The CBD oil industry has exploded over the last decade or so, and every brand promises that they make the BEST CBD product for all that ails you: insomnia, anxiety, pain, and more.
Unfortunately, too many brands are producing inexpensive and poor quality oil. Not only is this potentially unsafe, but these brands often produce ineffective results as well. In fact, studies showe that some 70% of CBD oils sold online are mislabeled!
The goal of this post is to help you find the best CBD product. We will cover what it is, what it does (and doesn’t do), and most importantly, how to find a safe, effective brand of hemp product.
First, let’s cover the basics.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD does not produce a “high” sensation. CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its potential health benefits, and it is now legal in many parts of the world.
cannabis oil in the doctor’s hand hemp leaf, Marijuana medical medicine
Does CBD oil really do anything?
Yes. The very strongest scientific evidence is for CBD’s effectiveness in treating certain childhood epilepsy syndromes. In numerous studies, CBD has been shown to reduce or even stop seizures. (The FDA even approved the first ever cannabis-derived medicine for this use.) In addition, CBD may:
- Relieve pain. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating various functions, including pain sensation.
- Reduce anxiety. CBD has also been shown to have potential benefits for mental health.
- Kick an addiction. CBD may help reduce cravings for tobacco and heroin .
- Benefit the skin. CBD contains anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation and redness in the skin. This makes CBD potentially useful for treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Anecdotally, I know people who swear by CBD for everything from acne to menstrual pain.
So the bottom line is, yes, CBD has real, demonstrable therapeutic uses. But it’s critical that manufacturers have a solid understanding of how and why CBD works. Without this knowledge, their formulations may only be a guess rather than based in solid science. This can make all the difference between a very effective formulation and one that does nothing. (Lucky for you, there are four brands below that we are recommending.)
Is CBD oil safe?
While CBD is found in marijuana (it’s one of hundreds of compounds therein), it will not cause you to get high. The WHO concurs that “there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
As of now, the FDA does not regulate the safety or purity of dietary supplements like CBD. So you have to find a manufacturer you trust to feel confident that the product you buy has active ingredients at the dose listed on the label.
CBD Vs. Hemp Oil
If you see hemp oil on a label, it usually indicates that the product contains oil from just the hemp seed, which means it won’t contain THC or CBD.
Hemp extract, on the other hand, comes from the plant not the seed, and therefore will contain CBD and a small amount of THC. CBD products will be called extracts or oils, since often the extract will contain oils, such as MCT oil.
For the purposes of this guide, we will use these terms interchangeably.
GoodGoo doesn’t make ingestible CBD, but but their full-spectrum night salve deserves special mention.
The Entourage Effect
If you start to research CBD, you’ll quickly learn about what scientists call the “entourage effect.” In a nutshell, this is when the interactions between the plant’s individual compounds work synergistically to magnify the therapeutic benefits. Basically, the medicinal impact of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Terpenes are a type of molecule found in hemp, and they have their own therapeutic properties that can contribute to the entourage effect.
Most CBD oils also contain Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT). Here’s why: CBD and terpenes need to be delivered in an oil base that allows for optimal, healthy absorption into our systems. MCT is a saturated fatty acid derived from coconut oil and has numerous health benefits. It is easily absorbed into the body, making it the ideal carrier oil for CBD.
Is the Best CBD Full Spectrum?
There are three types of CBD: isolate, broad spectrum, and full spectrum.
CBD isolate is pure CBD, whereas broad and full spectrum contain other compounds from the hemp plant. Broad spectrum does not contain THC, but because full spectrum CBD contains all compounds, it does contain small amounts of THC.
Some people find that full-spectrum CBD is the most effective, but you can play around with different brands and see which ones you like best.
70 comments
Muhammed
Hi, my name is Muhammed. Can I get you a McNugget.
barryburrac
You should try cbd oil for that. Try WeedBorn products.
cbd drops
I am fan of you blog, it helps me to improve my study. Thanks for presenting such nice and great informative article named “A Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Best CBD Oil”.
Martha
Any thoughts on Dram?
Sara Barbieri
John and Maya! Hello and thank you for this article. We’ve been recently recommended the Waayb CBD Oil and I would really love to have your opinion.
https://waayb.com/shop/
Sara Goegeline
How does your selected brand taste? The brand I’ve tried with all the extra components tastes so earthy i couldn’t stand it. I added a lot of a strong ginger- honey syrup i had on hand and I can now use it but I don’t like it. I need cbd for migraine pain, if that makes any difference. I’m thinking of buying a brand with some essential oils plus peppermint flavoring, tho I’ve never swallowed essential oils before.
Thanks for your attention to my quandry.
Cannabria CBD
Well written and to the point. I appreciate the detail in this article!
Doula
Nuleaf is reputable as well as Haleigh’s hope . Please do more research before posting just one.
Elizabeth
Hi,
So glad you’re researching this! It’s overwhelming to sift through the jillions of companies trying to find the good ones. Have you looked into RE Botanicals? I just ordered from them and am hopeful that their product is good but would love to know your thoughts! Thanks :)
maia
We’ve added some new brands above and will continue to review more!