CBD capsules are a convenient option for many CBD users. Soft gel CBD capsules are filled with hemp extract that, once taken, travels from your digestive system to your bloodstream.
The process that takes place when using CBD capsules is similar to what happens when taking your typical vitamin. But how exactly do CBD capsules work?
This article will go over the processes that take place in your body when using CBD soft gel capsules.
The CBD Capsule
Outwardly, CBD capsules look like any other supplement. The hemp extract in the CBD capsule contains a few naturally occurring ingredients. These are typically terpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols, sterols, and CBD itself.
These capsules are usually taken once a day. The soft gel CBD capsule is an attractive choice for CBD users because it can be taken right along with your daily vitamins or medicine. There are a couple of options to choose from when picking the right CBD capsule for you.
CBD Capsule Options
There are two types of CBD capsules. The first type contains full-spectrum CBD and the second contains CBD isolate.
Though both have their benefits, it is commonly held that full-spectrum CBD capsules may provide more relief from stress and anxiety. This is because full-spectrum CBD also contains THC, another type of cannabinoid.
However, CBD isolate capsules are a better option for some because they definitively won’t be flagged on a drug test – which usually tests for THC in the bloodstream. The legal limit for THC in the UK is 0.2% of any given CBD product.
When choosing what type of CBD capsule is most beneficial for you, it’s important to take into account whether or not you are comfortable with consuming THC, even in small, legal amounts.
Benefits of CBD Capsules
There is an array of benefits associated with the use of CBD. Though extensive research is yet to be done, there are enough studies to prove that CBD can be helpful with some ailments. Below is a list of benefits connected to the use of CBD.
- Pain Relief
- Anxiety and Depression Relief
- Cancer Symptom Relief
- Acne Reduction
- Neuroprotective Properties
- Heart Health Benefits
Among others, these are the main benefits associated with the use of CBD. Most people use CBD for pain and stress relief. However, the other benefits connected to CBD are highly promising.
How CBD Soft Gel Capsules Work
When taking a CBD capsule, each type of CBD takes a different route through your body. However, how CBD works in your body has to do with the endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS.
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system takes form in various receptors throughout your brain and body. The system is present in most vertebrates.
In humans, there are two receptor types that have been identified thus far. These are called the CB1 and CB2 receptors. They are usually found in the central nervous and immune systems.
CBD in Your Brain
According to research, the CB1 and CB2 receptors work with endogenous cannabinoids that are produced by your body naturally. For example, the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide helps to keep your body in its natural balance.
Additionally, CBD is predicted to interact with your brain’s receptors of dopamine. This allows CBD to help regulate cognition and reward-seeking behaviour in your brain.
Because phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids found in plants/hemp) are so close in structure to endogenous cannabinoids, this makes them compatible with the receptors of the ECS. This makes CBD able to help maintain your body’s homeostasis through relieving stress and pain.
How Capsules Work
The amount of time it takes for CBD to start working in your body varies due to many factors. Body size, metabolism, and whether or not you have eaten recently are just a few of these factors.
However, typically you can expect the CBD to take effect around two hours after you have taken your capsule. This is because the CBD must travel from your digestive system to your bloodstream and around your body.
One important thing to remember is that CBD builds up in your body over time. Similar to medications like antidepressants, it can take up to eight weeks for CBD to provide its full effects. It is strongly recommended to persist with CBD for an 8-10 week period. For some, it’s difficult to even notice the impacts of CBD until you stop taking it.
Essentially, CBD capsules and the substance itself resemble other vitamins and medications in how they work. You can expect to wait a couple of hours to feel anything and then up to eight weeks, but likely sooner for full results.
Other CBD Products to Consider Trying
In addition to soft gel capsules, CBD can be taken in a number of other forms.
CBD patches are a popular one. Like any other patch medication, CBD patches use transdermal delivery to take effect in your body. Each patch lasts for 24 hours and can be replaced every day.
CBD vapes are also widely admired among cannabinoid users. Vape products are typically used for problems like insomnia and anxiety. They seem to effectively calm down users enough to sleep at night, providing for better brain function during the day.
CBD oil is arguably the most popular form of CBD. All users have to do is take a drop of oil and place it underneath their tongue. Oils come in different flavours and concentrations, providing many options for CBD users.
Conclusion
CBD is a beneficial alternative to medication for many people. Though more research needs to be done on the cannabinoid in order to learn about its full effects, many studies and personal experiences have shown that CBD can have a number of positive impacts on the human body.
CBD capsules work just like any other oral medication or vitamin, with the substance making its way from your digestive system to your bloodstream and around your body.
It interacts with the brain in ways that we don’t fully understand yet. However, it leans toward positive interactions with natural chemicals like endogenous cannabinoids and dopamine.
When deciding what type of CBD capsule is best for you, consider concentration amounts and what types of cannabinoids are in the capsules.
Overall, you can treat CBD capsules like a regular vitamin and take the suggested amount daily along with your other medications. Its effects should reveal themselves fully after a few weeks of taking the capsules.