Wondering about using CBD capsules? Well, there are plenty of ways to take CBD. You can slurp it down in a honey mixture or take a shower using CBD soap. You can smoke it, vape it, rub it into your skin, or place a tincture under your tongue.
But there’s an even easier way.
Yes, friends: that way is the CBD capsule. There’s simply no quicker or more precise way to make CBD a part of your daily routine than by popping a CBD capsule and getting on with it. Below we look at what CBD capsules are, how to take them, their pros and cons, and some FAQs.
Table of Contents
What Are CBD Capsules?
The term “CBD capsule” usually encompasses several types of supplements: capsules, pills, softgels, and the like. These round or oval supplements contain a precise, pre-determined CBD dose.
Additionally, they may contain other ingredients like vitamins, melatonin, terpenes, oils, and other health compounds.
How to Take CBD Capsules
Of course, we all know how to pop a pill. However, here’s how to dose your CBD capsules for maximum effect:
1. Read the bottle’s directions.
The directions of your CBD manufacturer always reign supreme. Use these as the guide for your dosing.
2. Start with one capsule.
The most important thing with CBD is to start small and find your maintenance dose. You can always add more, but you don’t want to overdo it at first, or you could experience unwanted side effects.
3. Wait.
Capsules have to enter your stomach, break down, and enter the digestive tract before they have any effect. The soonest you’ll start to feel the effects of CBD is 30 minutes — for some people, it could take an hour or more.
4. Increase your dose one pill at a time.
If you don’t notice any difference after an hour or two, add another pill to your regimen. You want to find the point where you notice effects but don’t feel side effects.
The Bioavailability of CBD Capsules
Bioavailability refers to the amount of a substance that actually makes it into your system. For instance, if you take 30 mg of CBD but only 3 mg makes it into your bloodstream, that product has a bioavailability of 10%.
Here are some bioavailabilities of different CBD products:
- Topical CBD: less than 1% of its CBD content
- CBD edibles such as gummies: 5-15%
- CBD capsules: around 6%*
- CBD oil drops: 30%
- CBD vapes: upwards of 50%
* Note that the bioavailability of CBD capsules can increase by a factor of 4 if you take them with a high-fat meal. This is because CBD and other cannabinoids are fat-soluble. If you eat a high-fat meal, the CBD will bind to other fat particles and make it into your system more effectively.
CBD is tricky to get into your system because it’s fat-soluble. Water-soluble substances absorb cleanly into our bloodstreams, but fat-soluble substances must travel into our livers via our portal veins, where they’ll be metabolized.
The Pros and Cons of CBD Capsules
Here are the positives of CBD capsules:
- They’re easy to take. Because CBD pills are so quick and easy, it’s not a problem to make them a part of your daily schedule.
- They allow for precise dosing. A capsule will contain a specified amount of CBD, and, provided you take the right number of them, you can’t mess up the dosing.
- You can try different potencies. CBD capsules can come with potencies ranging from 15 mg to 200 mg, all available at online stores.
- No strong flavors. Some people love the taste of CBD oil, but if you’re not one of them, the CBD capsule is a great option.
- Loads of benefits. You can enjoy an enormous number of health benefits from taking CBD.
There are some cons to CBD capsules:
- It’s harder to customize your dose. A 30-mg capsule will only allow you to customize your dose in 30-mg increments.
- It can interfere with other meds. Always talk to your doctor before taking CBD, especially if you’re on other meds that it could interfere with.
FAQs
What are the benefits of CBD capsules?
Dosing is the main advantage of CBD capsules — you don’t have to worry about getting an exact dosage.
How long does a CBD capsule take to start working?
Expect results in 30 minutes to 2 hours.
What else is in a CBD capsule?
It will likely contain oils and other ingredients to help the CBD get absorbed into the body.
