Updated for December, 2021

Best CBD Oil for 2022 – Our Top Picks for Pain

Which CBD Oil Works Best?

What if there was a product that could help alleviate your pain without creating dependence or side effects? Some research shows CBD could be this product, as long as you find the product that works best for you.

For seniors, CBD could be your answer to chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Even though more research is needed to fully evaluate all of CBD’s properties, customers and scientists alike have noticed its benefits.

To find the CBD oil that works best for you, you’ll need to think about the symptoms you’re trying to help, your budget, and your individual preferences. We’ve selected 11 of the best CBD oils below and reviewed them for a variety of uses.

Our Favorite CBD Oil

2022’s Best CBD Oil Products

If you haven’t already had a friend or family member rave about the benefits of CBD, get ready to hear about it soon. Though there’s much research to be done, customer testimonials assert the variety of benefits and lack of side effects for most users. To fully understand the market, the best you can do is try some products for yourself. Luckily, hundreds of companies have already jumped on the bandwagon to figure out the best way to extract and package CBD oil.

We’ve rounded up 12 of our favorite oils from different CBD brands. Get started using CBD for a variety of uses and find out if it works for you.

Best High Strength Oil

Spruce

Our Rating:
5
Price:
  • $39-$269
Dosage:
  • 2,400 mg / 80 mg per dropper
Size:
  • 1 fl oz
Highlights:
  • Unflavored
  • Full-spectrum CBD oil
  • Customizable dosage
  • Organic
  • Vegan and gluten-free


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Though it might seem pricey, Spruce Max Potency CBD Oil is our pick for the best high strength because of its potency and the ability to customize your dosage. Each full dropper is 1 ml and contains a dose of 80 mg full-spectrum oil. You can easily take only a fourth of the dropper for a smaller dose of 20 mg and go up from there depending on your individual needs and metabolism.

The oil is flavorless, which many customers prefer so they can eat or drink after using it without any aftertaste. Spruce uses high-quality ingredients and makes their oil organic, vegan, and gluten-free without artificial flavors or preservatives.

If 2,400 mg seems like too much for your needs, Spruce also carries a 750 mg option that customers have said provides the same type of relief in a lower dose.

On the Spruce site, customers are eager to send in video testimonials, with many saying that Spruce is their go-to CBD oil for pain management and anxiety. When you buy Spruce, you’re receiving a great product as well as excellent customer service. In many cases, customers said that Spruce representatives emailed back and forth with them to help determine their needs and recommend the best dose.

Use Spruce orally in the morning if you’re trying to go through your day with more symptom relief or take it at night to help ease your sleep.

Best Flavored Oil

Kanibi

Our Rating:
5
Price:
  • $69 – $129
Dosage:
  • 750mg and 1500mg
Size:
  • 1oz (30mL)
Highlights:
  • 5 flavors
  • 100% organic USA grown hemp
  • Double Lab tested
  • Clean CO2 Extraction
  • Less than 0.3% of THC

Best Oil with No Additives

NuLeaf Naturals

Our Rating:
4.5
Price:
  • $29.99 – $1,953.40
Dosage:
  • 300 mg up to 5000 mg per bottle
Size:
  • 5, 15, 30, 50, and 100 mL bottles
Highlights:
  • CO2 extractions
  • Organic
  • Zero additives, pesticides, preservatives or fertilizers
  • Lab tested
  • More than 15,000 customer reviews

Best Oil With No THC

MedTerra

Our Rating:
4.5
Price:
  • $34.99 – $132.99
Dosage:
  • 50 mg, 1000 mg or 3000 mg per bottle
Size:
  • 1 fl oz
Highlights:
  • 5-star rating from 80+ customer reviews
  • Customizable dosage
  • Non-GMO and zero pesticides
  • Two ingredients
  • 30 servings per bottle

Best in Food

CBDFx

Our Rating:
5
Price:
  • $59.99 – $119.99
Dosage:
  • 500 mg, 1,000 mg or 1,500 mg per bottle
Size:
  • 30 ml (1 fl oz)
Highlights:
  • Comes in 3 unique flavors
  • 4.8-star rating out of 50+ reviews
  • Three ingredients
  • 30 servings per bottle
  • Organic

Best Low Dosage

Charlotte’s Web

Our Rating:
4.5
Price:
  • $74.99 – $188.99
Dosage:
  • 17 mg per 1 ml dropper
Size:
  • 30 ml or 100 ml (1 fl oz or 3.38 fl oz)
Highlights:
  • Four flavor options
  • Two different size options
  • 30-day satisfaction guarantee
  • Save 10% with a subscription
  • 4.5-star rating from customer reviews

If you’re new to using CBD, a low-dose option is best so you can monitor any effects or symptoms. We chose Charlotte’s Web hemp extract new CBD oil as our best pick for low dosage. At only 17 mg per serving, it’s a good standard dose to see if you experience benefits. From there, you can always up your dose by taking more servings per day or upgrading to a higher-dose option.

The CBD tincture comes in four different flavor options, including natural olive oil flavor, since it’s the carrier oil. Charlotte’s Web offers a subscription plan to save money if you plan on purchasing again, as well as a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Charlotte’s Web produces their CBD to help with stress-relief, inflammation relief, and sleep management. These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA, though several customer reviews online show that users do experience similar symptom relief. One five-star review showed that the CBD oil helped their nerves calm down after taking a dose, while another wrote about improved mood and overall less agitation throughout the day.

To use Charlotte’s Web CBD, choose the flavor that you’ll enjoy the most. Take the recommended dose morning or night and monitor the effects. If the 17 mg option doesn’t seem to be helping your symptoms, try the Charlotte’s Web 50 mg or 60 mg options.

Best Unflavored Oil

Veritas Farms

Our Rating:
4.5
Price:
  • $39.99 – $199.99
Dosage:
  • 250 mg, 500 mg, 1,000 mg, 1,500 mg, or 2,000 mg per bottle
Size:
  • 1 fl oz
Highlights:
  • Two ingredients
  • Colorado-grown hemp
  • Also comes in 3.38 fl oz bottle
  • Never sourced from isolate
  • Third-party lab tested

Best Broad Spectrum Oil

Onyx & Rose

Our Rating:
4.5
Price:
  • $99
Dosage:
  • 1,000 mg
Size:
  • 2 fl oz
Highlights:
  • 100% THC-free
  • Mint flavored
  • Organic
  • Three ingredients
  • Non-GMO

Best Full Spectrum Oil

CBDistillery

Our Rating:
5
Price:
  • $60-$70
Dosage:
  • 1000 mg per bottle/ 33 mg per serving
Size:
  • 1 fl oz
Highlights:
  • Non-GMO
  • Two ingredients
  • 4.5-star rating out of 1,000+ reviews
  • Contains Omega 3, vitamins, and amino acids
  • Comes in 5 different dosages

Best Oil on a Budget

PlusCBD Oil

Our Rating:
5
Price:
  • $22.95 – $67.95
Dosage:
  • 100 mg or 500 mg per bottle / 1 mg-3mg per serving
Size:
  • 1 fl oz or 2 fl oz
Highlights:
  • Vegan
  • Non-GMO and gluten-free
  • 80 to 160 servings per bottle
  • Eight ingredients
  • Fast absorption

Best Variety of Options

cbdMD

Our Rating:
5
Price:
  • $29.99 – $239.99
Dosage:
  • 300 mg up to 5000 mg per bottle
Size:
  • 1 or 2 fl oz bottles
Highlights:
  • Two sizes
  • Six different dosage concentrations
  • Four flavors
  • Organic
  • Non-GMO and gluten-free

Highest-Quality Ingredients

Fab CBD

Our Rating:
4.5
Price:
  • $59
Dosage:
  • 300 mg, 600 mg or 1,200 mg per bottle
Size:
  • 1 fl oz
Highlights:
  • Colorado-farmed hemp
  • 12-month shelf life
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Organic
  • Non-GMO

What is CBD?

CBD is a seemingly new supplement that’s gained immense traction in recent years. With mysterious promises for better sleep, pain management, headache relief, and more, it’s often described as a miraculous cure-all. Especially for seniors, it’s gained popularity for helping to alleviate temporary symptoms of chronic pain and other medical problems. Given more research, it could possibly help people turn away from pharmaceuticals and toward a more natural solution for symptom management.

But what is CBD? It’s full name, cannabidiol, has been appropriately shortened so you don’t have to get your tongue-tied. Scientifically, it’s defined as a type of cannabinoid, or molecule, derived from the cannabis plant. In layman’s terms, it’s an extraction that comes from the same species of plant as marijuana.

How is it legal, then? Despite laws and marketing efforts that negatively target cannabis, CBD has been able to enter the mainstream because it’s a very different substance from its cousin, marijuana. Though both are derived from the same cannabis plant, CBD doesn’t contain the psychoactive ingredient that marijuana is known for, which is tetrahydrocannabinol – THC. THC and CBD are very different. The latter may have physical and mental effects that many users stand by, but it can’t get you high like THC.

The hemp plants that CBD is extracted from only contain trace amounts of THC. Because of this, they’ve been made fully legal across the United States. The same plants that produce CBD are harvested for other hemp materials, such as rope, clothing, and paper products. Though the marijuana industry is beginning to grow in legalized states, it is still federally illegal and classified as a Schedule I drug. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, however, hemp plants can now enjoy legal status across the entire country and full contribution to a booming industry.

CBD for Seniors – Is it Safe?

To date, there have been no reported overdoses or deaths from CBD products. It is a non-toxic molecule that is not addictive, and users have reported very minimal side effects. However, research is underway to determine its long-term safety and benefits, and the FDA has yet to implement regulatory guidelines.

If you choose to use CBD, it’s always best to consult with your doctor first. The only claim that CBD companies can make now is that their products may aid in the relief of temporary symptoms. There are no current studies or research that support CBD curing or providing long-term relief for illness, disease, or disorders.

If you’re a senior interested in using CBD, consider your health and any medications you’re currently taking. It is known that CBD can increase a natural blood thinner in your blood and increase the effects of certain medications that are already in your blood. Talk to your doctor about any medication you’re taking and if they’re known to interact with CBD, especially if you’re taking prescription blood thinners.

Other issues with CBD may arise when products aren’t labeled correctly. Since the FDA isn’t cracking down on clear guidelines, companies can create counterfeit CBD products and fly under the radar. Always look for a company’s Certificate of Analysis before purchasing a product. This certificate is an official document from a third-party lab that has tested the product for quality and quantity of cannabinoids. The presence of a COA means the lab has tested for quality product and no contaminants.

What Dose Should I Take?

When it comes to CBD dosage, the amount will vary from person to person. Like caffeine, it’s metabolized differently. Some people may feel effects from 5 mg, while others use 500 mg or more. The effects are determined by your weight, overall body chemistry, and other individual factors. You should always consult with your doctor first and start slow, especially if you’re using a highly-concentrated product.

When you first start, it’s important to pay attention to the effects of CBD and the amount of CBD that you’re using. Try a low dosage like 2-5 mg and work your way up if needed. An average single dose of CBD will usually range from 10 mg to 50 mg, while the recommended daily use is 30mg to 60 mg.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is most commonly sourced by using a CO2 extraction method. With this method, the CO2 is used to pull CBD, other cannabinoids, and nutrients from the plant. This process is safe and has been used for other food and oil extractions well before the CBD market began to grow.

After the oil is extracted, it can be bottled as pure CBD oil or may be placed into a carrier oil. When you’re looking for CBD oil tinctures, you might find it mixed with ingredients like MCT coconut oil or olive oil. Many times, these oils are chosen because they pair well with CBD and may offer additional benefits. For instance, MCT oil has shown evidence that it may support cognitive function.

CBD oil can be taken by itself where all you need to do is drop it on your tongue, or you can drop it into food or drink of your choice. Keep in mind that CBD oil is not water-soluble, so it won’t completely dissolve in your beverages, though many companies offer separate water-soluble options.

When your shopping for CBD oil, prices range depending on the size of the company, where their hemp is sourced, which extraction methods they use, the ingredients they use, and the amount that you’re purchasing.

Where Can I Buy CBD Oil?

CBD oil is legally sold in physical stores and online. No matter where you live in the U.S., dedicated hemp and CBD stores are popping up nationwide. It’s also easy to find CBD products in smoke and vape shops that have been able to start carrying CBD since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted.

All the products we’ve linked to online are legal to be sold within the U.S. By purchasing online, you have the added benefit of reading thorough guides like ours as well as analyzing dozens of customer reviews to see what will work best.

What are the Supposed Benefits of CBD Oil?

Ever since CBD oil and its derivative products have entered the market, it’s been hailed as an excellent option for green therapy (meaning it’s supposed to be an all-natural product with therapeutic benefits). Some of these touted benefits include relief for pain, inflammation, insomnia, anxiety, and seizures.

Physical Benefits

Pain Relief

Google “CBD oil” and a lot of the results will describe its ability to provide pain relief. Some studies have shown that CBD interacts with receptors in our bodies to limit the compounds that produce both pain and inflammation. This ability has been tested in the case of chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, scoliosis, cancer, and more. A recent study on rats with arthritis showed that topical application of CBD did help reduce inflammation in joints and overall pain without any additional side effects. Scientists worldwide agree that studies like this one shows promising results, though there is much more that needs to be done to verify that CBD is an entirely safe method for managing pain.

Separate studies have shown similarly promising results for CBD treatment of seizures and forms of epilepsy. Most recently, scientists found that children with Dravet syndrome given 10 mg of CBD per day had their number of seizures reduced by half. In the same study, however, a portion of children given 20 mg per day experienced some adverse side effects. There is currently one FDA-approved drug on the market used to treat seizures that uses CBD as one of its main ingredients.

People with multiple sclerosis have also reported an enhanced quality of life after starting any treatment with CBD. Since multiple sclerosis has many effects on the body, including muscle spasms, cramps, and headaches, it’s thought that CBD successfully inhibits inflammation of the brain and has effects on the cells that cause the autoimmune disorder.

For everyday use, the properties of CBD that have been shown to help with chronic disorders can also fight common concerns like muscle pain and headaches. Many companies have dedicated their businesses to re-purposing the oil into a salve or lotion that can be topically applied to aging joints or onto your temples for migraine relief.

For senior citizens especially, some users are finding CBD to be helpful for joint relief. A recent study showed that 42% of baby boomers are using CBD to help with joint pain.

Skin Care

When it comes to enhancing your skincare, CBD has also shown encouraging results. Some studies have opened the door to its possibilities in treating acne, while most skin care products with CBD ingredients market its antioxidant properties. Outside of CBD, antioxidants in other products have already been known to help with aged, dull, or textured skin.

Antioxidant serums and lotions are already widely marketed for signs of aging, and CBD has positioned itself as another option on the market. The antioxidants in CBD could help minimize free-radical damage to refine skin texture and make it brighter. It has also become known for its soothing properties that re-hydrate tired skin and can provide the moisture it needs. Keep in mind that positive first-hand reviews of these effects are available online, though further human studies are still required to verify CBD’s topical safety and effectiveness in skincare. With any skincare product, you should implement testing on yourself before fully incorporating a product into your routine. What works for one person may irritate your skin, so it’s important to do your research.

Mental Benefits

Anxiety Relief

If you’re burnt out from the essential oil revolution, CBD could be an excellent alternative for finding peace of mind. Unlike other oils and creams, the chemical compound in CBD may be capable of truly getting to the root of stress and anxiety.

Instead of making you feel good for a few moments because of a pleasant smell, the cannabidiol may be successful in affecting receptors that control the serotonin in your brain. Since this chemical is such a contributor to wellbeing and happiness, the hypothesis is that CBD relieves anxiety and stress by rerouting the direct effects of chemicals in your brain.

Current research from small studies has demonstrated patient relief for social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. However, other studies resulted in no impact on cortisol levels, blood pressure, or heart rate, which are substantial indicators of anxiety disorder.

Sleep Aid

CBD’s supposed sleep-aid property is one of the areas with the least amount of research so far. Though many users report sleeping better and longer after beginning to use CBD treatments, scientists are skeptical about which properties of CBD could be causing these benefits. In one 2019 study, nearly half of the test patients reported improved sleeping within the first months of use, though the results then fluctuated over time.

For seniors, a natural sleep aid CBD could help aid symptoms of a variety of common problems, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, and more. Many of these problems are unavoidable as we age, and we’re more prone to less high-quality sleep.

Many scientists think that CBD could potentially aid sleep, though that may be the result of its anxiety-reducing properties. When someone is more relaxed, they’re more likely to fall asleep easily and stay asleep. So far, the jury is still out on whether or not there’s anything about CBD that can put you to sleep directly, but there are sure to be more future studies as more people incorporate CBD products into their nighttime routine.

Memory

While there isn’t current research that points to CBD helping improve overall memory, there are some studies that show CBD could aid in alleviating certain memory diseases. One study conducted by the Salk Institute showed that cannabinoids might help remove plaque-forming proteins from Alzheimer’s patient’s brains. The study used laboratory-grown neurons instead of humans.

Though the effects of CBD on memory and Alzheimer’s disease still needs additional testing, these initial studies could be promising for the future of CBD and its uses for seniors.

Is CBD Legal? Updates for 2022

At the federal level, CBD is legal as long as it is derived from hemp plants (which were made federally legal by the 2018 Farm Bill). While CBD can be derived from marijuana plants as well, marijuana is still federally illegal as a Schedule I drug. Therefore, a CBD product derived from a marijuana plant is also deemed as illegal.

When it comes to state laws, we’ve been seeing the landscape change from state to state for years. Though marijuana is federally illegal, there are currently only 10 states where marijuana is still entirely unlawful. All other states have either legalized marijuana for medical or adult use, or have decriminalized adult use. Depending on the different state laws, marijuana-derived CBD may be legal for either medicinal or recreational use. Regardless of the laws that determine where and how CBD can be cultivated, the 2018 Farm Bill did allow for CBD to be sold and distributed across state lines.

Because of the legal grey areas that exist right now, it’s been easy for CBD businesses to misunderstand proper FDA procedures or skirt them altogether. According to a private market researcher, only 4% by cannabis-related companies are operating within FDA guidelines. Most other companies have a clear risk of having their products rejected by the FDA in the near future as regulations and laws are more clearly defined. It is currently illegal to market CBD products as dietary supplements, though many companies have been doing so due to a lack of fixed regulations to follow.

As we wait for regulatory agencies to catch up to the booming industry, make sure you thoroughly research any CBD products that you buy. One thing to keep in mind is that some businesses may use misleading marketing to make you think you’re purchasing a CBD product when it is only hemp-derived. Hemp seed oil and similar products do not include CBD and thus won’t provide any of the assumed benefits.

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