What Are CBD Capsules and Why Should You Use Them?

Ever since CBD went mainstream, people have been experimenting with new ways to use it. They’ve put it in everything from bath bombs to oil diffusers, and pizzas to suppositories (really). But sometimes the simplest ways work best, and if you’re looking for something that’s quick, easy, and foolproof, CBD capsules could be your best bet.

CBD capsules might not have the flashiness or sex appeal of exotic skin care products (and they probably don’t taste as good as some of these CBD-infused desserts), but what they lack in novelty, they make up for in discretion and precision — you can take them anywhere, and you always know how much CBD you’re actually consuming.

We’ll make a more detailed examination of the benefits of CBD capsules in a moment, but first, what exactly are they?

CBD capsules come in two main forms: softgels or a hard pill-like shell. They range in size and dosage, flavor and color, and they can contain other healthy natural ingredients such as coconut oil. They’re readily available both online and in health food stores around the county, and thanks to moves to make CBD oil packaging more transparent, they often come with some of the most complete information of any CBD product.

But why should you choose them over CBD topicals, for example? Ultimately your choice will depend on your own needs and preferences, but CBD capsules have several qualities that should rank them high on your list.

Why Use CBD Capsules?

Many CBD products offer similar benefits — the reduction of anxiety, the relief of pain, the soothing of inflammation. However, they do so in very different ways. Here are some of the unique characteristics of CBD capsules:

Whole-Body Effectiveness

Sometimes, you have a specific area of the body that you want to treat: for example, a patch of acne on your cheek, or a sore elbow. In these situations, the most effective option may be a CBD-infused cream or lotion that delivers localized relief.

However, sometimes your whole body could use a bit of a boost. This is where CBD capsules are their most useful — since they’re absorbed into the bloodstream, their effects are distributed evenly throughout the body. They’re not quite as fast-acting as other methods like vaping, but they do have one major advantage, which is explained below.

Precise Dosages

How many puffs of a vape pen equal 15 mg of CBD? How many more would you need to get 25 mg of CBD? If you have absolutely no idea, you’re not alone. This is one of the main drawbacks of vaping, edibles, and topicals — it’s hard to know exactly how much CBD you’re consuming.

However, calculating your ideal dosage of CBD is much easier when it’s delivered via capsule. It’s also easier to track your consumption and adjust your intake: there’s no need for complicated charts or journals. Just leave a Post-It note on your refrigerator that says, “This week, I took ___ capsules per day,” and if you don’t see results (or the results you do see are too intense) you can adjust accordingly.

Convenience

Just like having a multivitamin with your morning cup of coffee (or after you finish your skin care routine before bed) taking CBD capsules is easy to integrate into your daily life.

This may not seem like a big deal — but convenience matters! Countless studies have shown that when it comes to forming new habits, consistency is key. And while you might not have a pre-existing habit of eating a handful of gummies or taking ten puffs on a vape pen, swallowing a pill or two at regular times throughout the day is something many of us are already hardwired to do.

Easily Customizable

Some people prefer the idea of mixing up their own CBD products (such as face masks or salves) at home. Those people will be happy to learn that making your own CBD capsules is much easier than you might think. All you need is a capsule-making machine which can be easily bought online, some quality ingredients, and the right DIY capsule recipe.

This can be an intriguing option for people who’d like to customize the flavor (or contents) of their CBD capsules.

Stability

CBD’s stability isn’t a factor that people tend to give much consideration, but just like another other chemical substances, it reacts to its environment — and these reactions can have a significant impact on the integrity of the oil itself.

For example, CBD reacts badly when it’s heated too much, or exposed to too much light or air. If it’s kept in an overly hot, humid, or bright environment, the oil’s molecular composition degrades and it becomes less effective as a result.

Fortunately, CBD is less susceptible to these changes in capsule form, as the outer shell (whether hard or soft) helps protect the oil from the elements.

Lack of Odor

Many people want to enjoy the health benefits of cannabis without its distinctive smell sticking to their hair and clothes. If they wanted to smell like a cannabis plant, they’d buy the perfume (yes, cannabis perfumes are a real thing).

For these people, CBD capsules can provide an undetectable way to get many of cannabis’ benefits without attracting odd looks from their family or coworkers.

Pro tip: look for capsules that contain full spectrum CBD oil, as broad/partial spectrum and CBD isolate oils have been heavily processed to remove many important components.