CBD’s popularity with the general public has skyrocketed in the last few years. With that boom, the number of products available has also soared, leaving some consumers to ask, “What’s the difference?”. One such instance of this is CBD capsules vs oil, which is better? What are the benefits?
There are multiple factors that weigh in on the answer to these questions. You need to consider your individual reason for taking the product and your overall wellness goals first, so you can combine the right product with the benefits you are looking for with the right consumption method.
In this article we dive deep into the benefits of both CBD capsules and CBD oils, the differences between them, and why you may want to take one over the other!
What is CBD Oil?
It’s likely that the CBD product you are familiar with is CBD Oil. This is the first way that CBD was produced and packaged for the retail consumer and is still the most widespread. This is also the form in which we sell a good portion of our own CBD.
To make CBD Oil you start with a hemp plant that is grown, cultivated, and trimmed at the perfect time to produce the most and best CBD possible. The plant material that you’re left with after the extraction process is combined with a carrier oil such as a MCT Oil. If a high-quality carrier oil is used, you are left with a product that has both the health benefits of CBD and that of the oil.
The result is an oily substance that you take by placing the dropper of oil under your tongue. By holding the oil there for about 90 seconds before swallowing, a lot of the CBD is absorbed directly into your bloodstream via the mucous membranes found in that area.
What is In CBD Capsules?
Most adults have taken a capsule before, many medications and pain relievers can be found in gel cap form. CBD brands started doing this because of the ease of use and familiarity it brought to their products and the average consumer.
The gelatin substance that is used to suspend the CBD protects and preserves the cannabinoids until it reaches your digestive tract. Many brands have started adding other beneficial substances to the gelatin as well, the idea being the same as with a good carrier oil. The CBD product can promote both the benefits of CBD and the other substances used as well.
Positives of CBD Oils
There are a few key reasons that CBD oils are still the most popular way to ingest CBD, despite all the other delivery methods that have been developed. In fact, most of the other methods have been developed specifically to overcome the objections people have to take oils.
Bioavailability
By far the most significant benefit of CBD oils is their bioavailability. Bioavailability is a term used to describe how easy it is for the body to use a substance ingested and how much of that substance makes it to the cells and bloodstream.
CBD oil has two benefits when it comes to bioavailability. The first comes from the sublingual ingestion method. When the CBD is absorbed by the mucus membranes under your tongue it is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and bypasses the digestive system.
Most MCT oils, including olive, grapeseed, coconut, and avocado oils have the benefit of bypassing the digestive system and going right to the liver. We have products that use both MCT and Avocado oils, each providing unique and exciting health benefits.
Both of these factors give CBD oil an enormous advantage over something like a CBD capsule that has to be digested before reaching the liver, the bloodstream, and being shuttled to cells.
Variety of Concentrations
CBD oil was the first way that CBD was consumed for health purposes and is still by far the most widespread way to take the product.
The industry in general provides a wide range of concentrations for CBD oils. Here at 4 Corners Cannabis, our tinctures come in 1000mg and 2000mg/bottle options so you have a choice when it comes to the concentration of your CBD.
Positives of CBD Capsules
After oil started to become a popular product, capsules were almost inevitably going to follow. So much of our medicine already comes in pill or gel cap form anyway.
CBD capsules have several key benefits that make them appealing for some users as well, with only just a few drawbacks.
Ease of Use
Many of us have been taking medicine, supplements or vitamins in gel cap form since childhood and know it is as simple as swallowing the pill. If you take other vitamins or medication you can simply add a CBD capsule to the pills you already take.
Easy Dosing
There is no guessing how much CBD you’ll be getting with a gel cap as the packaging will clearly state dosing. Most brands will sell a package and advertise the total milligrams of CBD per package, but often they also list per capsule. If they don’t, it’s easy to divide the total milligrams by the number of capsules to find the amount per cap.
Taste
While a lot has been done to improve the taste and texture of CBD oil it still tends to have a woodsy, bitter taste to it. Some people also struggle with using the substance under their tongue.
As you would guess, CBD capsules have no taste and are no different than any other pill.
CBD Oil vs Capsules: Why 4CC chooses Oil
While there are some definite benefits of CBD capsules, here at 4CC we have yet to expand our product selection to include them.
Our Complete Spectrum CBD is so refined and high-quality that we want to ensure as much reaches your endocannabinoid system as possible. To do that, we have focused on products that guarantee the best bioavailability possible.
We have focused on creating the best possible tinctures and salves so that you can take a product that truly delivers the results you desire.
Final Thoughts on CBD Capsules vs CBD Oils
When comparing CBD Capsules vs CBD Oils it really comes down to a few factors, the most important of which is bioavailability.
CBD oil has a much higher bioavailability, and you have a lot more options for concentrations, flavors, and carrier agents than with CBD capsules. Capsules have the benefit of being extremely easy to take and dose, are very inconspicuous and have no bitter aftertaste.
