Best CBD Oil for Pain 2021: What are the Top CBD Products for Pain Management?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the hundreds of naturally occurring phytocannabinoids found in cannabis. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-intoxicating, so it doesn’t make you high.

Many people use CBD products for pain relief. This isn’t surprising as research has shown that CBD can help with various types of pain.

Another reason for CBD’s popularity is that it’s a relatively safe, natural substance with minor side effects. In comparison, opioid painkillers can be addictive and cause serious side effects.

Still, more conclusive evidence is needed before CBD can be considered a reliable pain reliever.

We compared dozens of CBD products to find the best ones for pain. Read on for our top picks.

What does science say about CBD and pain?

There’s a growing number of clinical studies highlighting the benefits of CBD for different types of pain:

• In one 2020 study, CBD improved pain in people with peripheral neuropathy
• In another 2019 study, full spectrum CBD soft gels improved pain and reduced opioid painkiller usage in chronic pain sufferers
• In a 2010 study of patients with advanced cancer pain, pure THC did not outperform placebo, whereas THC plus CBD significantly reduced the pain
• Several review papers looking at the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids as a whole concluded that they can relieve chronic pain

As a whole, CBD appears to be a safe alternative to standard pain medications. However, further high quality studies are needed to confirm its pain relieving effects.

How we chose these products

To come up with our recommendations, we review and compare hundreds of CBD products from dozens of brands based on price, hemp quality, transparency, reputation, and other criteria.

We also consider factors relevant to the benefit you’re looking for. For example, you’ll notice that this list doesn’t recommend any low strength products since they’re not ideal for pain relief.

For a full explanation of how we choose products for our best lists, check out this page. We also use an unbiased ranking system for rating brands and products out of 100 points.

All of our content is written and reviewed by a team of medical doctors, nutritionists, and other health experts knowledgeable about CBD and cannabis.

Our picks

Best Overall — Receptra Naturals

Receptra Naturals is a reputable brand out of Colorado. Its serious relief tincture is our top pick for pain thanks to its high potency (66 mg/ml) and the addition of turmeric, a research backed anti-inflammatory herb.

Third party tests verify that Receptra’s tincture contains the correct levels of CBD, uses full spectrum extract, and is free of contaminants.

Receptra’s products are sourced from organic Colorado grown hemp.

This tincture is made with full spectrum hemp extract, which is considered the most effective form of CBD.

This tincture has a particularly effective formula thanks to the addition of turmeric, a popular herb that’s shown anti-inflammatory effects in research studies.

At $0.08 per mg of CBD, Receptra’s CBD oil has an affordable price that’s slightly cheaper than average.

Best Potency — Endoca

Out of CBD’s many uses, pain relief typically requires higher dosages. If you need a truly potent CBD product, we recommend the strong CBD oil from Denmark’s Endoca.

This full spectrum tincture contains 1500 mg of CBD in a 10 ml bottle, giving it a very high potency of 150 mg per ml.

Third party and in house tests confirm that Endoca’s CBD oil contains the right amount of CBD and is free of contaminants.

Endoca grows its organic hemp in partnership with local farmers in Denmark.

This is a proper full spectrum CBD oil, so you’re getting the most out of hemp’s benefits.

Our independent tests showed that Endoca’s tinctures are rich in minor cannabinoids, which contribute to the beneficial effects of CBD. This means you’re getting a high quality full spectrum extract.

At $0.10 per mg of CBD, the price point of this tincture is considered average.

Best Value — Lazarus Naturals 

When it comes to value, the employee owned Lazarus Naturals is arguably the best option. Its high potency CBD tincture is a great way to save money on a high quality product. It has a concentration of 50 mg CBD per ml, for a total of 3000 mg in each 60 ml bottle.

Third party tests show that Lazarus Naturals’ CBD oil is free of contaminants and carries the advertised quantity of CBD.

Lazarus Naturals grows the bulk of its hemp on an organic farm in central Oregon. They’re looking to finish their USDA organic certification by 2021.

This tincture contains full spectrum hemp extract, which is considered the most effective form of CBD.

According to third party tests, this CBD oil contains multiple minor cannabinoids that work in synergy with CBD.

This CBD oil costs only $0.02 per mg; one of the lowest prices you’ll find. On top of that, Lazarus Naturals has a 60% discount available to veterans, people with disabilities, and low income families.

Best THC Free — CBDistillery

Whether it’s due to being drug tested at work, sensitivity to THC, or another reason, some people prefer to use THC free formulations.

For that case, CBDistillery’s broad spectrum CBD oil is a good choice. We recommend the highest potency version (83 mg/ml) for optimal pain relief.

Third party tests verify that this tincture is free of contaminants, although it may contain more CBD than claimed on the label.

CBDistillery’s broad spectrum CBD oil is sourced from organic Colorado hemp. CBDistillery also holds U.S. Hemp Authority certification, which means adhering to strict quality standards.

Broad spectrum hemp extract contains no THC while maintaining all of the other beneficial compounds you’d find in a whole plant product.

Third party tests prove that this tincture contains not only CBD but several minor cannabinoids.

At $0.05 per mg of CBD, this CBD oil has a relatively low price tag.

Best Topical — cbdMD

Topical CBD products are a great choice when you have muscle or joint pain in a specific part of the body. We recommend the Freeze Gel from cbdMD, which provides 3000 mg of CBD in a 90 ml container.

Third party tests show that cbdMD’s gel is free of contaminants, although it may have higher than advertised CBD levels.

CbdMD’s products are made from organic American hemp.

Broad spectrum hemp extract contains no THC while maintaining all of the other beneficial compounds you’d find in a full spectrum product.

This gel combines broad spectrum CBD with additional topical pain relieving ingredients such as menthol and arnica.

This gel has an affordable price point of $0.05 per mg of CBD.

Best Capsules — Farmacy Bliss

Capsules are convenient and provide exact doses of CBD, making them a popular alternative to CBD oil. Farmacy Bliss is our top pick for this category. Its USDA organic certified softgels provide 30 mg of full spectrum CBD with 30 caps per bottle.

Third party tests prove that these capsules are free of contaminants, although their CBD levels may be higher than shown on the label.

These capsules are made from USDA certified organic hemp cultivated in the United States. They’re also certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority.

Full spectrum CBD is considered the most effective form of CBD, providing the full benefits of hemp.

Like a proper full spectrum product, these capsules contain several minor cannabinoids.

These softgels cost $0.07 per mg of CBD, which is slightly cheaper than average for CBD capsules.

Best Gummies — Fab CBD

We wouldn’t recommend gummies as your only option for pain. However, they work well as an addition to CBD oil. Our top pick for gummies goes to the anytime CBD chews from Florida’s Fab CBD.

According to third party tests, these gummies are free of contaminants and provide as much CBD as advertised.

This product is sourced from organic Colorado hemp.

Like most gummies, these sweets contain pure CBD isolate with no other hemp compounds.

Fab CBD’s gummies are free of artificial sweeteners and made with all vegan ingredients.

These gummies cost $0.08 per mg of CBD, which is just around the average price for gummies.

Best Vape Product — Funky Farms CBD Vape Juice

Some people prefer to vape CBD because it provides instantaneous effects. Our go-to vape product is the CBD e-liquid from Funky Farms. It’s available in a strength of 1500 mg (100 mg/ml) and contains full-spectrum CBD.

You can also choose from four pleasant flavors: blueberry gelato, apple jack pear,  peach tangie, and mango sherbert.

Third-party tests verify the purity and CBD content of this vape oil.

Funky Farms extracts its CBD from Oregon-cultivated hemp.

Farmacy Bliss’ vape oil contains full-spectrum hemp extract, which may have greater effects than CBD isolate.

Third-party tests confirm that this vape juice contains some THC and minor cannabinoids, which work together with CBD.

At $0.02 per mg of CBD, this vape juice has one of the lowest prices on the market.

How to choose the best CBD for pain

You need to consider several factors to find the best CBD product for pain, including:

• Third party testing: This type of testing is done by an independent lab to verify that a product is free of contaminants and contains the correct levels of CBD. You should always check the test results for the product you want to buy.
• Consumption method: Each technique for taking CBD has its advantages and weaknesses. For example, topicals are the ideal choice for localized pain, whereas CBD oil or vape products work better for whole body relief.
• Type of CBD: There are three main kinds of CBD; isolate, full spectrum, and broad spectrum. Full spectrum is the most effective but if you need to avoid THC, you should use the other two forms.
• Dosage: CBD affects everyone differently, so you’ll need to start at a low dose and slowly raise it to find your ideal dosage. Then, you can match the dosage to a product with the right potency.

These are just some of the considerations. Check out our detailed guide for a full breakdown of how to find reputable CBD brands and choose the best product for yourself.

Safety and side effects

According to the research, CBD is relatively safe and well tolerated. However, it can cause minor side effects, such as:

• Tiredness and drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea and nausea
• Low blood pressure
• Lightheadedness
• Changes in appetite or weight

Additionally, CBD may interact with prescription medications.

However, these effects were found by studies using very high doses of pure CBD. That means they’re unlikely to occur for most CBD users.

In any case, it’s always best to consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional before taking CBD.

Legality

Hemp derived CBD products (with 0.3% or less THC) are legal under federal law in the United States. However, a few states have more restrictive laws. Some states ban CBD completely or only allow THC free products, so it’s best to research your state’s stance.

It’s also legal to use CBD while driving. However, if you use a full spectrum product, you may have a detectable amount of THC in your body. That means you can test positive for marijuana if you get pulled over in a state where it’s illegal.