Tinctures provide an immediate effect in the body compared to capsules, although their effects are short-lived. In contrast, capsules take longer to manifest in the body, although they can mask the awful CBD taste and provide longer-lasting effects.
If you are looking for a CBD product that will work quickly in your body, then CBD tinctures are the best choice. They are more highly absorbed in the bloodstream than the capsules, which are broken down through digestion. CBD oil is taken by putting some drops underneath the tongue to get absorbed into the bloodstream. However, the capsules last longer in the body. In addition, they are ideal for masking the awful taste of CBD. In this article; we compare the effectiveness of tinctures and capsules to determine which product works better for contemporary use.
WHAT IS CBD?
CBD is one of the many different compounds found in hemp plant. It is extracted from the flowers, stems, and leaves of the cannabis plant using the supercritical CO2 extraction method. Unlike the THC compound in the marijuana plant, CBD does not have psychoactive effects (Cumberbatch et al, 2019). In the United States, hemp products cannot exceed 0.3% THC according to 2018 Farm Bill.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CBD
Corroon & Felice, (2019) describe several health and therapeutic benefits of CBD products as follows:
- Boosts skin health
- Relieves pain
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Promotes sleeping
- Reduces nausea and vomiting
- Lessens seizures due to epilepsy
- Promotes calmness
WHAT ARE CBD TINCTURES?
CBD tinctures are alcohol-based extracts consumed sublingually. They are extracted from the cannabis hemp plant using high-proof alcohol as a solvent, which may leave a bitter flavor (Cumberbatch et al, 2019). After the extraction, other additives like vegetable glycerin, sweeteners, or flavoring are added to mask the bitter taste. Depending on the expected benefits of those tinctures, some companies may add vitamins and supplements like melatonin.
HOW TO TAKE CBD TINCTURES?
There are different ways in which you can take CBD tinctures.
HOLDING IT UNDER YOUR TONGUE
Under-the-tongue method is also called sublingual consumption. It involves placing CBD tincture under your tongue for some minutes and waiting for its absorption into the bloodstream. The effects show very quickly compared to the other methods which depend on digesting breakdown of the CBD.
SWALLOWING IT ORALLY
CBD tinctures can also be taken via the gut. Some people dislike holding it under their tongue then swallowing the product. This method will work but not as fast as holding it under your tongue because the CBD must undergo digestion fast. It takes some time to show the expected results.
MIXING IT WITH FOOD OR DRINKS
You can mix your CBD tinctures with your food or favorite drinks to mask its taste if you don’t like it. Adding it to your coffee will be great.
APPLYING IT TO YOUR SKIN
CBD tinctures can be applied directly to your skin. It will get absorbed topically and show the desired benefits after some time.
BENEFITS OF CBD TINCTURES
- They are easy to transport
- They have a long shelf-life
- They are easy to hit precise
- They have increased bioavailability
HOW TO DOSE CBD TINCTURES?
The tincture dose differs from person to person. However, beginners should start with low doses to gauge their reactions to the tinctures. After that, then they can increase or decrease their dosage according to their needs (Cumberbatch et al, 2019). Increasing the dose is done gradually but the average dose is around 20-50 mg.
WHAT ARE CBD CAPSULES?
CBD capsules are pill-like products that are consumed orally and they consist of a casing that is made of a vegetarian substitute and filled with a specific amount of CBD.
HOW TO USE CBD CAPSULES
CBD capsules are taken orally using water or a favorite beverage. CBD is believed to be lipophilic so taking CBD capsules with fat-containing food will increase their bioavailability.
BENEFITS OF CBD CAPSULES
CBD CAPSULES HAVE NO FLAVOR
CBD capsules masks the CBD’s earthy flavor (Cumberbatch et al, 2019). Some people dislike the taste of CBD. Hence capsules give the ideal option for masking the taste.
CBD CAPSULES ARE NOT MESSY
CBD CAPSULES ARE PORTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING. THEY ARE PACKED IN A BOTTLE SO THEY CAN’T SPILL. THE BOTTLE PACK HAS SMALLER UNITS, ALLOWING YOU TO SELECT THE AMOUNT YOU NEED FOR YOUR JOURNEY WITHOUT BRINGING THE WHOLE PACK.
CBD CAPSULES ARE MORE DISCREET
Taking CBD capsules is relatively confidential. You only need to pop one in your mouth and swallowing with water without, attracting attention.
CBD CAPSULES ALLOW ACCURATE DOSING
Each CBD capsule comes with a measured amount of CBD; the already calculated dose makes it readily consumable.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CBD CAPSULES?
- The company must provide proof of third-party lab testing
- The CBD capsules must contain less than 0.3% of THC
- The product must have passed the test of pesticides, heavy metals, and molds
- The product should indicate whether the ingredients are certified organic
USES OF CBD CAPSULES
Evans, (2020) observed the following therapeutic and health benefits of CBD:
- Reducing stress
- Relieving pain
- Promoting calmness
- Regulating sleeping habits
- Treatingsymptoms associated with cancer
- Dealing with anxiety
SIDE EFFECTS OF CBD CAPSULES
Although CBD capsules are considered friendly to the body, they have some side effects especially when taken wrongly. The side effects are also prevalent among first-timers (Millar et al, 2020). These side effects include:
- Weight change
- Appetite change
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
Conclusion
Both tinctures and capsules dispense similar products to the body; they only differ in consumption methods and the time taken for their impact to manifest. On the one hand, CBD tinctures manifest faster than capsules. As mentioned earlier, the tinctures are placed under the tongue, held there for some time, and absorbed in the bloodstream. In contrast, the capsules are taken orally; they are under digestion which may take up to two hours. The body relatively tolerates the products. However, first-time users or individuals who wrongly administer the drugs might have mild side effects.
REFERENCES
Corroon, J., & Felice, J. F. (2019). The Endocannabinoid System and its Modulation by Cannabidiol (CBD). Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 25.
Cumberbatch, J., & erson. (2019, May 1). Everything You Need to Know About CBD Tinctures. ELLE. https://www.elle.com/culture/a27149060/what-are-tinctures/
Evans, J. (2020). The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol. Fair Winds Press.
Millar, S. A., Maguire, R. F., Yates, A. S., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2020). Towards Better Delivery of Cannabidiol (CBD). Pharmaceuticals, 13(9), 219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13090219.
