We’ll Show You What To Look For + The 3 Biggest Mistakes Shoppers Make When Choosing A CBD Oil
CBD (cannabidiol) has been all over social media and mainstream news lately now that clinical studies are showing just how important this phytocannabinoid is for our endocannabinoid system.
In fact, many people are now resorting to CBD oil for natural pain relief, improving sleep, supporting mood, and even relieving anxiety.
But not all CBD oil is created equal…
In our ongoing pursuit to educate consumers about the benefits of CBD oil and how to use it for the best results, we’ve reviewed and compiled key studies that investigate how CBD oil works to fortify the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This quick guide will educate you about all the things to look for (and not look for) when searching for the best CBD oils.
Why is the Endocannabinoid System So Important?
We are made of hundreds of trillions of cells that span across 11 different body systems that work in concert to keep us alive. However, there’s one body system that has just recently started to gain attention from scientists and medical professionals: The endocannabinoid system (ECS). So, what makes the ECS so important?
The unique thing about the ECS is that rather than being an isolated component of the body, it’s an integrating “command center” of all the other body systems. In essence, the ECS is what keeps our body in harmony and helps maintain homeostasis (i.e. “balance”). Naturally, keeping our body and mind balanced has profound benefits towards health and longevity. This is why quality CBD oil can have a huge impact on virtually all aspects of our wellness.
Modern Life Is Throwing Off Your Balance
Ever feel like the world is working against you? For many of us, the “modern” lifestyle throws off our equilibrium, leading to chronic conditions that slowly eat away at our quality of life. Unfortunately, some of the things that throw off our balance are impossible to elude, but a strong endocannabinoid system is what makes us biologically resilient in the face of adversity.
Do Any Of These Apply To You?
Then it might be time to try a high-quality CBD oil. Remember, the endocannabinoid system is Mother Nature’s way of helping us adapt and overcome the challenges we face. If you’re not sure where to start the search for the best CBD oil, we’ve made a simple guide that outlines what to look for and what to avoid.
What To Avoid
When Buying CBD Oil
Cheap Hemp Extracts
The majority of consumers presume that CBD oil is CBD oil, and it doesn’t matter which product they choose. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The only way to verify the quality of CBD oil is by reading the lab report, assuming it’s been tested. You’re paying good money, you deserve every last milligram of CBD (and none of the junk, impurities, and potentially harmful additives that come with cheaply made CBD oils).
Relying On Amazon Reviews Of “hemp Oil”
Unbeknownst to many online shoppers, a good chunk of the positive reviews on Amazon are fabricated and disingenuous. The sad truth is that Amazon is littered with 5-star reviews that dishonorable companies pay willing consumers for, even if they haven’t actually used the product. Jeopardizing your health by listening to reviews from people who haven’t even used the product is simply not worth the few dollars you might save for something you’re ingesting.
Assuming A Lower-price Means It’s A Better Value
We’ve noticed a trend in that lower-priced CBD oils are usually the ones with the most unreliable consistency, both in terms of having questionable quality standards and failing to meet the label claims for cannabidiol concentration. Sure, it may seem more beneficial for your bank account to invest in a low-priced CBD oil, but in the long run, you’ll just be wasting money on a poorly made product. Your best bet is to spend a little more on a high-quality CBD oil so you can be confident it’s pure and potent.
What to Look for in
High-Quality CBD Oil
Contains Full-spectrum Cannabinoid Profile
Research tells us that cannabinoids are much like the amino acids found in body proteins: they work in synergy to perform functions that they wouldn’t be able to carry out otherwise. When you take the “minor” cannabinoids out of the equation, the overall beneficial effects on the ECS fade. Thus, the first thing to look for when choosing a high-quality CBD oil is one that contains a full-spectrum hemp extract so you get the “entourage effect” benefits of these powerful cannabinoids.
Produced In A Fda-registered Facility
Quality must not be overlooked when you’re on the prowl for the best CBD oil. If there’s any recurring theme we’ve found in our ongoing research of CBD oil, it’s that companies are always outsourcing production methods and raw ingredients to third-world countries. Sure, this means they make more money, but it also means you waste more money! Don’t risk it. Make sure you buy CBD oil that is produced in an FDA-registered facility under strict quality control standards.
Pharmacist-formulated & Batch Tested
A gift and a curse of health supplements like CBD oil is that they can be created and sold by anybody, literally. Your average Joe/Jane can make a few phone calls and get the operation running if they have deep enough pockets. But would you take any drug or supplement that a stranger handed you on the street? Hopefully not. Only invest in a CBD oil that has been formulated by a licensed pharmacist and batch tested. This ensures it’s the professional-grade CBD oil you deserve.
Zeroing in on the above qualitative measures will get you off on the right foot, but to find the absolute best CBD oils on the market, follow the nifty secrets below.
Little-Known Secrets for
Finding the Best CBD Oil
Made From Organic Non-gmo Hemp
Many crops, including hemp, are being genetically modified and treated with harsh chemicals to increase their output. But this comes at the cost of exposure to toxic compounds like pesticides and substances that are foreign to your body. It’s essential to look for CBD oil made from organic, non-GMO hemp so you get the beneficial cannabinoids as nature intended.
Verify The Thc Content
Unfortunately, many CBD oil supplements contain a relatively high amount of THC despite being labeled as “near-zero THC” or the like. When in doubt, verify the THC content of CBD oil you’re interested in buying by reading a batch lab report. If the company doesn’t have recent verifiable data to support their potency and purity claims, look elsewhere.
Meets Or Exceeds Label Claims For Potency
We cannot stress enough how important it is to verify the potency of CBD oil before you pull out your wallet. It’s one thing for a company to claim their CBD oil is the “highest potency,” but can they prove it with a third-party lab report? Remember, words and label claims only go so far. Having concrete data is the only way to know what’s actually in the bottle (and what isn’t).
Our Specialized Ranking System
At CBD Central, we employ a comprehensive evaluation system to analyze and measure the full value of products by looking at the ingredients, clinical studies, safety, projected effectiveness, return policies, and overall customer satisfaction. This method is known as the CBD Central Ranking System.
Top 5 CBD Oil Supplements Of 2021
9.7/10
9.7/10
9.6/10
9.8/10
9.7/10
9.3/10
PROS
- Contains the full-spectrum cannabinoid profile
- Formulated by a licensed pharmacist
- Made in FDA-registered facility
- Made from organic, non-GMO hemp grown in USA
- Contains less than 0.3% THC
- Has no synthetic or artificial ingredients
- Uses organic hemp seed oil as a carrier for greater bioavailability
- Readily available batch testing provided for each product
CONS
- In high-demand and may be on backorder/sold out
Our panel of reviewers and specialized CBD ranking system determined that Spry Complete CBD Oil is the most sought after CBD oil. Not only is this one of the most robust full-spectrum CBD oils on the market, but it’s also unrivaled in quality, transparency, and formulation. In fact, this is the only CBD oil we could find that was formulated by a licensed pharmacist and produced in a FDA-registered facility using non-GMO, full-spectrum hemp extract.
This CBD oil also uses organic hemp seed oil as a carrier, which promotes greater absorption of cannabinoids. And of course, there’s absolutely no synthetic or artificial fillers/additives. Overall, our CBD Central review team was floored by this product, granting it the top spot on our list of best CBD oils.
*These results are determined by the CBD Central Specialized Ranking System and may not reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please refer to product websites for more information.
2. Original Formula `Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil
by Charlotte’s Web
8.9/10
9.1/10
9.2/10
8.6/10
8.7/10
9.0/10
PROS
- Comes in multiple flavor options
- Contains no less than 50 mg of total phytocannabinoids per mL
- 30-Day Open-Bottle Return Policy
- Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract Grown in USA
- No fillers or artificial additives
CONS
- Not formulated by a licensed pharmacist
- Doesn’t state specifics about CBD concentration on label
Coming in at the number two spot is Charlotte’s Web Original Formula CBD Oil, with a solid 50 mg of total phytocannabinoids per 1 mL serving from full-spectrum hemp extract.
Charlotte’s Web is a tight-knit operation run out of Boulder, CO. We confirmed that they offer batch test reports for all of their products, though it’s a bit tricky to track down through their website. They also are U.S. Hemp Authority certified and source their hemp from locally grown hemp fields that are regularly tested to be free from toxins. Our CBD Central review team was particularly impressed with their 30-day open-bottle return policy and quality standards that go into the product.
However, their Original Formula CBD Oil is not formulated by a licensed pharmacist and it’s unclear how much CBD is in each serving since it only states the total phytocannabinoid concentration on the label. While the product has generally outstanding reviews and the ingredients are pure, there are some transparency concerns that hold this product back. For these reasons, it came in at a close second to our top CBD oil.*
*These results are determined by the CBD Central Specialized Ranking System and may not reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please refer to product websites for more information.
3. Hemp Classic CBD Oil
by Bluebird Botanicals
8.5/10
9.1/10
8.7/10
8.8/10
8.2/10
8.4/10
PROS
- Made from USA-Grown Hemp and Batch Tested
- Delivered in a hemp seed oil base
- COAs readily available on website
CONS
- Not formulated by a licensed pharmacist
- Phytocannabinoid concentration is a bit low
- THC content may be too high for some people
Several of our reviewers were underwhelmed by the concentration of full-spectrum cannabinoids in this product, which is a mere 8.4 mg per mL. As such, fairly high doses of this CBD oil were necessary to produce a desirable effect. On a positive note, the cannabinoids are delivered in a hemp oil base and tested for purity and potency.
*These results are determined by the CBD Central Specialized Ranking System and may not reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please refer to product websites for more information.
4. CBD Oil Tincture
by Medterra
8.0/10
8.8/10
8.2/10
8.8/10
7.8/10
8.1/10
PROS
- Highly concentrated source of CBD
- No detectable THC
- Made from Non-GMO Hemp
CONS
- Not formulated by a licensed pharmacist
- Lackluster COA
- Doesn’t provide full-spectrum of cannabinoids
This CBD oil seems like a good value on the surface, but our reviewers were a bit disappointed to learn it’s not a full-spectrum CBD tincture like the other top-ranking CBD oils. Another concerning criticism is the lab purity test available for this product is quite limited in detail compared to the leading CBD brands. Overall, our panel of reviewers rank this as a lower-end CBD oil that leaves something to be desired.
*These results are determined by the CBD Central Specialized Ranking System and may not reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please refer to product websites for more information.
5. Full-Spectrum Hemp CBD Oil
by Populum
8.0/10
8.8/10
8.2/10
8.8/10
7.8/10
8.1/10
PROS
- Brand reputation
- Comes in multiple concentrations
- Discounts available from time to time
CONS
- Not formulated by a licensed pharmacist
- Ratio of THC:CBD is relatively high
- Only comes in orange flavor
Populum is a popular and reputable brand due to their array of CBD gift sets. However, the value of their full-spectrum hemp CBD oil was a bit concerning to our review team, as was the relatively high ratio of THC to CBD on their COA. Compared to the best brands of CBD oils, this product falls a bit short. On the plus side, they source their hemp from domestic farms in Colorado and provide lab results on their website for each batch.
*These results are determined by the CBD Central Specialized Ranking System and may not reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please refer to product websites for more information.
