Even as more research is being done into marijuana and its various compounds, there are still a lot of misconceptions out there, especially around cannabinoids and exactly what they are. Cannabinoids, or CBDs, are a compound found in the cannabis sativa plant, although almost all CBD oil is extracted from industrial hemp. They react with the body’s ECS, or endocannabinoid system, to activate certain neurotransmitters to keep your body well regulated and healthy.
CBD oil has shown promise in managing and possibly treating a wide variety of diseases and conditions, from cancer to acne, and best of all, CBD is not psychoactive at all, unlike it’s more well-known counterpart, THC. This mean CBD oil will not get you high or otherwise directly alter your state of mind, so you can go about your day however you normally would after dosing with CBD oil.
Why Take CBD Oil?
The main benefits associated with CBD oil are the prevention, risk reduction, and sometimes even treatment of various diseases and ailments. For example, there is promising evidence that CBD oil can not only reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes but also help manage diabetes for those who already have it.
Part of the reason CBD oil is so promising for managing diabetes is because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is part of the reason someone may develop insulin resistance, leading to type 2 diabetes, so decreasing inflammation may help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil also make it an alternative pain relief solution for the pain associated with diseases such as osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and chronic back pain.
Studies have suggested CBD oil may also be instrumental in promoting a healthy heart. Of course, reducing inflammation of the heart muscles is extremely beneficial, but it goes beyond just that. CBD oil has been shown to help strengthen the arterial walls of the heart, which become weaker as you age, especially if you have high blood pressure. Speaking of high blood pressure, subjects in CBD trials have reported having lower resting blood pressure and some suggest CBD oil could also be used as a preventative measure against high blood pressure.
CBD oil, in some studies, has shown to be effective at stopping and reducing seizures, making it incredibly useful for people with epilepsy. CBD oil offers a more affordable option for managing epilepsy for many people, but it is also being studied for its neuroprotective properties. CBD is believed to help prevent the degeneration that comes with aging and various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and reduce your risk of stroke.
Not only can CBD oil protect your brain cells and nerves, but it has also shown promise in protecting bones and skin. Research has indicated CBD oil strengthens bones and may speed up the healing process of simple bone fractures. Additionally, in studies on mice, CBD oil showed to decrease bone loss. It has also shown to help prevent and treat acne problems in addition to speeding up the healing time of skin and promoting overall skin health.
Casting the net of people CBD oil may help even further, CBD oil may help relieve and treat very common mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, but I’ll touch more on that later.
What Makes a Quality CBD Oil?
Safe, Healthy Extraction Methods
There are various methods of extracting CBD oil from hemp, but the only two that are safe, healthy, and worth any of your money are using pharmaceutical-grade ethanol and through CO2 supercritical extraction. Cheaper, low-quality companies may use cheaper forms of extraction, which can actually do more harm than good. Cheap methods of extracting CBD oil include using harmful solvents such as butane and propane. These are gases that you definitely don’t want to be regularly ingesting, and these cheaper methods of extraction often signify lower quality oil overall and should be avoided.
High-Quality Sourcing of Hemp
You will also want to make sure the industrial hemp used is of high quality and coming from a reliable source. It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open for U.S. based companies that are using hemp grown on U.S. farms because they farms have to be certified by state departments of agriculture in order to operate and are held to a certain standard.
However, you’ll also notice a lot of CBD oil is manufactured in Europe, especially Germany and Denmark, which some people prefer over the oil produced in the U.S. European agricultural standards are much stricter than that of America, so many people prefer the organic hemp grown in European countries, especially since it is a bioaccumulator, meaning it accumulates toxins within the plant that was in the soil or air around it.
Manufactured Using the Whole Plant
CBD oils are made from either whole plant hemp extract or isolated hemp extract. It’s recommended to only go for oils that are manufactured using the entire plant because it can offer more benefits and is known to be more effective. Isolated hemp extract is using the CBD from one part of the hemp plant, instead of the entire plant, depriving you of other helpful compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids, and secondary cannabinoids. Using isolated hemp extract is often a sign of cheap manufacturing and lower quality oil, which is especially common among oils that seem too cheap to real.
Third-Party Lab Results
Another indicator of a high-quality CBD oil is third-party lab results on the bottle or the manufacturer’s website. Having the product, whatever it may be, tested by a third-party lab can help ensure quality, purity, and strength. It also shows the company’s commitment to creating a high-quality extract that is actually useful, since third-party testing is not required by the FDA and companies could technically sell CBD oil without running any tests and make whatever claims they want.
Third-party lab testing is usually quite expensive, so if a company has enough money to afford that they’re likely a legitimate and trustworthy business, but you should always supplement these criteria with additional research on the company. Having the lab results can also be useful because it tells you critical information about the CBD oil, like its potency, percentage of terpenes, THC levels, and more.
What to Look for While Shopping for CBD Oil
Oral vs Topical vs Vape
Before buying any CBD oil, there are a few important things you should consider, including how you want to go about taking it, since there are various methods. The four main ways to take CBD oil is ingestion, sublingually, topically, and by inhalation.
Orally ingesting CBD oil is very common and arguably the easiest way to take CBD oil, although it is not the fastest way. Mixing a serving into a glass of water or coffee, or taking a capsule of CBD oil are two of the most common ways it is ingested and allows the oil to go through your entire digestive system, meaning you’ll feel the effects a little delayed.
Taking CBD oil sublingually is both easy and fast acting, which is why it’s another common technique. With sublingual CBD oils, a small amount of oil is administered under the tongue, where you hold it to allow the membranes in your mouth to absorb the oil. Sublingual option are quick, but not very discreet.
Using CBD oil can be as easy as rubbing a product on your skin. Topical options are best for localized, physical pain relief and doesn’t do much for things like depression. Still, if you’re experiencing chronic pain, a topical option may be the most appropriate and fastest option for you. Lastly, CBD oils can be inhaled or vaporized. Vaporizing CBD oil is alo faster than ingesting it and is preferred by many people who like fast results.
Effective Dosage
Finding the most effective dose for you can be a trial and error process, so it is important that you take it slow. Depending on the specific product and concentration, the effective dose may be as little as a few milligrams or as much as a gram or more. Starting slow and gradually increasing your dosage until you feel the desired effects is the easiest way to find the right dose for you.
For example, chronic pain, the average dose is 2.5 to 20mg, but you should always start at 2.5 mg and take small doses throughout the day. However, ailments like sleep disorders will likely require a higher dose of oil, between 40mg and 160mg. The most important thing to remember is that everyone is different and what works for your friend may not the the best option for you. Take the time to find what is the best dose for you.
It’s also important to understand the terminology used when talking about CBD doses. An oil or tincture that says 1500 mg on the box contains 1500 mg of CBD in the entire bottle, not per serving. Although you cannot overdose on CBD oil, 1500 mg would be way too much in a serving. You can determine how much CBD is in each serving by dividing the total amount of CBD by the number of servings in a bottle, so if there are 1500 mg of CBD total, and 15 servings, each serving would have 100 mg of CBD. Whereas, if there are 1500 mg of total CBD and 30 servings, each serving would contain 50 mg of CBD.
How many milligrams of CBD is in each milliliter is called potency, and is an important factor when buying CBD oil. If you’re looking to treat minor pain or anxieties, you probably don’t need a very potent CBD oil, but if you do buy a potent oil, make sure to take only as much as you need, even if it’s not a full serving, in order to make it last longer.
Side Effects
Before buying any CBD oil products, it is also important to know what kind of side effects may come with them. Although they have many health benefits, CBD oil products may come with side effects like nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, dry mouth, drowsiness, and changes in mood and appetite. It’s not a guarantee you’ll feel any of these symptoms, but some people feel one or more of them. It’s important to consult your physician before introducing CBD oil products into your system because they will know more about any specific interactions that may occur with whatever meds you are on. CBD oil is generally considered safe, but these side effects, depending on their severity, may turn some people off from the decision to use CBD oil.
Company Transparency
One of the most important things to consider when looking for CBD oil is the company that it’s coming from and what kind of reputation they have. Companies that use vague language and don’t disclose things like oil purity, where the hemp was grown, and how the oil was extracted may pose a higher risk to buy from. Buying from a honest, trustworthy company ensures that you are receiving a high-quality oil from a reliable source.
Customer Reviews
Lastly, you can get a good idea of the quality of a product by the reviews people have posted online. Don’t get me wrong, not all reviews are genuine, but many sites offer features that let you know when a review is being written by a verified customer. It’s smart to look for reviews that aren’t skewed too far in either direction. Reviews that touch on both the positives and negatives of a product are usually the most helpful and provide the best information. Be sure to look at reviews in various places, not just one review from one site. It’s important to do plenty of research before choosing a CBD oil and this is just one place to start.
The Best CBD Oils for Sale in 2019
1Palmetto Harmony
- Servings Per Container: 100
- Cost Per Serving: $2.20
- Organic Whole Plant Extract
Palmetto Harmony is created using hemp extract from the entire hemp plant, not just one part. This gives it a broader terpene profile, which have their own range of benefits, including some with anticarcinogenic and analgesic properties. Thee “boost” the CBD, in a sense, giving you more benefits than if just one part of the hemp plant had been used.
Brand Transparency
The great thing about Palmetto Harmony is you don’t have to wonder where it comes from or guess about the person behind it all, they tell you everything. Palmetto Synergistic Research – the company that makes Palmetto Harmony – was founded by Janel Ralph after learning of it health benefits and failing to find a pure, high quality CBD oil on the market. Janel created her own CBD oil to help her own daughter with a rare genetic condition, and after seeing how much it was able to improve her daughter’s life, she decided to share it with the world and make it her goal to help as many people as possible. With lab results and detailed information available upon request, there’s no mystery about what’s actually in your CBD oil.
Versatile
Palmetto Harmony can be taken different ways, whether you choose to ingest it with food or a drink or administer it sublingually. Adding to its versatility, it has been shown to help manage the effects of seizures, Tourettes, and other neurological conditions.
The Good
- 20mg/ml CBD content
- Lab results available
- Relaxing
- Full terpene profile
- Safe extraction methods
- Can be taken throughout the day
The Bad
- The small compact bottle may be easier to lose track of, but it is also easier to travel with
2Premium Jane Citrus CBD Oil
- Servings Per Container: 40
- Cost Per Serving: $1.35
- Organic Sourced Hemp
Premium Jane only sources 100% organic hemp from farms in Oregon. This ensures there are no pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, or heavy metals that have built up in the hemp leaves. The hemp is also non-GMO, so only natural, wholesome hemp is going into this CBD tincture.
Citrus Flavor
The citrus flavor of this CBD oil from Premium Jane is a nice little bonus that makes this oil great for aromatherapy as well as ingesting. The flavor isn’t so strong as to make you feel like your eating an air freshener, instead it is a nice, subtle flavor that helps cover the regular “earthy” flavor of CBD oil. Some people don’t like taking CBD oil due to the earthy taste, but the addition of the citrus, using natural flavoring, makes it much more enjoyable.
CO2 Extraction
Instead of using harsh solvents to extract the CBD from the hemp plants, Premium Jane uses high-quality CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction is a safe and healthy way to extract CBD from hemp and does so without destroying any of the useful terpenes or secondary cannabinoids, giving you a more comprehensive terpene and cannabinoid profile than other extraction methods.
The Good
- Varying potencies available
- Lab tested for purity and potency
- Less than 0.2% THC
- Available in all 50 states
- Mixed with MCT oil for maximum bioavailability
The Bad
- This oil cannot be used with any kind of vaporizer, it’s designed to be taken sublingually or used in aromatherapy
3Elixinol CBD Tincture
- Servings Per Container: 240
- Cost Per Serving: $1.04
- Ideal for Potency
These natural hemp drops from Elixinol are ideal for anyone looking for max potency. Each milliliter of these drops contains a whopping 30 mg of CBD, which is why the recommended serving is only 0.5ml. Having that extra potency isn’t a necessity, but it’s definitely nice because it keeps the dosage low and makes a single bottle last a long time.
Suspended in Coconut Oil
The “oil” part of this CBD extract is coconut oil, derived from whole, non-GMO coconuts with their own list of health benefit. Suspending the CBD in medium chain triglycerides, or MCTs, make it easier for your body to digest and get the most out of. MCTs also provide a boost of ketones, so this oil is suitable for anyone on a ketogenic diet, too.
Organic Hemp Plants
The hemp plants used to make this CBD oil are hand-picked and of the highest quality. Although they do not come from America, they come from Europe, which is known for their strict agricultural standards. Elixinol CBD oil is made from the entire plant, not an isolate and imitation, so it provides you with all the terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids that naturally occur in hemp plants.
The Good
- Natural flavor
- Taken sublingually
- Available in cinnamint flavor
- CO2 extraction
- Affordable
The Bad
- Some people do not like the natural flavor, luckily the cinnamint provides a yummy alternative
4Green Roads CBD Oil
- Servings Per Container: 15
- Cost Per Serving: $5.67
- All Lab Results are Published
Green Roads is committed to providing a pure, high-quality CBD oil, and they have the proof. Every batch of CBD oil they manufacture is lab tested and then the results are published on their website. This allows you to get information for the specific batch your bottle came from and ensure that nothing is in there that’s not supposed to be.
NO THC
Although no real CBD oil could get you high from the trace amount of THC, Green Roads goes a step farther and ensures that absolutely no THC is in this oil. So whether you might have to take a drug test for a job, or just don’t want the THC in your body, this oil is packing none of it.
Easy to Dose
Whether you are taking a full dose, a half dose, or something in between, measuring the correct dose is super easy with the easy-to-read dropper. With measurements marked in clear increments, you don’t have to guess or eyeball anything. This also makes it easier to find exactly what dose is most effective for you.
The Good
- Very potent; 37 MG of CBD per ML
- CO2 supercritical fluid extraction
- Pure CBD
- Vegan friendly
- Non GMO
The Bad
- The only downside to this oil is that it’s a bit expensive, but you can make it last longer by taking 0.5 ml at a time
- No terpenes
5CBDISTILLERY CBD Drops – Full Spectrum Oil
- Servings Per Container: 30
- Cost Per Serving: $4.33
- Easy to Absorb
Like other popular CBD tinctures, this oil uses MCTs derived from coconuts to bind to the CBD extracted. MCTs are broken down by your body very quickly, so this oil doesn’t take long to start taking effect, especially when taken sublingually like directed. This is a huge bonus because it allows you to dose discreetly, unlike vaping, without making you wait up to an hour to feel the effects.
83 mg of CBD/ ml
So far, this oil takes first place as the most potent per milliliter, with 83 mg of CBD in every ml. This all but ensures you won’t need any more than one dose, and depending on what you’re hoping to get from it, you might not even need that much. For example, some sleep disorders may only take 40 mg of CBD to manage.
Pesticide Free
Of course, purity and health are two priorities when it comes to picking a CBD oil, and luckily this oil passes the test, both literally and figuratively. Every batch is tested by an independent lab to ensure purity and to show that this oil is completely pesticide free. Pesticides are commonly used in agriculture, but can have many adverse health effects if ingested, so they’re some of the last things you want in your CBD oil.
The Good
- Less than 0.3% THC
- 3rd party tested
- Full spectrum of terpenes
- High CBD levels
The Bad
- Because it is so potent, a full dose might be too much to start with, start small and adjust based on your needs
6Green Flower Botanicals Granddaddy Purp CBD Hemp Oil
- Servings Per Container: 30
- Cost Per Serving: $2.17
- Granddaddy Purple Strain Extract
This CBD oil uses a specific strain of industrial hemp called Granddaddy Purple. This dream is sought-after because of its terpene blend, each strain of him as a different terpene profile, which make it better at managing or addressing certain conditions. It is also sought after because of its flavor profile. Many people describe the flavor as earthy but also a little bit fruity almost like some kind of berry, so many people love that added little fruitiness and find it easier to hold under their tongue.
Synergistic Terpene Blend
Granddaddy Purple has a specific terpene profile that makes it great for addressing a variety of conditions. The most abundant terpenes in Granddaddy Purple are linalool, humulene, myrcene, beta caryophyllene, and alpha pinene. Each terpene has specific benefits and effects, but those effects are magnified when they are used together. Most benefits you can expect from these terpenes have to do with their analgesic, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and memory enhancing properties.
Easy to Dose
This CBD oil is fairly easy to Dos whether you want to do it by milliliter of oil or by milligram of CBD. The dropper features easy to read markers that tell you exactly how much liquid you have sucked up, but if you need a smaller dose, which you should always start with, you can take just a few drops and measure it by the milligram, with about half a milligram of CBD in each drop of this oil. An entire milliliter is about 40 drops, which is way too much for a first time dose, so start low and go slow when dosing.
The Good
- 30 day guarantee
- Supercritical CO2 extraction method
- Useful dosing tips are available on their website
- 3rd party lab tested
- MCT oil base
The Bad
- High doses may cause drowsiness and should be avoided if you have to operate heavy machinery, but may be good for insomniacs
7PhytoFamily CBD Drops
- Servings Per Container: 30
- Cost Per Serving: $1.99
- 40mg of CBD per ml
Although 40 mg of CBD per milliliter is not the strongest oil we’ve seen it’s a nice medium dose that is easy to split various ways. For example, if you only need 20 mg it is easy to measure half a dose. Similarly, if you only need 10 mg it’s easy to measure a quarter of a dose, or you can measure per drop to fine tune the dosage. The point is, 40 is a nice even number to work with that can be divided multiple ways unlike some strange numbers we’ve seen, like 33 or 83.
High in Beta-Caryophyllene
This CBD oil is high in Beta-Caryophyllene, which can be extremely useful in fighting inflammation, illnesses such as strep throat, and improving your overall mood. This terpene also plays a role in preventing osteoporosis porosis in certain conditions like Alzheimer’s. These are effects are only heightened when used with other terpenes and CBDs. Beta-Caryophyllene has a peppery taste, and is actually what gives black pepper its peppery taste, which some people are not crazy about, but it doesn’t take away from the overall performance at all.
The Good
- Made from the Spectrum strain
- Sourced from farms in Colorado
- Suspended in MCT oil
- Highly purified hydrocarbons are used in extraction
The Bad
- Availability varies
8MedOil CBD Tincture
- Servings Per Container: 30
- Cost Per Serving: $1.50
- Whole Plant CO2 Extraction
Everything about the extraction of the CBD tincture is ideal. Not only do they use the whole plant, giving you all of the terpenes and flavonoids that naturally occur in hemp, they also use CO2 extraction so as to not leave behind any harmful solvents or residue. This makes for an overall healthier and more helpful CBD tincture, one that is actually worth spending your money on. You can you can also rest easier knowing whole non-GMO hemp plants from Colorado are used in this tincture, not hemp from some mysterious source or undisclosed country.
Zero THC
This tincture is very close to being a hundred percent pure CBD, measuring at 99.6% CBD. With such high levels of CBD there’s really no room for THC, which is why this tincture contains absolutely no THC, making it legal to use in all 50 states. Some states still have restrictions on oils with even a small amount of THC, so check your state requirements to see what is allowed in your state, but this one would definitely be allowed. Having zero THC might also make you feel better about giving this to your kids or pets if they are the ones that need it since there’s no chance of intoxication or psychoactive effects.
The Good
- Various strengths available
- Made in the USA
- All natural, no pesticides
- 30 day money back guarantee
The Bad
- Tasteless, although some people find this easier to palate or mix into drinks
9Lazarus Naturals CBD High Potency Tinctures
- Servings Per Container: 15 (varies based on what size you get)
- Cost Per Serving: $2.13
Every drop of this tincture contains 1.6 mg of CBD, with 50 mg per milliliter (depending on what strength you get). High potency tinctures are great for people with more serious conditions that require higher levels of CBD, or for people who just don’t like to take a lot at once. If you want to be able to just hold a couple of drops under your tongue for 30 seconds instead of having what feels like a mouth full of oil, this is a great option for you, especially if you go for the even higher potencies.
Lab Results Published Online
Every single batch of the soil that is manufactured is lab tested before it goes off for sale. All of the lab results are published online, not just the first batch and not just the latest batch, all of them. This lets you see how consistently pure impotent this tincture is, as well as letting you know the specific details on the batch you received. This is useful because it lets you know the company isn’t trying to hide anything and they’re being very open about what goes into this tincture and exactly what is in it when it gets to you.
The Good
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- Available in various potencies
- Vegan
- Full plant CBD extract
The Bad
- CBD oil may interact with some medications, so you should always consult your physician before starting to take it
10Koi Naturals CBD Oil
- Servings Per Container: 60
- Cost Per Serving: $2.50
- Fully Traceable
If transparency is important to you you will find Koi Naturals lives up to your expectations. They publish all Vibe results online and their entire process, from growing and harvesting the hemp to extracting the CBD, is totally traceable and transparent. This makes it so they don’t seem like they’re trying to hide something and makes them more trustworthy.
Versatile
Although this oil cannot be used in any kind of vape pen, it is still very versatile and can be taken orally, either directly ingested or administered sublingually. The natural flavor is also easy to mix into most drinks and can be a great addition to a morning smoothies. It’s also versatile in the sense that it can help address various conditions, for mood disorders to neurological conditions.
The Good
- Full spectrum
- Available in Natural and Spearmint flavors
- THC Free
- Contains active cannabinoids CBD, CBDV, and CBG
The Bad
- Some people do not like the spray top, while others say it makes doing easier
What Medical Conditions Can CBD Oil Treat?
CBD Oil for Anxiety
One of the most popular reasons people choose to take CBD oil is to help manage anxiety. Once in your system, CBD oil can help reduce neurons in the hippocampus (too many neurons in the hippocampus leads to nervousness and anxiety), thereby regulating brain activity, as well as activating adenosine receptors, which in turn activate dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitters. Both of which help control elements of emotions and thought, including those associated with anxiety. Specifically, Glutamate promotes improved memory, awareness, understanding, and learning skills.
CBD oil has shown promising results in studies to suggest it may be an effective treatment for various anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, panic disorders, generalized anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Although it should also be noted that research on long-term CBD oil use is very limited.
CBD Oil for Pain Relief
CBD oil can help manage and treat a wide variety of pains. From treating acute pain from muscle sprains to relieving pain associated with cancer and cancer treatment, CBD oil may just be the future of pain management. CBD oil relieves pain by reducing the underlying source of most forms of pain, inflammation. Excess inflammation can put extra stress on your bones, joints, and muscles, leading to physical pain. CBD oil for pain relief can be taken either orally, sublingually, or topically. If you are looking for fast acting pain relief and just pain relief, not anxiety or depression relief, a topical choice may be best for you.
CBD Oil for Sleep/Insomnia
One possible usage of CBD oil is to treat insomnia and help you sleep through the night. If you struggle falling asleep or you wake up several times during the night, you probably aren’t getting very high quality sleep, but CBD may be able to help you. One way CBD oil can improve your sleep quality is by relieving stress and promoting relaxation. In studies, CBD oil does not act as any kind of sedative, but instead treats the underlying problems behind sleep loss.
Who’s the Winner?
All Things Considered, there is not a single clear-cut winner, but our top recommendation would have to be Premium Jane Citrus CBD oil. It combines affordability with high quality and the citrus flavor is a refreshing bonus. However, any CBD oil you choose, especially if it’s one off of this list, has the potential to greatly enhance your day-to-day life when used correctly.
