The rapid pace with which the CBD market has exploded worldwide has led to a vast proliferation of delivery methods, ranging from CBD patches to CBD vapes and even CBD lube!
The choice can be overwhelming to many – particularly those who are entering the CBD marketplace for the first time. Despite this rampant development of new weird and wonderful products, two particular delivery methods have stood the test of time. These are CBD oil and CBD capsules.
There are a number of similarities and differences between the two of these and this article will proceed to discuss both. Hopefully after reading the article, you are in a better place to make an informed choice.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil was the very first iteration of CBD to hit the shelves. It is undoubtedly the most popular CBD delivery method in the world as it stands.
CBD oil is manufactured by extracting CBD from a hemp plant using a variety of extraction methods – CO2 supercritical extraction is regarded as the gold standard – before mixing the extract with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, hemp oil or MCT oil.
CBD oil is typically taken sublingually – i.e. dropped or sprayed under the tongue and held in this capillary-rich area for 60 seconds before being swallowed. However, it can also be added to food or drink in order to mask the taste somewhat. CBD oil is indeed a notably versatile delivery method.
What are CBD Capsules?
CBD capsules are essentially exactly as advertised! They are capsules that contain CBD oil.
There are a few different types of CBD capsules, the main two being hard-pressed tablets that use CBD in powder form and soft gel CBD capsules that suspend CBD oil within a gel capsule.
Soft gel CBD capsules tend to be more popular as they are typically vegan-friendly. You can buy vegan-friendly, soft gel CBD capsules from Cannacares.
Both types of CBD capsule are consumed in the same manner, simply by swallowing with water.
Now that we have clarified exactly what each of these are, it is time to compare the two across various metrics. We will begin with discreteness.
Discreteness
There is no doubt that attitudes are slowly changing around cannabis and CBD in particular. However, it also important to be aware of the widespread disinformation campaigns that many of have been subjected to – particularly the older generations.
As a result of this an at the avoidance of awkward conversations and probing questions, discretion may play a significant role in the decision-making process when it comes to delivery method.
In this respect, CBD capsules undoubtedly offer the most discrete option when it comes to selecting a more subtle delivery method. Millions of people take pills or capsules of some description on a daily basis, with questions rarely, if ever, raised.
The consumption process of CBD oil on the other hand does not lend itself to discretion. Dangling a dropper from a CBD bottle above your mouth while holding your tongue up is likely to attract unwanted attention.
Convenience
Both CBD capsules and CBD oils are convenient in their own right. If you had to decide on one over the other then it would probably be CBD capsules which take the edge. This is due to the fact that you have to hold CBD oil under the tongue for approximately 60 seconds in order to maximise efficacy.
CBD capsules also hold the upper hand when it comes to travelling. CBD oil can often provoke a degree of inquisition from airport staff, whereas capsules just look like any other supplement. CBD capsules are also safer in terms of protecting your luggage, as anyone who has spilt a bottle of CBD oil in their bag will attest to!
Dosage
Another area in which CBD capsules excel over CBD oil is ease of dosage. CBD oil droppers can often be inaccurate as well as difficult to read. You will have to not only measure the amount via markings on the dropper (which may be inaccurate), but also add up the various doses that you have taken in the day.
Alternatively, CBD capsules come in pre-measured doses. This makes it far easier to keep track of exactly how much CBD you are consuming. This also eases the process of optimising the perfect dose for you.
Conclusion
There is no definitive answer to the question “are CBD capsules or CBD oil better?” There is no doubt that both have their pros and cons, as highlighted in this article. In terms of convenience and discretion, then CBD capsules come out on top. Although dosing can be a challenge, you do have a finer control over this with CBD oil as it is not pre-dosed in the way that capsules are.
Our complex multitude of individual differences mean that various CBD products will work differently on different people. The only way to truly assess which is the best for you is by trying both!
What do you prefer – CBD capsules or CBD oil? Let us know!