What are CBD Edibles vs. CBD Capsules?

What are CBD Edibles vs. CBD Capsules?

Ingestibles like edibles and capsules are some of the most common ways to take CBD. They’re convenient to use and come in a wide range of products to suit various tastes. But you might be asking yourself: what are CBD edibles and CBD capsules? And what are the differences between them? 

Maybe you’ve heard about the bioavailability of each and have wondered what that means. Or perhaps you want to know more about recommended doses and when to use one over the other.

Here, we’ve broken down all the critical information so that you can learn the essentials about CBD edibles vs. CBD capsules.

What are CBD ingestibles?

First up, what is a CBD ingestible? Quite simply, CBD ingestibles are CBD products that you process through your digestive tract (rather than, say, by inhaling them or applying them topically). You can purchase full-spectrum ingestibles, containing similar quantities of both CBD and THC or CBD-dominant products with little or no THC. The most popular types of ingestibles are CBD edibles and CBD capsules.

CBD edibles vs. CBD capsules: what are they, and how are they made?

Most of the differences between CBD edibles and CBD capsules come down to the way they’re made. For example, in terms of pricing, the type of ingredients that CBD is combined with directly impacts the cost. Gummies will always be cheaper than high-end chocolates. And hand-crafted edibles, made with a little more love, will always be more expensive than machine-made, mass-produced products.

The quality and quantity of CBD that a product contains also make a difference. At Kat’s Naturals, for instance, our edibles are made with activated hemp, which means we utilize the full hemp plant, including a lot of great material that’s lost when using CBD isolate. 

Most companies that make edibles accept that they will lose some CBD to heat or evaporation during the production process, but many lose much more than they realize. We’ve seen instances where gummies labeled as containing 25 milligrams of CBD actually contain as little as five milligrams when tested.

This frequent mislabeling is partially due to manufacturers not knowing how to work with CBD. Many producers of regular gummies and vitamins have entered the CBD market without understanding how to process hemp and harness its useful components effectively.

But at the other end of the spectrum, we produce our own edibles and pay close attention to how everything is measured and formulated. Our chocolatier melts the chocolate base and infuses it with extracts from the full hemp plant to ensure our edibles are as potent and consistent as advertised. It’s possible to get good CBD edibles that do what they claim, so long as you choose a manufacturer who knows what they’re doing.

Capsules, thankfully, are easier to make. Companies simply dilute the distillate or CBD isolate with a carrier oil and run the formula through an encapsulation machine. This simplicity means capsules tend to be much more accurate than CBD edibles (i.e., the amount of CBD they’re said to contain is much closer to the reality). They’re also very cheap to produce, coming much closer in cost to gummies than premium hemp chocolates.

How do CBD edibles and CBD capsules work?

Like all substances, CBD works by entering your bloodstream and interacting with specific receptors in your body. When you use an ingestible, it reaches the bloodstream through your digestive tract. And both CBD edibles and CBD capsules work similarly, taking about 45-90 minutes to kick in and remaining in your system for around four to six hours.

The exact time required for them to take effect and how long they last depend on your metabolism. Of all CBD delivery methods, ingestibles have the lowest bioavailability. CBD is fat-soluble, making it difficult for the body to absorb when its ingested, and digestive enzymes also destroy a lot of CBD before absorption. This process means that you’ll encounter a lower percentage of CBD.

However, CBD edibles and CBD capsules are still an effective way to take CBD, but you should bear this information in mind when deciding your dosage.

CBD edibles vs. CBD capsules: which is better?

When deciding between CBD edibles and CBD capsules, we wouldn’t say that one is better than the other. They both serve the same purpose — the most important thing is personal preference. 

Some people enjoy a square or two of chocolate because it tastes like a treat. Others prefer gummies as they’re easy to incorporate into their supplement regime. Capsules, on the other hand, often have higher CBD content. So, if you’re prioritizing potency or seeking a little more bang for your buck, CBD capsules may be the ingestible for you. 

No matter what you choose, it’s important to keep in mind that a full-spectrum ingestible might work best. The small amount of THC will help pull the CBD through your cell walls. And it will also activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors that CBD interacts with, enhancing the remedy’s overall impact.

The benefits of CBD ingestibles

So there’s little difference between CBD edibles and CBD ingestibles. But are there benefits to using CBD ingestibles instead of other delivery methods, such as CBD oil and vapes? The short answer: yes!

For starters, CBD ingestibles last longer. They may be slower to kick in, but their effects are more prolonged. They’re also discreet and easy to use. While you may invite questions if you pull out some CBD oil or a vape pen, a piece of chocolate or a capsule rarely requires an explanation.

This combination makes CBD edibles and CBD capsules a great option to keep around. They’re a delivery method you can take in the middle of the day, without scrutiny, and that you know will last for a long time.

Additionally, CBD edibles and CBD capsules offer the many benefits that people love about CBD. For example, these CBD products can help with the following:

  • Decrease anxiety and depression
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Deepen sleep
  • Boost heart health
  • Protect the brain

These benefits are what make CBD remedies like edibles and capsules so great. If you want to experience these therapeutic effects—and enjoy them for a longer duration—CBD ingestibles are the way to go.

How much should you take?

As we’ve already mentioned, you will absorb a lower percentage of CBD into your bloodstream when you use ingestibles. Consequently, we’d recommend you take a little more when using them. As a general rule, when using CBD ingestibles, we’d suggest taking about twice as much CBD as the amount you want to absorb into your bloodstream.

It’s also worth noting that, because of the way CBD is broken down, this process isn’t the case for THC. You don’t need to take twice as much THC to feel an effect. But a greater proportion of a CBD ingestible will be effective.

Key takeaways on CBD edibles and CBD capsules

There are many advantages to using CBD ingestibles, whether your preference is CBD edibles or CBD capsules. Their discreet and compact nature means you can use them practically anywhere, anytime. And their prolonged effects are ideal if you’re seeking constant, long-lasting relief. Which type of ingestible is best for you is just a matter of personal preference. No matter what you choose, loads of great options await.

Check out our CBD edibles and CBD capsules to find a product that you’ll love!  

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