Best CBD Oil of 2023 | Top CBD Brand Reviews on the Market

Paul James Updated on March 31, 2023 Affiliate Disclosure Some links are specifically formatted for which we may receive a commission on resulting sales or clicks from affiliate partners (“Affiliate Links”).

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With a growing number of brands releasing their CBD Oil into the market, choosing the right product for you can seem like a daunting task. This is why we’ve compiled a list of our favorite CBD oils – taking into consideration different factors such as extract type, potency, price, and flavor variations. We invite you to read along and learn more about the products that we found to be the best CBD oil reviews currently on the market!

Cannabidiol (CBD) oils and tinctures are the most popular products sold in the CBD industry. Consumers have reported using CBD for therapeutic purposes such as treating anxiety, reducing pain levels and inflammation, as well as managing epilepsy.

What is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant is also known to contain several other chemical compounds that are similar in structure and function to CBD. These are referred to as phytocannabinoids with one of the most well-known being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Most CBD products currently on the market are made from the hemp plant as it contains a higher concentration of CBD.

Though more research is required to make any conclusive medical claims surrounding CBD, the research we do have shows that it might be able to help people struggling from several health conditions – from managing pain to lowering anxiety to reducing inflammation. ¹

CBD oil (sometimes referred to as hemp oil) is a solution made up of a carrier oil – usually MCT coconut oil or hemp seed oil – and hemp extract. The hemp extract used to make the tincture comes in one of the following three forms:

  • Full-Spectrum – Uses all of hemp’s phytocannabinoids and terpenes. If you’re looking to experience the entourage effect, this extract is ideal.
  • Broad-Spectrum – Uses all of hemp’s phytocannabinoids and terpenes except for THC, the cannabinoid responsible for psychoactive effects.
  • CBD Isolate – Purely CBD and no other cannabinoid.

 

CBD oils have become one of the most popular ways to take CBD as they are a practical, easy, and effective consumption method.

Top 10 CBD Oil Reviews

CBD oil is one of the most popular CBD products because they allow for more bioavailability. In other words, you’re absorbing more cannabidiol per serving than other consumption methods.

How does CBD oil work in the body?

While we still don’t fully understand how CBD works within the body, current research does give us some hints. Our bodies contain a biological system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). ² This system is believed to be responsible for regulating several aspects of our daily life, including our appetite, mood, memory, sleep, immune function, and metabolism.

The ECS contains three main components: cannabinoid receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids. In order to understand how CBD works within the body, we must first understand how these different components work:

  • Cannabinoid Receptors – protein structures that can be found in cells throughout the body and are part of the cell that cannabinoids bind to.
  • Enzymes – regulate the function of cannabinoids in the body and break them down at the end of their cycle.
  • Endocannabinoids – naturally-produced chemicals that assist in keeping the body’s internal functions at optimal levels.

 

The two receptors responsible for most of CBD’s effects in our body are:

  • Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1 Receptors) – located in the central nervous system and regulates our coordination, movement, pain, appetite, memory, mood, and other important functions.
  • Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2 Receptors) – located in the peripheral nervous system and manages pain and inflammation.
CBD Oil and the Body

Phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, such as CBD and THC, are very similar in composition and chemical structure to the endocannabinoids naturally produced in our bodies. These similarities allow phytocannabinoids to trigger chemical reactions in the body and, therefore, produce similar effects on body functions.

 

Unlike THC, researchers have been led to believe that CBD does not like to bind itself directly to our CB1 and CB2 receptors. Instead, it’s believed to deliver its effects through binding to other receptors in the body like GPR55. It also regulates the binding of other endocannabinoids to CB1 and CB2 receptors. The discovery of CBD and the similarities it shares with naturally occurring endocannabinoids gives researchers high hopes for CBD’s potential medical benefits.

Potential Benefits of the Best CBD Oil on the Market

While research concerning CBD’s potential health benefits is slim, many people have reported using the supplement for a number of conditions. However, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved CBD for any health condition, with the exception of Epidiolex for rare seizure disorders.

With that in mind, it’s difficult to assert how effective CBD is in helping to relieve symptoms of any condition. More so, it isn’t clear how much CBD one should take depending on the condition they’re struggling with.

How Can CBD Reduce Pain Transmission?

Since CBD has been shown to act as a potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic, it’s believed it can influence the biological processes responsible for pain. CBD is able to change these processes by influencing our ECS. While more research is necessary, recent studies have found our ECS is responsible for inflammation and interactions with neurotransmitters. ³

Due to these studies, some researchers have found CBD has the potential to treat nerve pain or pain caused by inflammation. In turn, it may be an optimal treatment method for conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS). ⁴ ⁵

The difficulty is we aren’t 100% sure how CBD may help with pain relief. In a 2020 review, it was found that CBD was able to relieve symptoms of chronic pain, sleep disorders, and inflammation. ⁶ However, the researchers noted that all results were condition-specific. With that said, it’s unclear how well CBD may be for mild pain or sudden pain caused by an accident.

CBD for Pain

Can You Use CBD Oil for Anxiety?

Some studies pinpoint that you may be able to use CBD for anxiety. For example, a 2015 review found that CBD interacts with specific areas of the ECS responsible for anxiety-inducing behavior. ⁷ With that in mind, the study notes CBD may be able to help relieve:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

Another 2020 study evaluated 397 adults living with a form of anxiety. After three weeks of CBD treatment, participants reported a reduction in both anxiety and depression symptoms. ⁸

How Can CBD Oil Help with Seizures?

Currently, the only FDA-approved cannabis medication is Epidiolex. It incorporates CBD and is prescribed for rare forms of epilepsy. In terms of research, it can be argued that there’s substantial evidence to show CBD is effective in helping to reduce seizures for those who struggle with varying disorders. ⁹

In terms of specific seizure conditions, such as Dravet syndrome, research is slowly coming underway. For example, one clinical trial found that 20 mg/kg of Epidiolex helped reduce seizure frequency compared to a placebo. ¹⁰

What is the Right CBD Oil Dosage?

Since CBD isn’t approved by the FDA, there are no established standards for dosing. The brands featured on this list all have a “suggested serving” on the label of their tinctures. We recommend basing your initial dose on this as it seems to work for most people. However, if you find you’re not receiving the effects you expected, you may want to gradually increase your dose.

There are a number of factors that play a role into how much CBD you should take. For example, stronger CBD oils will require lower dosages than less potent products. Your body weight may also play a substantial role. Refer to the following chart to get a better idea of how much should you take based on body weight:

Body Weight Average CBD Dose
100 lbs 30mg
125 lbs 38mg
150 lbs 45mg
175 lbs 52mg
200 lbs 60mg
225 lbs 67mg
250 lbs 75mg

How Do You Take CBD Oil?

While CBD oil is simple to take, it helps to have some knowledge of the process in order to maximize bioavailability. First off, you’ll want to shake up the bottle to ensure all cannabinoids are separated and spread throughout the oil.

From there, pull out a full dropper of CBD oil (some products may only require half a dropper) and place it under your tongue. Since your mouth can easily absorb a substance into your bloodstream, you’ll want to let the oil sit there for about 30 seconds in order to gain the most out of it. Afterward, swallow the rest and, if needed, drink some water to get the taste out of your mouth.

How Do You Take CBD Oil

Potential Side Effects of CBD Oil

If you are currently taking any kind of medication, we strongly advise you to consult your physician before taking CBD oil. Though infrequent, CBD has been reported to negatively interact with certain medications.

Even if not currently taking any medication, CBD may still produce some mild side effects. While these side effects are rare, it’s important to keep them in mind: ¹¹

  • Diarrhea
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced appetite

 

Furthermore, long-term effects of CBD in pregnant women remain unknown. Therefore, the FDA advises caution when CBD is used by pregnant or lactating women. If you are in that group, we suggest avoiding taking CBD altogether. ¹²

Is CBD Oil Legal?

Yes! In the United States, cannabidiol and hemp were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill. This is why so many CBD companies have been popping up since that time. However, CBD remains unapproved by the FDA and isn’t recommended by them to treat a variety of different health conditions.

Furthermore, states are allowed to set up their own laws concerning CBD. For example, while CBD oil is legal in Idaho, laws are much stricter when compared to other states. For this reason, we highly recommend you do some research on your state’s laws in order to get a better idea of CBD legality.

Lastly, in places where cannabis is legal, you may find CBD oil with higher concentrations of THC. For example, CBD oils in Canada may have a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio.

Is CBD Oil Legal

Choosing the Best CHEAP CBD Oil: How to Differentiate Good from Bad

Since the CBD industry is unregulated by the FDA, it’s important to make sure that you’re purchasing high-quality products. When deciding on top CBD companies and the best CBD oil on the market, we established a set of criteria to evaluate these products on. These criteria include:

Certificate of Analysis

A reputable CBD brand greatly values and tries to ensure the quality of its product and the safety of its customers. One way they do this is by running CBD production batches through a 3rd-party lab test. These tests measure the exact makeup of the product, including the percentages of phytocannabinoids you’ll be consuming. At the same time, they’ll also test for contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides. We recommend that the CBD brand you purchase from offers access to these lab reports.

Hemp Source

CBD comes from the hemp plant. Therefore, it’s vital that the plant itself was grown organically and locally sourced. All brands on our list are involved with their hemp production and CBD products from seed to sale.

Ingredients

CBD oils are typically only made using three ingredients: a carrier oil (usually MCT coconut oil or hemp seed oil), hemp extract, and flavoring. It’s important to ensure that these ingredients meet your dietary specifications, that you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients, and that they’re all-natural.

Extract Type

As mentioned, CBD comes in three different extract types: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. To develop a well-rounded list, we made sure to give you a variety of each.

Potency

We prefer companies that offer a wide range of potencies. These can be viewed through the milligram (mg) count labeled on the CBD product. We made sure to source CBD brands that offered their oils in potencies that are viable for both new users as well as long-time CBD users.

Pricing

While the price of CBD oil shouldn’t be a deciding factor of whether you choose to buy a certain product or not, it can give you some insights as to the quality of the CBD. Admittedly, more expensive products tend to be safer and more potent than cheap CBD oil, typically because of higher quality ingredients and advanced manufacturing processes.

Is CBD Oil Right For You?

It’s difficult to know whether or not CBD oil is right for you without trying it. While many claim it to be the miracle they’ve been looking for, just as many say they don’t feel anything from the supplement. Luckily, since CBD is safe and comes with hardly any side effects, it’s worth a try if you’ve found little to no success with other medication.

However, if you are currently on a prescription, we recommend consulting your doctor before taking CBD. While it’s rare, CBD has been found to negatively interact with certain medications. ¹³

Is CBD Oil Right For You

People Also Ask…

Which form of CBD is most effective?

High milligram (mg) full-spectrum products are the most effective as they allow for the entourage effect. However, it’s how you take CBD oil that determines how effective it is. If you hold the oil under your tongue for thirty seconds before swallowing, you’re allowing your body to absorb more cannabidiol – in turn, providing you with more efficient effects.

What strength CBD oil should you buy?

If you’re a newcomer, we recommend lower strengths – anywhere between 250mg to 1000mg total CBD. If you already take CBD frequently, you may have developed a tolerance and, therefore, need larger strengths – 1500mg and up.

What is the downside of CBD oil?

CBD oil can cause undesired adverse effects. Most notably, some people report fatigue and drowsiness which hinders their ability to get through day-to-day activities. For this reason, we recommend newcomers try CBD oil at night in order to see how it makes you feel.

Furthermore, CBD oil is the most discreet way of taking cannabidiol, with other methods being better for on-the-go use (such as gummies and capsules). Still, CBD oil is one of the most effective ways of taking cannabidiol.


Paul James

Paul James is a seasoned cannabis and CBD writer and expert. He is a mental health blogger who advocates CBD as a natural alternative to prescription medications. You can read more about this and other natural alternatives on his blog: https://bedlamite.co/."

Best CBD Oil FAQs

Our list above offers 15 of the top CBD companies and best CBD oil currently on the market. While we recommend you start with a company from this list, there are numerous other CBD brands you can choose from online. You can also purchase CBD oil from several physical locations, including cannabis dispensaries, tobacco shops, and even some gas/supermarkets.