CBD is slowly becoming the natural alternative to taking pharmaceutical drugs, and they're perfect for people who suffer from chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, or depression.
CBD capsules are easy to ingest, take the guesswork out of CBD dosing, and are very convenient.
This article will go over how to use CBD capsules properly, discuss dosing with capsules, and answer any other questions about using this form of CBD.
What is CBD and how does it work?
Before we get into how to use CBD capsules, it's important to understand what they actually do.
CBD is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD from hemp is non-psychoactive; it grows naturally very low in THC and high in CBD.
CBD can also be extracted from marijuana, but most CBD products on the market come strictly from hemp.
CBD interacts with our Endocannabinoid System (ECS), an endogenous signalling system located throughout the human body.
CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors located in the ECS and can help alleviate pain, inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, and depression symptoms.
How to use CBD capsules
Most people who use CBD capsules for medical purposes are interested in the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of CBD. Still, you can use them for many other purposes as well.
Follow the steps below to learn how to use your CBD capsules:
Decide on your dose of CBD
There are a few important factors that need to be considered when calculating dosage. For example, you must consider CBD concentration, your weight, and the condition you are using CBD for.
For most people taking CBD capsules for the first time, a dose between 10mg and 25mg should be sufficient.
It is recommended that most people start with a low dose and gradually increase over time to find what dose works for you personally.
If you find your dose is not doing its job after a few days to a week, try increasing it.
Take the capsules with water
Once you've figured out your dosing, take your CBD capsule with a glass of water. Capsules are generally easy to swallow and made with a gelatin outer shell, with the CBD extract inside.
While most capsules are still made with gelatin, more companies are switching to vegetable capsules for people who don't consume animals or animal byproducts to use them.
Monitor how you feel afterwards
Keep track of how your CBD is making you feel, and note any differences. It can be helpful to keep a CBD journal to jot down any changes; this will help you increase or decrease your dose as necessary.
Benefits of taking CBD capsules
CBD capsules are a great way to get your CBD if you're not into oils or tinctures. In addition, the convenience of taking a capsule can be very appealing for some people.
While the effects of CBD are still being studied, it's important to note that they do have many benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pain-relieving properties
- Helps people sleep better by reducing anxiety and insomnia
- Improves mood
- Anti-depressant effects
- Decreases the frequency and severity of seizures
- May promote neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons) in the brain
Aside from the medical benefits of CBD (of which this list is just a small part of), there are many non-medical related benefits to taking them.
Convenience
CBD capsules are one of the most convenient ways to take CBD.
The benefits of not having to worry about fussing with oils or tinctures, or using a dropper to measure every drop, cannot be overstated. You can swallow a capsule whenever you need it! It's that simple.
No taste
One of the most common complaints about CBD oil is that it tastes bad (even the flavoured oils!)
CBD capsules eliminate this issue by encapsulating the CBD in a capsule, thus protecting your taste buds from any unpleasant flavours.
Pre-set dosage
When you use CBD oil, it can be difficult to figure out how to measure out the correct dose of oil.
With CBD capsules, you don't need to worry about that. CBD capsules come in various strengths and concentrations (10mg, 25mg, even 50mg) per capsule.
It is as easy as figuring out how much you want in each capsule and ordering that amount.
Discreet
Taking CBD oil can be a bit of an inconvenience in a social setting. You must always have your oil or tincture with you to take when needed, and frequently re-dosing throughout the day can be difficult if you're always on the go.
CBD capsules are much more discreet. They look like a regular gel cap, and no one will be the wiser when you need to take one.
Downsides to CBD capsules
Like any supplement or medication you may take, CBD capsules have some pros and cons. Here are some of the less than desirable effects of choosing capsules over another form of CBD.
Cost of capsules vs CBD oils
CBD capsules are definitely one of the most convenient ways to take CBD, but they can also be more expensive, especially when compared to CBD oils or tinctures.
There is also the option to make your own capsules by purchasing empty gelatin capsules online; this will significantly reduce costs (though it has a bit of a learning curve).
The bioavailability rate of CBD capsules is lower than other methods
CBD capsules tend to have a lower bioavailability rate than CBD oils or tinctures.
Bioavailability is the measure of how much CBD becomes active in your body when ingested.
Less of the compound absorbs into your body when you swallow CBD than if you take it sublingually (under the tongue).
This is because the capsules need to break down within your stomach and pass through your digestive tract on their way to your liver. Your liver then processes the CBD, at which point it enters your bloodstream.
The bioavailability of capsules is around 6-10%, and up to 30% with sublingual CBD oils or tinctures.
Capsules take longer to take effect
Another downside is that CBD edibles take so long for the effects to start working (usually 30 minutes -2 hours). So this isn't always the best option for someone looking for fast relief.
Side effects of CBD capsules
If you're new to taking CBD, it is best to start with a low dosage (5-10mg) and see how your body reacts before increasing it.
Not only does this method allow you to judge what dose works best for you, but it also minimizes the side effects that may occur.
While the side effects of CBD are generally mild, they can be more severe at high doses, and there are a few more serious side effects to watch for.
- Nausea
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- May thin blood
- Low blood pressure
- Changes in appetite
You can always increase your dosage once your body has gotten used to CBD. In addition, side effects tend to lessen after consistent use of the product for an extended amount of time.
Another thing to be cautious of when taking CBD is potential medication interactions. CBD interacts with some medications in the same way that grapefruit does, which essentially sums up to the meds staying in your system for longer than they are supposed to.
This can be very dangerous, and you should always speak to a doctor before taking CBD if you are on any prescription medications. It is also not recommended to take CBD if you are on blood thinners or medications that lower your blood pressure.
Final thoughts about using CBD capsules
CBD capsules are a convenient, discreet and easy way to take CBD, but they have some downsides.
The most prominent is that the bioavailability rate of CBD capsules is lower than other methods, and it takes longer for them to start working (usually 30 minutes -2 hours).
They can also be more expensive than other methods of taking CBD, but there are ways you can reduce costs by purchasing empty gelatin capsules online or making your own with an easy-to-follow guide on how to make them at home.