After CBD takes the world by storm, it’s only natural that the CBD Oil vs. CBD Capsules debate has arrived. Who will be the winner? The wide range of flavors and measured drops or the convenient jar of gelatin capsules? We have an easy way to get CBD into your system through a carrier oil that can come in dozens of delicious flavors in one corner.
In the other corner, we have another equally terrific and even practical way of getting CBD into your system, with its sleek design and measured dosage. Which one will win? Let’s find out!
What is CBD Oil?
Companies use two main components to make CBD oils: a carrier oil and CBD. Experts call it a ‘carrier oil’ because it’s essentially the vehicle that brings CBD to the consumer’s system. This oil can be anything from olive oil to vegetable oil.
Users can consume CBD oils and tinctures by placing one or two drops beneath the tongue and holding them there for a few minutes. Why underneath your tongue? Well, that area of your mouth is rich in capillaries like tiny veins that absorb substances very quickly. By putting CBD in their tongues, users can have faster, more potent, and long-lasting effects.
What is CBD Capsule?
CBD capsules are essentially gelatin capsules that companies fill with a set amount of CBD. Many people consider these to be more practical than oils since they don’t require you to measure out a specific dose or attempt to use the dropper and end up swallowing half the bottle. Instead, these come in easy, pre-measured capsules that you can pop in and go, making them great for busy people.
CBD capsules also come in many varieties to suit different needs. Some brands carry AM and PM capsules, for example, to use both at different times of the day to get the benefits you want. For example, you can take AM capsules to get your energy up in the morning and then take PM capsules before bed to help you sleep better at night and improve your immune boosters if you tend to get sick.
Manufacturing Process: CBD Oil and CBD Capsule
Well, it depends on which product you’re talking about. Companies make CBD oils or tinctures by extracting CBD oil from the hemp plant and mixing it with a carrier oil. Extraction methods vary greatly, so be careful with what you buy. There are two main ways of extraction: chemical extraction and CO2 extraction. Chemical extraction separates CBD from other plant components using chemical solvents. This procedure is normally less expensive, but it does so at a greater cost.
Because it’s very hard to eliminate these chemical solvents after extraction completely, residues frequently remain in the CBD. Chemical solvents are very poisonous to humans, and even residues of them may make you quite sick.
The second method, CO2 extraction, is a little more expensive but much better in the long run.
CO2 is liquified so that it turns into a solvent and that chemical is used to extract the CBD from the other products. After that, it is much easier to remove altogether, ensuring the consumer’s health and safety. CO2 extraction is also better for the environment since it leaves behind a much smaller carbon footprint.
This is why you should always check the website that you’re buying the CBD from so you can make sure it uses CO2 extraction, which is better both for you and the environment. CBD capsules are a completely different story. While the extraction methods are the same, the CBD is added to a gelatin mixture which can be tricky if your religious beliefs are against eating meat or pork.
This is because gelatin is made out of pig’s bones, so it does technically contain pig. This may also be a concern if you’re vegan, so look out for any capsules labeled vegan.
How Do They Work?
Well, in the case of CBD oil, the CBD is absorbed by your system through your capillaries, as we mentioned earlier. In the case of CBD capsules, the CBD is absorbed by your stomach acid once you swallow it. However, the CBD itself works in the same way.
In a nutshell, CBD works with your Endocannabinoid System (or ECS), which regulates many necessary bodily functions, including appetite, mood, and sleep. The ECS works by creating endocannabinoids that go up to your brain receptors to regulate these bodily functions.
After that, it sends up enzymes to break down the endocannabinoids once they’ve fulfilled their purpose. However, due to several factors like stress and immune-compromising illnesses, the ECS can begin to malfunction. One of how it fails is by sending up the enzymes too early, so they break down the endocannabinoids too quickly and don’t have the desired effect of binding with the brain receptors. This can cause many issues, including varying appetite levels, frequent mood swings, and lack of sleep.
This is where CBD comes in to save the day! Because CBD is a cannabidiol, its chemical structure is almost identical to the endocannabinoids that your brain naturally produces. So, when the CBD enters your system via a carrier oil (which is why it is sold in oil form), it keeps the enzymes from breaking down the endocannabinoids too quickly so that your body can reset itself.
CBD Capsules vs. CBD Oil: What’s the Difference?
Now that we’ve covered all our bases, let’s get to the real nitty-gritty of what tells these two products apart, from critical features to bioavailability.
Key Features of CBD Oil
- Uses a carrier oil
- Can be full-spectrum (meaning it works with other cannabinoids for better effects) or isolate (no other cannabinoids or THC)
- Generally affordable
- It can be hard to master
Features of CBD Capsules
- Practical to use
- Also, have a carrier oil
- Fast-acting
- Contain gelatin
Appearance and Consumption
When companies isolate CBD oils, it tends to be transparent. On the contrary, when companies have full-spectrum CBD oils, it tends to be richer and more yellowish. Capsules, on the other hand, tend to be sleek oval-shaped, with few coloring.
Flavor and Potency
While CBD capsules are flavorless, CBD oils can come in various flavors, from tropical fruits to mint to candies. However, if you like the idea of oil better but don’t want any flavor, many companies offer natural CBD oil that only has a faint bitter taste.
Convenience
CBD capsules are far more convenient in practice since you don’t have to manually measure the dosage with a dropper. Because these come with the exact dosage already in them, you have to take one, and you’re good. However, CBD oils do allow for more controlled dosages if you know how to handle the dropper.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to how much actual CBD gets absorbed by the body of consumers. According to CBD daily, “oral CBD has the lowest bioavailability of all delivery forms,” so if you’re keen on getting as much CBD as possible into your body, definitely go for capsules.
Benefits of CBD Oil and CBD Capsule
- Both delivery forms contain wonderful benefits, including:
- Helping with appetite
- Easing anxiety and depression
- Helping to improve focus
- Helping to maintain healthy sleep cycles
Safety and Side Effects
Both CBD Oils and capsules are generally safe since CBD itself is a safe product to use. Side effects are rare and few, including only light headaches and an upset stomach. However, CBD can interact with certain medications, so if you’re on any, make sure to ask your doctor before taking CBD.
Choosing The Right CBD for You
Here are some of the questions you should answer before choosing a product:
- What am I using it for?
- How can I make this a healthy habit?
- Does flavor matter to me?
- Does absorption matter to me?
- Am I okay with taking CBD as well as other cannabinoids to get added benefits?
If you can answer these questions truthfully, then you’ll know which one is right for you.
Full Spectrum CBD Products
Full-spectrum CBD products contain a variety of cannabinoids other than CBD, such as CBC and CBN. These cannabinoids can interact with CBD to give you added benefits. However, this also means it can contain up to .3% traces of THC, which will show up on a drug test. If you’re obligated to submit to a drug test, it’s best not to use full-spectrum products.
Power of Terpenes
According to envy CBD, if you’re not familiar with these, terpenes are “The aromatic, volatile compounds that are found in plants (not just CBD products)” according to envy CBD. These terpenes are also highly beneficial, not just because they produce wonderful smells but also because they can carry added benefits such as help with memory loss. This is why many doctors recommend full spectrum CBD over CBD isolate since full spectrum carries more of these terpenes.
Lab Results: Verify Quality
This is the single thing that can either make or break a CBD-based company. Third-party lab testing means that all of the company’s products are tested by a lab run by a third company, meaning one that isn’t associated with the company at all so that there’s no bias. This is why consumers should always verify that lab results are in full view and from third-party lab tests so that they’re unbiased.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer CBD capsules or CBD oil, both are wonderful ways of getting CBD into your system. This chemical has been proven to have many health benefits like increased focus, better sleep, and less anxiety, which everyone tends to need. Happy shopping!
