Oral medicine has been around for centuries. At some point in life, most people have taken both prescription and over the counter medications to treat a wide range of illnesses.
Many vitamins and supplements are also taken orally. So, it was only a matter of time before CBD pills and gel capsules entered the market. These capsules combine the health benefits of CBD with the convenience of taking a pill.
Not only is this a discreet way to get your daily dose of CBD but it’s also easy to swallow, without an unpleasant aftertaste.
If you’re interested in trying CBD capsules, this article is for you. Here, we’ll cover exactly what CBD pills are, their benefits, and why people love them!
CBD Gel Capsules Explained: What’s in Them?
There’s no real mystery to the question, what are CBD gel capsules? Similar to over the counter antihistamines, these small pills are filled with a combination of the active ingredient (in this case, CBD) and MCT oil.
MCT oil is extracted from coconut oil and helps your digestive system absorb and break down the gel capsule.
Most gel capsules are made using full-spectrum CBD oil. There are two types of CBD — full-spectrum and isolate. The full-spectrum variety contains nearly 100 cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, including CBD.
Isolate CBD, on the other hand, only offers the CBD strand itself. Most people opting for CBD gel capsules prefer the full-spectrum form to achieve maximum relief.
How to Ingest CBD Capsules
There’s no surprise here either. CBD capsules are ingested in the same way other pills and medications are. Users place the gel capsule in their mouths and swallow it. Most people use a small amount of water other liquid to help wash the capsule down.
One thing to keep in mind is the number of milligrams in each capsule. Similar to other medications, each capsule carries a different dosage.
Depending on your condition, size, gender, and tolerance to CBD, you may need more than one pill to do the trick. Some people take several pills at once while others spread them out throughout the day.
Always be sure to check the pills’ dosage before ingesting them. Also, consult with a medical professional or CBD specialist who can advise you on the correct dosage.
Bear in mind that it takes several hours for your body to feel the effects of oral CBD. Avoid taking too many pills at once if you don’t instantly feel a reaction.
Why People Prefer CBD Gel Capsules
With so many CBD products available, from edibles and gummies to e-liquids, why do some people prefer CBD capsules?
The primary reason is their convenience. All you need is the pill and a small sip of water to achieve the desired results. CBD capsules are easy to travel with and keep close by in your purse, car, or backpack.
They’re also discrete. No one needs to know what type of medication you’re taking. This helps you avoid judgmental stares or the need to explain yourself to others.
Other benefits include no harsh taste. Swallowing the capsule whole sends the CBD directly into your digestive system, bypassing your taste buds all together.
Another benefit of swallowing CBD capsules is that the act itself becomes a habit. Similar to taking other medications and even a multivitamin, users often remember to take their capsules on a more regular basis.
What to Consider Before Taking CBD Gel Capsules
Are you sold on the convenience and ease of taking CBD in pill form? If so, there are just a few other things to consider before popping your first pills.
Other Medications You’re Taking
Chances are if you’re considering these cutting edge cannabinoids, it’s because you’re dealing with a medical condition. People rarely take CBD for recreational use since it doesn’t offer any psychoactive effects.
If you’re currently taking medication to treat a medical condition, it’s important to do your research about potential interactions with CBD. Not only could you experience dangerous side effects of CBD use with certain medications, but CBD may also weaken the effects of your current medicine.
This is a serious problem if you have diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners. CBD causes a dip in blood pressure, which could cause adverse effects for patients on blood thinners or blood pressure medication.
Consult a medical professional before introducing CBD pills into your daily routine.
Full-Spectrum vs. Isolate
As mentioned earlier, there’s a big difference between full-spectrum and isolate CBD gel capsules. While the full-spectrum variety is much more common, some brands do produce isolate CBD pills. So, how do you know which one is right for you?
When you take a full-spectrum CBD capsule you’re getting a lot more than just CBD. In fact, you’re getting a mix of terpenes and countless other cannabinoids.
This type of pill triggers what’s known as the entourage effect. This is a recent phenomenon that researchers say enhances your CBD experience. When CBD is combined with other cannabinoids and terpenes, it’s said to enhance your body’s reaction to the drug and create a stronger response.
If you simply want straight CBD and nothing else, you’re better off using an isolate CBD capsule. This way, you’re only getting what you want — nothing more, nothing less.
Powdered vs. Soft Gel
You’ve probably noticed that most over the counter pain relievers come in different forms — most commonly, gel capsules and powdered pills.
Powdered pills are essentially the powder of the drug pressed into a solid form. Gel capsules, on the other hand, offer the medication in a soft-gel form enclosed inside a dissolvable capsule.
When it comes to CBD, users have the same choice between powdered pills and gel capsules. Both have their own benefits. Because powdered pills are essentially pure CBD just pressed, you’re getting a heavily concentrated form of the CBD extract.
Not only will you get the maximum effects but the CBD is quickly absorbed into the body. The downside? The pill may start to dissolve in your mouth, leaving a less than pleasant taste so be sure to swallow it quickly and drink plenty of water afterwards.
Gel capsules, on the other hand, are a more common choice among CBD users. Gel capsules not only break down faster inside your digestive system, but there’s no risk of capsules dissolving in your mouth.
That means you’ll never taste the CBD before it hits your stomach. Gel capsules in all forms also tend to slide more easily down your throat.
Dosage
Equally as important as finding out any potential reactions or side effects of taking CBD capsules with other medications is knowing the right dosage to take. This depends on several different variables including:
- Age
- Weight
- Gender
- Medical condition
- Tolerance
- Type of CBD product you’re using
If you’re a first-time CBD user, female, and petite, you’ll need a lower dose than a larger male who’s dabbled with CBD use in the past.
You also want to consider the type of effects you want. Beginners tend to want a mild effect to ease into CBD use, whereas experienced users are looking for a stronger reaction.
Between 11 and 20 milligrams of CBD would offer mild to moderate effects for someone between 130-230 pounds. Larger individuals weighing more than 230 pounds and wanting a strong reaction would need between 30 and 45 milligrams.
A medical professional can help advise you on what dosage to start with and for how long.
Benefits of Taking CBD Gel Capsules
CBD gel capsules are often taken to either supplement or replace traditional forms of medication — but only when treating certain medical conditions. Here are some of the most common.
Chronic Pain
Over 50 million adults suffer from some form of chronic pain. Chronic pain is classified as pain felt every day for at least six months.
Common forms include arthritis, back pain, and headaches. All too often people become addicted to opioid painkillers in an attempt to find relief.
Thanks to its natural healing benefits, CBD can reduce inflammation and positively affect the brain’s pain receptors, offering relief without the risk of addiction.
Anxiety
Another 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety — some to a crippling degree. The benefits of CBD for anxiety are vast.
CBD is said to elicit feelings of calm, relaxation, and happiness. It can help those with severe anxiety and social anxiety cope better with new and unfamiliar situations.
This is life-changing for most people. CBD capsules are the perfect way for someone facing a stressful situation to quell their anxiety without bringing attention to themselves.
Insomnia
If you struggle to stay and fall asleep, CBD’s calming benefits may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Not only does CBD help relax your mind and body but it can relieve any pain or discomfort that’s making it difficult to fall asleep.
For the best results, try combining a CBD capsule with a small dose of melatonin.
Discover the Ease and Versatility of CBD Gel Capsules
Whether you want to ingest CBD without the fuss or prefer a more discreet option, CBD gel capsules might be the right product for you. Easily consumed and digested, users feel the effects quickly and without any aftertaste. Gel capsules are effective and convenient.
Other popular choices for first-time CBD users include edibles and gummies.
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It’s very impressive how CBD capsules can help a lot both with chronic pain and with anxiety. There are days when it takes a lot of out of me to get motivated to get out of bed due to my aching back. Perhaps taking CBD products is the relief I’ve been waiting for all this time.