There are many reasons why people are turning to CBD. For some it is about having a natural product which can give their health and well-being a boost, whereas for others they want to use CBD for a more specific reason such as helping them to sleep or for pain relief.
CBD is natural and has no long term or serious side effects, making it rise in popularity, and with more and more people looking towards taking CBD, there is an ever-growing array of different ways to take it. Two of the most popular methods of taking it are through taking CBD drops or spray under the tongue, and CBD capsules – which look like a pill or tablet. So, which is the best way?
CBD Oil or CBD Capsules?
Well, the answer is, there is no best way. CBD oil and CBD capsules both offer something different and choosing the best way to take it, depends on firstly what you prefer and secondly what you are using the CBD for. It is important to remember, however, that it doesn’t really matter how you take it.
And in fact, many people mix and match between different delivery methods according to how they feel at the time and what they are taking the CBD for.
What does CBD do?
CBD or cannabidiol is extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant. It is one of over 100 significant compounds which are found in the plant and it is a compound which scientists are becoming increasingly excited about with regards to it medicinal potential.
CBD is a Phyto cannabinoid which is found naturally in hemp but can act in a similar way in humans to the cannabinoids which we make naturally in the human body – known as endocannabinoids.
When we take CBD, it is usually absorbed into the bloodstream and then interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate some aspects of the human body including inflammation, mood, pain and the immune system. When the levels of endocannabinoids are low, this is when we can see a number of health issues begin to creep in to our lives.
However, by taking CBD and getting it into the bloodstream we can begin to replenish the depleted endocannabinoid stocks and help the body to deal with the health problems that it is facing.
This means that the method which we use is important because the CBD can be taken and absorbed into the bloodstream in different ways and with different outcomes.
Taking CBD Oil
CBD oil is made by extracting the CBD (and often other compounds) from the hemp plant, then mixing it with a carrier oil (usually MCT oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil or olive oil) which can help it to be absorbed into the body.
CBD oil is commonly taken in drops or a spray form which is taken under the tongue. If it is kept under the tongue for around two minutes, it will be absorbed straight into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth and will get to work straight away, and you will usually feel the effect within about 20 minutes (although it is important to remember that everyone is different).
The CBD will also only be effective in your system for a relatively short amount of time – typically about 4-6 hours.
By taking their CBD through drops under the tongue, many people find that they have more flexibility around when they take it and their dosage. This is good for people who are using it for a specific reason, such as sporadic pain relief or anxiety in certain situations.
CBD oil can be bought in a variety of size bottles and can be taken quickly and easily wherever you are.
Some people don’t enjoy the taste of CBD oil, however. In its natural form, it can be bitter and taste of ‘plant’ or ‘green’. However, once that is has been taken, eating or drinking afterwards should take the taste away if you find it unpleasant. There is also an ever-increasing and more imaginative range of CBD oil with flavours added (normally ‘natural’ flavours such as lemon, peppermint or cinnamon, for example). These can help to disguise the taste of CBD if you really don’t like it.
CBD Capsules
With CBD capsules, there are a couple of ways that the CBD can be taken. Sometimes they are made into a water soluble substance (usually a powder) which is absorbed through the gut, or sometimes CBD oil is encased in a capsule and swallowed like any other food supplement.
In this case, the capsules are swallowed and broken down through the digestive system, meaning that it can take longer for it to get into the bloodstream than CBD oil taken sublingually. It can take up to about 2 hours for the CBD to work its way into the system. It does, mean, however, that it stays in the bloodstream for longer (usually about 8 hours), and therefore being an excellent option for people who want a background basis of CBD all day.
Many people find that they like to take CBD capsules in the morning to give them a background CBD level, and then top it up during the day with either drops, vaping or CBD topicals which are rubbed onto the skin. This gives them a lot more flexibility.
CBD capsules usually come in a little bottle or jar which are also easy to carry around, just like the CBD oil. They are more commonly taken by people who want CBD for their general health and well-being, chronic pain or depression. And of course, you don’t get the ‘CBD’ taste.
CBD capsules are an excellent way to know the exact dose of CBD that you are taking, With the dose already measured out inside the capsule you cannot mis-count or misjudge like it is possible to do with drops. However, you can be limited to the dose what has been pre-measured into the capsules…
Or can you?
Making your own CBD capsules
One of the best things about CBD oil is that it is flexible, and if you are taking a dose which is more unconventional, you can also make your own CBD capsules.
It is inexpensive to buy empty capsule casing, and to make your own capsules, just calculate how much CBD oil you will need and then fill the capsules using the dropper which comes with e CBD oil tincture. CBD oil can be bought in different strengths so that you can ensure that you are getting the right amount of oil in there.
By making your own CBD capsules, you can ensure that you are going to be getting exactly the right dose for you, are easy to take and can be taken along with your other supplements.
If you are already taking medication it is very important that you speak to your doctor if you’re thinking of trying CBD. Just as CBD can affect the endocannabinoid system, it can also affect the breakdown of some medicines in the human body. It is therefore very important that you discuss this with your doctor if you are already taking something – or if you start taking CBD and then your doctor wants you to take other medicine subsequently.
CBD can be very effective for the human body, and there is a wide choice of the best way for you to take it. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, but there are pros and cons to each method – whether you take it in the oil form or through CBD capsules which are bought or made by yourself.
