An overview of CBD capsules and other products

If you are new to the world of cannabidiol (CBD), you will quickly find that there are many CBD capsules products out there. So many that it may feel like a daunting task just to find the right one for you. However, we here at Panacea Life Sciences are all about education. We want to give you the correct tools to make an informed decision about your CBD choice. So, here is a small description of each kind of CBD product, so that you can find your perfect match.  

CBD capsules: an explanation  

If you are reading this article, there is a good chance that you are new to CBD capsules. As a result, we want to make sure that our customers know what CBD even is. Let’s get started.    

All variations of the cannabis plant contain a group of chemical compounds found in them that are called cannabinoids. These compounds are highly diverse, with over 113 that researchers have found so far. CBD is one of these cannabinoids. It is among two of the more famous cannabinoids, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).    

There is a fairly good chance that you heard about THC a long time ago. This is because it was one of the first cannabinoids to have its effect identified. THC is the compound that creates the high that is associated with marijuana use. Because both CBD and THC are found in cannabis and are both cannabinoids, there is a misguided thought that CBD is psychoactive as well. However, CBD capsules does not have psychoactive effects whatsoever.  

The two main variations of cannabis are hemp and marijuana. While you can find CBD capsules in either of these variations, CBD manufacturers usually prefer using hemp, rather than marijuana. One of the reasons for this is that hemp is federally legal in the United States (with exceptions in a few states), which makes selling the CBD much easier. Marijuana is still federally illegal, which, despite the few states that have legalized it, makes selling it much more complex. The other reason why hemp is the go-to is because hemp is rich in CBD, while only containing a THC concentration of 0.3%, which is not enough to cause a high. Marijuana has consistently high THC concentrations and inconsistent CBD levels.  

CBD products  

So, now that you have a clearer picture of what CBD capsules is, let’s get into its products.  

CBD Capsules & tablets  

These are a pretty popular product. They are essentially CBD in pill form. Capsules are the most pill-like. They usually come in the form of soft gels. This means that they are made from liquid CBD extract. The appeal of this is that the capsules are softer and as a result easier to swallow. They also digest more quickly than hard-packed pills. CBD tablets are little bit different, but still a great option. These you take by placing them under your tongue (or just directly into your mouth, depending on the size of the tablet), and you let them dissolve. This way of taking CBD is more efficient because the skin in your mouth is thin, allowing the CBD to enter your bloodstream faster.  

Tinctures & oils  

Oils and tinctures are considered to be the more traditional form for CBD to take. They are pretty simple, being made by mixing CBD capsules extract with a carrier oil, like coconut oil for example. Their general appeal is that they offer some options in how you can take them. One simple way is pretty direct, you just place a drop or two into your mouth and hold it there for a minute or two. This utilizes the same idea as tablets. Taking advantage of the thin skin of the mouth, the CBD can enter your system pretty quickly. The other way you can take a CBD oil is by mixing it in with food or drink to create your own edible. The one downside of this is that the food or drink needs to digest before the CBD starts to work. This means that you might have to wait up to a couple of hours for the CBD to work.  

Edibles  

CBD edibles are definitely the most popular product out there. This is totally understandable and not at all surprising. In case you have not guessed, edibles are any food or drink that has been made using CBD extract as one of its ingredients. Edibles are a delicious and easy way to get your daily dose of CBD. They help provide you with CBD without that earthy hemp taste that turns so many off of CBD. However, edibles do have their downside. Like with CBD oil that has been mixed with food, the edible needs to digest before the CBD can take effect. As a sort of tradeoff though, the effects tend to last the longest out of all of CBD products.  

Topicals  

CBD topicals are a very wide category of products. They include anything that you use on your skin rather than taking it orally. They could be lotions, creams, salves, hand sanitizers, or even cooling/heating patches. When applied topically, CBD usually is not absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, instead absorbs through the pores. That way the CBD does its work in a much more localized area and stays in that general area.  

FDA approved medications  

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few different CBD based medications over the last couple of years. One of these is Epidiolex. This medication is made to help those, especially children, who struggle with two rare forms of epilepsy. There is another medication, Sativex, that is aimed at helping keep down the spastic pain that is associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Most of the other FDA approved, CBD based medication are made to help fight the nausea that is a common side effect of cancer treatments.  

So, now you have a better idea of what each kind of CBD product has to offer. All you need to do now is decide which one you would like most to try. Who knows? Maybe you will want to try more than one!