What are CBD Softgels?
CBD softgels are a type of CBD pill that you can
take by swallowing, just like you would any other pill. These types of CBD oil
pills allow you to get all of the benefits of CBD and are very similar to other
forms of CBD. Some people don't the sugar content that comes with gummies, or the might not like the taste of CBD oil. Whatever the reason, softgel capsules are an amazing alternative!
How to Take CBD Oil Softgels
CBD softgel capsules can be taken the same way as any pill-based medication: simply swallow them with food or drink.
It is best to start with a low dose of a CBD oil softgel
when you first start taking it. For example, 25 mg CBD softgels are a good
starting point for taking CBD. Begin by taking one capsule daily, or as needed. Once you start to take them,
monitor for side effects.
Some people may experience very minor side
effects when they first start taking CBD, including dry mouth, upset
stomach, or fatigue.
If you don't feel any side effects, and need more relief, you can consider
increasing the dosage to 50mg. Though 25mg CBD softgels is a relatively common dosage, it will not work for every single person.
You should check with the manufacturer and/or a medical professional before increasing
your dosage.
Should
you Take CBD Capsules With or Without Food?
There isn't one right answer to
this. Some people find that they have an upset stomach if they take CBD with
food, others find their stomach is fine either way, and some feel better if
they take it without food. As such, the answer is highly individualized. You
can experiment by taking a 25 mg CBD softgel with and without food, then seeing
how you feel.
Like everything else when it comes to CBD, start slow, then
gradually increase the dosage.
Are CBD Capsules Safe?
To be clear, different doctors have different opinions about
CBD. We always recommend consulting your health care provider before taking
CBD oil capsules. Treat it like any other vitamin or supplement.
There are some potential drug interactions with CBD, which your doctor can address. This is especially important if you take drugs that have a "grapefruit"
enzyme warning. Your doctor should know if you are on any medication that
has such a warning, and be able to advise you about how to take CBD or if you
should take it at all.
However, there is good news, as many studies have found CBD
softgel capsules safe. For example, a study
by the World Health Organization found CBD to be safe, non-addictive, and
non-habit-forming. This helps to explain why many countries have loosened their
regulations surrounding CBD, making it easy for others to buy.
Lastly it's important to remember that not all CBD is created equal. The FDA does not regulate CBD the same way it does other supplements, meaning that they do not test the
product for purity. This can create problems because it allows less reputable CBD companies to sell low-quality and untested products. For example, one University of Pennsylvania study
found that 70%
of all CBD was mislabeled for a variety of ingredients, including the
amount of THC in it.
Fortunately, there is a way to address this issue: only
purchase CBD that has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) available.
A
COA is a lab test done by an independent contractor that
will show what is in the product. This certificate should be readily available on the website of any CBD retailer you purchase from.
A COA will show exactly what types of cannabinoids
are in the product and whether or not it is safe for use. If a Certificate of
Analysis is not available, you should not purchase the product.
How Long do CBD Capsules Stay in Your System?
There is no guaranteed length of time, as everyone
is different. How quickly your body is able to process CBD depends on a variety
of factors, including your individual metabolism, your previous experience with
CBD products, your height, weight, and more.
Generally speaking, the impact of CBD will be felt in your
body for between 2-8 hours. Of course, this also depends on the dosage. CBD will be in your body for as
long as five days afterward.
It is also important to note that, while rare, it is possible that CBD
can result in a positive drug test. This depends on whether or not the CBD you
take contains THC. Full-spectrum CBD contains up to .3% THC while isolate and broad spectrum CBD contain no THC.
The .3% found in full spectrum CBD is a very low amount; much lower than what is typically
found in marijuana. It is unlikely to trigger a positive drug test, but it is possible, depending on how your body processes the CBD and how sensitive the drug test
is.
If you are concerned about a positive drug test, you should
stick with Broad Spectrum or Isolate CBD. Broad Spectrum CBD is identical to Full Spectrum
CBD, except that it contains no THC.
CBD Pills vs Oil
CBD tincture vs. softgel, or CBD oil vs. capsules, are two relatively common
comparisons when it comes to taking CBD. But what are these different products, and how do they actually compare?
A CBD oil tincture is CBD that has been distilled into an oil form.
It is then consumed via a droplet. CBD tinctures can be mixed into drinks or
taken sublingually, meaning under the tongue. If taken sublingually, the
impacts of CBD will occur much faster, as the CBD is quicker to enter your
bloodstream and bind with your cannabinoid receptors.
A capsule may take a
longer period of time to absorb into your bloodstream and take effect. However, taking a CBD capsule has many benefits compared
to a tincture.
First, it is easier to measure dosages. This can be more of a
problem with tinctures when you have to rely on the relatively inexact measure
of using a dropper.
Furthermore, there is no problem with taste, which can be an issue when taking a tincture.
How to Store CBD Oil Capsules
Fortunately, CBD oil capsules are relatively easy to store.
You never have to worry about keeping them refrigerated. Instead, simply seal
the bottle when you aren't taking them, and store them in a cool, dry place.
CBD capsules typically don't
go bad for 1-2 years, meaning you can keep them for a long period of time.
Some products may have specific guidance that is dependent
upon the way that the capsule in question has been manufactured.
You should
always follow the guidance of the CBD you are taking before following any
generalized recommendations.
Benefits of CBD Softgels
There is ample evidence to show many potential
benefits to taking CBD softgels. To be clear, we are not recommending CBD
softgels 25 mg (or any other strength) in place on another type of medication.
You should always consult your doctor before taking CBD. However, studies are showing many positive benefits of CBD. They includes the following;
CBD Pills for Pain
CBD capsules have many potential uses when it comes to pain.
Indeed, taking CBD capsules for joint pain, arthritis, and other forms of nerve
pain has become relatively common. The best CBD capsules for pain are typically
advertised as such.
As always, speak with your doctor before starting CBD pain
pills, and make sure that the CBD pills you take do not potentially interfere
with other medication you are taking.
Many studies have shown the potential benefits of CBD:
CBD Pills for Anxiety
Again, there is ample evidence to suggest that CBD pills may
be helpful in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
Like most areas of CBD, more research is needed to get a
better understanding of how this process might work. A preliminary
understanding shows that CBD may help increase serotonin
levels in the brain. This, in turn, leads to a reduction of anxiety.
Studies
have shown CBD's potential to reduce anxiety. We've also seen it's ability to address different types of anxiety. This includes:
CBD Pills for Sleep
Many people have found CBD to be helpful for sleep. This
impact appears to work in multiple ways. CBD may help people stay asleep for
longer periods and fall asleep faster.
This information comes from multiple sources. A 2017 study reviewed the available
research and examined exactly how CBD may be able to help people sleep. Other
studies have found that CBD's sleep benefits may be directly related to its
potential ability to reduce anxiety.
Finally, studies have found that
CBD may be capable of reducing the symptoms caused by REM Behavioral Disorder,
a sleep disorder that tends to strike people with Parkinson's.
CBD Pills for Nausea
Other studies
have found the potential for CBD to help people with nausea, particularly those
who were undergoing treatment for cancer and often experience nausea and
vomiting as a side effect of the treatment. The same studies hypothesized that
the benefits might be due to the impact CBD has on serotonin receptors and tied
this to the presence of CBD.
A 2016 study
specifically found that CBD-based drugs could reduce nausea caused by
chemotherapy.
Buying CBD Capsules
As you can see, there are many potential benefits of buying
CBD capsules. If you are going to do so, there are a few final things you
should keep in mind:
- Start with a relatively low dosage, like 25mg CBD capsules.
This will allow you to gauge the impact of the CBD and slowly work your way up
if you want a higher dose.
- Speak with your doctor first, and make sure you don't have
any medical conditions that could prevent you from taking CBD.
- Only purchase CBD after confirming that it has a Certificate
of Analysis that shows what is in the CBD and that the CBD itself is safe.
Once you do these three things, you should be ready to start
your CBD journey!