8 Strongest CBD Oils of 2021 – Healthline

You can find CBD products — whether broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or CBD isolate — in a number of different potencies. While there’s no one definition of “strong” CBD, we consider high potency to be at least 50 milligrams (mg) of CBD per 1-milliliter (mL) serving.

However, keep in mind that CBD affects everyone differently, so what feels strong to you may not feel as potent to another person. That’s especially true if you’re brand new to CBD.

Each product in this article contains at least 50 mg of CBD per mL of product.

There are lots of high-potency products out there, so we narrowed things down with criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.

Each product in this article:

• is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
• is made with U.S.-grown hemp
• contains no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
• passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA

As a part of our selection process, we also considered:

• the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
• product potency
• overall ingredients
• indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:

Pricing guide

• $ = under $50
• $$ = $50–$100
• $$$ = $101–$200
• $$$$ = over $200

For now, the FDA doesn’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter CBD products.

You can avoid purchasing CBD products that are misrepresented or mislabeled by looking for products that come with an up-to-date COA from a reputable third-party lab.

Once you have the COA, review it to make sure the amount of CBD and THC that’s in the product matches what’s advertised.

Contaminant testing results are another important area to review. These vary by brand, but in general, it’s good practice to keep an eye out for testing results for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds.

It’s also always a good idea to make sure you’re buying from a company that’s transparent about where they grow their hemp and how they produce their products.

This information should be readily available on the brand’s website so you can review before buying.

CBD oils can be used by placing them under your tongue using a dropper (most CBD oils come with one) or by mixing them into drinks and food.

Shake the bottle before dropping the dose under your tongue. If you’re looking for maximum absorption, keep it under your tongue for 30 seconds to a few minutes before swallowing.

To store, safely secure the cap on your CBD oil and keep it in a dry, cool place. You can also stick it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.

CBD dosage

To learn how many drops to use, follow the recommended dose provided by the manufacturer or your doctor.

Proper serving sizes for CBD vary widely depending on individual factors, like:

• intended use
• body weight
• metabolism
• body chemistry

The four factors listed above should be considered on a case-by-case basis as CBD can work differently on individuals.

It’s always best to start with a small dose so that, if needed, you can increase it over time until you reach your preferred results.

Doses should be spaced at least 4 to 6 hours apart but can be taken at any time of day. Of course, if you’re looking to improve sleep, take it before bed.

The immediate effects of CBD typically happen within 30 to 90 minutes. Depending on your preferred method of administration, the immediate effects may vary.

Long-term results may take a number of weeks to accomplish.

Though research suggests CBD is pretty safe to use, some people experience side effects. These include:

• fatigue
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite
• changes in weight

If you decide to mix CBD oil into drinks and food, this may affect absorption. If you take it with a high fat meal, research suggests that you may absorb more of it, which may increase the risk of side effects.

It’s a good idea to avoid touching the dropper to your mouth to prevent bacterial contamination and to safeguard the quality of the oil.

If you take any medications or supplements, talk with your doctor before trying CBD.

Learn more about how CBD can interact with medications.

It may take some trial and error with CBD oils at varying potency levels to decide if stronger CBD oil is best for your needs.

Side effects may be more likely at higher doses.

A 2020 systematic review showed CBD to be relatively safe at various doses. Most of the studies mentioned in this review use daily doses of 300 to 600 mg.

The CBD safety conclusion and dosage range provided are specific to the patient populations included in the studies.

It’s important to point out that the World Health Organization has stated that CBD doesn’t seem to cause major side effects at doses above 150 mg/kg of body weight.

The WHO report cited discussed many studies on CBD in a variety of specific patient populations.

Although there’s no one definition of the “strongest” CBD, we consider high potency to be at least 50 mg of CBD per 1-mL serving.

Remember to start with a small dose so that you can increase the dose and frequency over time until you reach your desired effect.

Talk with your doctor before trying any CBD products.

Is CBD Legal? Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.

Breanna Mona is a writer based in Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a master’s degree in media and journalism and writes about health, lifestyle, and entertainment.