Posted on 31.10.2018 in the Uncategorized category
Best CBD Oil Features, Health best cbd oil Updated: October 19, 2018 CBD is an absolute wonder. It’s safe, legal, and helps with over 50 medical conditions. People’s lives are being changed by this new supplement and to help point you in the right direction, we have ranked the 20 Best CBD Oils currently on the market. CBD has been producing a whole lot of buzz in the health community of late – but perhaps not the kind of buzz you might expect from a cannabinoid. Since you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard of CBD and its many touted benefits. From chronic pain to mental health, CBD has the potential to alleviate an astonishing number of ailments. But like many, you might be fuzzy on the details. Consider this your primer on all things CBD. THE CBD OIL WE RAVE ABOUT Everyone’s needs are different but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Best Overall: Fab. We love Fab. They make a very high-quality product, provide fantastic customer support and user experience, and do it with moderate pricing. Read Full Review Shop Fab. Save 15% with Code: RAVE15 Highest Quality: Populum If you have tried the rest and are ready for a CBD Oil that will help with your serious medical issues, then it’s time to try out Populum. They are pricey ($.20/mg) but they are the best quality hands down. Read Full Review Shop Populum > Save 10% at Populum with Code: RAVEPOP10 Best Value: cbdMD cbdMD has some of the lowest prices around. But what sets them apart is the quality of their product and the services they offer their customers. Read Full Review Shop cbdMD > Save 15% at cbdMD with Code: RAVE15 Best Full Spectrum: CBDistillery CBDistillery hits the sweet spot between quality full spectrum CBD products and great value pricing. If you go with a super high concentration, their 5000mg full spectrum CBD Oil is priced at a hard to beat $.05/mg. And it tastes good! Read Full Review Shop CBDistillery > Save 10% at CBDistillery with Code: BestCBD18 Best THC Free: Medterra If you’re after a CBD oil that delivers zero THC, Medterra is the way to go. While most CBD oils contain only trace amounts of THC, even that small amount can store up in your system and eventually cause a failed drug test. Read Full Review Shop Medterra > Save 15% at Medterra with code RAVEIT What Are The Best CBD Oils? If you’re one of the hardy souls who have tried to find a good CBD oil online, you’ll know that there’s a lot to choose from. Not only are there billions (exaggeration) of CBD providers, but every company claims to provide the purest, the cleanest, and the most potent CBD available (not an exaggeration). So how do you know whose claims are legit and who’s selling snake oil? You could spend hours reading lab tests, creating spreadsheets, comparing prices, asking questions. In an unregulated market, there’s really no way around due diligence. But now you don’t have to do the legwork – because we’ve done it for you. best cbd oils The 20 Best CBD Oils for 2018 Fab CBD Location: Tampa, FL Cost Per MG: $.12 Coupon: 15% OFF Shop Fab. At the top of our list is a company that set out to correct what other CBD manufacturers were getting wrong. And while Fab may be new to the CBD scene, they know what they’re doing. Their CBD oils get top marks for quality and transparency – without extortionate pricing. And their bottles look cool too. Source / Type: Domestically sourced, organic, full-spectrum distillate. Price: .12 per milligram of CBD (for the lowest priced product) Transparency: They have up-to-date lab results on their website – these include results for cannabinoid and terpene levels, as well as pesticides. Third party lab tests happen every couple months. Customer Service: Fast, helpful customer support. You have thirty days to return a product (if you order multiple items, only one can be opened). Options: Concentrations range from 150mg-1200mg per 1 fluid oz. bottle. You can also choose from three flavors: citrus, mint, and natural. QUALITY96% Transparency80% Customer Experience94% VALUE74.4% Pros Excellent customer experience High-quality ingredients Very informational site Cons A bit expensive Newer company/short track record Not as frequent lab testing 88.1%Rave Meter Shop Fab. 15% Coupon at FabCBD: Rave15 cbdMD Location: Charlotte, NC Cost Per MG: $.05 Coupon: 15% OFF Shop cbdMD A newcomer to the field, CbdMd provides high-quality CBD oil at a great price. Like so many others, they claim to be America’s #1 Choice, but inflated self-designations aside, they’re earning customers’ trust through solid products and customer service. Source / Type: Domestically-sourced, organic, broad-spectrum (THC-free but with other cannabinoids) CBD oil Price: 5 cents per mg CBD (for the lowest priced product) Transparency: Third-party lab results are available on the website (though they’re a little tricky to find) – and customer service says they are performed every few months. The lab report on the website shows results for cannabinoid potency as well as terpenes and contaminants like heavy metals. Customer Service: Fast, helpful customer service responses. They also offer free shipping and a robust return policy. Options: Concentrations for their 30 ml bottle range from 300 mg – 3000 mg. There is also a 60 ml option which has from 1000 mg – 5000 mg of CBD. You can choose from four flavors, all of which get pretty decent reviews. Quality88% Transparency80% Customer Experience90% Value92.2% Pros Broad-spectrum CBD (no THC) Good prices Solid return policy Cons New company Product design could improve 3rd-party lab reports hard to find 87.6%Rave Meter Shop cbdMD 15% Coupon at cbdMD: Rave15 Populum Location: Tempe, AZ Cost Per MG: $0.20 Coupon: 10% OFF Shop Populum Populum was formed in November 2016. They partner with domestic farmers to make quality hemp-based products. They want to help customers live with a holistic focus on health. With an attractive and mostly intuitive website, shopping for Populum products is easy. Their products, all full-spectrum, come in sleek packaging and are of high quality. You pay for this quality, however – they are one of the most expensive companies we have reviewed, at around $0.20 per mg of CBD. Their customer service is quick and helpful and the reviews show them to be highly reliable. Refreshingly, they allow poor reviews to remain on their website. Quality100% Transparancy80% Customer Experience100% Value52.00% Pros Passionate founders Subsidy programs Attractive website Cons High prices Low concentrations No shipping to IN or MO 86.4%Rave Meter Shop Populum 10% Coupon for Populum: RavePop10 CBDistillery Location: Denver, CO Cost Per MG: $0.05 Coupon: 10% OFF Shop CBDistillery Founded by Colorado natives, CBDistillery has a reputation for high quality, ethically sourced products at a good price. One quirk is that if you order from their website, you’ll get domestically sourced CBD, otherwise it could be from international sources. Source / Type: Domestically and internationally sourced, organic, full-spectrum CBD oil Price: $.05 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Third party lab tests take place each month, and it’s easy to find reports on their website. In addition to cannabinoids, they include testing results for both heavy metals and pesticides. Customer Service: Responses to inquiries were quick and thorough. But free shipping only kicks in at $75 and their return policy is pretty rigid. You have only 7 days to get in touch if you want to return an unopened product. Options: Concentrations range from 250 mg in their smallest bottle up to 5000 mg in their largest bottle. They also have isolate-based tinctures. Quality92% Transparency75% Customer Experience75.7% Value93.8% Pros Great value for money Good taste Variety of products Cons Scarce info on owners 7-day returns Not much transparency 87.7%Rave Meter Shop CBDistillery 10% Coupon at CBDistillery: BestCBD18 Pure Hemp Botanicals Location: Denver, CO Cost Per MG: $0.09 Coupon: None Shop Pure Hemp Botanicals If you’re looking for high-quality CBD at a moderate price, then Pure Hemp Botanicals is a very good choice. They are dedicated to sustainable, cruelty-free farming and processing, and they have great customer service. Source / Type: Both full-spectrum and isolate-based CBD oil from organic, domestically sourced hemp. Price: Eight cents per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Third-party lab results are easy to find on the website, and you can look up the specific lab test for your own bottle. This will give you a good sense of how much CBD you’re actually getting, though they don’t show testing for contaminants. Customer Service: Highly responsive customer service. Shipping is pricey, and their website doesn’t go into details about their return policy, but if you’re unhappy they “promise to make it right.” Options: Concentrations range from 300 mg-3000 mg of both full-spectrum and isolate based tinctures. Quality92% Transparency80% Customer Experience77.14% Value84.80% Pros Socially responsible Excellent reviews Transparent sourcing Cons Expensive shipping Confusing shopping experience Slow website 85.2%Rave Meter Shop Pure Hemp Botanicals Receptra Naturals Location: Denver, CO Cost Per MG: $0.09 Coupon: 10% OFF Shop Receptra Naturals When it comes to quality CBD oil, Receptra Naturals sets the bar pretty high. They claim to extract their CBD oil from the flowers (the best bits) of hemp plants while keeping prices affordable. Source / Type: Receptra uses domestically sourced, organic, full-spectrum CBD. Price: 7 cents per milligram of CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Every batch is third-party tested, and you can find the lab tests on their website. Lab tests include information on cannabinoid potency as well as other contaminants like residual solvents and heavy metals. Customer Service: Customer service is fast and happy to answer questions fully. Their return policy gives you thirty days to decide if you’re satisfied. Options: Concentrations range from 500 mg – 4000 mg per 2 oz bottle. You can choose between “Health and Wellness” tinctures and “Active Lifestyle” tinctures which include a blend of “performance and recovery enhancing ingredients.” Other products: Lip balm, Targeted Topical Quality84% Transparency85% Customer Experience85.7% Value99.6% Pros Medicinal taste Attractive packaging Engaging blog Cons Lack of reviews Customer service may lack CBD training Value is middle of the road 84.7%Rave Meter Shop Receptra Naturals 10% Coupon at Receptra Naturals: rave10 Canna Trading Co. Location: Los Angeles, CA Cost Per MG: $0.10 Coupon: 10% OFF Shop Canna Trading Co. Canna Trading Co. has a sleek, easy-to-navigate website which makes shopping a breeze. And their tinctures feature high-quality ingredients tailored to accentuate CBD’s health benefits. Source / Type: Domestically sourced, organic, full-spectrum CBD oil. Price: 7 cents per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Lab results are easy to find (within product descriptions), but we were unable to ascertain just how often those lab tests are taking place. The tests that are available show a lot of information, though, including cannabinoid potency, and testing for residual solvents and pesticides. Customer Service: Canna customer service is both fast and friendly, though sometimes their answers are a little hard to interpret. They have a great return policy, but no free shipping. Options: Tincture concentrations range from 750 mg up to 1500 mg. Canna also has tinctures that have been customized for anxiety, inflammation, and sleep. Quality92% Transparency65% Customer Experience74.3% Value87.8% Pros Attractive design High-quality products Good value Cons Laggy website Slow customer service Limited options 82.2%Rave Meter Shop Canna Trading Co. 10% Coupon for Canna Trading Co.: CannaRave18 Medterra Location: Laguna Hills, CA Cost Per MG: $0.05 Coupon: None Shop Medterra For those in the market for CBD isolate, Medterra is a great choice. Their product design is certainly nothing to write home about, but their prices are. This is one of the cheapest CBD oils that you can buy without sacrificing quality. Source / Type: Domestically sourced, organic CBD isolate. Price: 5 cents per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Medterra scored high for transparency – every batch is third-party tested, and those lab reports are both easy to find and include information about in addition to cannabinoid levels. Customer Service: Customer service was great, answering questions fully and promptly. You’ll have to pay for your shipping unless you spend over $100, but they offer a good return policy. Options: Tincture concentrations range from 500 mg – 3000 mg CBD. No flavor options (actually, no flavor at all – this is a flavorless tincture). Quality76% Transparency90% Customer Experience81.4% Value87.4% Pros Good customer service Lab results on website Good price Cons CBD isolate only No free shipping No flavor options 82.2%Rave Meter Shop Medterra 15% Coupon for Medterra: RAVEIT Hemplucid Location: Orem, UT Cost Per MG: $0.13 Coupon: None Shop Hemplucid For a newer company, Hemplucid has a lot to offer. They sell whole plant CBD grown organically in Colorado, and make a big deal about transparency – down to their clear bottles. Source / Type: Domestically sourced, organic, full-spectrum CBD oil Price: 13 cents per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Third party lab tests are performed for every batch of oil, and up-to-date third-party ab results are on the website. The lab tests only show results for cannabinoid potency. Customer Service: Solid customer service – they answer their phones quickly (an email response took a bit longer) and give good, complete answers to product questions. They provide both free shipping and a good return policy. Options: Concentrations range from 250 mg – 1500 mg. There’s no flavor options, but you can choose between a tincture with an MCT carrier oil, or a water soluble tincture (which makes blending with food and drinks easier). Quality92% Transparency70% Customer Experience85.7% Value85.7% Pros Informative blog promotes balanced living Good taste Excellent customer service Cons High prices Some info hard to locate Some negative reviews (which they have addressed) 81.9%Rave Meter Shop Hemplucid Palmetto Harmony Location: Conway, SC Cost Per MG: $0.11 Coupon: None Shop Palmetto Harmony Based in South Carolina, Palmetto Harmony has its origins in the need for high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil for one child suffering from untreatable seizures. A family business, they take quality seriously and are trusted by many parents whose children benefit from their CBD oil. Source / Type: Organic, domestically sourced, full-spectrum CBD. Price: $.11 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Palmetto Harmony has each batch of CBD oil tested at a third party lab, and you can request a copy of those results before you purchase (they aren’t on the website). They include results for cannabinoid potency as well as a whole range of other possible contaminants. Customer Service: Customer service responses were fast and informative. Their return policy is little unclear – you have seven days to request a return, but it doesn’t state if the product can be open or not. No free shipping. Options: The tincture comes in two sizes – 30 ml or 100 ml. Both sizes contain the same concentration of 20 mg CBD per ml. No flavor options. Quality88% Transparency90% Customer Experience62.9% Value74.2% Pros Good taste Personal origin story Easy purchasing process Cons Slow customer service Expensive 7 day returns 80.6%Rave Meter Shop Palmetto Harmony Pure Spectrum Location: Evergreen, CO Cost Per MG: $0.10 Coupon: None Shop Pure Spectrum With a stated mission to revolutionize the phytocannabinoid industry, Pure Spectrum is aiming high. They offer reliably high-quality CBD oil extracted from organically farmed hemp at respectable prices. Source / Type: Domestically sourced, organic, full-spectrum CBD oil Price: 11 cents per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Pure Spectrum has each batch of CBD oil tested by a third-party lab, and those results are readily available on the website. The results only show the levels of cannabinoids present, though – information about contaminants isn’t available. Customer Service: Timely customer service responses and a strong return policy. No free shipping. Options: Their full spectrum tincture concentrations range from 250 mg CBD in their 15 ml bottle up to 3000 mg in their 60 ml bottle. Quality92% Transparency70% Customer Experience70% Value75.8% Pros Helping communities Good taste Full spectrum products Cons Low value Low CBD concentration High shipping fees 80%Rave Meter Shop Pure Spectrum Lazarus Naturals Location: Seattle, WA Cost Per MG: $0.04 Coupon: 10% Shop Lazarus Naturals If you want value, Lazarus Naturals is probably what you’re looking for. The Seattle-based company is committed to making CBD available to everyone, and their social conscience extends to discount programs for veterans and people with low incomes. Source / Type: Both full-spectrum and isolate-based CBD oil from organic, domestically-sourced hemp. Price: 4 cents per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Every batch of CBD oil is third-party tested, and you can find up-to-date lab results on their website Customer Service: Prompt customer service, but a more rigid return policy (only 14 days to return a product). Options: For the full-spectrum CBD oil, you can choose your bottle size, but the concentration stays the same. If you want a higher potency or flavor choice, you’ll have to go with the isolate tincture. Quality76% Transparency85% Customer Experience71.4% Value90.4% Pros Outstanding value Non-GMO farms Veteran/Disability Program Cons Rigid returns policy Limited range of products No search function on website 79.8%Rave Meter Shop Lazarus Naturals 10% Coupon at Lazarus Naturals: Rave15 Green Gorilla Location: Los Angeles, CA Cost Per MG: $0.09 Coupon: None Shop Green Gorilla Green Gorilla is an international brand that wants to bring CBD to the masses (both human and animal). Their domestically sourced, organic products are mostly isolates, but they offer a full-spectrum option as well. Source / Type: Organic, domestically sourced, CBD isolate. Price: $.15 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Green Gorilla has every batch of CBD oil third party tested, and lab results are easy to find. Be aware that the labelling on their whole plant tincture is a bit confusing – only 25% of the labelled “whole plant hemp extract” is actually CBD. Customer Service: Green Gorilla took a hit in the customer service category because we never got a response to email inquiries. They do answer their phones, though, and have good answers to question. Their return policy is relatively strict – they accept returns on unopened products within 14 days. Options: Concentrations vary from 150 mg (in a 1 oz bottle )up to 7500 mg (in a 2 oz bottle). Flavor options are lemon or olive oil. Quality84% Transparency85% Customer Experience62.9% Value81.6% Pros Started in 2013 Team of successful business people Olive oil taste Cons Lack of transparency Few customer reviews Strict returns policy 79.5%Rave Meter Shop Green Gorilla Charlotte’s Web Location: Denver, CO Cost Per MG: ? Coupon: None Due in part to a CNN documentary on CBD, Charlotte’s Web (or CW Hemp) is one of the best-known CBD distributors. They are an established, well-trusted Colorado-based company known for their quality CBD-dominant strain of hemp. Source / Type: Domestically-sourced, organic, full-spectrum CBD oil Price: 8 cents per milligram of CBD (on lowest priced product) Transparency: Every batch is third-party tested, and if you want to see a lab test before you purchase, just email customer service. Customer Service: Customer service responses were a little slower – it took a couple days to get a response from an email inquiry. They sent a ton of information, though. Options: Concentrations range from 200 milligrams per bottle up to 1800 in their new Max. Strength tincture. Quality80% Transparency80% Customer Experience80% Value77% Pros Prominence means more trust Heartwarming origin story Low shipping fees Cons Off-putting taste Not forthcoming with product information Slightly expensive 79.4%Rave Meter Shop Charlotte’s Web Kat’s Naturals Location: Dunlap, TN Cost Per MG: $0.11 Coupon: 15% OFF Shop Kats Naturals A Tennessee-based company dedicated to creating sustainably sourced CBD products, Kat’s Naturals’ emphasis on sustainability embraces everything from farming practices to extraction and minimalist packaging. Source / Type: Organic, locally sourced, CBD isolate. Price: #$.11 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Every batch is third party tested, and you can find test results in the product descriptions on the website. Publicly available test results only show cannabinoid potency, though – you won’t see information on other possible contaminants. Customer Service: It took a couple days to get responses to our inquiries, but answers were friendly and informative. There’s no free shipping, but the company does offer a solid 30 day return policy. Options: Concentrations vary from 300 mg -1500 mg per 30 ml bottle. There is one full-spectrum option as well (Balance) but rings in at $.20 mg. Quality80% Transparency80% Customer Experience70% Value71% Pros Excellent customer care 30 Day returns Great taste Cons Confusing info on website Website accessibility issues Higher prices 76.2%Rave Meter Shop Kats Naturals 15% Coupon at Kat’s Naturals: KatsRave18 NuLeaf Naturals Location: Denver, CO Cost Per MG: $0.12 Coupon: 15% OFF Shop Nuleaf Naturals Founded in 2014, Nuleaf Naturals is a Colorado-based company committed to providing customers with high-quality CBD oil. Their product selection is limited, but devoted entirely to whole-plant extracts that give you the full entourage effect. Source / Type: Organic, domestically sourced, CBD. Price: $.10 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Third party lab tests are available by request. Nuleaf sent us a copy of their lab tests, but didn’t share how often those tests are performed (though the one we saw was very recent). The publicly available lab test is limited to cannabinoid potency. Customer Service: Nuleaf’s customer service leaves something to be desired. It took several days to get a response to our email inquiries, and when we called, no one answered and we couldn’t leave a message. They do offer free shipping and you can return unopened products within 30 days of delivery. Options: All tinctures have the same concentration of 50 mg CBD per ml. Your choice is limited to the size of the bottle. Quality92% Transparency50% Customer Experience67.1% Value78.8% Pros Good taste 30 day returns Attractive website Cons No product variety High prices Customer service can be slow 76%Rave Meter Shop Nuleaf Naturals 15% Coupon at NuLeaf: RaveLeaf18 Moon Mother Hemp Company Location: Cost Per MG: $0.10 Copuon: None Shop Moon Mother Hemp A true newcomer to the CBD scene, Moon Mother Hemp Company sources local, Colorado, organic hemp for their range of full-spectrum CBD products – from tinctures to bath salts. Source / Type: Organic, domestically sourced, full-spectrum CBD oil. Price: $.10 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Moon Mother has each batch of CBD oil tested for potency by a third party. Right now if you want to see a third party lab test, you’ll have to email them for it, but they are working to get them online. The website is generally pretty thin on information about testing and extraction. Customer Service: It took several days to get a response to our emailed inquiries, and there is no phone number listed on the website. We did eventually get good answers to our questions, though. You’ll have to pay for your shipping – but they have a decent return policy which gives you 15 days to decide if you’re happy with the product. Options: For tinctures, you can choose between 500 mg and 1000 mg CBD per ml. They also offer the flavor options of peppermint and cinnamon. Quality92% Transparency55% Customer Experience52.9% Value78.8% Pros Locally sourced hemp Every batch 3rd-party tested Website is easy to navigate Cons No lab results on website (yet) Slow customer service Website thin on information 74.1%Rave Meter Shop Moon Mother Hemp Mana Artisan Botanics Location: Kailua-Kona, HI Cost Per MG: $0.13 Coupon: None Shop Mana Artisan Botanics Working from a solid base of ethics and experience, Mana Artisan Botanics is a Hawaiian company committed to using pure, organic ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. Source / Type: Organic, domestically sourced, full-spectrum CBD oil. Price: .13 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Each batch of their tincture is third-party tested, and those lab results are available on request (rather than on the website). The lab results we saw showed cannabinoid potency only. Customer Service: We heard back from emailed in customer service within 24 hours, and they answered all our questions. There’s no free shipping, though, and their return policy allows you to return your product, unopened, within 30 days. Options: There are two tincture options (Turmeric Hemp and a Sleep formulation), each of which delivers 150 mg CBD per ounce. You can choose from three bottle sizes. Quality84% Transparency55% Customer Experience68.6% Value66.6% Pros Locally sourced ingredients Ethical company Good taste Cons Only one choice of concentration No free shipping Returns for unopened products only 71.6%Rave Meter Shop Mana Artisan Botanics 4 Corners Cannabis Location: Bayfield, CO Cost Per MG: $0.20 Coupon: 10% OFF Shop 4 Corners Cannabis 4 Corners Cannabis has a solid fan base, despite high prices. They control their process from seed to finished product – and their website goes into intricate detail about their Ma’at strain of hemp, as well as extraction methods. Source / Type: Organic, domestically sourced, full-spectrum CBD oil. Price: .20 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: 4 Corners has up-to-date third-party lab reports for all their products on their website. The publicly available reports only cite cannabinoid potency, and we were unable to ascertain how often third-party testing takes place. Customer Service: In one sense, 4 Corners’ customer service is great. We got emailed replies back very quickly. On the other hand, we found their answers unsatisfying when it came to how often third-party lab testing is done. Their return policy allows you a refund for unopened product only, within 30 days. Options: Tinctures come in concentrations of 250 mg or 500 mg per 15 ml bottle. There’s also an avocado oil tincture in the same concentrations. Quality88% Transparency65% Customer Experience50% Value47.2% Pros Excellent customer service Boutique Company Good taste Cons High prices Some unsupported claims Cluttered website 67.6%Rave Meter Shop 4 Corners Cannabis 10% Coupon at 4Corners Cannabis: Rave18 Hemp Bombs Location: Cost Per MG: $.08 Coupon: None Shop Hemp Bombs There’s no getting around the fact that Hemp Bombs’ website is a bit of an eyesore. It gets the job done, though, and the company itself sells high-quality, organically farmed CBD at reasonable prices. Source / Type: Organic CBD isolate. Although Hemp Bombs originally sourced their hemp from Europe, the company has transitioned to domestically sourced hemp. Price: $.08 per mg CBD (for lowest priced product) Transparency: Third-party lab reports are readily available on their website, and according to customer service, these are being performed every six months. The lab tests that we saw reported cannabinoid potency, as well as results for residual solvents and heavy metals. Customer Service: We had no problems getting responses from customer service, and they answered all of our questions (although there was some confusion about sourcing, which we later clarified with the company). Shipping is free on orders over $75, and they have a great return policy. You have 30 days to decide if you’re happy with your purchase. Options: Tincture concentrations range from 300 mg to 4000 mg per bottle – all bottles are the same size. You can choose between peppermint and watermelon flavors. Quality60% Transparency60% Customer Experience71.4% Value72.0% Pros Lab results on website Good customer reviews Reasonable price Cons Unclear hemp source CBD isolate only Website experience could improve 66.7%Rave Meter Shop Hemp Bombs Related Rankings Best CBD Oil for Anxiety Best CBD Oil for Pain Best CBD Oil for Sleep Best CBD Oil for Cancer Best CBD for Dogs (and other Pets) How Did We Pick the Best CBD Oils? There are new CBD companies coming online every week – these span the range from truly awful to really great. So how to choose the best? The quality of the CBD oil itself is obviously the most important factor – and many companies do take the quality of their products seriously. To reward those companies, we gave more weight to the quality of the product than any other category. With so many companies to choose from, though, we had to further refine our list. So we looked at other factors to determine which companies are the best and the most trustworthy. So we scrutinized the transparency of the manufacturer, the customer experience, and the value for your dollar. Here’s the nitty-gritty of how we came up with our ranking: > Quality (40%): Source: Where the hemp was grown To determine the quality of the CBD oil, we started with the source – where the hemp was grown and whether it was grown organically. Domestic sources allow for more oversight over farming practices, so companies that source their hemp in the U.S. got higher points. Source: How the hemp was grown The USDA doesn’t usually offer an organic certification for hemp, so we inquired into growing practices like whether farmers spray their crops with pesticides or fungicides. Companies that source from farms that utilize organic practices got higher marks. Type of CBD Oil We also rated the product based on the type of CBD they used: isolate, full-spectrum decarb, broad-spectrum, or distillate. There’s a lot of debate around what is actually best, but our first decision was to give points to CBD oil that contains a range of cannabinoids. While there are certainly people with good reasons for choosing an isolate, there’s a lot of good evidence that CBD works better in combination with other cannabinoids (this is called the “entourage effect”). So a full spectrum decarb got higher points than isolate (“decarb” just refers to the process of decarboxylation which turns raw CBD into activated CBD). We also gave more points to companies with a “broad spectrum” tincture. Broad spectrum CBD oil includes a range of other cannabinoids, but minus the THC – which is generally what people using isolates are trying to avoid. We gave the highest points to companies that use a CBD distillate for their tinctures. The process of distillation creates an extract that is pure on a molecular level. There are people who think distillate is too pure, and that a full spectrum decarb produces a more effective tincture. But in light of the inconclusive evidence, we prefer a distillate. The process allows for a high degree of control as to the finished product. It’s also odorless and tasteless, so those tinctures tend to taste better. Flavor Which segues neatly into our final quality marker – namely, taste. True, taste is subjective. But there are companies putting a lot of resources into making their tinctures palatable. And then there are tinctures that just taste plain bad. We gave higher points to companies with tinctures that didn’t make us cringe. > Transparency (20%) The government doesn’t regulate the quality or consistency of CBD products, so it’s very, very important that companies are forthright with product information. For this category, we put a lot of weight on how they deal with third-party lab testing. First, we rated them on how easy it is to find those lab test results – as well as how much they tested for. All lab tests should test cannabinoid levels, but we really appreciate companies that also let us see testing results for contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents. We then asked how often they have third-party testing performed (top marks for those who send every batch to a third-party lab). And we gave points to companies who make it really easy to find information on extraction and sourcing. > Customer Experience (20%) We’d probably all agree that the most important thing is the quality of what’s in the bottle. That being said, a lousy customer experience can really erode the value of what you’re getting. So we posed as customers and went through the whole shopping experience. This included everything from navigating the website and sending out customer service emails to going through the checkout process – as well as noting shipping and returns policies. We also gave a few points based on the design and appearance of both their website and bottle. > Value (20%) To calculate value, we weighed the price of the product against its quality score. The score, out of 100, breaks down to 70 percent for price and 30 percent for quality. This brings some balance to the list since, for most of us, cost definitely matters. Based on this methodology, we’ve come up with a list of what we believe are some of the best oils on the market. They are all selling high-quality products, with third-party lab tests to back them up. It should be noted, though, that each company has a slightly different profile of cannabinoids, and everyone’s body reacts uniquely to cannabinoids – so it’s possible that you’ll find that what works best for you isn’t the top-rated product. With CBD, there’s no way around some trial and error. It’s also worth noting that, in the world of CBD production, there’s a lot of debate about best practices. We went with the best evidence available (for example, in privileging full-spectrum oils over isolates). But otherwise – where evidence is inconclusive, we made decisions based on our own experience and preference. But with those caveats in mind, we think we think we’ve got a pretty great list. And there are some new additions! CbdMD, Medterra, Moon Mother Hemp Company, and Hemp Bombs are all up-and-coming companies who made the cut. Whether you’re looking for a CBD oil to address a specific ailment or just to maintain your optimal health and wellness, we hope this list helps you find a product that makes your endocannabinoid system happy! — RAVE’s CBD Oil User Guide — What Is CBD? In short, Cannabidiol – or CBD – is a cannabis compound that has many therapeutic benefits. Usually extracted from the leaves and flowers of hemp plants – though marijuana can also be a source – CBD oil is then incorporated into an array of marketable products. These products vary from the most common, like sublingual oils and topical lotions, to the less common (think CBD lattes). Basically, if you can dream it, you can buy it. How does CBD Work? There’s a lot of ongoing research in response to the question of how CBD works. What we do know is that as a cannabinoid, CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system. “Endocannabinoid” may not be a household word, but every mammal has an internal system that produces cannabinoids that interact with two kinds of receptors. The endocannabinoid system is spread throughout your brain and body, but primarily throughout your central nervous system. The interaction between cannabinoids and receptors is what produces effects like the regulation of mood, pain, appetite, inflammation, and memory. Plant-based cannabinoids, found in cannabis plants, also interact with the receptors (whimsically named CB1 and CB2) in the endocannabinoid system, and each affects your body in different ways. CBD and its infamous cousin THC are the two most well-known cannabinoids. But CBD is a special snowflake among cannabinoids. Rather than binding to one of the cannabinoid receptors in the way that other cannabinoids do, CBD doesn’t bind to either of them, but rather stimulates both kinds of receptors. This unique interaction creates systemic, whole-body benefits that include, but are by no means limited to: Immune support Pain regulation Anxiety regulation Inflammation suppression Neuroprotection Can CBD Make You High? CBD is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. So, no, it will not make you high. There are at least 113 different cannabinoids that can be isolated from cannabis plants, each of which has its own effects. THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol) is the only cannabinoid responsible for the high that people get from marijuana. In fact, not only will CBD not make you high, it has been proven to counteract the psychoactivity of THC. This property makes CBD highly useful as a medical treatment for a wide range of conditions. In terms of the CBD products you can buy, the amount of THC present varies from none at all in a pure CBD Isolate to a minimal amount (less than 0.3%) in a Full-Spectrum CBD product. All this talk about THC lands us nicely in the whole “Full Spectrum vs. Pure Isolate” debate. Once you begin shopping for CBD products, you’ll notice a lot of jargon that gets thrown around without much explanation. Now that we’ve introduced THC into the conversation, we can talk about the difference between, and relative benefits of, Full Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate (and the lesser-known contender: Broad Spectrum). What Are the Types of CBD? Full Spectrum CBD As the name suggests, Full Spectrum CBD comes with a lot of other elements present in the plant. This includes terpenes (which give marijuana and hemp its distinctive smell) and cannabinoids like the lesser known CBG and CBN – and even small amounts of THC. What you gain from Full Spectrum CBD is called the “entourage effect.” Studies have suggested that CBD is most effective when it’s combined with other cannabinoids. Each cannabinoid has its own properties and confers its own benefits. Working together, a synergy is created that boosts the healing properties of CBD. Full spectrum CBD does, however, bring with it the sticky issue of THC. The government regulates concentration levels of THC at 0.3 percent, an amount which results in minimal psychoactivity. But THC metabolites are stored in the fat cells of your body, building up over time. If you ever need to take a drug test, this could create an issue for you. CBD Isolate If you want to avoid THC altogether, CBD Isolate is the way to go. CBD Isolate is just that – CBD that has been isolated and then refined to remove all other terpenes, cannabinoids, and plant material. This process eliminates the trace amounts of THC that would otherwise be present. The result is a fine white powder containing only the pure CBD chemical compound. This isolate is then combined with carrier oils (like hemp seed oil or MCT oil) to create marketable products. If you’re in the market for CBD isolate, it’s crucial to pay attention to the purity of the product. Many products made from CBD Isolate are labeled as being 99% pure. While those in the 99.9% range will have no identifiable amounts of THC, those in the 99.5% range may still have trace amounts that could show up in a lab test. In your internet travels, you may also come across products called “terpsolates.” The manufacturers of these products infuse CBD Isolate with terpenes (but not cannabinoids like THC). These terpenes may enhance the effectiveness of CBD – or maybe they just make it smell good. This may be a good place to point out that not all CBD products are created equal. The industry is still largely unregulated, and the quality and quantity of CBD in a given product will vary wildly. Third party testing definitely helps to monitor companies’ claims, but it’s still up to you as the consumer to do your homework on the best CBD products. CBD Oil vs. Hemp Seed Oil? Another point worth clarifying is the difference between hemp seed oil (or hemp oil) and CBD oil. There’s confusion on this point for the very good reason that both CBD oil and hemp seed oil are extracted from the industrial hemp plant. CBD vs Hemp Oil But there’s a big difference between the two. Hemp seed oil has been pressed from hemp seed, and it’s great for a lot of things – it’s good for you, tastes great, and can be used in soap, paint – even as biodiesel fuel. However, hemp seed oil does not contain any concentration of cannabinoids at all, including CBD. So by all means, stock up at your local natural food store. Just don’t expect to reap the benefits of a true CBD oil when you cook with hemp seed oil. Is CBD Legal? And now, onto the thorny issue of legality. The simple answer to the question is yes – if it is extracted from hemp. The 2014 Farm Bill established guidelines for growing hemp in the U.S. legally. This so-called “industrial hemp” refers to both hemp and hemp products which come from cannabis plants with less than 0.3 percent THC and are grown by a state-licensed farmer. CBD derived from marijuana is a different story, and the law varies from state to state. But as long as you’re using CBD oil that contains less than 0.3 percent THC you have nothing to be concerned about anywhere in the United States. On the other hand, if you want to take your CBD on a trip outside the country, definitely look into local laws to avoid getting into awkward situations while you’re away. What are the Benefits of CBD Oil? CBD roared onto the health scene in 2009 when scientists in California began producing CBD-rich cannabis. Since then, CBD oil has created a whole new industry, and with it has come all the attendant media attention of a “wonder-drug.” So what does it do? And what research supports these claims? The science behind CBD is in the relatively early stages. As a cannabinoid, we know that CBD interacts with receptors in your endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is integrated throughout your body – and this widespread, whole-body interaction creates a broad range of effects. Hence, the long list of possible benefits. We may still be in the early stages of discovery, but there’s plenty of scientific studies and anecdotal evidence that CBD provides relief for an array of ailments. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some potential benefits of CBD oil: CBD and Chronic Pain It’s a truism to state that pain is an inevitable part of life. And it’s true that we all, from time to time, experience pain that is short-lived and treatable. But those who deal with chronic pain know the debilitating, life-sucking reality of this condition. And traditional medications often come with long lists of side effects which can be as debilitating as the pain itself. So when word started getting out that CBD has the potential to reduce pain without those side effects, it seemed too good to be true. In fact, numerous studies have looked at the relationship between CBD and pain, and the results are promising. Researchers have looked at various kinds of pain – from joint pain to cancer pain. One finding is that CBD increases levels of glutamate and serotonin – both neurotransmitters that play a role in pain regulation. And CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties help by tackling the root cause of much chronic pain. While CBD isn’t isn’t going to replace pharmaceutical pain relievers any time soon, initial studies have a lot of people excited about it. And there’s a ton of anecdotal evidence that CBD is providing relief for many people who suffer from many different sources of chronic pain. CBD and anxiety CBD oil for Anxiety and Depression Another field in which CBD is creating a buzz is in the area of mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Both conditions have been treated with a variety of medications, courtesy of Big Pharma, that have had varying levels of success. Again, the long list of side effects can be off-putting to someone who just wants to get through the day without the sweaty tension of anxiety or the gray haze of depression. While researchers are calling for more robust studies on the role of CBD on mood disorders, there is promising research that points to CBD’s role as an anxiolytic – which means it has anti-anxiety effects. Another study showed CBD to have antidepressant effects comparable to those of the prescription antidepressant Imipramine. We noted above that CBD increases levels of glutamate and serotonin – and it’s these same neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in mood regulation. This doesn’t mean that you should flush your prescription anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications down the toilet! These studies point to the need for more research to be done on CBD. But for those who have had limited success with prescribed medications, talking with your doctor about using CBD as an alternative is worth consideration. CBD and Insomnia Sleep, the sweet elixir of the gods. So natural, but for many of us, so sadly elusive. We exercise, we avoid things that we really, really want – like naps and caffeine. And still, the magic escapes us. But help is near. CBD, with its calming, anti-anxiety effects, is helping many people get the sleep they need – without the groggy side effects of many sleeping pills. There are lots of things that can keep a person awake – from anxiety or depression to chronic pain. We’ve talked about the way CBD can help to alleviate all of these conditions, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that sleep might be a really sweet side effect of a calmer mind and a body that hurts less. For those with chronic conditions that interrupt sleep, CBD has been shown to be effective at helping those with PTSD and REM behavior disorder. And while formal studies haven’t been completed on CBD and Restless Leg Syndrome yet, anecdotal evidence suggests that many people who use CBD oil have experienced a dramatic reduction in RLS symptoms. CBD and Seizures In the United States, over three million people suffer from epilepsy – 470,000 of those people are children. Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes seizures – of which there are over thirty different kinds, ranging from mild and infrequent to life-threatening. Not surprisingly, people with epilepsy face significant challenges – from the cost of healthcare to work limitations and social isolation. And treatment proves difficult for many people. In fact, over one-third of people with epilepsy live with uncontrollable seizures because there is no available treatment that works for them. So when CBD started gaining mainstream attention for stopping or greatly reducing seizures, people started to get very excited. And with good reason. Evidence from laboratory studies, small clinical studies, and anecdotal reports over a number of years suggest that CBD helps control seizures. And in June of 2018, a major advance was made when the FDA approved a prescription cannabidiol medicine – Epidiolex – to treat rare and severe forms of epilepsy. This means that people with these rare and devastating forms of epilepsy will have access to CBD that has been clinically tested and dosed. CBD and Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Benefits In addition to all the benefits we’ve already discussed, CBD has been proven to have antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This means that it helps repair the damage from oxidative stress, which is believed to be a primary cause of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS – even heart disorders and some forms of cancer. This is a hugely beneficial effect of CBD. Free radicals are the culprits when it comes to oxidative damage and inflammation. But CBD’s antioxidant properties can help to combat the negative effects of everyday exposure to elements that increase the production of free radicals. These elements include pervasive, but hugely unsurprising, things like: Pollutants UV rays Pesticides Smoking Fried food Obviously, you can’t avoid these things altogether (though lord knows, some of us try). But CBD’s antioxidants strengthen the immune system and make it more able to withstand the aging and degenerative effects of free radicals. How to Use CBD Oil CBD’s numerous benefits have made it wildly popular for ailments as various as mood disorders and epilepsy. A cannabinoid extracted from the hemp or marijuana plant, CBD has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety effects – among many other benefits. And it won’t get you high. But the world of CBD oil can be a confusing place even if you have a pretty clear idea of what you want it to do for you. The goal, of course, is to get the right amount of CBD into your body in the most efficient way. But how do you know what the right amount is? The somewhat frustrating answer is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Factors like your specific product, your genetic makeup, and the condition you want to treat will all play a part in the dose you take. To help get you started in finding your own perfect dose, here are some general principles to use as a guide: Everyone is Different It sounds like the title of a children’s book, but like so much else that you learned in kindergarten, it’s true. Everyone’s body is different – but everyone’s endocannabinoid system is really unique. For reasons we don’t fully understand, receptors in the endocannabinoid system don’t respond predictably to cannabinoids from person to person. This lack of a predictable response makes standard dosing tricky. Your age, weight, general health, and genetic makeup will all come into play as you look for your own “sweet spot” – the amount of CBD you need to get the results you want. You can expect to do a certain amount of experimentation before you find that optimal dose. Get Informed The first step to finding your correct CBD dosage is getting as much information as you can about the product you’re using. What is the concentration of CBD? Are there third-party lab tests that can confirm that? The CBD industry is still mainly a grassroots therapeutic movement, and as such, largely unregulated. Concentration and purity levels can differ greatly depending on the manufacturing process. The manufacturer will probably give you a recommended dosage, but bear in mind that this isn’t set in stone. What you need to find is your own minimum effective dose. “Minimum effective dose” is a medical term which refers to the amount of a substance you need for the results you want, and above which, the substance doesn’t increase in effectiveness. Taking more CBD than you need can result in unwanted side effects, and it will certainly result in your spending more money than you need to. Start Low, Go Slow In the U.S., we live in a culture where more is often perceived as being better. And it’s easy, without even thinking about it, to apply that approach to CBD dosing. But when it comes to CBD, more is not necessarily better. In fact, for many, less CBD is more effective. One way to determine your optimal dosage is to start with a small amount of CBD for a couple weeks and then slowly increase your dosage, carefully taking note of symptoms, until you’re seeing the results you want. There’s also been a lot of talk lately about “microdosing” CBD. This refers to an incremental process of finding your minimum effective dose. You can do this with any concentration of CBD oil, but lower concentrations will take longer. In a 2017 article in Rolling Stone, Dr. Dustan Sulak outlines his protocol for microdosing. You can begin this process by asking yourself three questions: How easy is it to breathe? How comfortable and calm does your body feel? How easy is it for you to smile authentically, to feel content and grateful? You then take your first drop of CBD oil, wait 45 minutes, then ask the questions again. If you feel no different and there’s no change in the way you answer those questions, you increase the dose by small increments until you do notice a difference. You can continue this process over several days – and at some point, you’ll find that taking more doesn’t change your scores. That is your minimum effective dose. Expectations CBD is often hailed as a Miraculous Cure for Everything, which it isn’t. It’s a substance with immense potential to heal and give relief – but it won’t necessarily be an immediate cure for your every ailment. Before you begin taking CBD, you might want to spend some time thinking, as specifically as possible, about what you want it to do for you. Also consider what results you need to see to make the expenditure worthwhile. Then take your time, and pay close attention to your body in order to give your experiment the best chance of success. And if you’re taking any other medications, please do talk to your doctor before you begin to experiment with CBD. This will help you avoid any potential drug interactions or an unwanted decrease in the effectiveness of your other medications. The Future of CBD Today, dozens of ongoing studies are looking into the still somewhat mysterious, but vastly promising field of CBD. With all of the conditions listed above – from chronic pain to mood disorders and epilepsy – there’s an abundance of anecdotal evidence and a growing amount of hard science that CBD can make a big difference. As with any major change to your health routine, it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking CBD for any condition – especially if you’re already taking other medications. She can advise you on possible drug interactions and any reasons that CBD might not be a good choice for you personally. Share On: Tweet About The Author Sonja Soderlund Sonja Soderlund is a freelance writer and CBD oil researcher. She has a background in education and a longstanding addiction to 19th-century literature and very strong tea.
