*If you’d prefer to avoid THC, choose a broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate product. Still, be aware that even products labeled “THC-free” may contain trace amounts of THC from extraction that could show up on a drug test.
Talk with your doctor before starting any CBD product, especially if you have health conditions or are currently taking medications. Learn more in our Beginner’s Guide to CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. The CBD extract used in the products we’ve vetted comes from the hemp plant — a type of cannabis plant that’s nonintoxicating, so it won’t get you “high.”
Research on the side effects and potential benefits of CBD is ongoing, but many products show promise when it comes to pain relief, improved sleep, and stress reduction.
CBD and THC
The hemp plants used for CBD extraction also contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive compound that makes you feel “high” — but at lower levels than marijuana-derived cannabinoids.
Full-spectrum CBD products use all of the compounds found in hemp plants, including THC. So, these products may contain up to 0.3% of THC, below the legal limit.
Broad-spectrum CBD products use a range of cannabinoids for a greater effect, but do not include THC. Similar to broad-spectrum products, CBD isolate is also THC-free. It’s the purest form of CBD, using only the CBD compound itself and no other hemp-derived cannabinoids.