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Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
The best CBD oils are organic, third-party tested, and available in a range of strengths and flavors. Here, we list the best CBD oils our medical experts vetted and provide a hands-on review of Cornbread CBD oil.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe, high quality, and clearly labeled ingredients. Products should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold. A product must contain no more than 0.3% THC according to the certificate of analysis (COA).
Dosage: MNT chooses products that must clearly state the CBD dosage.
Third-party labs: MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Available certificate of analysis: MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s COA after receiving its third-party lab results.
Customer reviews: MNT looks at customer reviews, firsthand experiences with customer service, and overall feedback, as well as reliability, trust, and transparency in a company’s business practices.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication. All tester reviews are provided by Candace Abellon, Healthline Editor, and Christy Synder, Editor II, who received products for free from the manufacturers.
In this section, we list some key factors to consider that can help a person choose the best CBD oil for their needs.
Transparent third-party testing
Medical News Today only features products that undergo third-party testing. Companies must also provide easy access to the results of these tests.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD products before they go on sale, third-party tests show exactly what a product contains.
This is a necessary safety measure to consider when buying CBD products, as some companies mislabel their products or exclude ingredients from labeling. They may also make extreme or unfounded health claims about their products.
People should avoid products that promise to cure any illness and know that CBD will affect people differently.
U.S.-sourced CBD
Although the FDA does not regulate CBD products, it is illegal for people to use Cannabis sativa plants containing more than 0.3% THC in the United States, according to the 2018 Farm Bill.
To make sure they are buying products that adhere to this law, people can prioritize buying products that use U.S.-grown hemp.
Many companies grow organic hemp in the United States. These crops must comply with several agricultural regulations alongside the cap on THC content.
If a product holds USDA organic certification, it means the crop is grown to federal guidelines that concern:
soil quality
pest and weed control
additive use
Companies offering USDA organic hemp must have grown the crop in soil that has not had prohibited substances applied to it for three years. These substances include synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
As such, organic hemp may be less likely to expose people to chemicals and pesticides from the growing process.
In addition, it is important to check the local regulations regarding CBD. Different U.S. states, for example, have different legislation about CBD.
Allergens and medication interactions
It may be a good idea to consult a doctor before taking CBD, especially for people who take medication or have allergies. For example, CBD oils often contain coconut MCT oil, making it unsuitable for people with a tree nut allergy.
A person should avoid CBD if any medication or supplement they take has a warning about interactions with grapefruit. One example would be cholesterol drugs, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor).
Speaking with a qualified healthcare professional before using CBD or other cannabis products is always advisable. This is especially true for people who take medications or supplements regularly. A doctor can ensure there are no risks of interactions.
Research stipulates that CBD may interact with the following drugs and substances:
anti-epileptic drugs
antidepressants
opioid analgesics
acetaminophen
alcoholic substances
Cost effectiveness
CBD oils can be expensive. A person can consider how often they will need to replenish their supply to make sure they are getting the most cost effective option for their budget.
Below, we answer the most common questions about CBD oils.
What is the difference between CBD oil and CBD tinctures?
The difference between CBD oils and CBD tinctures lies in the manufacturing process.
For CBD oil, manufacturers infuse carrier oil with CBD to create the product. For a CBD tincture, manufacturers soak cannabis in alcohol and glycerin.
What’s the most effective type of CBD oil?
People may find that full-spectrum CBD oil provides the most noticeable effects. However, full-spectrum oils may not suit everyone because they contain THC.
Whether people choose full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate CBD oil, they should start with small doses and work up to get their desired effect.
What CBD oil do doctors recommend?
There is only one FDA-approved CBD product, called Epidiolex. It is for rare and severe types of epilepsy.
There is not enough research for doctors to recommend CBD for any other condition.
A wide variety of high quality CBD oils are on the market. These products may benefit people looking to reduce stress, improve sleep, and ease pain and inflammation.
The FDA does not regulate consumer CBD products, so people need to research the product that best suits their needs and ensure it has undergone third-party testing.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Xu DH, et al. (2020). The effectiveness of topical cannabidiol oil in symptomatic relief of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31793418/
