You’ve heard about CBD on the news.

You’ve seen advertisements for anything from CBD bath bombs to CBD toothpaste. Your friends—and even your parents—have been talking about CBD.   

Now you’re ready to see what all the buzz is about. Well, you’ve come to the right place. 

We put together this ultimate guide to Cbd Oil to give you all the information you need to launch a CBD-infused lifestyle. 

Browse the topics below to learn the difference between full-spectrum CBD oil and CBD isolate, find out what research says about CBD, and get the tips you need to discover your perfect CBD product. 

Disclaimers: 

The information in this post is meant to be informational. We are not offering medical advice, legal guidance, or product endorsements. This information was not collected or reviewed by medical or legal professionals. 

Throughout this post, we casually talk about the benefits of CBD. In many places, we’ll relay reported benefits that were based on anecdotal evidence and have not been verified by clinical trials. 

CBD Terms Glossary: 

• CBD (short for cannabidiol): A plant-based compound known for its calming effects. CBD comes from hemp and cannabis plants. 
• Cannabis: A type of cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or more of the psychoactive compound, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). 
• Hemp: A type of cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less of the psychoactive compound, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). 
• THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol): A plant-based compound known for its psychoactive properties. THC comes from cannabis plants. 
• Marijuana: Pieces of dried cannabis plant with high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). 
• Psychoactive: Substances that affect the mind, mental processes, or behavior. 
• Cannabinoids: Biologically active chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. 
• Endocannabinoid system: A sophisticated molecular signaling system in all vertebrates that, among other things, allows us to feel the effects of cannabinoids. 
• Certificates of Analysis (COA): Document that shows all the ways a product meets a list of specifications. Often created by third-party laboratories with no association to the manufacturer of the product, COAs ensure accuracy of marketing claims. 
• Measurable: Verifiable. Based on empirical evidence such as numbers and data. 
• Anecdotal: Unverifiable. Based on personal reports, observations, and opinions. 

Jump to…

CBD: Cannabidiol

• • What is CBD?
  • What Does CBD Stand For?
  • Does CBD Get You High?
  • CBD Clinical Trials
  • THC vs CBD
  • How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System? 
  • What Drugs Should Not Be Taken with CBD? 
  • CBD Dosage Calculator

Everything You Need to Know About CBD Oil

• • What is CBD Oil? 
  • CBD Oil
  • CBD Oil Effects
  • CBD Oil Benefits
  • What is CBD Oil Good For? 
  • CBD Benefits Chart
  • Is CBD Oil Legal?
  • CBD Oil Side Effects
  • CBD Oil Research
  • CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil
  • CBD Oil With THC 
  • CBD Oil Without THC 

Taking CBD Oil

• • How to Take CBD Oil
  • CBD Oil Dosage
  • How Long Does it Take for CBD Oil to Work?
  • CBD Oil Drug Test 
  • CBD Oil Drug Interactions
  • CBD Oil Uses  
  • CBD Oil for Pain 
  • CBD Oil for Anxiety 
  • CBD Oil for Sleep 
  • CBD for Pets
  • CBD Oil for Dogs
  • CBD Oil for Cats

CBD Oil For Other Ailments

• • CBD Oil for Migraines
  • CBD Oil for Depression
  • CBD Oil for Cancer
  • CBD Oil for ADHD
  • CBD Oil for Seizures 
  • CBD Oil for Diabetes
  • CBD Oil for Autism Spectrum Disorder 
  • CBD Oil for Weight Loss
  • CBD for Inflammation
  • CBD Dosage for Inflammation
  • CBD Oil for Arthritis
  • CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia 

CBD Product Guide

• • Best CBD Oil
  • Pure CBD Oil 
  • Full-Spectrum CBD Oil 
  • Organic CBD Oil
  • Most Potent CBD Oil
  • Where to Buy CBD Oil 
  • CBD Oil Prices

CBD Edibles

• • CBD Gummies
  • CBD Water
  • CBD Candy
  • CBD Syrup
  • CBD Chocolate
  • CBD Gum
  • CBD Honey 
  • CBD Food  

CBD Vape Oil and CBD Vape Juice

• • CBD Vape Juice 
  • CBD Vape Oil
  • CBD Oil Vape
  • CBD Oil Vape Pen Starter Kit
  • CBD Vape Additive

Other CBD Products

• • CBD Isolate
  • CBD Capsules
  • CBD Lotion
  • CBD Patches
  • CBD Seeds
  • CBD Transdermal
  • CBD Spray
  • CBD Supplement
  • CBD Ointment
  • CBD Massage Oil
  • CBD Oil Drops
  • CBD Oil Pills

CBD Oil Reviews

CBD: Cannabidiol

What is CBD? 

The short answer: CBD is a plant-based compound known for its calming effects. 

The details: 

Your CBD adventures start with one fundamental question: What is CBD? 

CBD—or cannabidiol if you like using words with lots of syllables—is, in the most basic terms, a chemical compound. The words “chemical” and “compound” might make you think of synthetic substances created in a laboratory, but guess what? CBD is 100% natural. In fact, it comes from a plant you’ve probably heard of before: the cannabis plant. 

Some people freeze when they hear the word “cannabis.” That’s because many people use “cannabis” and “marijuana” synonymously to describe the drug that gets you high. 

When we’re talking about cannabis in the context of CBD, we’re just talking about a plant that contains over 400 compounds called cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids, like tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, are psychoactive; they affect your mental processes. Many cannabinoids, including CBD, are not psychoactive. 

What Does CBD Stand For?

The short answer: CBD stands for cannabidiol. 

The details: 

CBD stands for cannabidiol. The term spares us from trying to say and spell cannabidiol over and over again. 

The “cannabis” portion of the word indicates the compound’s origin in the cannabis plant. The “diol” portion of the word indicates the two alcohols in the compound. (In this case, alcohol simply describes a molecule made of carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) atoms—not a tasty adult beverage.) 

Most cannabinoids have similar names. This makes it easy for us to tell they share cannabis as their mother plant. 

• Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)
• Cannabinol (CBN)
• Cannabigerol (CBG)

Does CBD Get You High?

The short answer: No. 

The details: 

CBD does not get you high. 

Many people react to this statement with a healthy dose of dubiousness. Why not? It comes from the cannabis plant! 

CBD alone—when it’s not paired with other compounds in the cannabis plant, such as THC—does not produce the psychoactive (mind-altering) effects we perceive as “getting high.”

Just one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant, CBD can be isolated from the other compounds to make a product with practically no chance of triggering a high. 

However, CBD products often contain some THC, which is psychoactive. Check the labels and certificates of analysis (COA) to find out if your product contains any percentage of THC. 

CBD Clinical Trials

The takeaway: Keep an eye out for news of CBD clinical trials that will verify or call into question the promising health benefits many believe CBD provides. 

The details: 

Throughout this post, you’ll learn that many experts withhold their optimism on the benefits of CBD, pointing to a lack of evidence from controlled trials and systematic research. Promising results from CBD clinical trials would give them satisfying evidence. 

Clinical trials on CBD have been relatively limited so far, but, as CBD benefit claims multiply and CBD popularity grows, we’ll likely see more trials. 

If you want to see some hard data from current and completed clinical trials, then you can browse the United States National Library database of CBD clinical trials.

THC vs CBD

Short answer: 

CBD and THC are different compounds. THC is psychoactive; it affects your mental processes (it gets you high). CBD is not psychoactive. 

The details: 

CBD and THC, like siblings, have a lot in common, but they also have many key differences. 

Different compounds, or cannabinoids, CBD and THC both come from the same parent plant, but they interact in your body, specifically in your body’s endocannabinoid system, in different ways. 

CBD and THC share a molecular structure, but they have a different arrangement of atoms. This simple difference in atomic arrangement explains why the two compounds interact with your endocannabinoid receptors in different ways and why CBD doesn’t get you high while THC does. 

How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

The short answer: CBD can stay in an average person’s system for up to 5 days. However, the length of time CBD stays in any individual’s system fluctuates depending on a variety of factors, including dosage, CBD form, the person’s weight, and more. 

The details: 

If there’s any chance you might have to take a drug test, then, of course, you’ll wonder how long CBD stays in your system, just in case. (But for the record, if the CBD you took contains no THC or CBN, then you should be fine, even if the CBD is still in your system.)

Studies investigating CBD’s lifespan in the body have found—in general—that the compound can stay in the blood for up to 5 days. Other studies found that CBD might stay in the urine for only 24 hours. 

Just as different bodies and different circumstances affect the metabolism of food and alcohol, different circumstances and bodily characteristics affect how a body will absorb, process, and retain CBD. 

So what factors are most influential to how long CBD will stay in your system? 

• How you take the CBD. (Results will differ depending on whether you ingest, smoke, or vaporize your CBD.) 
• Your own individual metabolism. 
• What else, including food, is in your system when you take the CBD. 
• How much CBD you take and how often. 

What Drugs Should Not Be Taken with CBD?

The short answer: 

Many drugs could interact with CBD, and it’s important to check with your doctor before you mix CBD with medications, including over-the-counter medications.  

The details: 

In the grand scheme of things, experts have really only scratched the surface of CBD research, experiments, and investigations. That’s why you’ll have a hard time finding a straightforward answer about what drugs you should not mix with CBD. 

Experts do know that our bodies use the same set of enzymes to metabolize CBD as we use to metabolize most medications available on the market. That means there’s a chance CBD could interact with a majority of medications. 

This doesn’t mean that the interactions would be catastrophic, significant, or even noticeable; it just means there’s a big chance CBD and your medication could interact and alter each other’s intended effects, leading to different outcomes in your body. 

It will take years for experts to develop a more straightforward answer to this question. For now, play it safe by talking to your doctor or pharmacist before mixing CBD with any medications. 

CBD Dosage Calculator

If you’re trying CBD for the first time, then you probably have no idea how much to take. 

All the products you find have vastly different concentrations, so it’s hard to even guess what a standard dose might be. 

Try to find your ideal CBD dosage by using this crowd-sourced CBD dosage calculator. 

You simply plug in some information, and the calculator recommends a dosage. The tool calculates answers based on their pools of self-reported user data. (The calculator’s developers conducted surveys to find out how much CBD a variety of different people find effective against a variety of different ailments.) 

This is the perfect place to start if you’re new to CBD or if you haven’t achieved the results you were hoping for so far in your CBD adventures. 

Everything You Need to Know About CBD Oil 

What is CBD Oil? 

The short answer: 

CBD oil is simply the CBD compound infused into a carrier oil. 

The details: 

So we know CBD is technically a compound, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that reacts with receptors in our bodies to produce a calming effect. 

Now it’s time to get into more practical questions. How do you actually get CBD into your body? 

Oil is one of the most popular vessels for CBD. 

CBD oil is essentially just the CBD compound infused into a carrier oil. After that infusion, the oil will have a concentration of CBD. There’s no standard concentration of CBD across CBD oils, so the potency of these products varies. 

CBD Oil

The takeaway: 

CBD oil products mimic the naturally oily plant material they’re extracted from. 

The details: 

Have you ever wondered why so many CBD products are CBD oils? 

The CBD-rich parts of the cannabis plant are naturally resinous and oily. So when we extract the CBD from these bits, what we get is already thick and oily. It’s primed for infusions into other carrier oils. 

So when you enjoy a CBD oil, you’re enjoying CBD close to its natural state. 

To dive even deeper, the CBD we extract to create oils and other products come from trichomes. Some experts call trichomes “plant hair,” because of their growth structure and their ability to retain metabolites. (Even the word “trichomes” comes from the Greek word for “hair.”) 

Naturally resinous, the CBD solvent we can extract from trichomes will vary in CBD potency, depending on the CBD present in the trichomes and also the method used to extract the CBD from the trichomes. 

CBD Oil Effects 

The takeaway: 

A wide range of users reports a wide range of effects when taking CBD.

The details: 

So we’ve established that CBD does not get you high as its cousin, THC, does. So what does CBD do? What are the main potential effects that attract people to this trendy compound? 

Before we dive in, let’s group the types of CBD benefits into two categories: 

Measurable effects: These outcomes have been studied, quantified, and corroborated by multiple controlled studies and trials. These effects involve measurable factors, such as the number of seizures or blood pressure readings.  

• Some measurable effects of CBD include: 
• • Decreased risk of heart disease 
  • Seizure management 

Anecdotal effects: These outcomes have been reported by CBD users, but they don’t include a measurable component or they simply can’t be measured. For example, a reduction of pain is an anecdotal benefit because we have no universally accepted measurement for pain, and pain is subjective—it lives in the “eye of the beholder” so to speak. 

• Some anecdotal effects of CBD include: 
• • Decreased anxiety. 
  • Mitigated addiction withdrawal symptoms 
  • Lessened pain 

CBD Oil Benefits

The takeaway: 

CBD’s reported benefits hold promise for a variety of health issues. 

The details:

People who’ve tried CBD have reported a wide range of benefits. While many effects and benefits could be considered subjective, these benefits also come along with anecdotal evidence that could be extremely compelling for anyone looking to achieve similar benefits. 

Here’s a sampling of some potential CBD benefits: 

• Pain management. Studies showed rats on CBD had decreased activity in brain regions associated with pain. 
• Anxiety and depression reduction. One study showed that CBD can reduce anxiety in humans preparing to speak publicly. Animal studies demonstrated effects similar to antidepressants. 
• Chemotherapy side effect management. CBD reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea. 
• Skin clearing. A laboratory test-tube study showed that CBD might help block the production of excess skin oils and the inflammatory response that leads to acne. 
• Seizure management. CBD helps reduce epileptic seizures. 
• Heart health. Some research subjects saw a decrease in blood pressure when taking CBD, and CBD appeared to be able to reduce inflammation and cell death in patients who had already succumbed to heart disease. 

What is CBD Oil Good For?

The short answer: 

Seizure reduction. CBD is potentially good for a number of things, but seizure reduction is the most research-backed CBD benefit.

The details: 

People anecdotally report a variety of CBD benefits. However, when it comes to benefits that most experts agree has enough measurable evidence (from systematic trials and research), epileptic seizure reduction takes the cake. 

Even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the evidence for CBD’s seizure reducing abilities compelling enough to pursue. 

The FDA’s expert panels found enough evidence to approve a CBD-based treatment for epilepsy. This particular approval made history as the first FDA acceptance of a drug made from cannabis. 

What about the other purported benefits of CBD? 

While many people report a range of other benefits—and there is some evidence to back them up—experts want multiple trials and multiple peer-reviewed studies to verify any claim before they start making any conclusive statements that could give patients false hope. 

CBD Benefits Chart

If your head is spinning from hearing about one CBD benefit here and another there, then you need something that can give you a quick view of the full range of anecdotally reported CBD benefits. You need a CBD benefits chart. 

This comprehensive chart from The Physicians’ Choice bullets out a complete list of potential CBD benefits. 

As an added bonus, the chart also lists the benefits of other cannabinoids, including THC, CBN, and CBDA. 

Here are some potential CBD benefit highlights from the chart: 

• Antibacterial properties 
• Cancer-fighting capabilities 
• Pain and anxiety relief 
• Seizure reduction 
• Bone-boosting capabilities 
• Neuron shielding abilities 
• Psoriasis treatment potential 

Is CBD Oil Legal?

The short answer: 

CBD from industrialized hemp is federally legal. However, for your practical purposes, you need to know how hemp—and cannabis for that matter—is regulated in your state. 

The details: 

CBD from industrialized hemp is federally legal, but if manufacturers make claims of “therapeutic benefits,” then the product could be regulated, meaning a manufacturer could be selling and marketing legal CBD in a way that is unlawful. 

If you’re a real policy wonk, then you might what to peruse the full texts of these relevant documents:

The Hemp Farming Act

Farm Bill 

To make things more complicated, the source of CBD could make a difference when it comes down to regulations. 

• Industrialized hemp is federally legal 
• Cannabis is federally illegal 
• CBD can come from either hemp plants or cannabis plants 
• So if you live in a state that has legalized recreational marijuana, then you’re likely in the clear no matter what. 
• However, if you live in a state that does not allow marijuana, and you happen to buy CBD sourced from cannabis instead of hemp, then you could run into trouble. 

The moral of the story is: know your state’s hemp and cannabis regulations. Never assume that your ability to purchase a product means it’s legal. 

CBD Oil Side Effects

The takeaway: Based on current reports, CBD users could experience dry mouth, lightheadedness, drowsiness, nausea, or anxiety. 

The details: 

HugsCBD reminds us that CBD, a young product from a young industry, has enjoyed fewer tests and research studies than nearly any prescription or over-the-counter medication. (After all, those laundry lists of possible side-effects that make you panic and give you a headache come from years of research and observation!)

Here are some of the CBD side effects that have been reported so far. These are all side effects some people have experienced. There’s no guarantee you will feel any of these effects or that you won’t feel effects that aren’t on this list. 

Common short-term side effects: 

• Dry mouth 
• Lightheadedness 
• Drowsiness 
• Nausea 
• Anxiety 

Common long-term effects: 

CBD will need to be on the market for several years before we have a comprehensive list of long-term consequences. 

• Dental issues. This relates to the short-term side effects of dry mouth. Moisture protects your teeth and gums, so a dry mouth leaves people more susceptible to cavities and gum problems. 
• Increased liver enzymes. Whether this effect grows ultimately into a net positive or a net negative remains to be seen. 

CBD Oil Research

The takeaway: 

When it comes to what the research indicates definitively, or nearly definitively, on CBD, experts say, “the jury is still out.” 

The details: 

The headline of this Northwestern Medicine post sums up the research conducted to date on CBD perfectly: “Promising, But Not Yet Proven.”

The post includes expert opinions and commentary from researchers and medical practitioners, the people in the front lines who observe CBD’s effects in laboratories and on patients. The experts aren’t sold on CBD’s benefits, saying that in most cases, “the jury is still out.” 

Experts agree that CBD’s use against seizures has satisfactory evidence, but they want consumers to remember that the general idea that CBD is “broadly beneficial” is a bit of a myth. They don’t want to call anything a cure-all until more evidence supports the claim. 

So what can we get excited about now? Get excited about the future, but as you read about health claims (which you’ll probably see more and more of as CBD grows more popular), look for the evidence before you make any assumptions. 

CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil

The takeaway: 

If consuming CBD is your ultimate goal, then read the labels of all the products you purchase. 

Products called “CBD oil” and products called “hemp oil” might be nearly the same when it comes to CBD content, but they can also be radically different depending on their plant components, their plant sources, and the ways they were produced. 

The details: 

Consumers can expect to be confused by terms like “CBD,” “hemp,” and “marijuana.” All these terms have multiple meanings and can be used in popular but incorrect ways, which only adds to the confusion. 

The root of the matter lies in the plant sources. CBD is found in both hemp plants and cannabis plants. Hemp and cannabis are like identical twins in the plant world: they look and smell almost exactly the same, so they’re hard for people to distinguish. 

As the experts at Phys Org put it, “Cannabis plants with 0.3 percent or less of THC are hemp. Cannabis plants with more than 0.3 percent THC are marijuana.” 

What does this mean for CBD products? Here’s a little cheat sheet based on information from Medical News Today: 

• CBD oil = hemp or cannabis stalks, leaves, and flowers. CBD oil will always include CBD. (Of course!) 
• Hemp oil or hemp seed oil = hemp or cannabis seeds. These products may or may not include CBD. 

CBD Oil With THC

The takeaway: 

In locations where recreational marijuana is legal, consumers can enjoy CBD oil and products that contain some percentage of THC if they want a mild high without some of the negative effects of THC. 

The details: 

Leafly has the necessary details for anyone hoping to blend their CBD with some THC.

The basic breakdowns of CBD and THC combinations can be summarized in three basic “configurations.” 

• High THC and low CBD (Leafly says products that are 10-30% THC and contain only a little CBD fall into this category.) 
• Balanced amounts of THC and CBD (Leafly says products that are 5-15% of both THC and CBD fall into this category.) 
• High CBD and low THC (Leafly says products that are 5-20% CBD and 5% or less of THC fall into this category.)

High CBD products work best for consumers who don’t want to get the euphoric high THC provides or for consumers who have a particular sensitivity to THC. 

CBD Oil Without THC

The takeaway: 

When you’re browsing for CBD oil, check to see if the product has a third-party lab report and certificate of analysis (COA) that verifies the product contains no THC. 

The details: 

CBD oil with no detectable THC will provide only the purported calming effects of CBD without any of the “high” that comes along with THC. 

These products work well for people who can’t consume any THC due to their jobs. 

CBDoilusers.com has pre-screened some THC-free products (including oils, vape juices, and gummies) to save you research time. Their recommended brands include: 

• cbdMD
• CBDistillery
• Lazarus Naturals
• Joy Organics
• Medterra
• Charlotte’s Web
• CBDfx
• Thoughtcloud