CBD Oil vs Gummies for Mild or Temporary Anxiety: Which Is Best?

Nearly everyone has bouts of mild or temporary anxiety from time to time. Although there are many possible causes, experts believe its uncomfortable symptoms are linked to stress and the fight or flight response (Curtis & O'Keefe, 2002). When you're stressed, your system can remain in a state of high alert until receiving cues from your body that any threat to your physical, mental, or emotional well-being has passed. 

But knowing the biochemical cause is of little consolation while you're feeling tense, apprehensive, or overwhelmed. If mild or temporary anxiety is disrupting your sleep, undermining your confidence, or leaving you feeling distracted or unfocused, consider trying a CBD oil tincture or gummies. Which is best? Only you can decide. While we may not be able to give you the definitive answer you might expect, we can explain what CBD is, how it works, and why someone might choose one over the other. 

Why People are Turning to CBD to Calm Mild or Temporary Anxiety  

Before delving too far into the similarities and differences between CBD oil and CBD gummies, you may find it at least somewhat reassuring to know that most respondents in a 2019 CBDistillery® survey of 1,900 customers report positive results using hemp-derived CBD products for better sleep, relaxation, pain and inflammation after physical activity, and mild or temporary anxiety. An impressive 9 out of 10 tell us that CBD helps calm their minds, and 88% report that it helps with mild or temporary anxiety. The reason people report impressive results for such a diverse list of concerns is much easier to understand once you know how the cannabinoid works. 

When you add CBD (cannabidiol) oil to your favorite beverage or enjoy a fruit-flavored gummy, the cannabinoid interacts with multiple molecular targets throughout your body and brain, including your endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors (Marzo & Piscetelli, 2015). As the largest regulatory system in your body, ECS signaling is involved in nearly every crucial function, from sleep cycle regulation and muscle movement to stress responses and metabolic function. Cannabis researchers believe CBD helps support ECS function in a way that promotes balance (homeostasis) (Sallaberry & Astern, 2018). Although our survey respondents were sharing their experiences using a wide range of products, most report achieving their best results within 7-14 days of consistent use. In that respect, it appears that CBD oil and CBD gummies are on equal footing. 

CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: Key Differences  

When you swallow CBD gummies or add a serving of a CBD oil tincture to foods and drinks, the cannabinoids make their way to your liver through your hepatic portal system. Your liver enzymes metabolize some of that CBD. Only the cannabinoids remaining after this "first pass effect" (and digestion) circulate through your bloodstream (Millar et al., 2020). Since the CBD must first be processed through your digestive system, it can take up to an hour (or more) before you'll notice any impact. If your mild or temporary anxiety tends to kick in when you're trying to sleep, you'll want to adjust your timing to allow for this delay. 

If you want a product that could work faster, a CBD oil tincture could be the better choice. Simply measure your serving, hold the oil beneath your tongue for 45-60 seconds, then swallow. Now that you know how their cannabinoid delivery methods compare, you may also want to consider the following observations. 

CBD Oil Tinctures Are More Versatile  

You probably already picked up on the fact that CBD oil tinctures can be used in several ways. Yes, you can use your tincture to add the health and wellness potential of CBD to foods and beverages or administer the cannabinoid sublingually. But that's not all you can do. When you have a bottle of CBD on hand, you can also add the cannabinoid to your favorite recipes to make your own CBD-infused baked goods and candies or blend the oil with a cream or lotion to make CBD-infused topicals.   

CBD Gummies Are More Convenient  

CBD gummies are popular with CBD users who value convenience and portability. When you choose CBD gummies, you don't have to spend time shaking the bottle or measuring your serving size because the work's done for you. Each delicious, fruit-flavored hemp supplement gives you a consistent, pre-measured serving of CBD every time. While you could be pleased with either option while using CBD at home, gummies are the better choice for travel because there's no glass bottle to spill, leak, or shatter. 

CBD Gummies and CBD Oil Tinctures Both Have the Potential to Cause Side Effects  

Whether you ultimately decide to try a CBD oil tincture or CBD gummies, you're using a product that's generally well-tolerated and safe for most people. In a 2020 report by the World Health Organization, the agency reported "no evidence of public health-related problems" associated with daily use (WHO, 2020). 

However, side effects are possible. You can reduce your risk of developing dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, or diarrhea (Chesney et al., 2020) by starting with a partial serving, an approach recommended to anyone using CBD for the first time. If you don't get the relief you're hoping for, increase your serving sizes gradually in small increments. Consult your physician if you have a health condition. Cannabinoids can interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications.   

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing CBD for Mild or Temporary Anxiety  

Whether you're leaning towards a CBD oil tincture or CBD gummies to ease your mild or temporary anxiety, it's important to understand that product potency and overall quality can vary considerably from one brand to the next. If you're not selecting a high-quality product from a reputable source, you could end up with something incapable of having the impact you expect. To protect yourself from a potentially disappointing purchase, take a few minutes to evaluate your selection based on the following factors. 

Product Purity  

Hemp plants can absorb heavy metals, pesticides, and other potentially hazardous substances from the soil. While you're shopping, look for a Certificate of Analysis to confirm the tincture or gummies you select are third-party tested for purity (and potency). Although 75% of CBD brands claim their products are tested, their assurances are misleading. Only about 13% batch-test at least 90% of their products (Harrington, 2021). 

Extraction Methods  

CBD is the most abundant of more than 113 cannabinoids in the oil extracted from hemp flowers. The way that oil is extracted matters. Some solvents leave residue behind. As you're comparing manufacturers, take note of their extraction methods. CO2 extraction is one of the cleanest options available and considered the "gold standard" for full spectrum (and broad spectrum) hemp extract (Valizadehderakhshan et al., 2021). 

THC Content  

There are three main types of hemp extract. Full spectrum products give you all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytonutrients produced in the plant, including a small, non-intoxicating amount of THC. Broad spectrum products have many of the same cannabinoids and terpenes, but their THC is reduced to non-detectable levels. Products made with pure CBD isolate powder deliver the health and wellness potential of cannabidiol on its own. 

Product Prices  

Many companies charge top dollar for large bottles of CBD oil tinctures and big jars of gummies that contain very little (if any) CBD. When comparing product prices, remember that CBD prices should be aligned with the number of CBD milligrams (mg) in the bottle or jar, not the number of ounces. To compare the cost per milligram, divide the unit price by the total number of milligrams in each product.   

Brand Reputation  

Product reviews and customer service comments can tell you a lot about a brand. Before finalizing a purchase, take a few minutes to browse the commentary posted on their website. Once you're reasonably sure you've found a reputable company, take a few minutes to evaluate how well they stand behind their products. While the details can vary, the best CBD brands offer reasonable satisfaction guarantees. 

Discover Why So Many CBD Users Choose CBDistillery® CBD Oil Tinctures and Gummies  

At CBDistillery®, we're committed to offering high-quality, fairly priced hemp-derived CBD products. As a vertically integrated company, we oversee every aspect of production, from seed to sale. Our non-GMO crops are naturally farmed, we rely on the cleanest food-safe extraction methods in the industry, and our products are manufactured in an A-rated NSF cGMP-registered facility. CBD users choosing CBDistillery® CBD tinctures and gummies can shop with confidence because our products are third-party tested and backed by a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. 

We also have more than 2 million satisfied customers, and our products have over 40,000 5-star reviews. If you're intrigued by what you've learned about using hemp-derived CBD for mild or temporary anxiety but still torn between starting with a CBD oil tincture or CBD gummies, consider taking our 3-minute CBD Product Quiz or scheduling a personal consultation. 

References:  

Chesney E, Oliver D, et al. (2020) Adverse Effects of Cannabidiol: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Neuropsychopharmacol. 45, 1799-806. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0667-2 

Curtis B, O'Keefe J. (2002) Autonomic Tone as a Cardiac Risk Factor: The Dangers of Chronic Fight or Flight. 77(1) Elsevier 45-54. https://doi.org/10.4065/77.1.45 

Harrington A. (2021) 25% of CBD Products Are Not Tested for Purity. Forbes. 

Marzo, V, Piscetelli F. (2015) The Endocannabinoid System and Its Modulation by Phytocannabinoids. 12, Neurotherapeutics 692-98. 

Millar S, Maguire R. (2020) Towards Better Delivery of Cannabidiol (CBD). 13(9) Pharmaceuticals 219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13090219 

Ramalho I, Pereira D, et al. (2021) Current Trends on Cannabidiol Delivery Systems: Where Are We and Where Are We Going? 14(8) Pharmaceutics 1533. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2021.1952978 (PDF) 

Sallaberry C, Astern L. (2018) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator. 34(6) JYI 48-55. https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator 

Valizadehderakhshan M, Shahbazi A, et al. (2021) Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp)—Review. 11(5) Agriculture 384. ttps://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050384 

World Health Organization. (2020) Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report. PDF https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/controlled-substances/whocbdreportmay2018-2.pdf?sfvrsn=f78db177_2