In Search of the Best CBD Oil: A Complete Buyer’s Guide
- Introduction
- What is CBD oil?
- CBD Oils vs Tinctures
- Different Types of CBD Oil
- Is it legal to use CBD oil?
- What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil
- Our Top Picks: The Verdict
- FAQs
Summary
Introduction
A potentially beneficial yet non-intoxicating compound in cannabis, also known as cannabidiol (CBD), has gained a lot of attention— revolutionising the new and improved cannabis industry in the best way possible. Lucky for it, more scientific studies and anecdotal evidence have constantly supported the purported benefit of CBD in supplementing many different symptoms that can contribute to the development of specific health conditions, including pain, acne, anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia, and other serious health problems scientists are still yet to reveal.
For a quick refresher, CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that can be extracted from different cannabis strains, including marijuana and hemp- although commercially used CBD products are mostly derived from the latter, which contains very little amount of THC or no THC at all. Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, is another prevalent cannabinoid responsible for producing the euphoric effects that are more likely associated with the use and consumption of marijuana. Not to be confused with the two cannabinoids because CBD and THC greatly differ when it comes to their characteristics and putative effects on the human mind and body.
Contrary to the most common misconceptions surrounding the two cannabinoid cousins, CBD does not contain any intoxicating properties, so there is no chance of causing a person to get “high” when it is consumed, unlike what usually occurs with THC.
A flurry of excitement celebrating the therapeutic potential of CBD minus the controversial intoxication has brought with it a whirlwind of CBD craze in the market. The last time we checked, CBD is now being extracted and formulated into a wide variety of forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, and even cringe-worthy ones like passion pens and suppositories. With that being said, CBD has truly taken over the industry with one more mission: to fulfil our different needs and lifestyles.
While there are countless CBD products that exist nowadays, the most popular way to consume CBD is in its oil form. This increasing popularity has catalysed a number of producers specialising in CBD oil, with more and more dispensaries emerging every year.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is a blend of CBD extracts that sometimes contains other cannabinoids (including small traces of THC) and essential compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. Backed by scientific evidence, CBD oil is touted to supplement a lot of different health conditions by targeting symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, acne, some types of seizures, and the long list goes on. There are several ways to harvest CBD oil from hemp and formulate it into a finished CBD oil product, but the most common process is performed by diluting CBD extracts in certain carrier oils such as olive, MCT, or coconut oil through a specialised form of equipment. CBD oil can be ingested orally, while topical solutions can be applied directly onto the skin.
CBD Oils vs Tinctures
As you search the web for CBD oil, you will likely come across another commonly-used term, “CBD tincture”. Many people use “CBD oil” and “CBD tincture” exchangeably- in beliefs that they are the same, but they don’t. You may not notice at first since they often appear in almost the same packages. Still, there are some notable distinctions between the two products. These involve important factors, such as:
- Base Ingredient: Carrier oils are mixed with CBD extracts to formulate CBD oil, while alcohol is the base ingredient used in creating CBD tinctures. In essence, CBD oil is oil-based, while CBD tincture is alcohol-based.
- Consumption Method: CBD oil can be taken orally by swallowing through the mouth or applied topically (depending on the carrier oil used). CBD tincture, on the other hand, is taken sublingually by holding a few drops under the tongue for a few seconds before completely swallowing. This method is done for quick absorption through the sublingual glands located underneath the tongue. Both products, however, can be consumed indirectly by adding them to the mix of food and drink recipes.
CBD oil and CBD tincture can be equally effective. However, when it comes to deciding which one is best for you, it will be very useful to consider your individual tastes and preferences.
Different Types of CBD Oil
CBD oil can be distinguished into three different types, namely CBD isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum. The table below demystifies the differences and potential advantages of each type over the rest.
|
Type |
Content |
Advantages |
|
Isolate |
|
|
|
Full-spectrum |
|
|
|
Broad-spectrum |
|
|
Is it legal to use CBD oil?
The legal system is probably the biggest hurdle when it comes to buying CBD products. Fortunately, the stump for legalising all forms of hemp-derived products as well as scientific studies supporting CBD’s potential therapeutic value has gradually loosened some restrictions in many particular states worldwide. CBD products may not be legally available in all countries at the moment, but these are considered legal in almost every European country (including the United Kingdom) as long as the THC content in full-spectrum CBD products does not exceed the suggested amount of 0.2%.
In fact, the European Commission has now accepted that the extracts obtained from hemp can be considered for assessment as “novel food” rather than intoxicating narcotic drugs. In accordance with this, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently implemented standard guidance on CBD-infused food products, stating any food products containing hemp-derived CBD (with or without <0.2% THC) must be approved as a novel food by the national food authority.
What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil
Despite the implementation of legal standards across the European CBD market, the chances of running into CBD products with questionable quality are still high. With many consumers pretty confused about which brand to choose from the many that exist, the surge in popularity can make it even harder to find the best CBD oils. Allow us to cut to the chase and make it all easier for you to get the access you need towards the right CBD oil that matches your style. The simplest way to avoid the risks of purchasing low-quality products by mistake is to make sure you pay attention to the following:
Quality
Look for manufacturing companies that comply with all the state laws we’ve mentioned above. High-quality and high-potent CBD oils must be derived only from hemp, and may contain THC levels of no more than 0.2%. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is usually attached to the CBD product, encompassing all the information on its standard quality, including all the ingredients in the product, third-party lab results, as well as the place in which hemp is grown. Make sure the product comes from a safe agricultural environment that provides 100% vegan-friendly, toxin-free, and non-GMO CBD products.
Dosage
CBD oil may vary in strengths or potencies from low to high, represented in percentage. It usually comes with a dropper to help you measure the amount of CBD oil you need to take. You may locate the suggested dosage from the packaging that specifies how much CBD is in a single drop. From there, you can easily figure out the number of drops you need to take in order to obtain your desired amount of CBD.
However, in some cases, the label indicates the total amount of CBD in the entire bottle instead of the specific amount that will be present in a single drop. Use the following standard formula in finding your ideal CBD dosage.
Since there are 1000 milligrams (mg) in a gram (g), divide the mg by g and then multiply the answer by 100 to get the percentage rate of CBD in each drop.
The table below shows some common potencies (in both mg) and their equivalent percentage:
|
CBD (mg) |
Potency (%) |
|
50 mg |
5% |
|
100 mg |
10% |
|
150 mg |
15% |
|
200 mg |
20% |
|
300 mg |
30% |
|
500 mg |
50% |
|
1000 mg |
100% |
Let’s say, for instance, a 10-ml bottle of CBD oil contains 1000 mg of CBD in a total of 200 drops. Then each drop will likely contain 5 mg of CBD. So, in order to consume at least 50 mg, which is 5% of the CBD oil, you should take ten drops throughout the day.
Pricing
When comparing the price of different CBD oil brands, you essentially want to ensure that you are paying for each milligram of CBD- and not the entire amount of liquid inside the bottle. When looking for CBD oil, always get the price per milligram of CBD. Here is how the formula works when getting the value equation of a CBD oil. In the table, we try to compare two CBD oil brands with different contents and prices.
|
Product |
Content |
Price |
Divided by CBD (mg) |
Equivalent Price Per mg of CBD |
|
CBD Oil A |
10 ml CBD oil with 1000 mg of CBD |
£100 |
1000 mg |
£0.10 |
|
CBD Oil B |
10 ml CBD oil with 400 mg of CBD |
£80 |
400 mg |
£0.20 |
At first glance, CBD Oil A may look more expensive to buy when compared to CBD Oil B. However, as CBD Oil A’s potency is much higher, you are more likely to get what you pay for, and you can even use fewer drops of CBD oil for the same potential effect. Even if CBD Oil B appears to be cheaper, you are actually paying double the price of CBD for the same quantity. With much lower milligrams, you will need to use more drops of CBD oil and might as well purchase another one when it is all consumed.
Our Top Picks: The Verdict
It can be overwhelming to find the right CBD oil for you in a market full of choices. Nevertheless, it is very important not to let the numbers discourage you from trying to experience the potential effects of CBD oil.
Here at Alphagreen, we try to keep things as light as possible. We carefully hand-pick our wide selection of reputable CBD oil brands that follow state regulations and work with third-party laboratories to provide high-quality CBD products. We can trust what is present in each of our products, and so can you! Here’s a sneak preview of our well-curated list of premium CBD oil brands, wherein you can choose which matches your lifestyle.
Cibdol CBD Oil 20% 2000 mg
Cibdol’s CBD oil 20% (2000mg) contains a holistic combination of pure CBD extracts, essential terpenes, and other cannabinoids (except THC). It is seamlessly formulated with olive oil carriers for improved absorption and efficacy. You may visit one of our pages for more information about this product.
Naturecan CBD Oil 40% 4000 mg
Another broad-spectrum CBD oil from Naturecan will potentially give you an optimum level of CBD in every single drop. Carried by organic MCT oil, this product aims to provide a much quicker absorption rate when consumed. The best thing about Naturecan’s CBD oil is its 100% organic spearmint flavour that offers a refreshing (and relaxing) taste of supplement.
Endoca Chocolate Mint CBD Oil
Craving for choco mint? Endoca's Chocolate Mint CBD Oil not only satisfies your sweet spot but also serves a generous amount of CBD (150mg per 1ml-dropper) that will possibly get you going throughout the day. This CBD oil is sourced from 100% natural hemp with more than 80 cannabinoids (except THC).
Kiara Full-spectrum CBD Oil
If you want to experience a maximum entourage effect, Kiara’s full-spectrum CBD oil has all the necessary compounds and cannabinoids (including <0.2% THC) in one bottle. This product comes in two strengths, 2000mg (20%) and 3000mg (30%), allowing you to pick an appropriate concentration that meets your needs.
Arima CBD Oil 20% 2000 mg
Meticulously formulated with pure CBD and other essential cannabinoid extracts, Arima's Pure CBD Oil aims to offer a maximum effect for those who prefer a higher dosage. This oil may potentially supplement specific health concerns, such as restlessness and other related sleep problems.