A Buyer's Guide to the 8 Strongest CBD Oils You Can Buy Online in 2022

Methodology

There are multiple factors to consider when searching for the best CBD oil for you. Especially when comparing strong CBD oils, it's important to choose trusted CBD brands that offer transparency. The supplement industry is largely unregulated, so it's crucial to commit to brands that go the extra step to share product information publicly.

Here are the primary factors we considered in making our list of CBD products.

Concentration

CBD products vary in concentration and potency. CBD oil strength is expressed as milligrams of CBD per container (typically 30 milliliter bottles) or per 1 milliliter dropper. Here's a general guideline to understanding the strengths of oil tinctures based on the milligrams of CBD they contain.

• Average strength: 500–750 milligrams of CBD per 30 milliliters
• Strong: 1,000–1,500 milligrams of CBD per 30 milliliters
• Extra strength: 2,000+ milligrams of CBD per 30 milliliters

All of the CBD oils on our list contain at least 30 milligrams of CBD per one milliliter dropper.

Third-party lab test results

All credible CBD companies will share a certificate of analysis (COA) on their website. This is a record of third-party testing performed by independent organizations for every batch of CBD. It shares details from the lab test results about the extract's potency and precise cannabinoid composition and will confirm whether it is free of unwanted contaminants, such as pesticides or heavy metals. A CoA affirms that a CBD company has nothing to hide, so consider shopping elsewhere if it's not readily available.

Hemp sourcing

American-grown hemp must adhere to more stringent production laws than international crops, and organically-grown hemp is certified to be free from pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Pay attention to where a company sources its hemp, and consider it a red flag if this information isn't easy to find.

Finally, keep in mind that the FDA does not evaluate CBD products for safety or efficacy. Make sure you speak with your doctor before adding supplements of any form to your daily routine.

Price

To compare the cost and value of the strongest CBD tinctures, we divided price by the total amount of CBD for each bottle to find the cost per milligram of CBD. This helped us to determine and compare the value of each brand's high-concentration tinctures. Each one was then labeled using the following ranges:

$ = Under $0.05 per milligram of CBD
$$ = Between $0.06 and $0.10 per milligram of CBD
$$$ = Between $0.10 and $0.12 per milligram of CBD
$$$$ = Over $0.12 per milligram of CBD

Why does CBD potency matter?

Do high concentration CBD oils offer a real advantage over lower potency tinctures? Research shows that CBD oils may provide certain health benefits. These include reducing inflammation, providing temporary pain relief, and even easing the symptoms of anxiety.

The amount of CBD necessary to experience these benefits can vary person to person and can depend on factors including your size, metabolism, and tolerance for CBD. One study from 2019 measured the effects of CBD on patients in a psychiatric clinic who suffered from anxiety and poor sleep. The study involved 72 participants taking a daily dose of CBD and then reporting any changes to their anxiety or sleep on a monthly basis. The majority of the group took doses of 25 milligrams per day, while a few others with more severe symptoms were given doses of 50 or 75 milligrams per day. One patient was given a daily dose that gradually increased to 175 milligrams. A majority of patients, 79.2%, reported decreases in anxiety that lasted throughout the study. 66.7% of patients reported improved sleep, though these results fluctuated over the course of the study.

Significantly, the study's authors noted that CBD was well tolerated by all but three patients, and concluded that it "has a low overall risk with short term use." They did note, however, that more research is needed to establish if there are any risks associated with long-term use. saw improvements in both categories from CBD strengths in this range.

The best strategy for CBD beginners is to start with an average or lower-strength CBD oil (something between 15 and 30 milligrams per 1 milliliter dropper) and scale up until you determine what works for you. If you want a more substantial effect, you can scale up to the higher-strength CBD oils listed here.

Understanding full-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum vs. CBD isolate

Most CBD extracts today fall into one of three categories. Each offers a different concentration of beneficial cannabinoids and will have slightly different effects.

Full-spectrum hemp extract

Full-spectrum CBD extract is made from the entire hemp plant and contains the plant's full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These compounds work synergistically to maximize the benefits for your body in what's known as the entourage effect.

Note that full spectrum CBD products are legally allowed to contain up to 0.3% of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. This low concentration won't get you high, but it might still show up on a drug test.

Broad-spectrum hemp extract

Similar to full-spectrum, broad-spectrum CBD contains a wide range of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes beyond CBD. The primary difference is that broad-spectrum CBD is processed further to remove THC content. These oils offer many of the benefits of full-spectrum products, without the THC.

CBD isolate

Also known as pure CBD, CBD isolate is distilled to remove all other cannabinoids and compounds extracted from the hemp plant. While this ensures the oil is 100% free of THC, it also eliminates the potential benefits of the entourage effect found in full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils.

Are there any side effects from taking too much CBD?

CBD can cause certain uncomfortable side effects, especially when taken at higher doses. These are typically mild but may include nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, and irritability.

There are no universal guidelines for how much CBD oil is too much. Everyone responds a little differently to this natural plant compound, and factors like your body weight, metabolism, and body chemistry can affect its impact.

As noted above, it's recommended that you start with a low dose, assess the effects, and gradually increase to higher concentrations of CBD until you achieve the desired results. Taking CBD could affect certain medications, such as the blood thinner coumadin. If you take prescription medications, it's best to speak with your doctor before starting CBD to rule out interaction concerns and determine what the best starting dose would be for your situation.

Lydia Noyes is a freelance writer specializing in health and wellness, food and farming, and environmental topics. When not working against a writing deadline, you can find Lydia outdoors where she attempts to bring order to her 33-acre hobby farm filled with fruit trees, heritage breed pigs, too many chickens to count, and an organic garden that somehow gets bigger every year.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before consuming or using any of the products mentioned on this site.

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