When many adults in the UK are looking for their next go-to CBD product, they arrive at a fork in the road. Their search for the best product often boils down to two popular options: CBD capsules vs CBD tinctures. They weigh the pros and cons of each, trying to find which one is better for them. It’s a simple answer, really: find the one that fits into your daily routine and best aids your wellness goals.**
Pretty easy, right?
For some, it can be. But there are so many different factors to consider, like a product’s bioavailability, ingredients, strength, and many more. So, for beginners and even veterans, foraging for the right CBD products can be a little overwhelming.
Let’s take the products you’re interested in, CBD capsules and CBD tinctures, and let’s weigh the pros and cons of each. Maybe we’ll answer some burning questions, and maybe we’ll find the best product for you!
What Is CBD?
As one of the most abundant cannabinoids native to cannabis plants, cannabidiol (CBD) has quickly become a household name. It’s non-intoxicating and offers a list of therapeutic benefits.** Other cannabinoids, like CBG, CBC, and CBN, comprise the plant’s organic profile.
These compounds engage with your endocannabinoid system (ECS).** This is a network of receptors that work to regulate essential functions, like sleep, appetite, mood, and energy––all in an effort to maintain homeostasis, or balance, within the body.
But when we talk about CBD, we have to mention the other most abundant cannabinoid, THC––the psychoactive cannabinoid.
Our products are made using hemp plants. By its nature, hemp has low THC levels, less than 0.3%. Other types of cannabis plants (i.e. marijuana) can have THC levels reach 30%––a pretty staggering difference.
THC levels play a significant role in defining the type of CBD in your product of choice. There are three forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD is the first form of CBD we make when extracting from the hemp plant. This type of CBD carries the hemp plant’s entire aromatic and cannabinoid profile. This includes the plant’s terpenes and flavonoids, which carry their own wellness-boosting benefits.** Full-spectrum CBD also has less than 0.3% THC.
Because its THC levels may surpass the legal 0.2% threshold, full-spectrum CBD products are prohibited in the UK. So, if you see a product labelled as having full spectrum CBD, it’s either misleading you or is an illegal product.
And that brings us to broad-spectrum CBD.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD has hemp’s cannabinoid profile and aromatic properties (terpenes, flavonoids), but we’ve stripped its THC percentages to undetectable levels. This lets you enjoy CBD’s benefits without fretting about noticeable THC levels.** We craft our capsules and tinctures using broad-spectrum CBD.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate contains 99% cannabidiol. We’ve taken away terpenes, flavonoids, and non-CBD cannabinoids, making it perfect for those interested in a “CBD-only” experience. If you want to try CBD isolate, we have four flavoured oils that are perfect for you.
What Are CBD Capsules?
CBD capsules offer a pre-measured dose of cannabidiol that absorbs into your body through your digestive system.
We add other healthful ingredients to our capsules to complement CBD’s wellness-boosting effects.** Since the dose in capsules is pre-measured, you can confidently see how much CBD you’re enjoying.
Now, why would you choose capsules over tinctures?
Many like CBD capsules because they want to avoid the taste of CBD oil. CBD health supplements, like our gummies and tinctures, are made with similar ingredients to our capsules, but they’re accompanied by certain hemp flavours you might not love. Capsules offer these same great ingredients without needing to be chewed and tasted.
What Are CBD Tinctures?
CBD tinctures contain hemp-derived oil that you take sublingually. Tincture bottles come with a 1mL dropper connected to the lid, so you can accurately measure how much CBD you take.
First, fill the dropper with your desired dose. Then, place the oil under your tongue, and hold it there for around a minute. The cells in your mouth absorb and filter in the cannabinoid-rich oil. These cannabinoids reach your endocannabinoid receptors through your bloodstream, inciting their wellness-boosting effects.**
Why would you choose a tincture over a capsule? It’s because tinctures have a higher bioavailability than capsules.
What Is Bioavailability?
Bioavailability is the rate and amount of a substance that absorbs into your body and reaches your bloodstream. It depends on two things: your body’s unique physiology and the type of CBD.
How your body processes substances and how much of that substance it absorbs is dependent on certain factors like your height, weight, and metabolism. For instance, we all respond differently to caffeine. You may react differently to a cup of coffee compared to a friend. Maybe you need more coffee to feel the same buzzing energy as them, or maybe one cup is more than enough for you. How your body responds to chemicals like caffeine is based on your own unique physiology.
Different types of CBD products offer varying bioavailabilities. A certain percentage of cannabinoids from capsules don’t get absorbed into the body or reach the bloodstream. They get lost along the way inside the digestive system.
Contrarily, tinctures absorb directly into your bloodstream through the cells in your mouth, so more cannabinoids cross the finish line, leading to a more profound CBD experience.**
This difference between the two means CBD tinctures have a higher bioavailability than capsules.
But, since the cannabinoids from tinctures process quicker through the body, their effects end sooner. Effects from capsules take longer to set but last for a longer period of time.
Two Main Differences
Though they both come with similar ingredients, capsules and tinctures have two main differences: how you use them and their bioavailabilities.
How to Use Them
Many adults report trouble swallowing capsules. Did you cringe reading that? If so, you might want to skip the capsules and move directly onto tinctures.
But some users don’t love the oily texture that comes with tinctures. They say that holding the tincture under their tongue can sometimes feel uncomfortable. For these customers, a CBD capsule might be the best move.
It all comes down to personal preference and finding the CBD product that best fits into your daily routine.
Bioavailability
As we mentioned earlier, CBD tinctures are more bioavailable than capsules.
After 15 to 30 minutes, cannabinoids from a tincture absorb into the bloodstream. Generally, these effects last from four to six hours. Capsules can take between 30 minutes and two hours to absorb, but offer effects that last around 6 to 8 hours.
Below is a complete list of our CBD tinctures and CBD capsules!
| CBDfx Product | Type of CBD | Mg of Cannabinoids |
| CBD Soft Gel Capsules | Broad Spectrum CBD | 750/1500mg CBD |
| CBD + CBG Morning Capsules | Broad Spectrum CBD | 900mg CBD & 150mg CBG |
| Wellness CBD + CBG Oil Tincture 2:1 | Broad Spectrum CBD | 500-4000mg CBD & 250-2000mg CBG |
| Hemp Tincture | Broad Spectrum CBD | 500-1500mg CBD |
| Zesty Orange CBD Oil | CBD Isolate | 2000mg CBD |
| Morning Mint CBD Oil | CBD Isolate | 2000mg CBD |
| Lush Lime CBD Oil | CBD Isolate | 2000mg CBD |
| Very Berry CBD Oil | CBD Isolate | 2000mg CBD |
Which One Is Best For You?
So, before choosing between the two, consider what makes capsules and tinctures different, and keep your wellness goals in mind. While one may stand out over the other, the only way to know which one is best for you is to try them both.
Want to enjoy other best-selling CBD products? Be sure to check out our collection of CBD gummies!
