Buying guide for best cbd capsules
Looking to introduce a CBD product into your daily routine? CBD capsules are a great place to start. They’re easy to store, transport, and dose, making taking CBD as simple as swallowing down a capsule alongside your other daily vitamins and supplements. Plus, you’ll get the same effects from capsules as taking the equivalent amount of a CBD oil or CBD tincture, whether you’re seeking relief from pain, anxiety, or insomnia or just want to boost your general wellbeing.
Before you purchase CBD capsules, however, you have a lot to consider. It’s important to know more about CBD in general, such as what’s the difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD, extraction methods, and water-soluble forms of CBD. You’ll also need to consider strength and dosage.
This guide contains everything you need to know about CBD capsules so you can make the most informed purchase. When you’re ready to buy, you can check out our picks for the best CBD capsules on the market.
Key considerations
Strength
It's important to know the strength of your chosen CBD capsules so you’re aware of how much you’re taking each time. The majority of CBD capsules contain between 10 mg and 30 mg of CBD, but you can find high-strength CBD capsules that contain between 50 mg and 100 mg. You should only use these high-strength capsules if you know you have a high tolerance for CBD or you’re using them to treat a serious condition like significant pain or anxiety.
When comparing strengths of different CBD capsules, note that some manufacturers advertise the strength per capsule and some advertise the strength per bottle. With the latter, you’ll need to divide the listed strength by the number of capsules in the bottle. For instance, if the overall strength per bottle is 900 mg and the bottle contains 30 capsules, that’s 900 divided by 30, which equals 30 mg per capsule.
Of course, you’ll still need to know how much to take. Unfortunately, there’s no universal CBD dosage since effectiveness varies depending on your weight, the condition you’re treating, and your natural tolerance. We recommend starting with between 10 mg and 40 mg per day, depending on your weight and the severity of your condition. If your starting dosage doesn’t seem to do much, increase it gradually until you notice an improvement.
Full-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum CBD
To understand what full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD capsules are, you need to know that CBD oil can contain more than just CBD. Unless you choose a CBD isolate, CBD oil contains a range of cannabinoids, plus terpenes, amino acids, and other nutrients. Although it was once believed that CBD was the active ingredient providing all the medicinal benefits in CBD oil, it now seems that all these compounds work together to provide an overall effect.
Full-spectrum CBD capsules contain all the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, amino acids, and nutrients found in the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant, including THC. As you may know, THC is what gives cannabis its psychoactive effects, but THC in CBD oil is found in such low concentrations that even a large dose won’t make you feel intoxicated. If you don’t like the idea of consuming THC, even in tiny amounts, you can choose broad-spectrum CBD capsules, which contain all of the natural compounds of the cannabis plant except for THC.
Extraction method
There are two main methods of extracting CBD from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant: CO2 extraction and solvent extraction. As the name suggests, CO2 extraction uses the gas carbon dioxide. It’s a clean process that allows for a lot of control over the purity of the extracted CBD. Solvent extraction involves soaking the plant matter in a simple alcohol called ethanol. Although the trace amounts of ethanol left behind aren’t dangerous to consume, some people still prefer the idea of CO2 extraction.
Did you know?
CBD capsules made from hemp containing 0.3% THC or less are legal across the U.S., but CBD capsules made from hemp containing greater levels of THC are only legal in some states.
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Features
Gelatin-free
Some CBD capsules contain gelatin from either cows or pigs. If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or avoid certain animal products for religious reasons, look for gelatin-free capsules made using cellulose from plants.
Water-soluble
Some CBD capsules use water-soluble CBD instead of standard oil-based CBD. In water-soluble CBD, the size of the oil particles is reduced using a special process. As a result, the active compounds are significantly more bioavailable. In fact, your body can absorb close to 100% of all cannabinoids in water-soluble CBD capsules.
Organic
If you’re concerned about pesticides in your CBD capsules, look for a brand that’s certified USDA organic. Some companies use pesticide-free hemp even if they don’t have an organic certification, which is the next best thing.
Lab-tested
All CBD products must undergo rigorous testing before sale. We recommend choosing a product that’s been tested by a reliable third-party lab. You should be able to view the lab reports online at the manufacturer’s website.
For your safety
Some studies suggest that CBD oil interacts with certain medications, so check with your doctor before trying CBD capsules.
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CBD capsule prices
CBD capsules vary widely in price depending on how many capsules you get per bottle, their strength, and their overall quality. We’ve compared prices on bottles of 30 capsules, since this is a common number of CBD capsules per bottle.
Inexpensive CBD capsules cost between $30 and $50 per bottle. These tend to either be low-strength capsules of 5 mg to 10 mg or higher-strength capsules of low quality.
Mid-range CBD capsules cost $50 to $80 per bottle. At this price point, you’ll usually find medium-strength capsules of around 10 mg to 30 mg.
Expensive CBD capsules cost $80 to $150 per bottle. You should expect to receive high-strength CBD capsules in this price range, which are made to high standards and use the best-quality ingredients.
Did you know?
Although CBD oil is made from the hemp plant, it differs from hemp oil, which tends to refer to oil made from hemp seeds. Hemp seed oil contains no CBD or other cannabinoids.
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Tips
- Consider where the hemp used to make your chosen CBD capsules was sourced. Hemp grown in the United States is highly regulated, so you may prefer to use CBD capsules made with U.S.-grown hemp.
- Check whether your CBD comes in a carrier oil. Carrier oils are used to dilute the concentration of CBD. For the most part, carrier oil isn’t a big deal since you consume so little of it, but it’s worth checking if you suffer from any allergies. Coconut oil is often used as a carrier, and coconut is a common allergen.
- Think about how often you should take CBD capsules. For the best results, take CBD capsules at least once a day, though some people may benefit from taking a smaller dose twice or three times a day.
- Avoid CBD isolates. CBD capsules that contain CBD isolates have isolated the CBD from all the other cannabinoids in full-spectrum CBD oil and also from the terpenes, amino acids, and more. This means you won’t get the benefit of these other compounds.
FAQ
Q. Are CBD capsules safe?
A. Numerous studies have shown that CBD is well-tolerated by humans even up to doses of 1,500 mg, though we do not recommend taking that much. CBD has very few reported side effects. Possible side effects like drowsiness, lightheadedness, and dry mouth are rarely experienced unless taking large doses. Compared to the potential side effects of many prescription medications, CBD capsules are considered extremely safe.
Q. What are the benefits of CBD capsules over CBD oils or tinctures?
A. CBD oils and CBD tinctures are more commonly used, so why should you choose capsules instead? With capsules, you don’t have to be concerned about getting the dosage wrong since you know the exact strength of each capsule, making it virtually impossible to accidentally take too little or too much. Other benefits of CBD capsules include their neutral flavor (some people don’t like the taste of CBD oil), portability, discreetness, and easy storage with no need for refrigeration.
Q. What conditions can CBD capsules help with?
A. CBD can potentially help with a wide range of conditions. One of the most common reasons to take CBD is to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. However, CBD can also help reduce pain (particularly joint pain and pain from multiple sclerosis), lessen chemotherapy side effects such as appetite loss and nausea, provide neuroprotective properties, reduce epileptic seizures, and improve heart health. Always talk to your doctor before taking any new vitamin or supplement, including CBD capsules.
