The 9 Best CBD Capsules of 2023

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Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.

• Editor’s pick: Social CBD Gel Capsules | Skip to review
• Most well-reviewed CBD capsules: CBDfx CBD Gel Capsules | Skip to review
• Best low dose CBD capsules: NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Capsules | Skip to review
• Best priced CBD softgels: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Softgels | Skip to review
• Best high potency CBD softgels: Absolute Nature CBD Softgels | Skip to review
• Best full-spectrum CBD softgels: Bluebird Botanicals Classic Concentrated CBD Soft Gels | Skip to review
• Best vegan CBD capsules: Sunsoil CBD Oil Vegan Capsules | Skip to review
• Best isolate CBD capsules: Medterra Isolate CBD Gel Capsules | Skip to review
• Best organic CBD capsules: Charlotte’s Web Hemp Extract Liquid Capsules, 25 mg | Skip to review

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a hemp-derived compound that shows promise for relieving pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Compared with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD won’t get you “high.”

CBD oil is one of the most common types of CBD products, but it isn’t the only one. You can also take CBD in a pill or capsule. Pills and capsules are easy to use and can provide more consistent dosing than oils, as each dose is premeasured.

However, unlike CBD oils, CBD capsules and pills are subject to additional breakdown in your digestive tract via the first pass effect, which may change the potency.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter (OTC) CBD products. However, in order to protect public health, the FDA can take action against CBD companies that make unfounded health claims.

Since the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products in the same way they regulate drugs or dietary supplements, companies sometimes mislabel or misrepresent their products. That means it’s especially important to do your own research and find a quality product.

We’re here to help with our top nine picks of some of the best CBD pills and capsules on the market today. We’ll also go over how to choose a product, as well as cover safety and side effect information.

Where available, we’ve included special discount codes for our readers.

We chose these products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Each product in this article:

• is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing
• is made with U.S.-grown hemp
• contains no more than 0.3% THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
• passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA

As a part of our selection process, we also considered:

• certifications and manufacturing processes
• whether the ingredients are certified organic
• indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
  • customer reviews
  • whether the company has been subject to an FDA warning letter
  • whether the company makes any unsupported health claims

Additionally, most of the products on this list contain full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD, also known as whole-plant extract, has some advantages over isolate — namely, the entourage effect, a theory that states cannabinoids work better together than they do alone.

Navigating the CBD world can be overwhelming, even for more experienced users. Here’s what to look for when evaluating a product.

Comprehensive, up-to-date COA

Look for a product that has a COA from a third-party lab. At a minimum, most brands will include the cannabinoid profile and potency. Check to make sure this matches what’s on the product label.

Some companies also test for contaminants, like:

• heavy metals
• molds
• pesticides
• residual chemicals or solvents

Products that provide this information (and pass) are your best bets safety-wise.

If the company doesn’t provide a COA or provides one that’s incomplete or old, it probably isn’t the most quality company.

CBD source and type

Look for products made with U.S.-grown hemp, which is subject to agricultural regulations.

Also consider the type of hemp. If you’re looking for a product that’s federally legal, look for a full-spectrum product with less than 0.3% THC, or an isolate or broad-spectrum product.

Red flags

Watch out for red flags when shopping. These include:

• Exaggerated health claims: Although CBD may help with certain conditions, it’s not a cure-all. Avoid companies that claim their product can treat or cure any disease.
• Misleading ingredients: Some brands may try to sell hempseed oil masquerading as CBD. If a product only lists hemp seeds, hempseed oil, or Cannabis sativa seed oil, but doesn’t list cannabidiol, CBD, or hemp extract, it doesn’t contain CBD.
• Many poor reviews, customer complaints, lawsuits, or FDA warning letters: As with any product, do your research before making a purchase. You can look at sites, like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, and you can also do some research to see whether the company has had any legal trouble in the past.

You can learn more about how to read a CBD product label here.

Find what’s right for you

When looking for a pill or capsule to suit your specific needs, consider:

• cannabinoid and terpene profile
• potency
• type of CBD
• additional ingredients

For example, if you want something you can use before bedtime, look for a product that contains high levels of linalool, a terpene found in lavender and cannabis. Linalool has been shown to help with relaxation and anxiety, which may aid in sleep.

Consider other factors that may be important to you. For example, if you’re a vegetarian, you’ll want to read ingredient lists closely and look for a product that doesn’t contain gelatin — as many of these products do.

Depending on how easy it is for you to swallow pills, you may also want to consider capsule size and shape.

CBD oils are one of the most popular types of CBD products. They usually come in a bottle with a dropper, which you use to place the oil under your tongue.

CBD pills and capsules, on the other hand, come in a traditional softgel form. You take them as you would any other pill.

Some people prefer capsules to oils because they’re pre-dosed, and they don’t taste like anything. CBD oils can be flavored, but if they don’t have any added flavoring, they can have a sort of earthy taste.

Compared with oils placed under your tongue, capsules may take longer to produce an effect. That’s because capsules are subject to what’s called the “first pass effect.” This means that after you swallow them, they’re partially broken down in your digestive system and liver.

People take CBD capsules for a variety of reasons, including:

• stress
• insomnia
• pain
• anxiety
• depression

They’re a good choice if you’re looking for full-body effects. If you’re hoping for improvement in a localized area, you may want to consider a topical.

Dosing CBD can be tricky. There’s no one-size-fits-all dose, because everyone’s bodies respond differently to CBD. The clinical evidence we have for dosing CBD in humans is limited, and more research is needed before we can determine ideal safe doses.

With that in mind, the golden rule of dosing is “go low and slow.” Start at a low dose, see how it makes you feel, and adjust as needed. Some people find starting with 10 or 20 mg of CBD works, while others may need 40.

Adjusting by 5 to 10 mg at a time is a safe bet. It may take a few weeks of experimenting before you find your ideal dose. You’ll know a dose is just right if you begin to experience a reduction in symptoms.

Keep in mind that full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products can feel more potent than isolate.

Studies show that CBD is considered to be safe and generally well-tolerated in humans at doses of up to 1,500 mg per day. However, CBD users may still experience some side effects.

These can include:

• fatigue
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite and weight

One randomized clinical trial suggested that consuming CBD products with high fat meals can drastically increase CBD concentrations. This may increase the risk of side effects.

Talk with a doctor before taking CBD, especially if you’re taking any medications or supplements. CBD can have significant drug interactions, especially with medications that carry a grapefruit warning.

How long does it take for CBD capsules to work?

It can take up to 1 or 2 hours for the effects of a CBD capsule to kick in.

Does CBD make you feel ‘high’?

No. By itself, CBD doesn’t cause a “high.” However, many CBD products contain THC. If you take a high enough dose of a potent enough product, you may be consuming enough THC to feel the effects.

Which type of CBD capsule is best?

Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD capsules may be more beneficial than CBD isolate capsules thanks to the entourage effect. However, CBD isolate may also offer benefits on its own.

What’s the difference between CBD capsules vs. oil?

CBD capsules typically contain CBD oil. They’re just a different delivery mechanism. Some people prefer capsules because they dislike the taste of oils. Others find that capsules are more convenient and less messy than CBD oils.

Can you take CBD oil and capsules together?

Yes, but make sure to pay close attention to the dosage of each product.

CBD pills are easy to use and offer reliable dosing. However, they may break down in the digestive tract, making them feel less potent.

You’ll need to experiment until you find your “just right” CBD dosage. Be sure to talk with a doctor before trying CBD.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.