CBD Capsules 101

What are CBD Capsules?

So what exactly are CBD capsules, and what makes them different from products like gummies, tinctures or vapes? CBD capsules are capsules containing CBD in a gelatin or pectin casing. In these capsules, the CBD usually takes the form of a powder, which is suspended in a carrier oil. And when these capsules are swallowed, the casing gradually dissolves in the stomach during digestion. They may come in two parts with the same or different colors, but they may also feature one sealed part. Since there are no CBD capsules without CBD, CBD capsule fans need to know what CBD is. The term is not new, and we see it gain popularity every other day. According to Mascal et al. (2019), CBD is a non-intoxicating chemical compound in the cannabis plant and one of the many you can find in these plants. There are many cannabis plants, each featuring active compounds called cannabinoids. Nature has more than 100 cannabinoids, and CBD happens to be among the most used cannabinoids. For instance, the Forbes Health (2022) report referred to a study with 2,000 individuals, of whom 60% were on some form of CBD. The hype and demand for CBD keep growing, and we expect more people to embrace the cannabinoid as time goes on. Some brands carry capsules that only contain CBD, but there are also some CBD capsules that are formulated to cater to more specific needs like sore muscles, energy support, sleep function, and even to help round out a healthy diet.

Health Benefits of CBD Capsules

Are CBD caps worth your hard-earned cash? You must know the health benefits of CBD capsules before opting for them. Watt & Karl (2017) noted that it is therapeutic, and many studies confirm this about CBD. For instance, people take CBD caps for inflammation, and Schuelert & McDougall (2011), Gallily et al. (2015), and Hammell et al. (2016) report that the cannabinoid is indeed great for inflammation. How about the pain-relieving claims of CBD oil? Costa et al. (2007), Vučković et al. (2018), and De Gregorio et al. (2019) reported that CBD might be all you need to manage pain. How about CBD caps for sleep? Many brands offer CBD capsules claimed to help with sleep, and you should know how the cannabinoid measures up to this. According to Russo et al. (2007) and Chagas et al. (2014), CBD can help with sleep, but this does not mean you treat CBD caps like some sleep pills.

How Are CBD Softgels Different from CBD Capsules?

Close to CBD capsules are CBD softgels, and you may wonder how the two are different. They are both swallowed to enjoy the CBD in them, with a few differences. For instance, CBD softgels have a softer texture, and many CBD users prefer them since they are easy to swallow. Meanwhile, CBD capsules are not as soft as softgels. Second, CBD capsules usually feature two parts with the same or different colors brought together, while CBD softgels usually have one part. Because of having one part instead of the two in CBD capsules, CBD softgels are better at holding and reserving CBD oil and other supplements in the cannabinoid. Ultimately, CBD softgels sound better than normal capsules, and it is not surprising that they cost more.

How Do You Take CBD Capsules?

Most CBD products deliver much, depending on how well you use them. Buying a quality product is one thing and getting the most out of them through appropriate use is another. Hence, you may wonder how best should you take CBD capsules to get the most from them. Thankfully, CBD capsules are easy to use, and there is nothing you need to worry about. Read the instructions on the labels to know how many capsules you can take at ago, one or two, and how many sessions you need in a day. Using water, swallow the capsules and wait for the CBD effects.

Types of CBD in the CBD Capsules

Are you going out to shop for the best CBD capsules? You must know the types of CBD in the capsules and settle for one. You can opt for three types of CBD, and none is better than the other. Rather, the type of CBD you choose to go for depends on your unique needs, and you only choose products that meet them. You can enjoy CBD caps in the following formulations;

i. Full-spectrum CBD; features CBD with THC and other hemp compounds. According to Russo et al. (2011) and VanDolah et al. (2011), the many compounds result in a synergy called the full entourage effect, for which many people go for full-spectrum CBD.

ii. Isolate CBD; is one extreme of CBD, featuring the cannabinoid in its purest form. Isolates have CBD without THC, terpenes, or other hemp compounds and are the best for CBD beginners or vets who don’t like the earthiness of extra cannabis compounds in CBD.

iii. Broad-spectrum CBD; is more like full-spectrum CBD but has no THC. They are best for CBD users who want a THC-free full entourage effect.

How Long Do Capsules take to Work?

Are you considering joining the CBD regime and making CBD caps your primary way to take CBD? You must know how long it takes for the caps to deliver the expected results. Well, there is no specific time it will take for the capsules to work for all CBD users. It might take a few minutes for one individual to feel CBD caps effects, while another user might have to wait for long. Your metabolism determines how long the capsules take to work, where the faster you process CBD, the faster you can expect results from the capsules. CBD history is also key in how long the caps take to work. While new to CBD, you will have to wait for the effects for long, but this changes as your system gets used to CBD, and you might not need to wait on the effects for long. CBD potency, quality, and strength also matter, where better parameters mean experiencing CBD effects fast. Sadly you cannot tell how long it takes CBD capsules to work, and you only have to try them fast.

How Much CBD Should Be in the Capsules?

One thing you must know before going out to shop for CBD capsules is how much CBD should be in the caps or the CBD capsule potency. As with how long CBD capsules take to work, the CBD capsule potency needs vary from one user to the other. CBD capsules come in different potencies, ranging from 5 to 50 mg or more per capsule. We advise CBD users to talk to a doctor before trying CBD caps since this allows them to know how much CBD potency they need for a start. CBD history matters in CBD potency; the longer you have been in the CBD world, the more comfortable you may feel with taking more potent capsules, but when new to the cannabinoid, you must stick to low-potency options. Besides, CBD metabolism is key in determining how much CBD needs to be in the capsules. A high metabolism means your system can process CBD fast, allowing you to opt for more potent caps. However, a slow metabolism means that the least potent CBD caps will overwhelm your system, forcing you to go for the less potent CBD products. You can also read the labels on the CBD capsule jar to know how much CBD you need.

How Many CBD Capsules Do You Need?

The CBD potency of CBD capsules is one thing, and the number of capsules you can take is another. Still, each affects the other. For instance, you might need only one capsule high in CBD potency to feel CBD effects. However, it might take two or more capsules of low potency to realize the same effects. Your CBD target also matters; the more CBD you need in a day, the more capsules you may take. All factors left constant, your CBD metabolism and body factors determine how many CBD caps you can take. Fast CBD metabolism and friendlier body factors mean you can take more CBD when CBD users with slow metabolism and unfavorable body factors might be able to bear only one capsule.

Do CBD Capsules Make You High?

Although many would like to try cannabis products and explore their benefits, they have many concerns to answer. For instance, many are uncertain if CBD products like capsules will make them high. According to Kicman & Toczek (2020) and Bauer et al. (2020), CBD is non-intoxicating, so it will not make you high. Conversely, Schlienz et al. (2018) noted that THC is psychoactive, and its products will make you high. How you feel after taking CBD caps largely depends on the THC percentage of the caps. The more THC in the capsules, the higher the chances of feeling a little weird from taking them. However, isolate CBD capsules from reputable brands that do not have THC and will not make you high.

Can You Fail CBD Drug Tests with CBD Capsules?

The other primary concern each CBD user has is whether CBD capsules will show up in drug tests. This is a genuine concern many people in the sports world have since they take cannabis drug tests occasionally. Knowing how drug tests work helps you whether or not CBD caps will show up in them. CBD drug tests look for THC and THC metabolites in the body and use urine, hair, blood, and saliva as the specimens. CBD capsules will make you fail or pass drug tests, depending on the type of CBD in them and the quality of the caps. For instance, since they have THC traces, full-spectrum CBD caps will likely show up in drug tests. As long as the THC in the CBD caps bypasses the set threshold for positive drug test results, the CBD product will show up in the tastes. Meanwhile, isolate CBD capsules should have no THC and will not show up in the tests. However, low-quality isolates might have some THC traces, making you fail drug tests.

How Do CBD Capsules Work?

Before settling for CBD caps, you must know how they work. CBD studies are in infancy, and much is yet to be clear about the cannabinoid. Yet, there is at least some information on how the capsules work. Regardless of the type of CBD you take, how the cannabinoid works once it is in the system is the same. According to McPartLand et al. (2015) and Di Marzo & Piscitelli (2015), life forms and the human body features an active network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), whose components include endocannabinoids, enzymes, and endocannabinoid receptors that work together. According to Zou & Kumar (2018), essential processes like digestion, reproduction, mood changes, pain, and sleep regulation depend on the ECS. The studies show that while CBD does not bind to the ECS receptors like TH, its interaction with the system is positive, as seen in the health benefits of CBD capsules. Eskander et al. (2020) found CBD great for reducing neck pain and attributed the results to the ECS-CBD interaction.

Benefits of CBD Capsules

CBD’s benefits have been a hot topic since it hit the market. As studies continue to grow, the anecdotal evidence surrounding the beauty of CBD is immense, whether it’s for relaxation, pain relief, or joint support. It’s still not completely clear why CBD has so much potential, but it’s widely theorized that this comes down to special receptors in our nervous system, which are known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are known to help manage a number of functions including the fight or flight response and the inflammatory response, and they send messages to the body through cannabinoids made by the body. Because CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid, or phytocannabinoid, it is believed that there are ways in which it can almost “over-ride” some of these functions for the better. For instance, the inflammatory response is a crucial part of our immune system, and helps protect our bodies from pathogens and disease by creating heat, swelling, and white blood cells to help fight them. But in some cases, we could do without the inflammation, especially in cases like autoimmune conditions. But because CBD may interact with the receptors involving this function, CBD has become especially popular among those looking for pain relief. But why take CBD capsules? Are CBD capsules any good? Are CBD capsules as effective as tincture oils? Or edibles like honey sticks? Unlike gummies, edibles, or tinctures, CBD capsules offer a more gradual release as the casing steadily dissolves in the stomach. It can generally take around 30-60 minutes for CBD capsules to kick in, allowing the user a dependable, consistent experience. And for those who like to take CBD on a daily basis, CBD capsules are easy to incorporate into any vitamin regimen.

How Do CBD Capsules Taste?

One thing you must know before trying any CBD product is the related taste. Because of the difference in taste buds, one CBD product might taste like something for me and like something else for you, which is ok. While taste does not matter, finding CBD products that meet your needs and that you enjoy using is important. How do CBD capsules taste? People find CBD products tasting earthy, nutty, or grassy. However, such tastes are not too pronounced in CBD capsules since they have CBD oils capped in them, so the tongue does not interact directly with the oil. Still, you might feel a little earthiness linked to any hemp product.

CBD Capsules Pros

CBD capsules are among the most widely sought CBD deliverables, and like any CBD user, you may wonder how. Most importantly, CBD caps allow you to enjoy CBD benefits without feeling the earthiness of CBD oil. since the oil is capped inside, it does not interact with the tongue, but you still benefit from the capsules. Secondly, CBD capsules are faster in delivering CBD than edibles. Thus, they do not compromise CBD potency and bioavailability too much. The other reason behind the popularity of CBD caps is that they ensure dosage precision. With the caps, you need not measure out CBD, limiting the possibility of erring with CBD dosage. Moreover, CBD capsules give you an easy time traveling with CBD. They are not clumsy, so you need not worry about spilling the cannabinoid. And when it comes to taking CBD capsules, you enjoy them without unnecessary attention since they are discreet.

CBD Capsules Cons

Despite the many pros of CBD capsules, they come with cons, which you must contend with if you choose caps as your primary CBD delivery method. For instance, people who find it challenging to swallow pills might find CBD capsules suiting them. Although CBD softgels make a better alternative in this case, they are more expensive and attract unnecessary costs. Besides, CBD caps go through the digestive tract, meaning they need time to process CBD before you can feel CBD effects. The longer the caps take in the digestive tract, the less potent they become, and the more the effects are delayed. Lastly, like other products that need digestion to deliver CBD, CBD caps compromise CBD bioavailability.

How many CBD Capsules to Take

Just like with all CBD products, determining the right dosage can be tricky, especially without the guidance of a medical professional. If you don’t have a doctor’s recommendation, it’s generally best to start with the lowest dosage possible and steadily increase it. While this may not work for everyone, a general starting point may be 10-30 mg a day, and increase the dosage by 5 mg.

How Long Do CBD Capsules Take to Work?

Similar to dosage, the time it takes for CBD capsules to work will vary with each individual based on their body chemistry, metabolism, and weight. For many users, the CBD capsules can kick in after about an hour, but this isn’t the case for everyone. When trying CBD capsules for the first time, give the process patience and closely observe its effects.

Can CBD Capsules Be Taken on an Empty Stomach?

When taking CBD capsules, it’s recommended that you don’t take them on an empty stomach. In order to ensure that the CBD capsules are properly digested, it’s important to first fill up on complex carbs and healthy fats.

CBD Capsules Side Effects

Though all forms of CBD are generally well-tolerated by the average adult, it is possible for side effects to occur. Typically, these side effects include reduced appetite, fatigue, and drowsiness, and in rare cases, constipation and/or diarrhea. It’s also worth noting that CBD can interact with some medications. If you’re using any kind of over-the-counter or prescription medications, make sure to review these medications beforehand and check whether they’re compatible with CBD.

How to Use CBD Capsules

Even if you’re familiar with CBD products, trying CBD capsules for the first time may seem a bit intimidating. But don’t let them daunt you! There are many ways to take CBD into your system, CBD capsules being among them. They are like other capsules, except that CBD oil is the content. They are easy to use, and all you have to do is swallow them. Many people like CBD capsules for allowing them to benefit from CBD without feeling the cannabinoid’s earthiness or bitterness. Still, the capsules go through the digestive tract, so they take time to deliver CBD effects. Like other CBD products, you can enjoy CBD capsules in isolate-based, full- and broad-spectrum formulations, depending on what you are looking for in the CBD product. Here are some quick tips for how to get the most out of CBD capsules.

How to Find the Best CBD Capsules

New to shopping for CBD capsules? Whether it’s online or shopping CBD capsules nearby looking at the many CBD capsules for sale can be a little overwhelming. But here’s a quick guide for how to find the best CBD capsules.

Is the Potency Clearly Stated?

Dosage is often one of the more difficult factors surrounding CBD capsules, and it certainly doesn’t help when the company is vague about the dosage with their products. That’s why when shopping for CBD capsules, make sure you’re looking at a product that clearly labels the amount of CBD in mg per jar.

Check the Ingredients

While CBD is the main ingredient in your CBD capsules, there are still going to be more ingredients listed, so make sure all of them are good! When looking at a jar of CBD capsules, check the ingredient list and make sure that they work with your nutritional needs and contain nothing that might trigger an allergic reaction.

Go for Quality & Transparency

It’s important to remember that while hemp products are legal, they are regulated by FSA Novel Foods Act. This means that when it comes to quality of CBD capsules, make sure your brand is FSA Novel Foods Act Approved.. And unfortunately, not all brands are going to measure up to the standard that consumers deserve. That’s why it’s crucial that whenever you shop CBD brands, make sure that the capsules come with a certificate of analysis from a third party lab, and that they source their hemp from farmers located in the United States.

Where Do I Buy CBD Capsules?

CBD capsules are easy to find as the demand and hype for CBD keep growing. You can opt to buy them online, where you surf through your favorite CBD websites and choose the best you want to settle for. You can order CBD caps and pay delivery for the products to be delivered to your doorstep. Alternatively, you may buy your CBD caps in-store, where you visit CBD shops and health food stores for the caps. With in-store shopping, you need not pay delivery fees, but you will not enjoy the many CBD company options you have in online shopping.

Should Nursing or Pregnant Women Take CBD Capsules?

As the hype on CBD products increases, almost everyone wants to try CBD. Still, the big question on the effectiveness of CBD caps remains. According to Corroon & Phillips (2018), CBD has a great safety profile, showing that it is relatively safe. Yet, this is not always the case, and many factors are key in determining the safety of CBD caps. According to the FDA, pregnant and nursing women should not take CBD because of the health concerns linked to the cannabinoid and the insufficient scientific studies supporting CBD safety, especially for the unborn and children. In another FDA report, the agency sent warning letters to many CBD brands dealing in substandard products. With this in mind, CBD is not 100% safe for expectant and nursing mothers, and they should avoid it in any form.

Conclusion

CBD capsules are among the most popular ways to deliver CBD to the body. People like them for their dosage precision; you need not measure out CBD while taking capsules. Besides, they are easy to travel with since they are less clumsy and do not easily spill. Still, CBD caps have cons that you must handle if you choose them to deliver CBD to the body. They compromise CBD potency and bioavailability since they take time on the digestive tract before delivering CBD. Although they are easy to use and only involve swallowing for you to benefit from them, some find it challenging to swallow them, and the CBD softgels, which make a better alternative, may be too expensive. Read this blog which offers a guide to CBD capsules.

References

Bauer, B. A. (2020). What Are The Benefits Of CBD–And Is It Safe To Use?. In Mayo Clinic.

Chagas, M. H., Eckeli, A. L., Zuardi, A. W., Pena‐Pereira, M. A., Sobreira‐Neto, M. A.,
       Sobreira, E. T., … & Crippa, J. A. D. S. (2014). Cannabidiol can improve complex
       sleep‐related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour
       disorder in Parkinson’s disease patients: a case series. Journal of clinical
       pharmacy and therapeutics, 39(5), 564-566.

Corroon, J., & Phillips, J. A. (2018). A Cross-Sectional Study of Cannabidiol Users.
       Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 3(1), 152–161.

Costa, B., Trovato, A. E., Comelli, F., Giagnoni, G., & Colleoni, M. (2007). The non-
       psychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an orally effective therapeutic
       agent in rat chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. European journal of
       pharmacology, 556(1-3), 75–83.

De Gregorio, D., McLaughlin, R. J., Posa, L., Ochoa-Sanchez, R., Enns, J., Lopez-Canul,
       M., Aboud, M., Maione, S., Comai, S., & Gobbi, G. (2019). Cannabidiol modulates
       serotonergic transmission and reverses both allodynia and anxiety-like behavior
       in a model of neuropathic pain. Pain, 160(1), 136–150.

Eskander, J. P., Spall, J., Spall, A., Shah, R. V., & Kaye, A. D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD)
       as a treatment of acute and chronic back pain: A case series and literature review.
       J Opioid Manag, 16(3), 215-8.

Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2015). Overcoming the bell-shaped dose-
       response of cannabidiol by using cannabis extract enriched in cannabidiol.
       Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 6(02), 75.

Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L.,
       & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and
       pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European journal of pain
       (London, England), 20(6), 936–948.

Kicman, A., & Toczek, M. (2020). The effects of cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating
       compound of cannabis, on the cardiovascular system in health and disease.
       International journal of molecular sciences, 21(18), 6740.

Mascal, M., Hafezi, N., Wang, D., Hu, Y., Serra, G., Dallas, M. L., & Spencer, J. P. (2019).
       Synthetic, non-intoxicating 8, 9-dihydrocannabidiol for the mitigation of seizures.
       Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-6.

McPartland, J. M., Duncan, M., Di Marzo, V., & Pertwee, R. G. (2015). Are cannabidiol
       and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin negative modulators of the endocannabinoid
       system? A systematic review. British journal of pharmacology, 172(3), 737-753.

Russo, E. B., Guy, G. W., & Robson, P. J. (2007). Cannabis, pain, and sleep: lessons from
       therapeutic clinical trials of Sativex®, a cannabis‐based medicine. Chemistry &
       biodiversity, 4(8), 1729-1743.

Russo, E.B., 2011. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid‐
       terpenoid entourage effects. British journal of pharmacology, 163(7), pp.1344-1364.

Schlienz, N. J., Lee, D. C., Stitzer, M. L., & Vandrey, R. (2018). The effect of high-dose
       dronabinol (oral THC) maintenance on cannabis self-administration. Drug and
       alcohol dependence, 187, 254-260.

Schuelert, N., & McDougall, J. J. (2011). The abnormal cannabidiol analogue O-1602
       reduces nociception in a rat model of acute arthritis via the putative cannabinoid
       receptor GPR55. Neuroscience letters, 500(1), 72–76.

VanDolah, H. J., Bauer, B. A., & Mauck, K. F. (2019, September). Clinicians’ guide to
       cannabidiol and hemp oils. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 94, No. 9, pp. 1840-
       1851). Elsevier.

Vučković, S., Srebro, D., Vujović, K. S., Vučetić, Č., & Prostran, M. (2018). Cannabinoids
       and pain: new insights from old molecules. Frontiers in pharmacology, 1259.

Watt, G., & Karl, T. (2017). In vivo evidence for therapeutic properties of cannabidiol
       (CBD) for Alzheimer’s disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 20.

Zou, S., & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System:
       Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. International journal of
       molecular sciences, 19(3), 833.