14 Apr CBD oil vs CBD capsules: Which is right for me?
Summary:
- Both CBD oil and CBD capsules contain CBD (Cannabidiol) – a compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant.
- There are many differences between CBD capsules and CBD oil, such as flavour and ease of use.
- Some CBD capsules might not be suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Please check Naturecan’s Vegan CBD capsules if this applies to you.
- CBD oil and CBD capsules both offer the same potential benefits, making the choice a matter of personal preference.
CBD oil or CBD capsules: Which one is better for me? There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends very much on your personal preference, lifestyle, and priorities. In fact, many people take a combination of the two (keeping in mind the maximum recommended daily dose of 70 mg in total).
Before you can make your decision, you need to understand both of these products better and have a clear idea of how the experience of using CBD differs depending on whether it’s CBD capsules or oil.
This article will put both CBD products under the microscope to make this choice easy.
Table of Contents
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is one of the most popular CBD products available on the market.
It is sold in dark glass bottles with either a spray or a glass dropper attached. The glass bottles contain liquid with CBD extracted from hemp. This cannabinoid is also known as Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant.
The amount of CBD in the bottle varies depending on the CBD oil and is expressed in percentages stated clearly on the bottle’s label.
After CBD is extracted from hemp, it is then purified, distilled, and combined with a carrier oil, such as an MCT oil or hemp seed oil, creating a CBD oil.
At Naturecan, we extract CBD exclusively from organic, high-quality hemp and only use organic MCT oil.
What are CBD capsules?
When it comes to shape, texture and flavour, CBD capsules are just like any other food supplement sold in capsule form. They are easy to use, and each capsule has a precise dose of CBD.
Similarly to CBD oil, CBD capsules are not just pure CBD. Instead, capsules contain CBD oil, carrier oil (usually an MCT coconut oil or hemp seed oil), and sometimes additional nutrients, like Vitamin C.
The carrier oil is necessary for both appropriate CBD absorption and dosage, and may contain beneficial ingredients of its own, including various minerals and vitamins.
CBD oil vs capsules
Before we talk about the difference between CBD oil vs CBD capsules, we should tell you about their many similarities.
CBD capsules vs oil: Are there any similarities?
1. Core ingredient: Both CBD oil and CBD capsules contain CBD.
2. Broad-spectrum CBD oil: At Naturecan, both CBD oil and CBD capsules contain broad-spectrum CBD oil. This means that together with CBD, you gain other beneficial compounds (such as minor cannabinoids) found in hemp. All of the compounds are considered safe, and studies suggest they may even contribute to supporting health.
3. Carrier oil: As mentioned above, the two products also contain carrier oil. While the oil used in CBD capsules and CBD oil might differ, its function and purpose are the same in both products.
4. Effect: After the CBD you use reaches your bloodstream, there is no difference in how it will interact with your body, regardless of which product you use.
5. Storage: Both CBD oil and CBD capsules should be stored in dark and cool places, as this helps protect the precious ingredients in the oil and capsules.
CBD oil vs capsules: How do they differ?
The main differences between CBD oil vs capsules include the experience of using the products and how your body processes them.
1. Application method
CBD capsules are easier to use than CBD oil. Plus, if you are already used to taking vitamins and supplements daily, it is simple to add another one to the mix. You might even manage to combine some! Our CBD softgels with Vitamin C are a perfect example.
On the other hand, CBD oil requires a bit more of a steady hand and precision. When applying CBD oil, you need to aim at placing the drops just under the tongue. That’s where many blood vessels are located, and such localised delivery allows CBD to be absorbed rapidly. The process is not complicated, but it does require slightly more attention than CBD capsules.
2. Flavour
CBD oil has a unique hemp flavour. CBD oil’s taste is often described as earthy, and some people are not too keen on it. Fortunately, Naturecan oils have a very mild flavour that everybody should be able to tolerate, but it is hard to compete with CBD capsules that have no taste at all.
3. Speed of absorption
CBD capsules might be tasteless, but they require more patience. When you swallow a CBD capsule, it has to pass through your digestive system before the CBD it contains can be absorbed. This can take up to 2-3 hours.
CBD oil, on the other hand, when applied sublingually (under the tongue), is absorbed rapidly through the mouth’s rich supply of blood vessels. It doesn’t have to be digested as capsules do, which results in a quicker effect.
4. Suitability for vegans
Most CBD oils are suitable for vegans, while many CBD capsules are not. All our CBD oils contain vegan-friendly ingredients, but to produce softgel CBD capsules, it is usually necessary to use gelatine, a product that vegetarians and vegans avoid.
Fortunately, vegans and vegetarians who do not wish to take CBD oil can enjoy our vegan CBD capsules or our vegan CBD gummies.
CBD oil vs capsules: Which one is right for me?
The long-term effects of using CBD oil and CBD capsules are the same, so the choice is yours. In order to select the right one for you, consider which product seems to fit better into your lifestyle and current routine.
If you want a quick, fuss-free way to add CBD to your already existing repertoire of food supplements, capsules might be the right choice. This is especially relevant if you are looking for a solution that is easy to travel with. On the other hand, if you want a high-level of control over the dosage and wish for quickly-felt effects, you should consider CBD oils.
No matter what decision you make on buying CBD oil vs CBD capsules, there are a few things to consider before buying one.
One of the best pieces of advice we can give you is to only buy CBD oils and capsules from trusted brands. Unfortunately, not all brands use organic ingredients, and not all companies extract their CBD from organically grown hemp.
When deciding on which CBD product to buy, always check for third party lab test results. If you are browsing through CBD products and cannot see lab results from third-party lab testing available on the website, stay away from the product.
When your CBD oil vs capsule decision is made, you also need to select the right strength of the product. To make it easier for you, we created a CBD dosage calculator which you can use to estimate the best dosage of CBD to start with.
Can I take CBD capsules and oils together?
Yes, as long as you do not exceed the recommended amount of 70 mg of CBD per day, you can take both CBD capsules and CBD oils together.
While it is easier to control how much CBD you take when you stick to one delivery method, many people take a combination of both oil and capsules.
First of all, if you want to experiment with exact doses of CBD, it might be hard to do so with capsules alone.
If the dose you want to try is more than one capsule but less than two, you can take your regular capsule as you usually do and accompany it with a CBD oil with the desired strength.
Second of all, on some days, one might benefit from more CBD than on others. So if you have found your perfect daily dose of CBD and gotten used to taking your capsule daily, but on some tough days (or nights) you feel like a little extra CBD could go a long way, mixing might be a good idea. You do not have to double your daily capsule dose at that time. Instead, you can simply administer a drop or two of CBD oil whenever you feel you need it, and you’re good to go.
CBD oil vs CBD capsules: The takeaway
Both CBD oil and CBD capsules are great options for everyday CBD use.
No matter which form you decide to select, after reaching your bloodstream, the CBD you take will have the same effect. The form of delivery will impact how long you have to wait to feel the first effects, but the best thing to do in the long term is to choose the form of delivery that appeals to you the most.
And if you can’t decide, remember that you can use both! As long as you do not exceed the daily dose of 70 mg, you can find the CBD products combination that you enjoy the most.
Disclaimer: There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of CBD in the condition(s) mentioned above and this text by no means reflects recommended uses. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you are taking prescribed medication or are thinking of using CBD for your condition.
Written by Zaneta Pacific and reviewed by our qualified expert, Moyra Cosgrove, Head of Nutrition at Naturecan, SENR Registered Nutritionist and DProf candidate at LJMU
References
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226272227_Hempseed_as_a_nutritional_resource_An_overview
- https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/16638-cracking-the-hemp-category-means-clearing-up-taste-issues
- https://www.veganfriendly.org.uk/is-it-vegan/cbd-oil/
- https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/cannabidiol-cbd
Discover our CBD oils and capsules
Before settling down in Denmark, Zaneta lived and studied in the Netherlands. She holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Maastricht University and an MA in Sociology from UvA.
The Netherlands is also where Zaneta fell in love with cannabis and started learning about the plant. She now uses her knowledge to write engaging and informative content for people curious about incorporating various cannabis products into their lives.
When she is not writing, reading, or talking about cannabis, Zaneta loves to spend time in nature, especially during the mushroom-picking season.
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