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CBD boasts plenty of potential benefits: better sleep, less stress, and even a better mood.* But one of the main reasons people take the cannabinoid is pain relief.
- Best overall CBD oil for daily use: Medterra Daily Relief Oil Tincture
- Best organic CBD oil: Cornbread Whole Flower USDA Organic Hemp Oil
- Most potent CBD oil: CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture 1000-6000 mg
- Best value CBD oil: R&R Fresh Mint CBD Tinctures
- Best tasting CBD oil: BATCH Original CBD Oil Tincture
What is CBD?
You’ve probably seen the words CBD and hemp used interchangeably, but it’s important to remember there’s a difference between the two.
CBD or cannabidiol is extracted from hemp, which was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill. Per this law, hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Along with CBD, hemp contains flavonoids, terpenes, and hundreds of other phytocannabinoids that help the plant to thrive. These other phytocannabinoids are often paired together with CBD in products due to the entourage effect, which assumes these plant compounds work better when taken together.
When you shop for CBD, you’ll likely see the option for full-spectrum hemp, broad-spectrum hemp, or CBD isolate.
- Full-spectrum hemp CBD retains all components of the plant (and is often believed to be the most effective version), including the aforementioned terpenes, flavonoids, cannabinoid, and small amounts of THC.
- Broad-spectrum hemp CBD is filtered to contain no THC but still retains the other compounds of the hemp plant.
- CBD isolate is only the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). No THC is a pro for many but it’s worth flagging you won’t get the perks of the entourage effect.
How CBD interacts with the body
CBD oils interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a large role in homeostasis, which impacts various functions like sleep, pain, and mood.
This lock-and-key-system is made up of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. While our body makes its own endocannabinoids, they can also be introduced from outside sources—like hemp.
While we don’t pay much attention to the ECS in a typical science class, this system plays a major role in our health due to its regulatory role. The health of your ECS, or endocannabinoid tone2, can heavily impact how your body feels.
In fact, some experts theorize a cannabinoid deficiency3 could be responsible for many health issues without easy-to-find root causes.
"The most common contributors to ECS deficiency are the usual suspects when it comes to poor health," Jessica Knox, M.D., MPH, co-founder of the American Cannabinoid Clinics and a preventive medicine physician previously told mindbodygreen.
"Unhealthy diet and nutritional deficiency, environmental toxins and chemical pollutants, mental and emotional stress, and the ways these factors interplay with the typical aging process," she adds.
When you take CBD, it acts like a daily multivitamin for your ECS. As a result, it has the potential to impact every function regulated by the endocannabinoid system.
The potential benefits of CBD
CBD is one of the most studied cannabinoids—but we’re still in the early stages of fully understanding its value. Here’s what we do know:
- Pain management: CBD interacts with receptors in the ECS that manage pain4. Taking CBD may help relieve aches and discomfort.
- Stress relief: CBD may also help relieve stress5 and occasional bouts of anxiety. Research suggests this is because CBD attaches to serotonin receptors in a way that improves your mood. In fact, a 2019 study found that rats who had taken CBD had higher levels of BDNF, which is a chemical that helps to manage feelings of depression.
- Improved sleep: A 2019 study6 shows that CBD may help promote better sleep by interacting with our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) in a way that signals us to relax and calm down.
The best CBD oil for pain
1. Best overall CBD oil for daily use: Medterra Daily Relief Oil Tincture
What we love
The Medterra Daily Relief Oil Tincture combines Medterra's premium isolate CBD and organic coconut-derived MCT oil. These drops are safe to take daily, day or night, to relieve discomfort, promote relaxation, and restore balance. Medterra uses a proprietary extraction method and guarantees there is no THC in this product.
What customers love
Customers who use Medterra Daily Relief Oil Tincture say they feel results with regular use of this product. Users also like the selection of strengths.
About Medterra
Medterra is a CBD company dedicated to the quality and affordability of CBD. It grows and extracts hemp according to strict guidelines from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and ensures all products are third-party tested for consistency and quality. Medterra also partners with the Hemp Pilot Research Program to provide customers with quality CBD products.
- Save with subscription pricing
- Made in America
- Third-party tested
- Non-GMO
- No flavors
- CBD Type: Isolate
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Strength: 500mg, 1000mg, 3000mg, or 6000mg per bottle
- Flavor(s): Unflavored
- Organic: No
- COA: Yes
- Subscription Discount: Yes
Transparency: The COA is easily available on Medterra’s product description page
2. Best organic CBD oil: Cornbread Whole Flower USDA Organic Hemp Oil
What we love
If you want the ultimate organic CBD oil, this is your product. Cornbread Whole Flower USDA Organic Hemp is a quality full-spectrum hemp CBD oil to help relieve body aches and stress before bedtime. This product contains potent hemp compounds from USDA-certified organic Kentucky hemp flowers without preservatives or artificial flavors.
What customers love
Customers who buy Cornbread Whole Flower USDA Organic Hemp say it helps with chronic pain and sleep. Users also mention they like the quality of the product and that it's plant-based.
About Cornbread Hemp
Cornbread Hemp began as a journey for cousins Erin and Jim to launch the first-ever USDA organic hemp oils sourced from Kentucky-grown hemp. Since its inception, Cornbread Hemp has expanded its mission to improve customer's quality of life with high-quality hemp. In addition to CBD oils, Cornbread also sells topicals, capsules, gummies, and pet products.
- Discounted subscription pricing on recurring orders
- USDA-certified organic
- Third-party tested
- Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO
- No flavors
- CBD type: Full spectrum CBD oil
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Strength: 375mg, 750mg, or 1500mg per bottle
- Flavor(s): Unflavored
- Organic: Yes
- COA: No
- Subscription Discount: Yes
Transparency: The COA for Cornbread Hemp aren’t available online. To access a COA, you have to scan the QR code on the physical product.
3. Most potent CBD oil: CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture 1000-6000 mg
What we love
If you want an extra-strength CBD option, try the CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture. This oil is a 2:1 blend of CBD and CBG and comes in four potent strengths, from 1000mg to 6000mg of CBD per bottle. This full spectrum CBD oil also contains curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties to help with ache relief.
What customers love
The CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture has nearly 400 five-star ratings from users, saying it's been an essential part of their chronic pain management routine. People also mentioned great customer service from the CBDfx team.
About CBDfx
CBDfx is a U.S.-based company that started in 2014 focused on providing customers with high-quality CBD products. All their products come from expertly selected, organically grown, pesticide-free, and non-GMO crops to ensure quality CBD. With over 100 employees, CBDfx is the world's fifth-largest privately held CBD company.
- Made in the U.S.
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Made with organic hemp
- Cruelty-free
- No subscription pricing to save on recurring orders
- CBD type: Broad-spectrum hemp CBD oil
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Strength: 1000mg, 2000mg, 4000mg, or 6000mg per bottle
- Flavor(s): Unflavored
- Organic: No
- COA: Yes
- Subscription Discount: No
Transparency: The COA for each strength of the CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture is readily available on the product landing page.
4. Best value CBD oil: R&R Fresh Mint CBD Tinctures
What we love
If you're new to CBD and looking for the best value for your money, you'll want to check out the R&R Fresh Mint CBD Tinctures. This budget-friendly, full-spectrum hemp CBD oil is perfect for body soreness relief, stress, and sleep. It comes in a mild fresh mint flavor and three potencies. This full spectrum CBD oil is also fast-acting, so you can take it right before bed to help relax your body for a good night's sleep.
What customers love
Customers like the R&R Fresh Mint CBD Tinctures, but what they seem to rave about even more than the product is the company. People mention in reviews how helpful customer service is and how impressed they are with the quality of all their CBD products.
About R&R
Aside from providing quality CBD products, R&R also focuses on positive customer experience and fair prices. It works with local and independent suppliers to keep costs low. R&R has an in-house customer support team that users can call, text, or email anytime with questions. Additional CBD products sold by R&R include gummies, soft gels, and pet products.
- Subscription pricing is available to save on recurring orders
- USDA certified organic
- Vegan
- Third-party tested
- All strengths are high-potency and may not be best for new CBD users
- CBD type: Full-spectrum hemp CBD oil
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Strength: 1000mg, 2500mg, or 5000mg per bottle
- Flavor(s): Mint
- Organic: Yes
- COA: Yes
- Subscription Discount: Yes
Transparency: The COA for all strengths and flavors of the R&R CBD Tincture are easily accessible on the product description page.
5. Best tasting CBD oil: BATCH Original CBD Oil Tincture
What we love
The taste of a CBD product can ruin an experience. If you want something refreshing but not overpowering, you'll love the hint of mint flavoring in the Batch Original CBD Oil Tincture. This tincture comes from organic hemp seed oil and raw hemp extract, with four potencies to choose from. This CBD oil is an all-purpose tincture to improve overall wellness, chronic pain management, sleep, and general relaxation.
What customers love
Customers say the Batch Original CBD Oil Tincture is a great way to unwind at night. They also mention the quick shipping, pleasant smell, and great taste.
About Batch
Batch is a Wisconsin-born and raised company with a mission to find wellness solutions from nature. It is dedicated to its products' transparency, authenticity, and effectiveness. In 2018, Batch joined the Wisconsin Hemp Pilot Program and began as a testing facility for the state under the name Wisconsin Hemp Scientific. Today, Batch is an established boutique manufacturer for some of the nation's top CBD brands, including its Batch CBD products.
- Subscription pricing available on recurring orders
- Made with Wisconsin-grown hemp
- Non-GMO
- Third-party tested
- Only comes in one flavor
- CBD type: Broad-spectrum hemp CBD oil
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Strength: 500mg, 1000mg, 2000mg, or 3000mg per bottle
- Flavor(s): Mint
- Organic: No
- COA: Yes
- Subscription Discount: Yes
Transparency: The COA for all strengths of the Original CBD Oil Tincture are accessible on the BATCH website.
How to find the best CBD oils
If you're incorporating CBD into your pain management plan, there are a few things you want to consider to ensure you're using the best CBD.
CBD type
If you're using CBD for pain relief, you want to consider the type of CBD product you're using. As mentioned, you can opt for full-spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp to take advantage of the entourage effect—or opt for CBD isolate if you want to avoid THC.
Some people also find that using topicals can be more beneficial for pain because you can apply CBD directly to your area of discomfort. Research suggests this is because there are cannabinoid receptors in your skin7.
Flavor
Hemp has an earthy, natural flavor that can be off-putting to some people. If the flavor of something matters to you, look for flavored CBD products. These flavors can mask or complement hemp's natural taste, making it more appealing to take.
Potency
Potency refers to the strength of the CBD product. The higher the potency, the more intense the pain it can ease. People with mild pain find lower-potency products (around 500mg per bottle) to provide the relief they need.
People who experience intense aches and discomfort tend to use higher-potency products (1000mg or more per bottle) to assist in their pain management. Always talk to your doctor before adding CBD to your routine.
Intended benefit
CBD is meant for overall wellness and can help balance the body in many ways. However, some products have additional active ingredients to further support pain management. Look for a products catered to your desired needs.
Other types of CBD products
CBD oils aren't for everyone. If you want to experience the benefits of CBD but don't enjoy oils, consider a different form of CBD, such as topicals, edibles, or drinks.
Topical CBD
Topical CBD is anything you rub into the skin, such as lotions and gels. These products are typically used in pain management because they allow targeted pain management.
Topical products are also popular among athletes and active individuals as a recovery tactic to ease muscle soreness after workouts.
CBD edibles
CBD edibles are any type of CBD product that you eat. Many people enjoy edibles because they're discreet and easy to travel with, so you can take them on the go.
People also like that each edible contains a pre-measured amount of CBD, so you know how much CBD you get with each bite. They're also a great option if you're taste-sensitive and don't enjoy hemp’s' natural, earthy flavor.
CBD drinks
CBD drinks are growing in popularity as an alcohol alternative. You can think of a CBD drink as an infused soda or water with a premeasured amount of CBD per can. Many people find them refreshing and primarily use them to relax and unwind, but they're not the best CBD for pain relief.
CBD capsules
If you like the idea of a convenient, premeasured CBD product that you can take on the go but don't necessarily like edibles, you can try a CBD capsule, soft gel, or pill. You take them with water like you would any other pill, and they're easy to build into a morning or night routine.
Potential side effects of CBD
Not everyone tolerates CBD oils well, whic sometimes leads to unwanted side effects8. As registered RDN and certified holistic cannabis practitioner Emily Kyle, M.S., previously told mindbodygreen, the potential side effects of CBD are mild. These include:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Some digestive issues, like loose stool
If you experience adverse side effects, discontinue CBD use and visit a doctor.
FAQs
Is CBD legal?
CBD became federally legal due to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka the Farm Bill), which removed hemp-derived CBD from the controlled substances list. While CBD is legal at the federal level, some states restrict its sale, use, and purchase. Before buying or using CBD, check your local legislation to ensure it's legal in your state.
How many CBD gummies should I take?
How many CBD gummies you take will depend on your needs and tolerance, as well as the potency of the gummy. Experts recommend starting low and slow increasing your CBD intake.
How fast do CBD gummies work?
Most people start to feel the results of CBD gummies 30 minutes to an hour after consumption. This timeframe can vary depending on the product's potency and your metabolism.
Is CBD safe?
While CBD is considered relatively safe, you should always consult with a healthcare professional before taking.
The takeaway
As CBD grows in popularity, it's looking to be a viable option to reduce various types of pain, including chronic pain, sore muscles, and joint pain. In addition to helping manage pain, CBD may also improve sleep, stress, and mobility. However, it's important to remember that CBD is not a replacement for professional medical treatment, especially for those living with chronic pain.
CBD Disclaimer: Our website includes general information and instructions relating to health and wellness topics. This content is not a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider. All treatment decisions should be made in partnership with a healthcare practitioner. Hemp CBD products are derived from U.S. industrial hemp (less than 0.3% THC) and European hemp (less than 0.2% THC). While hemp CBD products derived from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) are legal on a federal level in the U.S., some states have specific laws, so you'll want to check your state's laws to be sure.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.
8 Sources
- https://www.cureus.com/articles/101310-efficacy-safety-and-regulation-of-cannabidiol-on-chronic-pain-a-systematic-review#!/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29729263
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15159679
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6319597/
- https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/24/5852
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6429381/
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
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