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What are CBD pills?

CBD Blog: General CBD Education | Panacea Life Sciences
Aug 31 2020

The cannabidiol (CBD) industry is booming. CBD is becoming more and more popular every day and as a result, there are many CBD products out there. This makes choosing the right product a little intimidating. So, let’s just focus on one for now. More specifically, let’s go into detail about CBD pills, what they are, and if they are right for you.

Breaking it down: What is CBD? 

There is something that we need to cover before we can start talking about CBD pills. Namely, we need to define CBD in general. 

CBD is a member of a specific class of chemical compounds generally known as cannabinoids. These compounds are found in cannabis and all of its variations, hemp and marijuana being the main ones. There are a lot of cannabinoids out there, with over 113 that have been identified and named so far. CBD is not likely to be the only cannabinoid that you have heard of. 

More than likely, you have heard of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a rather widely known cannabinoid. The reason why you may have heard of THC before is because it is the cannabinoid that creates a high. That is, it is psychoactive, which means that it has an inebriating effect on its users. Since they are both cannabinoids and are both found in cannabis plants like marijuana, it is a common misconception to think that CBD is also psychoactive. However, it should be understood that CBD has no psychoactive effects. It will not get its users high. 

Because CBD comes from cannabis, there are many people who are unsure about CBD’s legal status. This is understandable but does not need to be a concern. Most CBD products are made using hemp rather than marijuana. This makes a difference because hemp was legalized in the United States in 2018 (with restrictions in certain states). This legalization said that anything made from hemp that contains less than 0.3% THC is federally legal. Most CBD products fall into that category, so CBD is legal. Marijuana is still federally illegal, so most CBD manufacturers stay away from it to avoid complications. 

CBD manufacturers use hemp, not just because it is legal, but also because it is easier to create hemp CBD oil. Hemp has a high concentration of CBD and (as mentioned before) only 0.3% THC. This makes the extraction that much simpler. Marijuana tends to have levels of CBD that varies from plant to plant. That makes extracting CBD complicated, so hemp is definitely preferable. 

Research into the benefits of CBD has been finding some interesting results recently. For example, certain studies suggest that CBD may be helpful in achieving a greater sense of calm. It may also support the joint health of those who take it. Other studies have found it to be useful in calming epileptic seizures. These are just a few examples of what different studies have found. The research into CBD is still preliminary, but exciting. We will likely learn more as time goes on. 

Does it come in pill form? 

It is likely that when you have heard of CBD it was in the context of an oil. While that is a great way to use CBD (as we will discuss in a minute), it is not the only option. It is becoming more and more common to see CBD it a form that is not unlike a pill. This is likely to appeal to a lot of people for a few reasons, but before we can really get into those reasons, let’s talk about what kinds of pills there are. 

Soft gel capsules 

CBD soft gel capsules are the most similar to regular pills, the one exception being the “soft gel” aspect. Soft gel just means that they have been made using liquid CBD extract. This is a great way to make CBD pills as it gives some added benefits. One of the benefits is that the soft gels make the pill more flexible. As a result, they are much easier to swallow, especially for those who struggle with swallowing pills. Another benefit is that the start working faster than regular pills. This is because the soft gel digests easier. However, you do still need to wait for it to digest, so it can still take a little while for the CBD to start working. 

Sublingual tablets 

It is common to find CBD pills in the form of sublingual tablets. These are taken by placing the tablet under your tongue (or just in your mouth, depending on the size of the tablet) and allow it to dissolve before swallowing. They are designed this way because the skin under your tongue is very thin, as a result, it is easy for the CBD to absorb through that layer and get into your system faster. While sublingual tablets do start working faster than soft gel capsules, you do have to wait for the tablet to dissolve before you can swallow. So, if you are looking for something that you can just swallow and go, you may want to look for capsules. 

What other products are there? 

CBD capsules and tablets are a great option for a lot of people, but not everyone. If after reading the above section, you find yourself thinking that a CBD pill is not right for you, no worries. There are a lot of CBD products out there. It is not hard to find something that will work for you. 

Oils 

Let’s start simple with some CBD oils. These are made by mixing CBD extract with a carrier oil, like coconut oil. You have a few options when it comes to taking oils. You can mix it in with some food or drink, essentially making your own CBD edible. The one downside of this is that you need to wait for the food to digest be for the CBD can start working. The other way to take CBD oil is a bit more direct. You simply place a drop or two directly into your mouth, under the tongue. This way is faster too, because as talked about earlier, the skin under the tongue is thin and allows for the CBD to absorb into the bloodstream more directly. If taste is a concern when it comes to taking CBD directly, there is a solution. Most CBD manufacturers make CBD oil with flavorings and other oils to help mask the earthy hemp taste that some do not like. 

Edibles 

It is not very hard to guess what edibles are. They are any food or drink that has been made using CBD extract. Edibles are incredibly popular. This is likely because they taste great and are easy to take. Plus, edibles have a specific amount of CBD in each serving, so you always know how much you have gotten. However, much like with eating oils and taking capsules, you do have to wait for the food to digest before the CBD can start its work. 

Topicals 

CBD topicals is a wide category of CBD products. This is because it includes anything that you use on your skin that has been made with CBD extract. They include lotions, salves, creams, hand sanitizers, and cooling patches. CBD topicals are not likely to provide the same overall effect that most other CBD products do. This is because the cannabinoid never actually makes it to the bloodstream. Instead it absorbs in through the pores and generally stays in the area where it is placed to do its work. This makes them a good option for those looking for a more localized effect. 

When using CBD for the first time, be sure to be careful about how much you take. While CBD is generally considered safe, there are still some side effects. These side effects usually include things like nausea, gastrointestinal upset, and fatigue. They are also usually connected with taking too much of the cannabinoid. So, to help avoid these be sure to start with as small of an amount as possible. If you do not feel any adverse effects, but still are not getting the desired effect, you can try taking more. 

Be sure to talk to a healthcare professional before starting to take CBD. There are some medications that do not work as well or stop working entirely in the presences of CBD. So, if you are taking any medication it is best to discuss it with your healthcare provider as they should know how your medication will work with the CBD. 

Hopefully, this article has given you a better idea of what CBD pills are and whether or not they are right for you. Of course, if you still have any comments, questions, or concerns, feel free to contact our team here at Panacea Life Sciences. You can email us at [email protected] or by visiting our Contact Us page. While you are at it, why not check out our high-quality CBD products. We carry products for just about everyone, including CBD soft gel capsules and sublingual tablets. 

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