The main types of CBD products are tinctures (oil drops), gummies and other edibles, topicals (creams and roll-ons), and drinkable syrups. They differ in how you take them, how fast they reach your bloodstream and how easy it is to adjust the amount. In human studies, CBD taken by mouth usually reaches its peak in the blood within 1 to 3 hours, and taking it with food can raise absorption. At Growing In Health Florida in Naples, FL 34119, we carry every type on this page.
Quick answers
| Type | How you take it | Time to peak in the blood (studies) | Easy to adjust the amount? | Good fit for | On our shelves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tinctures (oil drops) | Drops under the tongue, then swallow | 1.67 to 2.17 hours for sublingual drops | Yes, drop by drop | Finding your amount, flexible use | Tincture 5000 mg CBD + 1000 mg CBG, Tincture 3000 mg CBD + 1000 mg CBG, Dream Drops |
| Gummies and edibles | Chew and swallow | 1 to 3 hours for oral CBD in most studies | Only by cutting a piece | Pre-measured, portable use | Smokiez CBD Gummies, THC-Free Gummies, Sleep Gummies, Relief Gummies, Bloom Gummies |
| Topicals | Apply to the skin | Not covered in the review | Yes, by how much you apply | One specific area | Purple Hippo CBD 5000 mg Full Spectrum topical, Enjoy Relief Cooling Roll-On |
| Syrups | Mix into a drink | 30 to 60 minutes on an empty stomach and 60 to 90 minutes with food, according to Enjoy Hemp | Yes, by the pour | People who prefer drinking it | Enjoy hemp syrups (hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, 21+) |
| Pet CBD | Treats or drops in food | Not covered in the review | Yes, by drop or by treat | Dogs | Suzie’s CBD Pet Soft Chews, Suzie’s Hearts, Pet Tincture |
Times to peak for tinctures and gummies come from a 2018 systematic review of human CBD studies (systematic review of how the body absorbs CBD, Millar et al., Frontiers in Pharmacology).
The 2018 Millar review pulled together human studies on how CBD moves through the body:
| Route | Time to peak in the blood |
|---|---|
| Inhaled or smoked | About 3 to 36 minutes |
| Oral (capsules, edibles) | About 1 to 3 hours in most studies |
| Sublingual drops | About 1.7 to 2.2 hours |
| Oromucosal spray | About 1.6 to 4.2 hours |
Food makes a big difference. In one study of 12 men, CBD exposure was about 5 times higher when taken after food than on an empty stomach. Peak levels were about 3 times higher, though the peak came later (4.0 hours fed vs 1.4 hours fasted). That study used a spray that also contained THC, so treat it as a guide, not a rule.
Half-life is the time it takes for the amount of CBD in your blood to drop by half. The review reported these half-lives:
Half-life is not the same as how long you feel an effect. Hemp-derived CBD products can contain trace THC, which can show up on drug tests, so choose THC-free products if you are tested.
In CBD shops, the two terms usually mean the same thing: CBD extract in a carrier oil, sold in a dropper bottle. Traditionally, a “tincture” was an alcohol-based extract, so check the ingredient list if that matters to you. Our tinctures pair CBD with CBG in 3000 mg and 5000 mg strengths.
| CBD gummies | CBD oil (tincture) | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | Pre-measured | You measure with the dropper |
| Taste | Flavored | Varies by product |
| Onset | Oral route, about 1 to 3 hours to peak | Sublingual drops, about 1.7 to 2.2 hours to peak in studies |
| Adjusting the amount | Harder | Easy |
| Portability | Very easy | Easy |
Neither is “better” for everyone. Gummies suit people who want simplicity, and tinctures suit people who want control. For a deeper look at gummy options, read our CBD gummies buying guide for Naples.
Many people use a topical for one spot and an oral product for everyday use. Talk with your healthcare provider before combining products, especially if you take medication.
Syrups let you measure a serving into any drink. Our Enjoy hemp syrups contain hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, so they are 21+ only. See flavors and lab results in our Enjoy hemp syrup guide.
Every product type above comes in different extract types:
Learn more about the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate CBD.
See all of these product types side by side at Growing In Health Florida, 7211 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Suite 3, Naples, FL 34119. We are open Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM, and our staff offer one-on-one guidance. Bring a valid photo ID. Browse the full list of CBD products on our Naples shelves before your visit.
Tinctures (oil drops), gummies and other edibles, topicals such as creams and roll-ons, and drinkable syrups. Pet CBD comes as treats and drops.
Among the types we sell, oral and sublingual products take about 1 to 3 hours to peak in the blood in human studies. Enjoy Hemp says its syrups typically take effect in 30 to 60 minutes on an empty stomach.
Oral CBD reaches its peak in the blood in about 1 to 3 hours in most studies. Food can delay the peak but increase how much you absorb.
Research suggests food can increase absorption. In one study, CBD exposure was about 5 times higher after eating than on an empty stomach.
It depends on what you want. Gummies are pre-measured and convenient. Tinctures let you adjust your amount drop by drop.
In most shops, yes. Both usually mean CBD extract in a carrier oil. Traditionally, a tincture was alcohol-based, so check the ingredients.
The half-life of CBD ranged from about 3 hours for an oral capsule to 2 to 5 days with daily oral use in human studies.
At Growing In Health Florida, 7211 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Suite 3, Naples, FL 34119. We carry tinctures, gummies, topicals, hemp syrups and pet CBD, with COAs available.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your healthcare provider before use, especially if you take medication or are pregnant.
