CBD Oil vs Gummies: it doesn’t quite have the historical combative cachet as Rocky Balboa vs Apollo Creed, the Hatfields vs McCoys, or Tupac vs Biggie. But when it comes to natural health, the debate between which of these two delivery systems of cannabidiol is more effective is one hotly contested topic.
Before we jump into the debate, let’s first get some basics out of the way in case you’re a newcomer to CBD….
CBD 101
The cannabis family of plants contains over 100 chemical compounds. These compounds are called cannabinoids. Because they come from nature and not in the body, these compounds are called exogenous (external) cannabinoids.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is the most prevalent compound in hemp. Hemp is one species of cannabis. Another species in the cannabis family is marijuana. CBD is the second-most abundant compound in marijuana. However, CBD is non-intoxicating and will not get you high. (The most common chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or simply, THC, which is psychoactive.)
Both CBD and THC interact with the body’s internal- or endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS consists of receptors all over the body. When ECS receptors are stimulated either directly or indirectly by cannabinoids (both exogenous and endogenous sources), the body becomes more in balance.
However, the stimulation of the ECS receptors throughout the body are very short-lived. This is why cannabis advocates recommend taking CBD on a daily basis. If you only use CBD sparingly, it likely won’t have enough of a consistent effect on the endocannabinoid system to get the body back to a state of homeostasis (balance).
CBD Oil Vs. Gummies: What’s The Difference
Now let’s take a look at the most important differences between the two most popular delivery systems of CBD: oil and gummies.
Taste
Proponents of gummies love the candy-like taste.
Those who exclusively use CBD Oil (also referred to as CBD Drops) prefer the natural hemp oil taste. Although it has a scent similar to marijuana, CBD oil will not get you high. Plus CBD oil contains no added sugars, whereas gummies typically do. If you’re unable to conquer your sweet tooth and detest the natural, earthy taste of hemp oil, perhaps beginning your CBD experience with gummies is what the doctor ordered.
Dosing
Dosing with gummies is somewhat easier than using oil. With CBD gummies, you know exactly what dose of cannabidiol you’re getting with each piece. Actually, there’s a little caveat that should be added here: Because of the fact that CBD is not regulated by the FDA, there are unscrupulous CBD manufacturers who grossly exaggerate the amount of cannabis in their products; choose a high-quality CBD oil company that has every batch tested by a third-party in an ISO 17025-compliant lab, and uses organically-grown hemp grown with regenerative agricultural practices.
Dosing with CBD oil, however, isn’t particularly challenging. You simply squeeze the dropper in the submerged hemp extract until the desired dose is reached.
—> Suggested Reading: The Ultimate Guide To CBD Oil Dosage
Ease of Use
Obviously, with gummies, the fun of it brings back memories of childhood, when instead of popping pills, you were popping candy. Simply pull out a CBD gummy and merrily chew away until it’s dissolved. Don’t forget to swish your teeth with water after chewing a gummy in order to neutralize the sugar.
With CBD drops, for best results, you pour the drops under your tongue and wait at least 30 seconds before swallowing.
For travelling with CBD, some people prefer gummies because it’s more discreet. Although to be clear, passage of the 2018 Hemp Farm Act permits the manufacture in all 50 states of industrial hemp products that contain no higher than 0.3% THC, a non-intoxicating amount. If using CBD oil and you’re travelling by plane, make sure the bottle is FAA-compliant (3.4 ounces or 100 ml).
Delivery Speed
If you want CBD to work as quickly as possible, hands down, CBD drops is the winner. CBD gummy bears can take as long as an hour to kick in, whereas straight oil under the tongue (sublingually) works in as little as 15 minutes.
Are you experiencing a particularly stressful situation and want the CBD to more quickly absorb in your bloodstream? Then take a dose of CBD oil under the tongue. But if time is not of the essence and you prefer taking a gummy, so be it.
But understand the key difference between the two delivery systems: with CBD drops, the oil bypasses the digestive system and the metabolic detoxification pathway of the liver.
On the other hand, with gummies, the CBD has to first survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and make its way through the rest of the digestive system. The gummies also have to be metabolized by the liver. That’s why CBD gummies take far longer to kick in. Furthermore, because gummies travel through the digestive system, you may need a higher dose in comparison to drops.
For Pain, Anxiety and Stress
There isn’t enough research to determine who wins here. The most important thing is to use a top-shelf CBD product, regardless of delivery system. And remember to use it daily to help regulate homeostasis.
One of the things the endocannabinoid system influences is your body’s pain response. But again, the effects of the ECS are very short-lived. That’s why it takes daily (or twice-daily) use of CBD in order to control conditions such as pain, anxiety and stress.
Passing Drug Tests
It’s important to emphasize that CBD products made from premium hemp extracts are now legal in all 50 states, provided they contain no higher than 0.3% THC. Reputable brands of CBD post lab reports on customer-facing websites for every batch of hemp that’s used to manufacture their CBD oil products.
These lab reports should be easy to find on CBD company websites, and will always contain diagnostic results for THC content as well as for the presence of toxins and other contaminants.
Virtually all drug tests these days do not test for CBD. But you may want to ask your HR rep to be safe.
Conclusion: CBD Oil Vs Gummies – What Works For Me?
What works for you might not work as effectively for someone else and vice versa. Experimenting with CBD is part of the process and part of the fun. And unlike experimenting with illicit drugs, CBD is legal and considered largely safe for nearly all individuals. If you take medication, check first with your doctor before using CBD, whether it’s in drop form or gummies. If you’re going with the latter, just make sure to watch your sugar intake if the gummies contain a lot of added sweeteners. Also watch out for synthetic additives in gummies. As always, you get what you pay for. Choose premium hemp extract products.