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What are CBD Pills?

by Angel Ferrer 7 min read

What are CBD Pills?

What Are CBD Pills Used for?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has recently seen remarkable growth worldwide. As a result, more CBD products are readily becoming available for consumers to try. From tinctures to salves, we are starting to CBD in almost all forms.

One of the newer forms of CBD on the market is in capsule form. Let’s take a more in-depth look and discover what CBD pills are?

What is CBD?

CBD is a component found in cannabis and hemp plants, which are both varietals of the Cannabis sativa plant. All cannabis plants contain hundreds of different cannabinoids. Of these cannabinoids, the two most prominent are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Of the two, CBD is known for having less of the psychoactive effects, or high, when consumed. Typically, CBD is a derivative of hemp plants known for having higher CBD concentrations than THC and cannabis plants.

Because CBD products can come from hemp plants with minimal THC traces, it is increasingly legal worldwide.

What Are CBD Pills?

CBD comes in many forms, but one of the newer forms includes pills. These capsules come from CBD that extracts from hemp plants, so they contain small amounts of THC. For CBD to be legal, it must have no more than 0.3% THC.

Often, in other CBD products, the extract is infused into a carrier oil, creating a CBD oil. But, when CBD is in pill form, the extract goes directly into the tablet or capsule.

How Do CBD Pills Work?

CBD pills have the same effects as any other CBD product you may find but tend to be easier in dosing. One of the primary benefits of taking CBD pills, over-consuming it in any other form, is that you can concretely know your dosage each time. 

For first time users, CBD pills are a great option because they are simple and relatively easy to digest. Even for long-time CBD users, pills prove popular because they do not have other products’ strong flavor. 

Pros and Cons of CBD Pills

Whether you are new to the world of CBD or an experienced user who is looking to change up your consumption methodology, it’s worth taking a look at the pros vs. cons of CBD pills. 

Pros:

  • Ease of use
  • Consistent dosage of CBD
  • Can find pills with additional ingredients for specific ailments
  • Discreet and easy to carry around with you

Cons:

  • Might take longer for effects compared to other forms of CBD
  • Can be more costly than other CBD forms

Side Effects of CBD Pills

CBD pills are incredibly safe for human consumption, but there are certain circumstances in which adverse side effects may appear. Some of these side effects may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Change of appetite
  • Change in weight

What Are Other Types of CBD Products?

As CBD continues to gain popularity, and as a result, become increasingly more legal across the globe, you’ll see that more and more forms of the product are becoming available to the public, like CBD Vape Carts & Pens. Each CBD product is slightly different from the next and can vary in the following characteristics:

  • Absorption rate
  • Ease of use
  • Price of the item

CBD as a pill is just one of the many forms available. You can also find CBD for Pets

Learn more: Is CBD Safe for Pets?

CBD Tinctures

One of the most popular and more traditional forms of CBD is tinctures. CBD tinctures are consumed orally through a sublingual method. Sublingual, or “under-the-tongue,” consumption requires you to put the CBD under your tongue for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing.

The sublingual method allows for absorption into the body via your mouth’s capillaries, allowing immediate entry to your bloodstream. As a result, this method has the highest bioavailability compared to other CBD products on the market. 

Pros:

  • Highest bioavailability
  • Cost-effective
  • CBD concentration
  • Sustainability 

Cons:

  • Difficulties with gauging dosages
  • Some might not like the taste

CBD Topicals

CBD topicals treat mild physical pain and contain CBD, which is applied directly to your body externally. The CBD from the topical is absorbed through your skin’s pores, allowing the CBD to work the same way through other consumption.

When CBD topicals come from hemp plants, it is common to see additional beneficial nutrients in this form. You can curb the effects of daily exposure to harmful, outside elements through CBD topicals in some instances. They have also been proving to have moisturizing products when in this form.

Pros:

  • Quick and easy application
  • Applies directly to the source of pain
  • Minimally invasive
  • Nearly immediate results

Cons:

  • Low bioavailability
  • Limited to external, physical benefits

Because of the ease of use, CBD topical products are very popular. There are several different forms of topical CBD products on the market that include:

  • Cream
  • Lotion
  • Balm
  • Transdermal patch
  • Roll-on applicator
  • Bath bomb 

CBD Oil Tinctures

The newest to the world of CBD is the water-soluble form. Traditional CBD oil tinctures are so dense, which prevents you from effectively mixing them into drinks or things of that nature for consumption.

Pros:

  • Convenient delivery
  • High bioavailability
  • Consistent dosage measuring
  • Discreet consumption

Cons:

  • Linked with gastrointestinal issues from untrustworthy companies
  • Avoid anything containing lecithin, liposomes, and polysorbate

Water-soluble CBD mixes exceptionally well with liquids and can come in many different forms, including droplets or powders.

CBD Pills: Buyer’s Guide

If you are looking to purchase CBD pills online, you want to make sure to keep a few things in consideration throughout your search. Above all, you want to ensure you are purchasing a high-quality CBD product from a supplier that prioritizes safety and legality. 

Here are a few additional things to keep in mind when looking for the best CBD pills online:

1. Type of CBD Pill

Today, there are three primary forms of CBD pills that you can find on the market: tablets, soft-gels, and capsules. From there, you’ll have to narrow down your options even further to see which is best for you. 

CBD Isolate Pills

CBD isolate is a powder form of CBD that contains a concentration of over 99% pure cannabidiol. Any other components from the hemp plant have been completely removed to create the CBD isolate. While some view this as a benefit, it is essential to keep in mind that this will remove the entourage effect, which will maximize your experience using CBD.

Full-Spectrum CBD Pills

Full-spectrum CBD is a form that will contain all components of the hemp plant and cannabinoids within it. Because THC is naturally occurring in hemp plants, there will be trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum CBD pills.

Broad-Spectrum CBD Pills

Broad-spectrum CBD pills will also contain other compounds of the hemp plant, but specifically, leave out any THC traces.

2. Ingredients

Specifying the different ingredients or percentages you want in your CBD products can get confusing, especially if you find a product that lacks good labeling. Make sure you know exactly what is going into the CBD products you wish to consume and that it is all marked on the label for you to see.

3. Extraction Method

The overall quality of the CBD you purchase will rely heavily on the manufacturer’s method of extraction. The two primary extraction methods you will see for CBD involve either ethanol or CO2. Both approaches prove to be safe and great for maintaining the quality of the CBD product. 

There are other extraction methods out there, specifically ones that involve butane use, which can impact the quality of your CBD. In addition to compromising the product, it could also potentially introduce harmful chemicals into the product.

4. Amount of THC

Much like any CBD products you are going to buy, you want to make sure the THC amount is clearly labeled, and you know exactly what you are purchasing. Every CBD pill you are buying should have a certificate of analysis proving the percentage listed on the labeling. 

The pill certificate will ensure the legal amount of THC is below 0.3%, making it safe for your purchase and consumption.

5. Organic

CBD is derived directly from the hemp plant, so sourcing your CBD products from manufacturers that claim organic products is vital. Not only do you want to find manufacturers who use organic products, but you’ll also want to confirm that with third-party testing as well.

6. Tested

There are tons of marketing schemes out there that include fake reviews. Make sure you use multiple sources when checking trials and tests of the CBD products in question. Product-wise, you’ll want to ensure everything is running through independent third-party labs.

Any trustworthy CBD company will proudly display that their products have been tested through third-party labs and will gladly share any of the information from those tests.

7. Customer Service

You want to look into what people are saying about products; you also want to look at what people are saying about the company and their customer service level. Ideally, you want to find a company that will produce quality products. But, keep in mind that accidents do happen. And when accidents happen, or if for whatever reason you are not happy with their product, it’s always nice to have a resolution readily available to you.

Make sure you find a CBD company that has excellent reviews regarding their customer service. If you have any questions for the company, you should feel more than comfortable reaching out to them in confidence to get an answer in return.

Red Flags

If you are ever feeling unsure about a CBD product or company, trust your gut and look elsewhere. CBD is something that your body will consume, so you want to make sure you have a product you trust. In addition to the considerations listed above, you want to keep an eye out for any red flags that may include:

  • Cure-all health claims
  • Confusing ingredients
  • Poor reviews, complaints, or lawsuits

Conclusion

CBD pills are a great option for anyone new to the world of CBD because they are incredibly discreet and easy to use. Even for the well-seasoned CBD consumer, pills are a great alternative to your other methods because of their consistent dosing.