Ahead, we break down the details on hemp CBD oils and highlight the most important factors to look for when purchasing a hemp CBD oil, whether you’re new to the herbal supplement or a veteran user wanting to try something new. There are three types of hemp extracts featured in hemp CBD oil products: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or a CBD isolate. As the name suggests, CBD isolate only contains cannabidiol, while broad-spectrum hemp contains some additional compounds found in the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum hemp (sometimes referred to as “whole full plant” CBD) contains multiple cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other plant-based compounds, including trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. (FYI, hemp CBD contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, per the legal definition in the U.S.) As far as which is the most effective type of hemp CBD oil, it comes down to personal needs and preference—though full-spectrum CBD is often considered the gold standard due to the entourage effect. Along with including different types of hemp, CBD formulas also come in different strengths, often categorized as gentle, moderate, or strong. According to Timothy Byars, director of Cannabis Programs at the Pacific College of Health and Science, 1 to 10 mg of hemp CBD per serving is considered a gentle dose, 10 to 30 mg of hemp CBD constitutes a moderate dose, and 40 mg or higher of hemp CBD can be considered a strong dose. (Internally, mindbodygreen categorizes less than 20 mg of hemp CBD as gentle, 20 to 40 mg of hemp CBD as moderate, and 40+ mg of hemp CBD as strong.) Overall, it’s thought to take anywhere from one to three hours for the body to fully absorb ingested hemp CBD oil. This is because the enzymes responsible for metabolizing substances like hemp CBD oil are also influenced by things like diet and genetics, which can slow down the process. However, after it’s metabolized in the liver, Byars tells mbg hemp CBD oil “rapidly penetrates into fat tissues and highly vascularized tissues,” including the brain and muscle tissue. Once fully metabolized, studies show hemp CBD oil can offer users a myriad of benefits. Depending on why you’re taking the supplement, studies show hemp CBD can help support a healthy inflammatory response1, alleviate feelings of stress, improve your mood, and even potentially boost libido.* The brand’s full-spectrum CBD oil comes in four varieties: Mint Chocolate (a personal favorite that tastes amazing in chocolate protein smoothies), Lemon Twist, Orange Blossom, and Olive Oil. It only contains hemp, natural flavoring, and coconut oil plus eitherorganic sunflower oil or olive oil as the carrier ingredient. Sustainability & Packaging: Charlotte’s Web hemp is grown on certified organic U.S. family farms in Colorado. Its hemp crops are planted only after soil and water sources have been tested, and synthetic pesticides are never used. Transparency: Charlotte’s Web products are third-party tested. You can view the brand’s certificate of analysis here. This tincture is a neutral formula users love adding to smoothies, coffee, or baked goods or ingesting the formula as is. Reviewers also note the neutral flavor tastes pleasant, while a handful note they prefer consuming their daily dose before bed, as many find it promotes relaxation, leading to restful sleep.* Sustainability & Packaging: Joy Organics CBD is sourced across the USA, gently extracted, manufactured in Colorado, and shipped in carbon-neutral packaging. Transparency: Joy Organics CBD products are third-party tested. You can view the brand’s certificate of quality assurance (aka COA) and lab results here. Sustainability & Packaging: MEDTERRA CBD products are sourced from Kentucky and grown under the Kentucky Hemp Pilot Program, which is compliant with section 7606 of the 2014 Farm Bill, meaning the plants are harvested and regulated at the federal level. Transparency: MEDTERRA CBD products are third-party tested. You can view the brand’s various certificates of analysis here. Sustainability & Packaging: Beam CBD products are responsibly sourced from farms located in Colorado, Oregon, California, and Montana. Transparency: Beam CBD products are third-party tested. You can search the results of your lot number here. But beyond its serving size, FABCBD’s CBD Oil comes in a whopping five flavors—natural, citrus, mint, vanilla, and berry—as well as four strengths, ranging from 300 mg to 2,400 mg of hemp CBD per bottle. The product’s ingredients are sourced from Colorado’s finest organic hemp plant and contain naturally occurring terpenes and other beneficial cannabinoids (including less than the required legal limit of 0.3% THC for U.S. hemp). Additional ingredients include coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and natural flavors. Sustainability & Packaging: FABCBD CBD is sourced from hemp farms in Colorado. The crops are organically grown, pesticide-free, and non-GMO. Transparency: FABCBD products are third-party tested. You can search the results of each product here. What stood out to us the most about this hemp CBD company was its impressive level of transparency; the product’s web page informs shoppers that CBDistillery’s products are U.S. Hemp Authority Certified, third-party tested, free from GMOs, and farmed via natural practices. The brand also makes lab results easily accessible on its website. All you have to do is scan the QR code on your product, and the results will pop up for your review. The Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture is the brand’s most popular hemp CBD oil to date, and it contains limited ingredients. It’s made with full-spectrum hemp (natural terpenes are present in the formula) and MCT coconut oil as the carrier. What’s more, shoppers are guaranteed a 60-day satisfaction period. If you are not satisfied with the product and/or its results within 60 days, you can return your tincture, and your purchase will be refunded. Sustainability & Packaging: The product is packaged in a recyclable tincture bottle, but that’s not the only length CBDistillery goes to to practice sustainability. Its products are sourced from farms across Oregon, Kentucky, and Colorado and undergo extensive CO2 extraction. Transparency: CBDistillery CBD products are third-party tested. You can search for the results of your batch here. The unflavored formula contains only two ingredients: full-spectrum hemp extract and organic virgin hemp seed oil. It’s available in five strengths, ranging from 300 mg to 6,000 mg of hemp CBD, with the smallest bottle yielding just 10 servings (an excellent option for new users). Sustainability & Packaging: NuLeaf CBD products are derived from CO2 extraction and are formulated in Colorado Department of Health–registered ISO- and cGMP-certified facilities. Transparency: NuLeaf products are third-party tested by Botanocor Labs. You can view the results of the tests here. Full Bloom CBD Oil comes in two flavors: Very Berry and Full Bloom Mint. The Very Berry is beloved, with users raving it “tastes better than other CBD products and brands that we’ve tried!” Plus, fans of the brands also know its dropper is elite and so easy to use, making proper dosage a breeze. But if you’re not a fan, no worries. You have 30 days upon receipt to return and get your money back. Because the brand uses clear glass (instead of amber or another tinted glass), be sure to store your hemp CBD oil away from light. Phytocannabinoids and other plant bioactives are sensitive to light, and it can cause them to degrade and thus, lose their potency and intended use. Sustainability & Packaging: Onyx + Rose are shipped and packaged in 100% recyclable materials. Transparency: Onyx + Rose products are third-party tested. You can search for the results of your batch here. Community Perk: New customers save 20% on their first order with promo code MBG20. Dubbed Extract’s “flagship formula,” the Daily Support Hemp Tincture is favored by brand loyalists. It’s made from organic ingredients (including organic coconut oil and natural flavors) and is certifiably non-GMO. The oil is flavor-free, though some reviewers claim they experience an earthy, hemp-like aftertaste. Sustainability & Packaging: Extract Labs follows strict current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) (meaning the brand is committed to robust manufacturing procedures), and its products are formulated, extracted, refined, produced, and shipped from a cGMP facility in Colorado. Transparency: Extract Labs CBD products are third-party tested. You can search for the results of your batch here. It’s worth noting that while this hemp CBD oil doesn’t come in a variety of flavors, it packs a fruit punch taste (from natural flavors and organic stevia) reminiscent of childhood. Sustainability & Packaging: Sunday Scaries hemp is sourced from a local farm outside of Greeley, Colorado, and processed in a facility that meets ISO 9001 standards. Transparency: Sunday Scaries products are third-party tested by KND Labs. You can view the results of the tests here. According to author and registered dietitian nutritionist Erin Kenney, M.S., R.D., HCP, NASM-CPT, your first order of business when shopping for hemp CBD should be researching where the brand sources its hemp, whether or not the products are third-party tested (and by whom), and what sort of ingredients are involved in its overall formulation. Kenney tells mbg that if the company can provide a COA—verifying the quality of the oil and that it contains the legal amount of pesticides or heavy metals (i.e., tiny trace levels)—that’s a great start. However, you want to avoid ingredient lists that include added sugars, artificial flavors, or ingredients like polyethylene glycol (a compound that acts as a laxative). The potency of a product should also be taken into consideration when purchasing hemp CBD oil. While hemp CBD is generally safe to use at the commercially available doses, Byars tells mbg it’s important to note that what hemp CBD feels like to one person could cause a completely different experience for another. Ergo, Byars says hemp CBD users should “always start with a low dose and slowly [increase their dosage if needed].” As far as benefits go, research shows hemp CBD can be beneficial for those evoking calm. Taking hemp CBD oil before bed can help promote relaxation by working with the human body’s endocannabinoid system to restore balance in the body and mind.* But while hemp CBD oil could potentially work for many adults, integrative health pharmacist Swathi Varanasi, Pharm.D., says there are a select few populations she would not recommend hemp CBD oil to. These include anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medications that could interact with the hemp cannabinoids, or those with other specific medical concerns. This list is not comprehensive, however, which is why Varanasi suggests speaking to an integrative health and/or cannabis specialist if you are interested in incorporating hemp CBD into your daily routine.
