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How we vet brands and products
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
CBD capsules from Medterra, CBDfx, and NuLeaf Naturals are among our top picks due to brand transparency and product quality.
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.
CBD capsules are easy to use and can provide more consistent dosing than oils because each dose is premeasured.
However, unlike CBD oils, CBD capsules are subject to the first pass effect. This means that after you swallow them, they’re partially broken down in your digestive system and liver, and it may take longer for them to have an effect.
If you’re interested in a faster onset, you might want to explore our CBD oil picks. But if you prefer a more reliable, consistent dosing of capsules and don’t enjoy the earthy taste of some CBD oils, we’ve chosen our favorite products below.
We also go over how to choose a product, and we 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% tetrahydrocannabinol (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 a Food and Drug Administration (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.
Currently, the FDA doesn’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter 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 it regulates 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.
But navigating the CBD world can be overwhelming, even for more experienced users. Here’s what to look for when evaluating a product.
A 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 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 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 capsules, you may also want to consider capsule size and shape.
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.
People take CBD capsules for a variety of reasons, including:
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.
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 the first pass effect, which means they’re partially broken down in your digestive system and liver.
It can take up to 1 or 2 hours for the effects of a CBD capsule to kick in.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, but make sure to pay close attention to the dosage of each product.
CBD capsules 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 or other qualified healthcare provider 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.
