CBD continues to enjoy immense popularity among all kinds of different people. Some use it to try to treat chronic pain, others use it to try and treat anxiety and depression, while others simply use CBD to relax and enjoy a good night's sleep. Fans can expect that CBD will continue to be available for the long-term as it continues to gain in popularity.
Since CBD has been available for a while now, there are more ways than ever to enjoy taking it. Two of the most popular ways to enjoy CBD are taking CBD oils and eating CBD edibles. While similar, these two CBD products offer surprising differences, and both offer unique advantages that users should be aware of.
Below, we'll talk about the difference between CBD oil and gummies, as well as why you would may want to choose one product over the other.
CBD Oil or CBD Gummies: What’s the difference?
Before we can compare these two products, we have to make sure we know what they are! CBD oil is an oil that is infused with CBD. You'll usually get CBD oil in a small bottle with a dropper that has milliliter marks on it, making it easy to get consistent dosages. CBD oil is often flavored, though it's common to find unflavored oils.
CBD gummies are gummy candies that have been infused with CBD. Gummies usually come in packs of 10 or more, and each gummy has the same dosage of CBD. There are an enormous variety of gummy flavors you can find, including fruit flavors and sour flavors, as well as dosages per gummy available.
What About CBD Tinctures?
Many retailers will use the terms "CBD oil" and "CBD tinctures" interchangeably, and while they are similar, there are specific differences you should look for in them. CBD oils are oils, while CBD tinctures are alcohol-based. The alcohol helps the tincture to be shelf-stable for longer, though they will also have a harsher taste.
CBD tinctures and oils will offer similar benefits when swallowed (though tinctures are great if you have a hard time digesting oil). If you're looking to topically apply CBD, then you'll want to make sure that it's an oil and not a tincture.
Usage of CBD Oil vs Gummies
Using a CBD gummy is a simple experience. You eat the gummy, and that's all there is to it! Gummies offer the advantage of having a lot of sweet flavors that help to mask the flavor of the CBD, which is why CBD gummies continue to be a popular choice. It's common to find CBD gummies that taste nothing like CBD at all.
CBD oil offers a very different user experience. First, you can more easily change your dose (you can tweak the concentration by milliliter). While you can also consume oils, it's much more difficult to mask the taste of CBD. Even if you buy flavored oils, the strong taste of CBD will still be noticeable, which can be a turn-off for customers.
However, CBD oils offer a unique advantage that gummies don't. You can topically apply some oils and receive different benefits than consuming them. CBD oils may act as a topical analgesic to help relieve pain or inflammation and can help to moisturize your skin.
You can also use CBD oil as a recipe in different foods or drinks. You can drop oil in coffee, tea or mix it in with other foods, which can be a nice, relaxing addition to foods you already enjoy. Many coffee shops already offer CBD-infused specialties, and having your own oil means you could do it yourself at home.
If you care about a pleasant taste experience, you'll probably be more interested in gummies. If you plan on using CBD topically, want to use it as an ingredient in recipes, or like the idea of tweaking your dosage bit by bit, consider an oil!
Benefits Of Full-Spectrum Products in CBD Oil And CBD Gummies
Both CBD oil and gummies are available in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate varieties, and many customers struggle to tell the difference between these products and what benefits they offer. Let's take a look at each one so you can see why someone would want full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate CBD oils or gummies.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD has all of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the particular strain of hemp it was processed from, which includes trace amounts of THC (however, not enough THC to make you high). The benefit of ingesting all of the cannabinoids and terpenes is possibly achieving what is known as the entourage effect.
In short, it's the theory that taking multiple cannabinoids and terpenes enhances the effects of each without needing to increase potency. While research is still ongoing about how the entourage effect really works, many CBD users anecdotally claim that full-spectrum CBD provides a more potent response.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD also includes a variety of different cannabinoids and terpenes but is more filtered than full-spectrum. In particular, many broad-spectrum products attempt to eliminate any presence of THC (since many CBD users need to be able to pass a drug test that checks for THC).
Broad-spectrum potentially opens up the door for users to enjoy the entourage effect without needing to worry about trace amounts of THC in their system. However, broad-spectrum for users who have to be super careful, they may need more of a guarantee than what broad-spectrum can provide.
CBD Isolate
Products that contain CBD isolate contain only CBD and no other terpenes or cannabinoids, including THC. This is ideal for users who have to be really careful about any trace amounts of THC that may show up on a drug test. However, users won't get the benefit of the entourage effect, and CBD isolate products tend to be more expensive (due to the filtering needed).
Lab Testing
If you have to make sure that your CBD products have no THC, then you will want access to lab reports that prove it. Reputable brands readily offer lab reports that give a breakdown of the percentage of each cannabinoid that's present.
Unfortunately, not all brands are honest. CBD isolates are expensive to manufacture, and since there's no government regulation of these products, some brands will not offer lab results and will lie about the cannabinoids present, especially THC. If your preferred CBD isolate brand does not offer a lab test to prove it's THC free, do not buy that brand.
CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: The Difference In Absorption
Bioavailability refers to how much CBD actually gets into your bloodstream after you consume a product. If a CBD product has higher bioavailability, that means it takes less concentration to achieve the same potency. CBD gummies have a bioavailability between 10-20%, which means a 10mg CBD gummy only delivers 1-2mg of CBD into your bloodstream.
CBD oils have a slightly higher bioavailability because your mouth will absorb a lot of the CBD before you swallow. This is why common advice for taking CBD oils is to place it under your tongue, since your blood vessels will absorb CBD straight into your bloodstream before it hits your digestive system. You can expect oils to have a 13-20% bioavailability.
CBD oils will give you more consistent potency, though you'll have to make sure you can tolerate the flavor to hold it in your mouth that long.
CBD Oil vs. CBD Gummies: How To Compare Ingredients and Formulation?
CBD gummies are pretty easy to find in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate varieties. However, many brands include a variety of wellness ingredients to complement the CBD, like common supplements, herbs, and even extra vitamins. Many customers that focus on overall wellness (and not treating one specific condition) often flock to these kinds of CBD gummies.
CBD oils, on the other hand, are usually cannabinoid-specific. It's harder to infuse vitamins or other supplements into oils, especially while trying to keep the overall taste palatable for consumers. However, it's also easy to find CBD oils in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolated varieties (and remember, they're often more potent than gummies).
Customers looking for a solution to overall wellness often look to gummies that have both CBD and a variety of other healthy additives, while CBD oils are great for customers looking for CBD and related cannabinoid-specific products.
How Long Do The Effects of CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies Last?
In general, you can expect the effect of CBD oils and gummies to last between four to six hours. While their durations are similar, how fast they kick in and their potency are not. CBD oil will kick in pretty quickly (usually a half-hour or less) because your body will begin to absorb it when the oil is placed under your tongue.
Since CBD oil has higher bioavailability, it's easier to get more CBD into your system, which means it will also be more potent at comparable concentrations to CBD gummies. Gummies can take up to an hour and a half before they kick in, since the CBD has to work through your digestive system before it's absorbed into your bloodstream.
If you're looking for CBD to kick in more quickly, CBD oils administered sublingually will be your best bet. If how quickly it kicks in isn't a concern for you, then you may be interested in CBD gummies and the unique benefits those products offer.
CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: A Guide For The Right Dosage
If you're thinking, "how much CBD should I take?" then gummies may be where you want to start. CBD gummies are extremely easy to dose. After all, each gummy has a set amount of CBD inside, so all you need to do is pop the gummy! CBD oil is a little more challenging to dose, since you'll have to use the included dropper with your bottle to measure exactly how much oil you want in a dose.
CBD gummies are much easier to dose, but they are also inflexible in their dosing (especially gummies that aren't made in your ideal dose). While CBD oil is harder to dose, the measured eyedropper does make it easier to tweak your dosing bit by bit until you find the right amount.
Remember, the dosage of CBD won't be the same between gummies and oils. Oils will be slightly more potent because they have a higher bioavailability, so if you're trying gummies, expect to take a slightly more concentrated dose than you would with oils.
Choosing The Right Flavour With CBD Oil And CBD Gummies
If you want to try to find a palatable flavor to take with your CBD, then gummies might be an ideal choice. You can find all kinds of different flavors for CBD gummies and even different kinds of recipes. Some gummies just have a fruity flavor, while some are coated in extra sugar, and others are coated in sour flavoring. If you have a sweet tooth, then try gummies!
CBD oil has far fewer flavor choices, which can be a concern for users who really don't like the taste of unflavored CBD. However, there are a lot of oils that do have flavors infused, like mint, cinnamon, or lemon, but your choices will be far less than gummies. They'll also be far less sweet, so don't expect a candy-like experience that you would with CBD gummies.
CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: The Lifestyle Sync
The final consideration for choosing between CBD gummies and oils is to think about the desired effect you'd like your product to have and which delivery system is the most convenient for you. You may find that you have both gummies and oils stocked at home, depending on when you need to take CBD or what effect you need at a particular time of day.
If you have a hectic schedule and are constantly on the go, then you should think about getting CBD gummies. You don't have to measure a dose, there's no mess involved, and you can pack gummies to take discretely throughout the day that you just can't do with a bottle of oil and an eyedropper. Gummies are the king of convenience, especially if you aren't at home often.
CBD oils, on the other hand, are a lot more hands-on. It takes time to make sure your dosage is correct, and oils may not be an option at all if you plan on taking a dose of CBD throughout the day. However, if you need a more potent dose, or you know you'll be at home when you take your CBD, oils may offer an enticing solution.
What Effect From CBD Do You Want?
Not only do you need to consider how you can take your CBD, but you also need to think about what effect from CBD you want. Different oils and gummies have different cannabis strains that are designed to produce different effects. Some gummies and oils are aimed at overall general wellness, while others aim to specifically help with pain relief or stress.
Knowing what you want out of your product will help you narrow down your choices. For example, if you are looking for pain relief throughout the day, you should avoid CBD oils or gummies that are designed to help you sleep. Likewise, if you want something specific to help you sleep, getting a CBD product that is meant for use during the day may not do the trick.
There are a wide variety of oils and gummies that are designed to produce specific effects. While the outcome isn't guaranteed (cannabinoids affect each person differently), choosing a formulation designed for a particular outcome is a great place to start.
Conclusion: CBD Oils vs CBD Gummies
CBD oils and gummies are two of the most popular ways to take CBD for a reason. They are both convenient, beginner-friendly, and are tolerated by almost anybody who is interested in CBD. However, each product offers unique advantages that you should consider before you dive into a purchase.
Remember, CBD gummies are great for customers who:
- Have a sweet tooth.
- Don't like the natural taste of CBD.
- Want to easily take CBD on the go.
CBD oils are great for customers who:
- Want to use CBD in a variety of recipes or use it topically.
- Need a CBD product with higher bioavailability.
- Prefer a CBD product that kicks in faster than traditional edibles.
Regardless of whether you choose gummies or oils, be sure to think about if you want full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate recipes, and take time to consider what specific outcome you hope to achieve. Keeping all of this in mind will help you land on the perfect CBD product for you on the first purchase!
To get started, take a look at the CBD gummies we offer in our store. You'll find formulations for relieving stress, pain, or simple wellness recipes. You'll also find THC-free choices, and all of our gummies have accompanying lab testing that provides what cannabinoids can be found in each.
