CBD Oil vs CBD Softgels - What's the Difference?

When doing your research on what kind of CBD is best for your lifestyle, you will probably come across many different types. While vaping, creams and rollers are all available, the two most popular CBD products are easily CBD oil tinctures and CBD capsules.

Do CBD oil tinctures provide a better experience than capsules? And for those who prefer the convenience of capsules: Do they provide the same amount of cannabinoids per use than other methods? If you’re trying to decide which is best, read on – as we explain the key differences between CBD oil tinctures and CBD capsules.

CBD Capsules vs. CBD Oil

What is a CBD Oil Tincture?

CBD oil tinctures are arguably the most common and recognizable CBD product on the market today. With one full dropper, you can be exposed to a full spectrum of cannabinoids with potentially beneficial properties, as determined by peer-reviewed medical studies.

Like all CBD products, collecting CBD oil starts after plants are harvested. After collection from the fields, industrial hemp plants grown for their high concentration of cannabinoids go straight to the lab for CBD extraction. Using methods including CO2 extraction, the result is a liquid CBD oil that is full of cannabinoids.

Because plants can be engineered for multiple purposes, CBD oils can be different in the bottle. Full spectrum CBD oils contain multiple cannabinoids while staying under the federal THC limit of 0.3%. Broad spectrum CBD oil also contains multiple cannabinoids, with only trace amounts of THC. CBD isolate oil contains only one cannabinoid: cannabidiol (CBD).

The Advantages and Disadvantages of CBD Oil Tinctures

The key advantage of using CBD oil tinctures is its quick absorption into the body. Taking one full dropper underneath the tongue (sublingually) ensures faster delivery of cannabinoids, which may give quicker observed benefits than with a capsule.

In addition, droppers allow you to decide how much you want to take with every dose. If you don’t notice an effect of taking a CBD oil, you may increase the amount of your tincture serving. Conversely, if you don’t like the effects of a stronger CBD oil, you can reduce the tincture amount without buying a new bottle of CBD oil. This allows you to experiment until you find the right amount for you.

On the downside, CBD oil tinctures may come with a natural taste. Even with flavoring, many people describe the natural flavor as “wood-like” or “earthy.” If this flavor profile hits your palate wrong, it may be difficult to take a tincture. Another con of CBD oil tinctures is they don’t travel very well. If you take a CBD oil in your carry-on luggage, you may get additional questions about its contents. In this situation, you may want to consider flying with CBD capsules versus CBD oil.

What is a CBD Capsule?

Much like CBD oils, CBD capsules were created to make taking CBD oil an easy and convenient process. However, they are made using a process completely different from traditional CBD oil tinctures.

Like CBD oil, CBD capsules can come in two different ways: CBD isolate, which is a powder-like substance packed into a softgel capsule, or softgel capsules filled with CBD oil. This requires two different methods of extraction.

For CBD oil softgel capsules, the cannabinoids are extracted in the same way from the plant. But instead of filling a tincture with CBD oil, the oils are placed into softgel capsules. To fill the capsule, CBD oil is often combined with other carriers, like hemp seed oil or olive oil, in order to help you absorb the CBD.

For CBD isolate capsules, the process is very similar. But instead of harvesting a CBD oil, CBD isolate comes out as a fine, white crystalline powder. Again, the CBD is mixed with another agent – most commonly coconut oil or MCT oil – in order to help your body absorb the CBD.

The Advantages of CBD Capsules

One of the best things about CBD capsules is their discretion and ease of using. For those who prefer to use CBD during the day, a capsule can provide a quiet way to absorb cannabinoids without raising too much suspicion. And because they come in an easy-to-recognize form, you can take them with water and skip the natural flavors that come with CBD oil tinctures.

Capsules filled with CBD isolate or CBD oil have to be broken down by your stomach before it can enter your body. As a result, you may not feel immediate relief with a capsule, which can be frustrating. In addition, because CBD capsules are filled with other agents (like hemp oil or extra virgin olive oil), the potential for unwanted side effects exists. Be sure to understand all the ingredients in your CBD oil before deciding to take one.

Are CBD Oil Tinctures Better Than CBD Capsules?

If you find yourself debating CBD capsules versus CBD oil tinctures, you are not alone. Both have their pros and cons and come down to your personal preference and attitudes.

Because traditional CBD oil tinctures are taken under your tongue, it may take less time to feel the effects versus using a capsule. And with different flavors available, a natural, pleasant taste can outweigh any unwanted experiences. Therefore, it may be concluded that traditional tinctures are the preferred way to use CBD oil.

But if you would rather have the convenience and portability of a capsule, be sure to do your due diligence before selecting a product. Before you shop CBD oil or CBD capsules you will need to know and understand all the ingredients, review the CBD lab reports from a third-party independent lab and determine how much CBD you want with each capsule.