CBD Capsules vs. CBD Oil: What’s the Difference?
These days CBD is available in several forms, ranging from topical cremes to vaping products. Nevertheless, the two most common ways to take CBD are still in oil tincture and capsule form. There are many arguments to be made for both.
But ultimately, CBD pills vs oil is going to come down to personal preference. Before you decide the optimal way for you to consume CBD, let’s look at the specifics of both CBD oil and capsules and what each of them has to offer.
What Is CBD?
To fully understand whether you should opt for liquid vs pill forms of CBD, it’s essential to first familiarise yourself with what exactly CBD is. CBD is an abbreviation of cannabidiol, a chemical compound extracted from the hemp plant.
CBD oil is not the same as hemp oil, which is derived from hemp seed only. Hemp oil doesn’t contain any CBD. But what about CBD tincture vs oil? CBD oil tinctures are less potent than CBD oil and they often come with an alcohol carrier base.
Contrary to what some people may think, CBD doesn’t behave like a drug because it contains less than 0.03% of cannabis’ psychoactive substance, which is called Tetra hydro cannabinol (THC).
The full extent of CBD’s benefits is still being researched. However, some published evidence has shown that CBD products can be beneficial for inflammatory skin conditions and pain management, as well as depression and anxiety relief. So, it’s unsurprising why CBD’s popularity is on the rise.
CBD Oil
Since CBD oil is one of the most widely used CBD products on the market today, it makes sense to first understand how it works and if it’s the right choice for you.
Bioavailability
The term “bioavailability” represents the rate and extent by which an active portion of a product becomes available in the bloodstream. This is an incredibly important concept to understand because it determines the winner in the CBD liquid vs pill absorption debate.
CBD oil can be mixed with food, but the most common way to ingest it is to place a few drops under the tongue to take advantage of the sublingual gland.
This method ensures that the CBD oil absorbs into your bloodstream quickly. However, only a portion of the oil is fully absorbed that way. The rest will gradually reach your digestive system and be absorbed in that manner.
Advantages of Using CBD Oil
The main advantage of using CBD liquid vs pill absorption is that there are many varieties of CBD oil on the market. You can choose the strength of the product as well as the serving size.
As mentioned, the bioavailability will be more substantial, and fast results are essential to many. Another great benefit is that oil is more suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Finally, the effects of CBD oil tincture can last up to 10 hours.
Disadvantages of Using CBD Oil
Just like some might appreciate having the option to dose the oil tincture to their liking, others may find this complicated.
The bottles, in general, aren’t the most practical storage for CBD oil either. And also, some CBD oil brands have bitter and robust flavour that does not appeal to some.
CBD Capsules
In most cases, CBD capsules are available in 5mg to 50mg doses. They come in a gelatine form or mixed with milled hemp powder.
Bioavailability
As with CBD oil, CBD capsules are taken orally. However, the way your body responds is somewhat different. You don’t get the advantage of the sublingual gland’s location and the fast absorption it allows. The capsule needs to make its way to the digestive system first.
There, it needs to break down before it enters your bloodstream. The result of this prolonged process is that you don’t get the same potency you do with CBD oil.
Advantages of Using CBD Capsules
If you can’t get past the intense and often bitter taste of CBD oils and tinctures, then capsules might work best for you. It’s also a more discreet and faster way to consume CBD.
The capsules are already delivered in the measured amount of CBD, which saves you from having to do decide what dose you want to try. The effect might not be as long-lasting as it is with the CBD oil, but you still get between four and six hours’ worth.
Disadvantages of Using CBD Capsules
Even though vegan-friendly CBD capsules are available on the market, the majority of brands still pack their products in gelatine of animal origin. And let’s not forget that some people don’t like taking pills and capsules at all and find the tincture and oil to be easier for consumption.
The capsules also have limitations in the sense that you can’t make adjustments easily when you want to change the dosage. And finally, the lower levels of bioavailability is something that poses as a deal-breaker for some.
What About the Price?
The cost of CBD oil compared to CBD capsules is mostly going to depend on the potency of the product, as well as the brand.
Depending on both, you might be able to get the most out of specific CBD oil brands or CBD capsules. However, the oil form of CBD comes in a wider variety and often a wider range of prices too.
Taking CBD: Other Considerations
Regardless of how you choose to take CBD, oil or capsules, there are two significant considerations to keep in mind. The first one is to always monitor the dosage of CBD and your reasons why you’ve chosen to take it.
Keeping a journal is often helpful. The other consideration is to pay attention to the results and your expectations regarding the same.
If you have any doubts whether or not CBD is helping, it’s probably best to take a break from it for a while and see if the symptoms for which you decided to take it in the first place return.
Choosing the Best CBD Product for Your Needs
If you’re curious about CBD, perhaps you already know if oil or capsules are the best choice for you. Some people can’t imagine taking CBD pills, while others can’t tolerate the taste of CBD oil. If you don’t fall into either category, perhaps knowing more about the similarities and differences of CBD tincture vs oil vs capsules will help you make a decision which to try. Just keep in mind that whatever you choose, CBD oil has the potential to boost your mental and physical health.