Content Update Notice: This guide was systematically reviewed and updated in June 2026 to reflect the latest UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) Novel Foods compliance standards and independent third-party laboratory insights. In line with our strict Editorial Policy & Product Compliance Standards, all nutritional and botanical data within this article has been verified to ensure absolute accuracy and consumer safety
Food Supplement Compliance Notice: All Love CBD capsules are formulated in strict accordance with the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) Novel Foods guidelines. To learn more about our rigorous safety assessments and independent third-party oversight, please review our full Product Compliance & Quality Standards page.
CBD Capsules Guide
CBD capsules provide a taste-free, discreet, and precisely dosed alternative to CBD oils. When choosing a capsule, select full-spectrum or broad-spectrum options that leverage the plant’s natural ‘Entourage Effect’ over cheap, mass-produced CBD isolates.
CBD capsules are a popular way to consume your daily dose of CBD for a number of reasons. Here is a easy to understand CBD capsules guide which we hope you will find useful.
The Advantages of CBD Capsules
CBD capsule shells are either two pieces and have the filling put into the capsule or gel capsules where CBD is added when the capsule is formed. Two-piece capsules have an intrinsic advantage in that there is more scope to vary the capsule’s content, though the manufacturing process is not as easily scalable.
One of the big advantages of CBD capsules, as opposed to the more commonly consumed CBD oil products, is the ease of dosing. Getting accurate dosing is really important with CBD products, and having a fiddly dropper with no markings is not helpful.
CBD capsules are also great for individuals looking for a taste-free alternative to CBD oil, which can sometimes be an acquired taste or sometimes downright unpleasant.
A criticism which is commonly aired about CBD capsules is that they have a lower absorption rate. Although this may be true, adding additional ingredients like coconut oil (Love CBD capsules all do) improves absorption.
Cannabinoids are fat soluble and incorporating fats in conjunction with CBD use is definitely recommended. Consuming your capsule alongside a healthy fat source, such as a small piece of chocolate, significantly boosts cannabinoid absorption
Vegan Capsules
Some CBD capsules are vegan-friendly and made with vegetable cellulose, however many of the gel capsules are made from bovine and as such are unsuitable for a vegan diet. Love CBD capsules are vegan-friendly, like our popular Dutch CBD Range, which is we recommend to first time users of CBD.
Types of Love CBD Capsules
There are various types of CBD capsules available to buy, and though the marketing of these can sometimes be unclear, deliberately in some cases, we hope that this article will help you to decide when making a purchase.
Full-spectrum CBD capsules contain a full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other beneficial compounds that are found in the hemp plant. This is the principle behind the “Entourage Effect” which has been the basis for the Love CBD Entourage Capsules.
It is worth noting that UK regulations on controlled substances are strict, and full-spectrum CBD capsules in some cases may not comply. All of Love CBD products are lab-tested to guarantee legal compliance and the reports are visible on our website.
Broad-spectrum CBD capsules, sometimes called CBD tablets also contain a range of beneficial cannabis compounds, though they have been through a THC removal process. Low strength broad spectrum CBD capsules will have non-detectable levels of THC and CBN and are ideal for individuals who undergo routine drugs test.
However, THC may be detected with stronger CBD capsule products and be found on reputable lab reports.
Good quality broad-spectrum CBD oils and capsules should present a range of cannabinoids on a lab report, and broad-spectrum products which do not may be no better than a CBD isolate-based product.
CBD isolate-based capsules contain pure CBD without other cannabinoids or beneficial compounds from the hemp plant. CBD isolate is a much cheaper ingredient than full and broad-spectrum extracts as it is mass produced.
Unlike full or broad-spectrum extracts, which are inherently different from each other depending upon the variety of plants used, CBD isolate products are generic, with the only difference being any additional ingredients.
CBD isolate also costs about 5x cheaper for a manufacturer to buy than a broad or full spectrum extract, and this CBD capsules guide would be doing a disservice to anyone reading this article and not point this out.
Manufacturing with CBD isolate is easier and is able to incorporate a flavouring better as the isolate imparts very little of its own flavour.
From a clinical and manufacturing perspective, CBD isolates are structurally inferior to rich plant extracts, offering a generic commodity rather than a true holistic remedy. Comparing a full/ broad spectrum product to an isolate product is also not a direct comparison in many ways; as cannabis extracts are complex and contain many compounds, CBD isolate does not.
Stay Clear of CBD Isolate and false claims
CBD isolate products are commodities and mass-produced and the only reason to buy isolate-based CBD capsules is that they are often cheaper. Whilst Love CBD capsule may be slightly more expensive, than some other brands, we only use high-quality ingredients which is reflected in the price.
Here is a clinical study exploring the differences between isolate and full-spectrum extracts.
As discussed in this CBD capsules guide, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD capsules contain many more beneficial compounds and are generally recommended over an isolate-type CBD capsule product.
However, not all extracts are created equal and some brands claim to be selling full spectrum products when the lab reports don’t reflect this claim.
The same can be said for broad-spectrum CBD capsules which contain no other cannabinoid compounds. Lab reports are key and should ideally be less than 12 months old. Not all sellers in this space are completely honest and it is well worth doing research before buying any CBD product. Trust pilot is a good place to start, and as an independent review site, shows genuine customer experience and can act in itself as a CBD capsules guide.
A CBD capsules guide may prove to be helpful. However, the reason why we offer CBD sample products, including a CBD sample pack which contains our Dutch CBD capsules, is because we have found that that there is no better way to find out whether CBD products work for you, than by trying them for yourself. It also offers a way to determine whether as an existing CBD user you find more benefit from a broad or full spectrum CBD than your existing product.
How to Choose Carbon-Negative CBD
As featured in The Times ‘Green Belters’ index, authentic wellness requires environmental integrity. While mass-market corporate brands rely on complex, carbon-heavy global supply chains, our locally grown crops sequestered an estimated 70 tonnes of atmospheric CO₂ this past year alone. When choosing a brand, look beyond glossy marketing and demand zero-waste glass packaging, verifiable carbon-negative sourcing, and transparent UKAS lab batches.
We hope that you found this CBD capsules guide to be useful. If you are interested to learn more about other CBD related topics, similar to our CBD capsules guide, please read some of our other CBD Blogs.
