When deciding whether to use CBD oil or CBD gummies, there are important things to consider, from the potency of each product to the convenience, portability, and other factors that determine which type of product is ideal for you.
So to help you weigh these factors and decide on the perfect product, we’ll break down the differences between CBD oil and CBD gummies.
We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each, and talk a bit about which product might be best for issues like anxiety, sleep, and pain – all based on our experiences helping thousands of people discover CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the hemp plant. CBD is one of more than 100 cannabinoids naturally found in hemp, and along with THC, it’s one of the most abundant.
CBD is well-known for its variety of potential therapeutic benefits. It’s been studied as a treatment for pain, sleep, anxiety, epilepsy, and even addiction.
Research is still ongoing, but it’s clear that CBD is a promising therapeutic, and millions of people are already using it to achieve a higher quality of life.
Types of CBD
Choosing the right type of CBD is just as important as choosing the right method by which to take it.
There are three main types of CBD:
- Full-spectrum CBD — In addition to CBD, full-spectrum blends contain the other cannabinoids and terpenes that naturally occur in the hemp plant. Cannabinoids found in full-spectrum CBD include CBG, CBN, CBC, and THC. Terpenes are compounds in hemp that have many benefits of their own.
- Broad-spectrum CBD — Broad-spectrum CBD contains the same range of compounds as full-spectrum but without the THC.
- CBD Isolate — As its name implies, CBD isolate is just CBD without anything else.
We recommend using full-spectrum CBD in most situations. Because full-spectrum blends present the hemp plant in its natural form, with other cannabinoids and terpenes included, it renders elevated benefits that broad-spectrum or isolate blends just can’t.
This concept is known as the entourage effect, and it’s been proven in studies that show combining multiple cannabinoids and terpenes renders more benefits than using cannabinoids in isolation.
However, there is one situation where full-spectrum CBD may not be right for you: if you have to undergo regular drug testing and cannot have any THC in your system. In this case, broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate is the way to go.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oils (also called CBD tinctures) are CBD products consisting of hemp extract (the cannabinoids and terpenes) and carrier oil. Common carrier oils for CBD oil include MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil, coconut oil, and hempseed oil.
CBD oil typically comes in small bottles (1 oz./30 milliliters) with metered droppers for dose measurement.
What Are CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies are a type of CBD edible. They’re just like regular gummy candy, but they’ve been infused with hemp extract.
CBD gummies typically come in jars or pouches with 10, 20, 30, or 50 pieces. Each piece will contain the same amount of CBD, making for a consistent dosing experience.
CBD Oil vs. Gummies: Key Differences
Although CBD oil and CBD gummies are simply two different ways to consume a common core ingredient, they have differences that go beyond their taste or the experience you have when using them.
Here, we compare the two CBD product types.
We’ve also put everything into a handy chart:
Ingredients & How They’re Made
CBD oil is made by combining pure hemp extract with a carrier oil. Common carrier oils include MCT oil, hempseed oil, and coconut oil.
The purpose of carrier oil is twofold: to make the hemp extract into a consumable product (an oil), and to allow your body to absorb the CBD after you take it.
Hemp extract can’t be absorbed by your body without being combined with fat – the carrier oil provides this fat, thus enabling proper absorption.
CBD oil is a relatively simple product. It typically has just two ingredients: the extract and the oil. In some products, terpenes and other natural ingredients may be added.
CBD gummies, on the other hand, are the same as regular gummies, but with hemp extract (CBD) added. Gummies are usually made from a gelatin, corn syrup, and pectin base, although many vegan gummy formulations are also available.
Food acids, as well as natural and artificial flavors, are added for taste. Food coloring is also typically present, and it may be natural or artificial.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is a measure of the amount of a substance you consume that your body uses to create effects.
In other words, it’s how potent a product is; products with higher bioavailability will render stronger effects at the same dose.
CBD oils have a bioavailability of 20-30%, while CBD gummies have a bioavailability of 10-20%. In other words, CBD oils are roughly 1.5 times as strong as CBD gummies.
The reason CBD oil is more bioavailable is that you consume it sublingually – under the tongue – rather than swallowing it and digesting it.
This allows the CBD to go straight into your bloodstream. If CBD has to pass through the digestive system, as with gummies, more of it will be lost before reaching your bloodstream.
In most cases, the difference in bioavailability is more or less negligible. We don’t account for it in our CBD dosage formulas – if we did, it wouldn’t make a meaningful difference at the doses most people start with (10-50mg).
However, this bioavailability difference is magnified if you’re taking larger doses, so it’s worth paying attention to then.
Effect Onset & Duration
Just as the bioavailability of CBD oils and gummies is determined by how they deliver CBD to your body, so is the time they take to begin rendering effects (effect onset) and the length of time for which you’ll feel these effects (duration).
CBD oils, due to their direct delivery of CBD to your bloodstream, will begin working in just 10-15 minutes. The effects of CBD oil last for 4-6 hours.
CBD gummies, on the other hand, take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to begin working. But they are worth the wait, as they work for 6-8 hours, as opposed to CBD oil’s 4-6.
Convenience & Portability
CBD gummies win over CBD oil in terms of convenience; they don’t require dosage measurement, they aren’t messy, and they can be taken quickly and easily. They’re also more discreet if you need to take CBD while out and about.
However, CBD oils are the better option if you’re going to be taking very precise doses of CBD; they allow you to easily measure your dose down to the drop. With CBD gummies, you’d have to cut your gummies into smaller pieces, estimating as you go.
Cost
CBD oils are cheaper than CBD gummies, as, among other things, they require fewer ingredients and less material to deliver the same amount of CBD.
While the cost for each product varies by company, here are some benchmarks:
- Oils typically cost $0.05 – $0.20 per mg of CBD
- Gummies typically cost $0.10 – $0.50 per mg of CBD
CBD Oil vs. Gummies: Dosing Considerations
Depending on why you’re using CBD, you’ll have specific needs when it comes to how you measure your doses.
If you need the ability to frequently adjust your doses, CBD oil is much easier than gummies. The metered dropper allows you to measure your dose down to the drop.
If you need very large doses of CBD, oils are usually easier, as more high-potency options (think 6000mg of CBD per bottle) are available.
But for other uses, CBD gummies are just as viable – in fact, we recommend them if you’re trying to build a routine out of taking the same amount of CBD each day or night. Just pop one gummy and you’ve got your daily dose.
For more information on measuring your dose of CBD oil or CBD gummies, see our CBD Dosage Calculator, Chart, and Guide.
Pros and Cons of CBD Oil
If you’re trying to decide whether to use CBD oil, here’s what to consider:
Pros
- Higher bioavailability – CBD oil is roughly 20-30% bioavailable, whereas CBD gummies are 10-20% bioavailable. CBD oil is a more efficient means of CBD consumption.
- More precise dosing – CBD oil allows for very precise, accurate dosing, that can easily be adjusted by small amounts as needed.
- Faster onset – Due to its sublingual absorption method, CBD oil begins working in just 10-15 minutes of being taken.
- Cost – CBD oil tends to be cheaper than CBD gummies.
Cons
- Taste – The earthy, slightly bitter taste of hemp-derived CBD isn’t for everyone.
- Shorter duration – CBD oil works for just 4-6 hours after use, compared to 6-8 hours for CBD gummies.
- Not as portable or convenient – CBD oil isn’t as convenient as CBD gummies if you’re on the road or out and about.
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Pros and Cons of CBD Gummies
And here’s what to consider when deciding whether to use CBD gummies:
Pros
- More convenient – CBD gummies can easily be taken on the go and quickly consumed as needed.
- Better tasting – CBD gummies feature the classic flavors of gummy candy; CBD oil is typically somewhat bitter.
- Fixed-dose – CBD gummy products have the same amount of cannabinoids in each piece, making them an easy option if you need to take the same dose of CBD consistently.
- Longer duration – CBD gummies will render effects for 6-8 hours after use, as compared to CBD oil’s 4-6 hour duration.
Cons
- Can’t be easily dosed in small amounts – If you need a smaller dose than is contained is a single gummy, you’ll have to split each gummy into pieces, which can be tedious and hard to estimate. In this case, CBD oil is more convenient.
- Lower bioavailability – Since CBD gummies have to be digested, they are just 10-20% bioavailable, as compared to 20-30% for CBD oil.
- Slower onset – Also due to needing to pass through the digestive tract, CBD gummies take 45 minutes to 1 hour to begin working, while CBD oils take just 10-15 minutes.
- Cost – As CBD gummies require more ingredients and materials to produce, they typically cost more than CBD oil for the same amount of cannabinoids.
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CBD Oil vs. Gummies for Specific Uses
Sleep, anxiety, and pain are the most common reasons people turn to CBD – if that’s why you, too, are researching hemp-derived products, here’s what to consider when choosing between CBD oil and gummies:
Sleep
We recommend our customers use CBD oil, versus gummies, for sleep. Finding your perfect dose of CBD for sleep takes a lot of experimentation, and you have to get the other factors (e.g. bedtime routine) right, too.
This is where CBD oil shines – it allows you to flexibly dose CBD until you find the perfect amount.
Anxiety
Learn More: The Pros and Cons of CBD for Anxiety
Both CBD oil and CBD gummies are viable for anxiety. CBD oil allows you to easily take smaller doses of CBD throughout the day to keep your mind and mood balanced. However, the same can be done by taking one edible and splitting it into halves, thirds, or fourths, then eating the pieces at evenly spaced times throughout the day.
The advantage of CBD gummies for anxiety is that they’re easy to use on the go –this is ideal if you experience anxiety in social situations or at work, and you need a quick dose of chill. Just remember that you’ll need to take your dose 45 minutes to 1 hour before you need it to begin working.
As you’ve learned, CBD oil is slightly stronger, but for anxiety, it’s not always about potency – it’s about what’s easiest to use in the moment.
Pain
Learn More: The Pros and Cons of CBD for Pain
We recommend CBD oil for pain for two primary reasons. First, CBD oil is stronger than CBD gummies, and a greater selection of high-potency options are available – since you’ll often need larger doses of CBD for pain, oils will help you save money in the long run.
The other reason is that you’ll need to do a lot of dosage experimentation to see what helps you get comfortable — CBD oil allows for this.
Conclusion: How to Choose Between CBD Oil and Gummies
If you’re looking for a quick, easy product with fixed-dose servings, CBD gummies may be the best option. If you’re looking for a more potent option with precise dosing, CBD oil might be preferable.
Both products have pros and cons. Whether you choose oil or gummies ultimately depends on what you’re looking for in a CBD product – we hope this guide was useful to you when making the decision!
Still exploring your options? Check out our articles on Water Soluble CBD vs. Oil and CBD Capsules vs. Oil.
CBD Oil vs. Gummies: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions customers frequently ask us about choosing between CBD oil and CBD gummies.
Which is best CBD oil or CBD gummies?
CBD oil has a higher bioavailability than CBD gummies and allows for precise dosing. CBD gummies have a longer onset duration than CBD oil and are ideal for taking the same amount of CBD regularly.
What are the benefits of CBD oil?
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest CBD oil may provide therapeutic support for sleep, anxiety, pain, stress, epilepsy, addiction, and more.
Is it better to take CBD capsules or oil?
Both forms of CBD are beneficial. CBD capsules are ideal for building CBD into your vitamin and supplement routine, and for taking the same dose of CBD consistently. CBD oil is better for measuring precise doses, especially if you’ll be adjusting your dose frequently.
How much CBD oil should a beginner start with?
Starting out, you can calculate a low-strength dosage of CBD using this formula: (0.1) x (your body weight in lbs) = your daily dose of CBD in mg.
