Which Is More Effective: CBD Gummies or Oil?

CBD gummies and CBD oil each come with their own benefits and potential problems, which makes determining which one is best for you a bit challenging.

CBD gummies are easy to use and CBD oil tends to be potent, but the most effective option for you will depend on your goals and how you plan to use your product. Understanding your needs can help make it clear which benefits are worthwhile and which drawbacks are too much to ignore.

In this article, we’ll talk in depth about the pros and cons associated with both CBD gummies and oil to better illustrate how each product might work to address your needs. With this information in mind, it’s far easier to make a choice about which will be best.

Which Has a Faster Onset Time: CBD Gummies or Oil?

CBD gummies and CBD oil, when consumed orally, have a similar onset time of around an hour or so. However, CBD oil can also be consumed in other ways (sublingually) to produce faster effects, but gummies can not. 

Overall, then, CBD oil generally has a faster onset time, but orally ingesting a single dose of gummies and oil respectively likely won’t yield drastically different results.

That’s because method of consumption is a primary factor influencing onset time. 

Oral consumption means that it takes much longer for your product to reach the part of your body where it will be broken down and metabolized than it might if you smoked or opted for sublingual (under the tongue) consumption, which deliver product to its destination much more rapidly.

Which Has Longer Lasting Effects: CBD Gummies or Oil?

CBD gummies and oil can both last for around 6-8 hours total when consumed orally, but if you take your CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue), its effects will likely stick around for just 2-4 hours. 

It’s important to understand that some methods of consumption, including sublingual absorption, have a higher bioavailability than others. A higher bioavailability means much more of the compound will be absorbed and at a faster rate, but its effects will wear off more quickly. 

Alongside sublingual ingestion, both smoking and vaping offer a higher bioavailability than other consumption methods (like oral ingestion). But the effects of inhaling your product can fade in just a few hours.

Overall, then, CBD gummies are generally the better choice when longevity of effects is what you’re after.

Which is Stronger: CBD Gummies or Oil?

CBD oil tends to be formulated to be more potent (higher % of CBD) than the average CBD gummy. But, since gummies can only be consumed orally, they may produce stronger effects in general; still, the truth about which of the two is more intense comes down to individual product and usage. 

For instance, some CBD gummies may be formulated with enough CBD per dose to rival or surpass that of an oil. It all depends on what you shop for and how much you take. 

Because CBD oil often contains little more than CBD itself and a carrier oil, you’re more likely to find a stronger CBD oil than edible. But, that doesn’t mean it’s out of the realm of possibility to find exceptions on either end.

Which One is Right for You: CBD Gummies or Oil?

Though CBD gummies and oil are similar in many ways, they’re not the same product; each one comes with benefits and drawbacks that may or may not make it an ideal choice for you. 

To decide which is, you’ll want to assess your needs and goals.

Understanding the pros and cons of each product type can help you determine whether it adequately addresses these needs and to what extent. 

CBD Gummies: Pros and Cons

CBD gummies are one of the most straightforward, easy-to-understand CBD product options out there, which makes them a great choice for those who are new to using CBD or anyone looking to precisely control the amount they consume.

Though gummies are a great option, they do pose some challenges that may make them a less-than-ideal choice for some. Let’s take a closer look.

Pros:

• Easy to dose and use: Because gummies are formulated to contain a certain amount of CBD per chew, they make it incredibly simple to control the dose you’re taking in and closely monitor it. Other product types, like flower, tinctures, etc., tend to rely on less precise or accurate means of dosing.
  
  
• Wide variety of options: Gummies and other forms of CBD edibles come in all sorts of flavors, potency levels, formulas, etc., so it’s never too hard to find one that fits what you’re looking for.
  
  
• Long-lasting effects: The effects of a potent gummy can last for a long time; several hours or more is common. Unlike something like smoking, the results of ingesting your CBD gummies will be evident for quite some time.

Cons:

• Take longer to kick in: Though they may last longer, the effects of CBD gummies take more time to kick in. This may be a real disadvantage if you need more immediate relief.
  
  
• Presence of other ingredients: Some gummies may be formulated with other ingredients unrelated to CBD (think cheap sugars, fillers, dyes, etc.) that may pose a risk for some, especially if you tend to be sensitive to particular additives. CBD side effects like nausea and vomiting may be more likely to occur if you consume a gummy with other ingredients that upset your gut.

CBD Oil: Pros and Cons

Like CBD gummies, CBD oil is a popular product option because of the flexibility it presents. It’s easy to use, easy to find, and comes in a variety of formulas to satisfy any and all consumers.

Pros:

• Potency: Many CBD oils are formulated with lots of CBD, meaning they tend to be one of the more potent product options available. This is especially true if you opt for a CBD isolate, which contains around 99% pure CBD.
  
  
• Freedom from other ingredients: Oils aren’t edible treats in the way gummies are, so they don’t need to be formulated with ingredients that we typically find in foods. That means avoiding allergic reactions and other irritation that may come with some types of gummies.
  
  
• Versatility: There are all sorts of ways to use CBD oil: put it under your tongue or ingest it orally, add it to a food or beverage, etc.

Cons:

• Harder to dose: Though most CBD oils come with a dropper that helps you measure doses, the nature of an oil makes it difficult to ensure that the same amount of CBD is present in your dose every time you fill it up.
  
  
• Taste: CBD oil isn’t created with flavor in mind (in most cases), which means it can sometimes taste quite plant-like and a bit unpleasant or bitter.

Can You Take CBD Gummies and Oil Together?

You can absolutely take CBD gummies and oil together if you’d like; in fact, we recommend combining CBD products as necessary to fully address your symptoms and concerns. 

Keep in mind that combining products (or just increasing the amount of CBD you’re consuming in general) can put you at a slightly higher risk of developing side effects. 

Fortunately, the side effects of CBD are usually quite mild and easily resolve on their own after a few hours. Still, things like nausea, cramping, and diarrhea are all possible. 

Side effects aside, taking CBD gummies and oil together is a great way to help cover your bases. It allows you to consume more CBD, but also experiment with different methods of consumption and doses.

Our Recommendations

Between CBD gummies and CBD oil, there are lots of great product options to consider. That’s why we’ve taken some time to develop a brief list of some of our favorite options from trusted, established sellers. 

For more product information and details about other options to consider, be sure to check out our directory!