Best CBD Oil for Pain:
Top-Rated for 2023

Paul James Updated on December 30, 2022 Affiliate Disclosure Some links are specifically formatted for which we may receive a commission on resulting sales or clicks from affiliate partners (“Affiliate Links”).

Pain relief is the number one reason people shop for CBD oils. But with so many on the market, it can be difficult to determine which is best for you.

According to Statista, the number one reason people use cannabidiol (CBD) is for pain relief. And with that, it comes as no surprise that CBD oils are one of the most-purchased products for people struggling with pain. CBD oils are one of the most popular products on the market (due to their bioavailability and precise dosing) and are a great solution for those looking towards CBD for pain.

However, due to their popularity, the market is now saturated with CBD tinctures, some of high-quality and some of low. Throughout this article, we’re going to look at the best CBD oils for pain and give you a better idea of how CBD may help you. If you’re interested in any of these products, we offer coupon codes to help you save!

How Can CBD Oil Help with Pain?

As of this time, the majority of research concerning CBD for pain and inflammation is through animal studies – meaning we don’t have a completely clear understanding of how it affects humans. However, this research suggests CBD may be optimal for a number of different types of pain, including:

 

Most researchers agree that CBD’s effects on pain are due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) – a neuromodulatory system responsible for a number of day-to-day functions, including pain.

Can CBD Help with Pain

In fact, the ECS has an influence over every part of pain processing pathways. Endocannabinoids (naturally made chemical compounds inside of us) help to act as a “brake” for pain-signaling neurotransmitters – in turn, reducing pain. But outside influence from chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant may help to provide further relief.

 

Most notably, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been found to have a stronger effect on pain than CBD. This is likely due to its influence on CB1 receptors in the ECS – the very receptors responsible for pain-signaling from the brain to the body. However, one study suggests patients receive further pain relief when taking a combination of THC and CBD.

 

Still, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that CBD in and of itself can also help. For example, some research has revealed CBD may inhibit MAGL and FAAH, two enzymes that are responsible for humans feeling pain.

Top 8 Best CBD Oils for Pain

The best CBD oils for pain are those that incorporate other all-natural pain-relieving supplements or those that come in a higher strength.

Are CBD Oils Best for Pain Relief?

Depending on the type of pain you struggle with, CBD oil may not be the best option for you. In fact, when it comes to certain types of pain relief, many prefer a CBD topical as they allow you to target specific areas of the body. For example, if you struggle with back pain, it’s likely you want a product that’s going to send the CBD directly to your back.

CBD creams, lotions, and salves are great for these types of pain. Not to mention, many are made with a variety of other all-natural ingredients (such as menthol and camphor) that can help further relieve pain.

Still, it’s important to note that CBD topicals will not provide you with the best bioavailability. This is simply due to the fact that CBD has a difficult time penetrating through the skin. Therefore, when it comes to overall pain relief and garnering the most bioavailability, CBD oil remains a much better option.

Medterra Pain Relief Cream

FEATURED PRODUCT: Medterra Pain Relief Cream

If you’d prefer to try a CBD cream over a CBD oil, we highly recommend Medterra’s Pain Relief Cream. Each bottle is infused with menthol, arnica, and either 500mg or 1000mg of hemp extract – a great option for those who struggle with joint pain or arthritis.

Redeem code CBDNERDS for 25% Off Medterra Coupon

CBD Oil for Pain Dosage Recommendation

Since CBD isn’t approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), there are no standards when it comes to dosage. However, thanks to the fact that this industry has been around for some time, we have a much better understanding of how much CBD you should take.

When it comes to pain relief, stronger tinctures usually work better. Of course, this all depends on the type of pain your struggle with and its severity – for example, someone struggling with mild pain won’t need as much CBD as someone struggling with chronic pain. Still, strengths ranging from 50mg to 100mg per dose tend to work better at relieving pain.

 

It’s also important to consider your body weight when it comes to dosage. Generally speaking, the more you weigh, the more CBD you’ll need in order to feel the effects. To give you some perspective, a person of 150 pounds (lbs) will want to take around 45mg of CBD.

 

Finally, the last thing to consider is tolerance. If you’ve been taking CBD for a long period of time, it’s likely your body has become accustomed to the substance. This is okay and simply requires you to take more in order to feel the initial effects.

CBD Dosage for Pain

If you’re new to CBD and notice you don’t feel anything off your initial doses, you may simply need to increase the amount you’re taking. If so, we recommend the “go slow” approach – only increasing by a bit each time. Since CBD has very few side effects attached to it (see below), you’re safe to consume larger amounts (i.e. around 100mg) at a time).

If you still aren’t garnering the effects you’re looking for, you may simply need a higher-strength CBD oil.

Safety and Side Effects of CBD Oil

Compared to other analgesic medications, CBD oil is a much safer alternative. Most users don’t report feeling any side effects from it. However, some people have reported experiencing mild bouts of:

  • Diarrhea
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weight and appetite changes

 

Admittedly, in higher strengths, CBD oil is more likely to cause certain side effects – most notably, fatigue. With that in mind, if you’re new to CBD oil, it’s best to try it at night when you don’t have any responsibilities. From there, you can determine whether or not it’ll benefit you through daytime use.

If you’re currently on prescription medication, we highly recommend consulting your doctor before taking CBD oil. While rare, CBD oil has been found to have negative interactions with certain drugs.

Furthermore, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to avoid CBD oil altogether. As of this time, we simply don’t have enough research to confirm its safety.

CBD Oil Safety

How We Chose the Best CBD Oils for Pain

When determining the best CBD oils for pain, it was important for us to consider the following criteria:

Certificate of Analysis

In order to verify what’s in a CBD product, reputable brands are transparent about their Certificate of Analysis (CoA). These are third-party lab tests that will reveal a number of aspects of the CBD and hemp plant it came from, including its cannabinoid profile and whether or not it contains any contaminants, such as heavy metals or pesticides.

Throughout our article, you’ll find we ensured all companies featured had a lab report to show. The best brands will run each batch of their product through these third-party labs in order to keep their CoA updated.

Customer Reviews

Truly, customer reviews are the best way to understand whether or not a product holds up to how it’s advertised. The more reviews, the better. Not to mention, since most people purchase CBD for pain, it’s likely you’ll find whether or not a particular CBD oil is the best option for you in that regard.

Extract Type

CBD comes in three extraction types, each of which has slightly different effects. For our list, we made sure to include at least one of each:

  • Full-Spectrum – Contains all of hemp’s naturally ocurring cannabinoids and other phytonutrients. Best for the entourage effect.
  • Broad-Spectrum – Contains all of hemp’s cannabinoids except for THC. Best for those who may need to avoid THC altogether.
  • CBD Isolate – Pure CBD and no other cannabinoid. Best for those looking to see how CBD alone treats them.

Ingredients

Most CBD oil is only made with two ingredients: a carrier oil (usually MCT coconut oil or hemp seed oil) and hemp extract. We made sure the companies featured on our list had sourced their ingredients responsibly, practiced organic methods, and offered varieties to those with dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free and vegan.

However, some CBD oils are made using other all-natural supplements that may help in managing pains. If you’re not familiar with these supplements, we highly recommend you do a bit of research to get a better idea of how they’ll affect you.

Potency

As discussed, higher-strength CBD oils tend to work better for pain relief. For this reason, we made sure to include companies that had total CBD ranges in the thousands of milligrams (mg). These come with anywhere between 50mg to 250mg per dose – an amount you’ll likely need in order to feel the effects.

Pricing

It’s no secret that CBD oil can be expensive. That’s why we tried to feature low-priced (but high-quality) brands on our list. Admittedly, the price of a product can give you some insight into a company’s reputation. The more CBD costs, the more time and resources a brand is likely putting into its product.

In order to help with the cost, all the products featured in this article contain coupon codes to help you save. Not to mention, many of these brands also have subscription services, loyalty programs, and assistance programs for further savings!


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/."

Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to use CBD oil is to take a full dropper and place it under your tongue. Let the oil sit there for about 30 seconds – CBD has an easier time reaching your bloodstream within your mouth rather than the digestive system, giving you more bioavailability. After this 30 seconds, you can swallow it and wait for the effects to kick in (usually takes between 15 to 45 minutes).