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What’s the difference between CBD capsules and CBD oils and how does each consumption method change the experience for the consumer? When weighing up the pros and cons of a CBD tincture vs CBD softgels, it really comes down to personal preference.
Even so, this article will help highlight some of the basic differences and similarities to help you make the right purchase.
What is CBD oil?
The first thing you need to know about CBD oils is that they are often referred to as CBD tinctures and can be made from all plants belonging to the cannabis family, including hemp, which is particularly rich in CBD.
The plants are first harvested and then subjected to an extraction process, which can vary in a number of ways, but which are all designed to separate and collect the exact number and combination of plant compounds desired.
Whatever is extracted from the plants – cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils – is then suspended in an inert oil, usually MCT or coconut oil, and packaged in an easy-to-use dropper bottle, so that the consumer can place the product directly under the tongue.
When a CBD oil is dropped under the tongue, the recommendation is to hold it there for around 90 seconds. This pause gives the body the time it needs to transfer all the wellness benefits from the cannabinoids, terpenes and other plant compounds into the bloodstream.
Once absorbed, they can begin to quickly and effectively inteact with the endocannabinoid system and, after 90 seconds has passed, the consumer swallows the oil and moves on with his or her day. CBD oils are that simple.
What are CBD capsules?
CBD capsules, also referred to as CBD softgels, are easy-to-take gel caps, filled with CBD oil.
The oil inside a softgel passes through the same kind of extraction process as a CBD oil or tincture, before then being molded into its capsule form.
As is the case with CBD oils, CBD softgels are manufactured using a variety of plant components extracted from all members of the cannabis family, including hemp. The outer shell of a CBD softgel, which holds the CBD oil neatly inside, is usually made from gelatin.
As such, most, if not all, softgels are organic and vegetarian-friendly.
CBD capsules are also particularly easy to consume. Simply place the softgel on the tip of your tongue and swallow with a little water. They can be consumed with food, after food, or even on an empty stomach, without causing bodily discomfort in any way.
Top Scoring CBD Capsules
We’ve tested countless CBD products and capsules are perhaps the 3rd most common product we review (after tinctures and gummies).
Though there are many great CBD capsules (soft gels) on the market, these are our 3 top scoring alternatives at the moment.
MedTerra Good Morning Capsules
MedTerra’s CBD Good Morning Capsules contain a proprietary blend of energizing ingredients to help kick start your day.
We always encourage you to try CBD products that contain more than just CBD! These CBD capsules contain 25mg of CBD that provide mental clarity throughout your day, along with a blend of Caffeine, B6, B12, L-Tyrosine, and L-Theanine, for energy and extra motivation.
Helps you kick-off the day correctly and the large pack (60 units) helps if you are a frequent traveller (hello COVID-19) since you can pop 10 capsules into a travel bag so you don’t run the risk of a leaking tincture bottle.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
92.6
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
Nano Craft Sleep Capsules
Nanocraft’s Sleep Capsules are designed for your ultimate night’s sleep and will not only help you drift off to sleep, but also improve the quality and length of your sleep.
They get to work quickly and effectively, thanks to their nanoemulsion-based delivery system and have added melatonin, which also helps to regulate your sleep/wake cycle.
The sleep capsules are a great complement to the Good Morning Capsules above and will help you feel balanced both in your waking and sleeping hours.
It is recommended that you take one or two capsules, around 30 minutes before going to bed.
BEST CBD COMPANY
91
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
How do you choose between CBD oils and CBD softgels?
Before taking a look at the differences between these two product types, it’s important to remember that both can help you to achieve overall balance, improve wellness and reestablish inner stability.
While CBD e-liquids, which are simply oils designed to be inhaled using a vape, definitely offer the fastest uptake, they’re not a consumer-friendly product for non-smokers. This is what makes both oils and softgels so popular and, in particular, the hemp-derived, low-THC product lines.
But which product type is the right one for you? Let’s start looking at the details and weighing up those scales…
The pros of CBD softgels
CBD softgels are all about convenience and discretion. They’re the kind of product you can enjoy as easily as a piece of candy, you can carry them around with you without worrying if they’ll leak over the contents of your bag, and you can keep tabs on your dose.
Whether you’re at work, in the car, traveling on public transport, in a meeting, at a concert, or spending time with family, taking in a CBD softgel is quick and easy. It’s much quicker and much more discreet than administering a dropper’s worth of CBD oil under your tongue and holding it there for over a minute.
- Quick and easy to take
- Best for travel
- Easy to dose
- Discrete
- Safe to carry (no leakage)
The pros of CBD oils
While CBD oils may be a little more time-consuming to administer and far less discreet than CBD softgels, oils come out on top in terms of variety.
There are whole plant extracts, full spectrum oils, broad spectrum oils, distillates, isolates, scented oils, flavored oils, oils rich in CBD, or mixed with CBG, or packed to the brim with the exact terpene profile to induce sleep and find that long lost body balance.
While new oils pop up on the market every day, CBD softgel options are by no means as varied.
CBD oils also tend to vary in terms of potency. Some tinctures are super rich in CBD, heavy and highly charged. Others are far less potent and offer a great starting point for those new to CBD, trying to find the exact dosage that works for their body and needs.
Availability is another factor that gives CBD oils the edge. In general, most CBD brands offer tinctures, but not all offer softgels.
So, on top of the added variety, the consumer is simply more likely to come across a range of CBD oils to choose from at different price points. It may seem like a small point to focus on, but it really can make all the difference.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that CBD oils can also be lots of fun, especially when using them as an extra ingredient to add to homemade CBD cocktails and juices.
A few drops of CBD oil in a breakfast smoothie not only helps to diminish the odd taste of CBD oil, but it also helps to incorporate it into your daily routine.
- A lot of potency variations
- A lot of flavor variations
- Quick acting
- Exact dosing
- Easy to swallow
- Can be blended with almost anything
Top Scoring CBD Oils
So let’s take a look at the best CBD oils that we have reviewed so far on CBD Incubator.
*The review process is rigorous — We have a team of testers who come from different walks-of-life (senior citizen, entrepreneur, athlete, yoga teacher, dogs, cats, etc) who all view the products from different angles and share their particular point of view.
NanoCraft 3K Gold Tincture
Nanocraft’s Gold Series Tincture is designed for everyday use to promote wellness, recovery and pain relief throughout your entire body.
The 3K gold tincture is a highly potent broad-spectrum oil that contains 3000mg of CBD, along with a wider variety of compounds that work in synergy for those CBD users keen to benefit from everything that hemp has to offer.
Each 0.5ml drop delivers a massive 50mg of CBD plus over 40 other active cannabinoids and terpenes that all help you feel better and battle both short and longterm pain.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
92.6
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★★
Green Roads Mighty Tincture
Right up there with NanoCraft, Charlotte’s Web and Joy Organics when competing for the best CBD oil (all categories). This formula is created by an ex-pharmacist turned CBD brand owner from Florida.
The formula is well balanced and has great effect on pain and decreased inflammatory problems.
This is a Broad-Spectrum formula, meaning it has traces of THC though it is non-detectable.
It’s a great alternative if you have used THC-free CBD successfully before and now want more pain relief.
BEST NIGHT OIL
89.6
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★☆
Charlotte’s Web Original Formula
Charlotte’s Web Original Formula CBD Oil can help to ease and manage pain, maintain healthy sleep cycles, and recover from inflammation.
This Original Formula uses limited and select ingredients to deliver the best extract possible.
It delivers a potent 50mg of CBD per ml which is infused with a carrier oil and you can choose from natural (olive oil) or mint chocolate flavor.
We recommend CW to first time buyers because of the brands impeccable attention to detail. The premium quality tincture, shipping and delivery all comes at a price though. So be prepared to pay a little more for Charlotte’s Web than other tinctures on this list.
BEST FOR 1st TIME USERS
88.8
TOTAL SCORE
★★★★☆
The importance of establishing a CBD routine
It’s a really good idea to take your CBD, whether an oil or a softgel, at the same time every day. Regular consumption helps the body to enter into a routine and preps it so that it’s ready to take full advantage of the wellness and body balance support that CBD has to offer.