If you’re looking for your next go-to CBD product or want to try CBD for the first time, you might be at a fork in the road. So many great CBD products are on the market, but your search for the best one has boiled down to two popular options: CBD capsules vs CBD tinctures. You’re at an impasse. Which one is better? It’s a simple answer, really: whichever one best helps your wellness goals and fits seamlessly into your daily routine.**
Sounds easy enough, right?
Well, it certainly can be––for some. But for most CBD users, beginners and veterans alike, searching for the best CBD products can feel overwhelming. There are so many different factors to consider, like a product’s bioavailability, ingredients, strength, and many more––not to mention finding the one that’s easiest to enjoy. After all, if it’s a hassle to add to your routine, it’ll likely be forgotten in your medicine cabinet.
So, let’s weigh the pros and cons of CBD capsules and CBD tinctures. Let’s see what makes each one special and right for the everyday CBD user, and at the end of this article, let’s find the best one for you!
What Is CBD?
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is one of the most abundant cannabinoids native to cannabis plants; others include CBG, CBC, CBN, and the psychoactive cannabinoid, THC. When we talk about CBD, we’re referring to hemp-derived CBD. Hemp is a type of cannabis with low THC levels––less than 0.3%. Though its amount of THC is minuscule, hemp-derived CBD has a rich, diverse cannabinoid profile, with CBD as the star of the show.
There are three types of CBD oil: full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. CBD capsules and tinctures can be crafted from any type. Knowing the differences between the three will help you decide which capsule or tincture is best for you.
Full-Spectrum CBD
When we extract CBD from a raw hemp plant, we end up with full spectrum CBD. This type of CBD has hemp’s complete aromatic and cannabinoid profile, which includes less than 0.3% THC. Because these organic cannabinoids are left intact, you have a higher chance of experiencing the Entourage Effect when using hemp-derived full spectrum CBD.**
The Entourage Effect is when your body’s endocannabinoid receptors engage with more than one cannabinoid simultaneously, leading to a more profound CBD experience.** Still, many users pass on full spectrum CBD because they want to avoid the psychoactive cannabinoid entirely.
And that brings us to broad spectrum CBD.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD carries the same aromatic properties and organic cannabinoids as full spectrum, but its THC levels have been whittled down to undetectable amounts. So, you can still enjoy all the other benefits of CBD without worrying about encountering trace levels of THC.** However, this incomplete cannabinoid profile can lead to a weakened Entourage Effect, which might be a deal-breaker for some CBD users.**
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is the final type of CBD and contains 99% cannabidiol. Its aromatic properties have been stripped away, as have any additional cannabinoids, leaving behind the purest form of CBD. CBD isolate is perfect for those who are interested in a CBD-exclusive experience. Those who choose CBD isolate aren’t necessarily interested in the Entourage Effect; instead, they want to enjoy CBD and just CBD.
Thanks to recent advances in hemp cultivation and extraction, we can enjoy CBD in many new products alongside these three types of CBD. Two of the most popular products are certainly CBD capsules and CBD tinctures.
What Are CBD Capsules?
CBD capsules are hard or gel tablets that introduce CBD through your digestive system. Each capsule comes in a pre-measured dose, so you can confidently know just how much CBD you’re enjoying.
CBD capsules are often formulated with other healthful ingredients to enhance CBD’s wellness-boosting effects.** Many CBD capsules come in varying dosages, allowing you to choose just how much cannabidiol you wish to enjoy.
Many of our users prefer CBD capsules because they can’t taste the CBD oil. Rather, the hemp flavor skips over their taste buds entirely. Other CBD supplements, like our gummies and tinctures, boast similar formulas to our capsules, but they may carry certain hemp flavors you might not enjoy. So, if you tend to avoid distinct tastes and textures, CBD capsules might be your next go-to CBD health supplement.
What Are CBD Tinctures?
If there ever was a CBD product for the cannabis connoisseur, it would come as a tincture. CBD tinctures are sublingual hemp-derived oil products. Our tinctures come with a 1mL dropper attached to the lid of the bottle, allowing you to measure your doses accurately.
To use a tincture, fill the attached dropper with your preferred dose. Then, administer the dose under your tongue, where the cells in your mouth absorb and filter in the cannabinoid-rich oil. These cannabinoids enter your bloodstream and reach your endocannabinoid receptors, inciting their host of wellness-boosting effects.**
Because CBD tinctures avoid your digestive system and absorb through the cells in your mouth, more cannabinoids reach your bloodstream. This is because CBD tinctures have a higher bioavailability.
Don’t know what that is exactly? Let’s discuss.
What Is Bioavailability?
Bioavailability is the rate and amount of a substance that reaches your bloodstream and absorbs into your body, and it depends on two things: your body’s unique physiology and the product you’re consuming.
Personal factors like height, weight, and metabolism affect how your body processes substances and how much of that substance it absorbs. For instance, caffeine affects us all differently. Your body’s unique composition might process and absorb a cup of coffee differently from a friend’s. This could explain why a friend feels coffee’s caffeinated buzz quicker or why one cup of coffee can keep you energized all day.
Bioavailability also varies by product. When you take a CBD capsule, some of the cannabinoids don’t make the full trek through your digestive system and end up falling by the wayside. This results in CBD capsules having a lowered bioavailability. Since CBD tinctures absorb directly into your bloodstream through the cells in your mouth, more cannabinoids cross the finish line, leading to a more profound CBD experience.**
So, if you were to take the same milligrams of CBD in a capsule and a tincture, more CBD would find its way into your bloodstream from the tincture. This means a tincture generally gets the CBD into your bloodstream faster. On the other hand, the effects of edibles, like capsules, can last much longer.
Weighing The Differences
So, while they both boast similar formulas and effects, capsules and tinctures have their inherent differences.** Knowing these beforehand will help you make the best decision when purchasing your next go-to CBD product.
How to Use Them
While CBD pills might sound easier to take than a tincture, a large percentage of the population report having trouble swallowing capsules. Even reading that, many cringed at the thought of swallowing pills. If that sounds like you, tinctures could be a remarkable alternative to enjoying a daily CBD dose.
Though, with a tincture, some customers say they don’t love its oily texture. They add that holding the tincture under their tongue can sometimes feel uncomfortable. For these customers, a CBD capsule might be the best move.
So, as you see, it boils down to personal preference and finding the best way to fit CBD into your daily routine. You’re unique, and your preferences are, too. It might take some trial and error before finding that perfect CBD product.
Bioavailability
Next, we have bioavailability. As we mentioned earlier, CBD tinctures are more bioavailable than capsules, meaning more CBD enters your bloodstream and reaches your endocannabinoid receptors.**
For most adults, CBD from a tincture can be absorbed into the bloodstream in 15 to 30 minutes, and the effects generally last from four to six hours. With edibles, it can take 30 minutes to two hours for the CBD to kick in, but the effects can last six to eight hours. Again, this is generalizing, and understanding that everyone’s bioavailability factors are different.
For some, this timing might be a deciding factor. For others, the ease with which they can pop back and enjoy CBD capsules outshines their lowered bioavailability. Again, it comes down to personal preference.
Which One Is Best for You?
And that’s where we come back to the fork in the road. Do you want to enjoy CBD gel capsules or CBD tinctures? The choice is yours––and don’t worry. Neither choice is wrong! Both options introduce your mind and body to CBD’s wellness-boosting benefits.**
So, there’s no wrong choice here, only the choice between what’s best for you!
Check the chart below for our complete list of CBD capsules and tinctures to find the one that best fits your CBD needs.**
| Product Name | Type of CBD | Mg of Cannabinoids per Serving |
| CBD + CBN Night Capsules | Broad Spectrum CBD | 30mg CBD & 2.5mg CBN |
| CBD + CBG Morning Capsules | Broad Spectrum CBD | 30mg CBD & 5mg CBG |
| CBD Soft Gel Capsules | Full Spectrum CBD | 25mg/50mg CBD |
| CBD + THC Daily Microdose Blend Capsules | Full Spectrum CBD | 25mg CBD & 2.5mg THC |
| CBD + CBN + THC Sweet Dreams Blend Tincture | Full Spectrum CBD | 50-100mg CBD, 10mg CBN & 2.25mg THC |
| CBD Oil Sleep Tincture | Broad Spectrum CBD | Up to 33mg CBD & 5mg CBN |
| CBD Oil Calming Tincture | Full Spectrum CBD | 33-66.7mg CBD & 5mg CBN |
| CBD + THC Ultimate Chill Tincture | Full Spectrum CBD | 50-100mg CBD & 2.25 THC |
| CBD + CBG Focus Blend Mushroom Tincture | Broad Spectrum CBD | 33-67mg CBD & 1.23-2.5 CBG |
| CBD + CBN Relax Blend Mushroom Tincture | Broad Spectrum CBD | 33-67mg CBD & 1.23-2.5mg CBG |
| CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture | Broad Spectrum CBD | 33-100mg CBD & 17-50mg CBG |
The Best of Both Worlds
Whether you’re looking to add CBD into your daily routine or if you need to restock your CBD supply, capsules and tinctures are great products for any type of CBD user––from the weekend warrior to the daily enjoyer. Choosing between the two can be difficult, but consider their differences and try both. You might be surprised as to which one you end up preferring!
