Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid extracted from hemp. Over the years, it has become popular as scientific studies grow in number, and more and more anecdotal reports support the beneficial properties of this cannabinoid. CBD has been reported to improve many health problems, including pain, sleep, stress and anxiety, and inflammatory problems, as well as its benefits on overall wellness. This is why many are drawn to CBD and want to try it for themselves.
However, not everyone has the same preference and tolerance for taking medication or supplements, which goes the same with CBD. Remember when you were a kid and swallowing a pill was difficult? How about smelling non-appealing liquid medicines that you easily gag at upon the first waft when it’s time to take them? Some of us still carry that trait even when we’ve grown into adults. Hence, even with positive feedback about CBD, it can get confusing where to start and which format to take.
Like many pharmaceutical preparations, the CBD industry has also become innovative regarding CBD formats for its consumers. CBD makers understand that they have to cater to as many users as possible hence they have solved the problem that hinders people from considering taking CBD for certain conditions or as a supplement for overall wellness.
Because it is a known fact that not everyone responds well to taking supplements orally, CBD formats have become available in the market to cater to everyone’s needs. Aside from being available in CBD-infused snacks and drinks, CBD balms, and CBD skin care products, CBD oils and CBD capsules are also made accessible for a more convenient way of consumption.
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Oil or Capsule?
The question of what suits you best is one of the first questions most first-time users ask, as it can be overwhelming to go through thousands of information available, especially on the internet.
With a wide range of CBD products in the market with different strengths and variations, you have many options to choose from. However, what’s the difference between each product? Is there an organic CBD oil, and can CBD capsules help mask the naturally earthy profile of cannabidiol? These and many more questions can be going through your mind.
To determine which one you should choose, it is crucial to know the essential information about what bioavailability each form can offer, its onset and the duration of its effects, and of course, the importance of what you want to use it for.
Getting informed about the crucial deciding factors can help you determine which of the two forms is best for you. Here are the things you must consider before diving right into it:
Convenience
Convenience is an important factor when choosing between two forms. To compare, CBD oils are widely available in many strengths, sizes, and flavours (additives), as it is the most common form used by many. It makes dosing more accurate with the dropper that comes with each bottle making it easy to use, just like with any tinctures available in the market. CBD oils are perfect for those who just started using CBD and are slowly increasing their dose while finding their ideal daily CBD intake to feel the effects. In addition, CBD oil can also be your best friend if you prefer mixing CBD in your drinks or food.
On the other hand, capsules offer another convenient way of getting your CBD dose. It can be easily swallowed as it does not have any odour or taste. This will make you feel like taking any other pill or supplement, with each capsule containing a fixed dose. You can take it with you hassle-free, as you don’t need to take out your CBD bottle and pipette to get a few drops. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about any leaking bottle when carrying it with you on travels or anywhere.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability measures the amount of the active ingredient that enters your circulation after it is introduced into your body. When deciding which CBD form to go for, it is important to know that CBD oil and capsules offer different bioavailability percentages.
CBD oil is taken sublingually or under the tongue, where there’s an abundant amount of the mucosal membrane responsible for absorbing the CBD into your bloodstream. Its bioavailability can range from 13% up to 19% making it the second-most efficient way of getting CBD into your system following inhalation of CBD using a vape.
CBD capsules, on the other hand, are taken orally and ingested. This subjects the CBD through the first-pass effect, wherein the absorption process becomes low due to how our digestive organs and liver process it, just like with the food and drinks we take. According to a 2020 review published by the Pharmaceuticals journal, the bioavailability of ingested CBD is estimated at 6%.
Onset of Action
Because CBD oil and CBD capsules are introduced into our bodies in different ways, the onset of action also varies. When CBD oil is absorbed into the bloodstream through the oral mucosa, you can feel the onset within just 15–30 minutes, with the effects lasting from 8-12 hours. While CBD capsules, which are digested in our stomachs, take 30-120 minutes to feel the effects, lasting up to 4 to 6 hours.
How to Determine Which One Works Best?
Before finally deciding which format you should go for, you must ask yourself a few questions to help you make a decision.
What effects from CBD are you aiming for?
Deciding on which form of CBD to take is just the tip of the iceberg. Identifying the specific effects you want to achieve is important to know which form works for you best. While both CBD oil and CBD capsules deliver benefits, desiring a faster onset and longer duration of effect makes CBD oil your best option as it is quickly absorbed into your system through the oral mucosa.
What’s your preferred method of taking CBD?
Different preparations of CBD are made available to cater to everyone’s preference. If you dislike the earthy and hempy taste of CBD oil or easily feel nauseous with CBD’s odour, CBD capsules will be the best form for you to have your daily CBD dose as they are odourless and flavourless. Capsules also offer a quick, discreet, and more handy option which you can take anytime and anywhere without dealing with measurements and droppers.
How much CBD do you take?
Depending on the dose you take, both CBD oil and CBD capsules can give you an advantage. If you take large amounts of CBD, such as 25 mg or 50 mg, CBD capsules may be for you. This way, you don’t have to put so much oil sublingually in order to achieve your desired dose if you only have a low-strength CBD oil. But if you consume small doses like 10 mg or 15 mg for supplementation, CBD oil is a great option as you only need a few drops under your tongue.
Take Away
CBD oils and capsules, regardless of the form, are suggested to provide benefits. However, it is crucial to determine which one works for you. Hence you have to consider some factors, such as the bioavailability, onset, and duration of effects, including the convenience of taking them.
It is also helpful to note that CBD oil can provide accurate dosing, especially when you are just starting to work your way up to assessing which dose is your sweet spot or the amount you take where you feel certain effects of the compound. On the other hand, taking CBD capsules provides an easy-to-carry and discreet option to take CBD anytime and anywhere you go without dealing with the unpleasant flavour of hemp if you are not a fan of it.