstream very quickly. A capsule has lower availability as some of the CBD will be lost in the digestive process, therefore less reaches the bloodstream and it takes longer to get there.
• Higher strengths. CBD oil is more likely to be available in higher strengths, with some brands offering up to 3000 mg in one small bottle.
• Can be added to food or drink. Being a liquid, CBD oil can be added to food or drinks. It does have an earthy, bitter taste so many people like to add it to food or coffee so it can be disguised. It’s ideal for adding to savoury dishes or sauces, but a few drops can turn your brownie mix into baked CBD treats.
• Suitable for vegans. Most CBD oil is pure cannabidiol suspended in hemp oil or another plant-based oil like MCT or rapeseed. This makes CBD oil perfect for vegans. Some capsule shells are made from gelatine and therefore not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
• Great for pets. Anyone who has tried to give a tablet to a pet understands how tricky that is. But CBD is now popular with pet owners hoping to improve their pet’s health. CBD oil can be added to food and the taste disguised, although some owners give their pets drops directly into the mouth. Look out for CBD oil designed specifically for pets.
• Can be applied topically. Unlike a capsule, CBD oil can be applied directly to the skin. It has supposed anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce swelling, soreness and redness on the skin. Alternatively, try adding a few drops to a favourite body lotion or moisturiser.

Summary

CBD capsules and CBD oil are both super ways to get a daily dose of CBD. Both can be carried with you from home to work and then to the gym and maybe out for the evening. Both offer the same reported benefits of CBD such as supporting restful sleep, balancing mood, improving focus and managing everyday aches and pains. How you take your CBD depends on a number of personal choices, as we have discussed.

In the battle of CBD capsules vs CBD oil, they are both winners. Oil provides a quick result while capsules are convenient and discreet. Vegans may prefer oil as opposed to capsules, but there are still vegan-friendly capsules available. Overall, there are more options with CBD oil but it all comes down to choice and taste. For some, the taste of CBD oil will be unpleasant and bitter so capsules are the answer. For anyone who has difficulty taking tablets, the liquid format of oil is a simple solution. Ask around – now that CBD is so popular there are bound to be family and friends who have tried it and can make a recommendation.

Whichever option you choose you are on to a winner. Remember, first time users should opt for a low strength product and stick to the recommended dose. This can always be increased to achieve the desired effect, or you can choose a higher strength next time. When it’s CBD capsules vs CBD oil, the result is surely a tie.

You may also like to read: How to become a CBD oil distributor in the UK