Capsule

A capsule is an oral dosage form in which a measured amount of powder, granules, or liquid is sealed inside a small, dissolvable shell.

Two-piece hard capsules are made from gelatin or from plant-derived cellulose and are filled with dry contents; one-piece softgels enclose an oil or liquid fill. The shell dissolves in the stomach and releases its contents for absorption through the digestive tract, which means capsules follow the oral route and are subject to first-pass metabolism. Their appeal is precision and convenience: each unit contains the same labeled amount, with no measuring and no taste.

In the CBD market, capsules usually contain a hemp extract blended with a carrier oil or a powdered isolate. The label should state the milligrams of cannabinoids per capsule, the number of capsules per container, the type of extract, and a batch number linked to a certificate of analysis. Because swallowed cannabidiol is absorbed slowly and variably, studies describe a later and lower peak than for some other routes. Capsules are one of the formats used in clinical cannabinoid research.