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Best CBD Oil for Pain 2021: What are the Top CBD Products for Pain Management?
Medically reviewed by |Last Updated:
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.
#1 BestLeafreport’s picks of the Best CBD oils
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.
Quality Assurance
Third party tests verify that Receptra’s tincture contains the correct levels of CBD, uses full spectrum extract, and is free of contaminants.
Hemp Quality
Receptra’s products are sourced from organic Colorado grown hemp.
Extract Type
This tincture is made with full spectrum hemp extract, which is considered the most effective form of CBD.
Additional Ingredients
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.
Price
At $0.08 per mg of CBD, Receptra’s CBD oil has an affordable price that’s slightly cheaper than average.
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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.
Quality Assurance
Third party and in house tests confirm that Endoca’s CBD oil contains the right amount of CBD and is free of contaminants.
Hemp Quality
Endoca grows its organic hemp in partnership with local farmers in Denmark.
Extract Type
This is a proper full spectrum CBD oil, so you’re getting the most out of hemp’s benefits.
Additional Ingredients
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.
Price
At $0.10 per mg of CBD, the price point of this tincture is considered average.
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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.
Quality Assurance
Third party tests show that Lazarus Naturals’ CBD oil is free of contaminants and carries the advertised quantity of CBD.
Hemp Quality
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.
Extract Type
This tincture contains full spectrum hemp extract, which is considered the most effective form of CBD.
Additional Ingredients
According to third party tests, this CBD oil contains multiple minor cannabinoids that work in synergy with CBD.
Price
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.
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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.
Quality Assurance
Third party tests verify that this tincture is free of contaminants, although it may contain more CBD than claimed on the label.
Hemp Quality
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.
Extract Type
Broad spectrum hemp extract contains no THC while maintaining all of the other beneficial compounds you’d find in a whole plant product.
Additional Ingredients
Third party tests prove that this tincture contains not only CBD but several minor cannabinoids.
Price
At $0.05 per mg of CBD, this CBD oil has a relatively low price tag.
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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.
Quality Assurance
Third party tests show that cbdMD’s gel is free of contaminants, although it may have higher than advertised CBD levels.
Hemp Quality
CbdMD’s products are made from organic American hemp.
Extract Type
Broad spectrum hemp extract contains no THC while maintaining all of the other beneficial compounds you’d find in a full spectrum product.
Additional Ingredients
This gel combines broad spectrum CBD with additional topical pain relieving ingredients such as menthol and arnica.
Price
This gel has an affordable price point of $0.05 per mg of CBD.
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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.
Quality Assurance
Third party tests prove that these capsules are free of contaminants, although their CBD levels may be higher than shown on the label.
Hemp Quality
These capsules are made from USDA certified organic hemp cultivated in the United States. They’re also certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority.
Extract Type
Full spectrum CBD is considered the most effective form of CBD, providing the full benefits of hemp.
Additional Ingredients
Like a proper full spectrum product, these capsules contain several minor cannabinoids.
Price
These softgels cost $0.07 per mg of CBD, which is slightly cheaper than average for CBD capsules.
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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.
Quality Assurance
According to third party tests, these gummies are free of contaminants and provide as much CBD as advertised.
Hemp Quality
This product is sourced from organic Colorado hemp.
Extract Type
Like most gummies, these sweets contain pure CBD isolate with no other hemp compounds.
Additional Ingredients
Fab CBD’s gummies are free of artificial sweeteners and made with all vegan ingredients.
Price
These gummies cost $0.08 per mg of CBD, which is just around the average price for gummies.
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Best Vape Product — CBDfx
Vape products are a popular alternative to CBD oil because of their fast acting effects.
If you’re looking for immediate pain relief, we recommend the CBD oil vape additive from CBDfx, which has a potency of 50 mg/ml. It’s meant to be added to your existing vape juice. However, you can also vape it on its own.
Quality Assurance
Third party lab tests confirm that this vape juice is free of contaminants and contains the correct amount of CBD.
Hemp Quality
This vape oil is made from organic hemp grown in Kentucky.
Extract Type
Unlike the vast majority of CBD vape e-liquids on the market, this one is made with full spectrum hemp extract to maximize the benefits of CBD.
Additional Ingredients
CBDfx’s vape additive contains full spectrum CBD dissolved in a 50%/50% mix of VG/PG. Except for the use of full spectrum hemp extract, this is a fairly standard formula. Heating PG can produce carcinogens like formaldehyde.
Price
CBDfx’s vape oil additive costs more than regular CBD vape juice: $0.15 per mg of CBD. However, this price is reasonable since you’re getting full spectrum CBD.
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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.
