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How we vet brands and products
Healthline 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.
We evaluated and tried dozens of products, considering their safety, quality, and transparency, to name the best CBD brands.
We polled consumers and learned that 25% of U.S. adults have either tried or are interested in trying cannabidiol (CBD). Once you’ve made that decision, picking a brand and a product is the logical next step. With countless CBD brands on the market today, you may be wondering where to even begin.
There’s no question that the CBD market is crowded, and not every company is trustworthy. Since quality is always the goal, we did the research so you can make an informed decision.
In this article, we share our picks of the top CBD brands in multiple categories, along with tester feedback about multiple products by each brand. We also interviewed Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, an integrative nurse specialist, on what to look for when selecting a CBD brand and product.
All brands and products passed our vetting process before testing, which includes third-party lab testing results among other factors (more on how we vet in the article). While products, potencies, and CBD types vary, all of these CBD brands share the same commitment to high quality CBD.
Pricing guide
Each brand sells multiple products that vary in price. We based this pricing guide on the average price of products across each brand’s products:
$ = under $30
$$ = $30 to $50
$$$ = over $50
We selected these CBD brands based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
any third-party certifications
the company’s reputation and business practices
any lab test results
marketing claims
Read more about how we vet products and brands.
In addition to vetting, our editors considered the types and varieties of products and potencies offered. We also took tester feedback into account when determining which brands should make the cut.
Understanding indicators of a quality CBD brand helps you avoid companies that cut corners. As you navigate the CBD market, here’s what to keep in mind:
Third-party testing: Look for current, comprehensive COAs from third-party labs that confirm cannabinoid potency and confirm a given product has passed contaminant testing.
Transparency about hemp cultivation and manufacturing processes: Reputable CBD companies are often exceedingly proud of the sources of their hemp and their cultivation methods. If a company isn’t upfront about where it gets its hemp or how it manufactures its products, make sure to do some digging to figure out why.
Company reputation: It’s simple to search online to confirm whether a CBD brand has received a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter or been involved in any lawsuits. You can also get an idea of what real customers and reviewers think about a company and its products. Spend some time browsing reviews and poking around a brand’s website before buying. If you see unverified health claims or lots of bad reviews, it’s worth exploring other brands.
In addition to the factors listed above, Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, an integrative nurse specialist, told Healthline she recommends looking for brands that provide clear dosing instructions and appropriate warning for use and contraindications.
She also said it’s helpful to “explore the brand’s mission, values, and authentic business practices. Ask yourself, does it align with your own values?”
CBD lacks the psychoactive effects of THC and has a variety of therapeutic uses. People may be interested in trying CBD to help manage stress and anxiety, relieve pain, promote sleep, improve focus and concentration, or simply to relax.
Of course, while anecdotal evidence is easy to find, clinical evidence about the effectiveness of CBD is limited. Still, there is research linking CBD to:
It’s important to note that CBD is not a cure-all. We’re still only beginning to explore how exactly it works to help these and other conditions.
Additionally, there’s more animal research on CBD than there are human studies. Experts need more human studies to confirm its effectiveness.
Since CBD comes in different forms, taking it correctly depends on the product you’re using. These include:
Oils and tinctures: CBD oils and tinctures are used sublingually, or beneath the tongue, but can also be added to foods and drinks. Effects from sublingual consumption can be felt all over the body and usually come on quickly.
Pills and capsules: CBD pills and capsules are swallowed whole. This option also offers a full-body effect, but because absorption happens via the digestive system, it takes longer to feel the effects.
Edibles: You can find CBD in products like gummies, teas, and more. They’re easy to dose and discreet to carry with you.
Topicals: These products are massaged directly into the skin for localized effects.
Studies have shown that CBD is generally safe to use. However, it’s important for people who are pregnant or nursing to avoid CBD. Children should not take CBD either unless it’s in the form of Epidiolex and a doctor or healthcare professional prescribes it to treat seizures.
Some people may experience side effects when taking CBD. These include:
fatigue
diarrhea
changes in appetite and weight
It’s a good idea to speak with a doctor or healthcare professional before trying CBD, especially if you’re already taking any medications. CBD can interact with certain medications, particularly medications with a grapefruit warning.
It’s also important to be mindful about ingesting CBD products alongside high fat meals: A small 2020 study suggests taking CBD with a high fat meal can dramatically increase CBD blood concentrations and increase the risk of side effects.
If you’re trying a topical CBD product for the first time, apply a small test patch first to gauge your reaction before using it widely.
Proper dosage varies depending on the product. It’s often a process of trial and error. Our dosage guide is a good place to start. It’s also wise to check the packaging for a suggested dosage.
Keep in mind that body weight, body chemistry, product type, and potency all influence the appropriate dosage. In general, it’s best to begin with the lowest dose you can and build from there.
The “high” that’s associated with cannabis comes from THC. This cannabinoid causes psychoactive effects including pleasure, euphoria, or heightened sensory perception.
CBD doesn’t cause the same kind of effects, but it can help you feel more relaxed or reduce anxiety, which may make you feel more uplifted. Still, it doesn’t mean you’re “high.”
Keep in mind that full-spectrum products contain some THC. If you take a large enough dose of a potent enough product, you could be ingesting enough THC to cause an intoxicating effect.
No. While both are derived from the cannabis plant, hempseed oil is made from the hemp seeds themselves, which contain no CBD. CBD comes from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the hemp plant.
No. CBD itself does not show up on drug tests. But taking large enough amounts of full-spectrum CBD products, which contain small amounts of THC, could lead to a positive drug test.
At this time, the FDA has approved only one CBD product, Epidiolex. It’s used to treat seizures in individuals 1 year old and up who have Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis. Over-the-counter CBD products are not FDA approved.
Finding a reputable CBD brand takes a little effort. It’s important to research your options and opt for companies committed to safety, purity, and quality. If you’re interested in trying CBD, the brands outlined in this article have earned our recommendation for exactly that.
Be sure to consult a doctor or other healthcare professional before trying CBD.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
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 legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so 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.
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