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If you’re reaching for cannabidiol (CBD) oil, odds are you’re looking for:
- pain relief
- better sleep
- relief from other symptoms while avoiding the intoxicating effects of cannabis or specific pharmaceutical medications
That being said, it’s also nice to know that what you’re reaching for is strong enough to make a noticeable difference in your symptoms.
Keep reading to learn about the strongest CBD oils and how to safely shop for and use them.
We’ll also suggest a few of the best strong CBD oils.
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.
Pros
- you need less product to experience effects
- you can scale your dosage up or down depending on your needs
- they’re usually more cost-effective in the long term
Cons
- requires more careful dosing
- higher doses may not be safe for first-time CBD users
- higher risk of experiencing side effects
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:
- customer reviews
- whether the company has been subject to a
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter - whether the company makes any unsupported health claims
| Brand | Type of CBD | Price | Flavors | Potency range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture | full-spectrum | $–$$$ | Classic, Chocolate Mint, Strawberry Lemonade | 750 mg per 15-mL bottle, 1,500 mg per 30-mL bottle, or 6,000 mg per 120-mL bottle |
| Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil, 60 mg/mL | full-spectrum | $$$–$$$$ | Mint Chocolate, Lemon Twist, Orange Blossom | 1,800 mg per 30-mL bottle, 6,000 mg per 100-mL bottle |
| CBDistillery Relief + Relax Full Spectrum CBD Oil, 5,000 mg | full-spectrum | $$$$ | Unflavored | 5,000 mg per 30-mL bottle |
| NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Oil | full-spectrum | $–$$$$ | Unflavored | 1,800 mg per 30-mL bottle, 3,000 mg per 50-mL bottle, 6,000 per 100-mL bottle |
| FAB CBD Full Spectrum CBD Oil | full-spectrum | $$$ | Citrus, Mint, Natural, Berry, Vanilla | 1,200 mg per 30-mL bottle |
| Cornbread Hemp Distilled CBD Oil | full-spectrum | $$$ | Unflavored | 1,500 mg per 30-mL bottle |
| Aspen Green Organic Full Spectrum CBD Oil, Extra Strength | full-spectrum | $$$ | Unflavored, Citrus, Mint | 2,000 mg per 30-mL bottle |
| Spruce CBD Oil, Extra Strength | full-spectrum | $$$$ | Unflavored | 2,400 mg per 30-mL bottle |
| Medterra Isolate CBD Oil | isolate | $$$ | Unflavored | 3,000 mg per 30-mL bottle, 6,000 per 60-mL bottle |
| Level Select CBD Oil Drops | broad-spectrum | $$$ | Mint | 1,200 mg per 60-mL bottle, 2,400 mg per 60-mL bottle, 5,000 mg per 60-mL bottle |
Strong CBD isn’t the best choice for everyone, especially for people new to CBD.
If you’re new to CBD, start with the lowest dose you can before slowly increasing it until it feels right for you. This means beginning with low dose CBD products and avoiding full-spectrum CBD products.
Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate seem to be good options for people new to CBD. Seeing how you react with a low dose option before testing the waters with stronger products is a good rule of thumb.
Strong CBD is also not for people who are taking other supplements or medications. CBD can interact with medications, especially those with a grapefruit warning. Talking with your healthcare professional before adding CBD to your routine is always a good idea.
Strong CBD may come with an increased risk of side effects like fatigue, diarrhea, appetite changes, and weight changes. People looking to avoid side effects shouldn’t take high doses of CBD.
Strong CBD is also not for people looking to avoid THC. Many strong CBD products are full-spectrum, which contain trace amounts of THC. Even if your CBD product is listed as THC-free, it’s still possible that it contains enough THC to show up on a drug test.
For now, the FDA does not 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 it before buying.
What happens if you take too high of a dose of CBD oil?
Research on the safety of CBD is limited. However, a
You may experience some side effects if you take higher doses of CBD.
What are the side effects of CBD oil use?
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,
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 healthcare professional before trying CBD.
Learn more about how CBD can interact with medications.
Is stronger CBD oil better?
It may take some trial and error with CBD oils at varying potency levels to decide if a stronger CBD oil is best for your needs.
Side effects may be more likely at higher dosages.
A
Note that these dosages are specific to the patient populations included in the studies any may not be the right dosage for you.
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 dosage provided by the manufacturer or your healthcare professional.
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 in individuals.
It’s always best to start with a small dosage 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.
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 dosage so that you can increase the dose and frequency over time until you reach your desired effect.
Talk with your healthcare professional before trying any CBD products.
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.
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.