Strong CBD Oil: Is the Strongest CBD Oil Really Best?
Would you like to take CBD oil? Do you want to know which one is the strongest and if strong is really better? Then you've come to the right place. We're going to look at the factors that influence the 'strength' or potency of a CBD product. And it might not necessarily be what you think!
Strong CBD Oil
CBD oil is an increasingly popular product in the UK and EU, particularly for its potential beneficial effects on our sleep, stress and well-being (we'll talk about it in more detail below). Intuitively, most consumers look for the strongest oils. But how do you even tell the difference between a 'strong' CBD oil and a 'weak' one? There is no single answer to this question, as it will depend on a number of factors: The CBD concentration in the product, the quantity of oil in the bottle, the method of administration, and the type of CBD in the oil.
Usually, when we talk about the strength of a CBD oil, we often refer to the total amount of CBD in the product. CBD oils available on the market contain at least 50 mg of CBD per bottle, but most are much more potent with 5000 mg CBD per bottle and more. An important thing to point out, as it might be deceiving, is that the amount of CBD in a product should not be confused with its concentration! The concentration of CBD oil is the relationship between the quantity of CBD in the bottle and the size of the bottle, which gives a result expressed in %.
Generally speaking, the higher the concentration of the CBD oil, the stronger it is. To give you a concrete example: At Harmony we offer CBD oils in dropper bottles with CBD concentrations ranging from 1 to 10%, so you can adapt the concentration and dosage to your CBD oil use. For a Harmony broad spectrum CBD oil, we offer 3 different concentrations: the first contains 300 mg of CBD in 30 ml (1% CBD concentration), the second contains 1000 mg of CBD in 30 ml (3.3% CBD concentration) and the third contains 3000 mg of CBD in 30 ml (10% CBD concentration).
However, it is important to note that the CBD content of an oil (or it's strength in percent) is not the only factor to be taken into account when figuring out your dose of CBD. The method of administration can also affect the perceived strength of the product. CBD oils are generally taken sublingually, i.e. they are placed under the tongue before being swallowed. This is promoting rapid absorption into the body, bypassing the digestive tract and therefore offering a higher bioavailability compared to swallowing them directly or placing drops on other foods [1]. According to a recent survey, 70% of CBD oil consumers take it this way [2]. According to another study, consuming CBD oil alongside a high-fat meal could multiply the product's bioavailability further by a factor of 4 [3].
Finally, it's important to remember that everyone is different and has their own tolerance towards CBD. This is why we recommend starting with a lower dose of CBD drops and gradually increasing it until the desired effect is achieved. High doses of CBD and 'potent' CBD tinctures and oils are not necessarily necessary for everyone, and although the side effects of CBD oil are virtually non-existent, the Food Standards Agency recommends that no more than 70mg of CBD should be consumed per day [4].
When to Speak to a Doctor Before Using Cannabis Oil
Whether you're taking stronger CBD oil or less potent CBD oil, if you have an underlying health issue, it's mandatory to consult a healthcare professional before taking any CBD product. This applies in particular to people who are already undergoing medical treatment and are taking prescription medication [5]. In addition, CBD is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals or for the use by minors.
How to Get the Best Price When You Buy CBD Oil
We talked about the percentage (the amount of CBD in mg per amount of oil) of CBD oil briefly in the first paragraph. In order to ensure that the CBD oil you buy has a good price, it's vital to compare the price of oils with the same concentration in percent and the same bottle size. This indicator will enable you to judge the attractiveness of the product in terms of price. Harmony CBD oils are by far the most affordable ones on the market.
You will notice that the higher the CBD concentration, the lower the price per milligram of CBD in the product. This shows that if you're planning to consume a large quantity of CBD on a daily basis, it is more interesting to turn to Harmony products with a high CBD concentration because you get a better quantity/price ratio.
Effects and Types of High Strength CBD Oil
Studies have shown that CBD oil has numerous benefits, enabling us to get better quality sleep and combat stress and anxiety, among others. In fact, one study revealed that 42.5% of CBD consumers surveyed use it to improve their sleep or even treat insomnia. In addition, 37% of CBD consumers used it to combat stress and 42.6% to treat anxiety [2]. Preclinical evidence has corroborated CBD's anti-stress action, highlighting its potential to reduce anxious behaviour [6].
Next, it's important to distinguish between full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil and CBD isolate oil. Simply put, full spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, such as CBD, CBG, CBN and a trace of THC, along with natural terpenes and flavonoids. Especially terpenes mixed with cannabinoids are rumoured to bring on what is known as the "entourage effect" - a beneficial synergy between these compounds, where they reinforce each other's effects [7]. A broad-spectrum oil is nearly identical to full-spectrum oil, as it will contain all the cannabinoids found in hemp except the THC, thanks to an additional purification stage in the oil extraction process. Finally, there are products made from CBD isolate, which is pure CBD.
Important note: In case of a full-spectrum product, whatever the CBD concentration of the product you choose, as long as the product is made from industrial hemp it will not exceed the legal amount of THC, which is less than 0.3%. To make sure you are getting a legal product, check the third-party lab certificates available on responsible brand's websites.
How to Use Strong CBD Oil
As mentioned above, the most common way to consume CBD oil is to place a few drops of oil under the tongue and leaving it to work for a minute before swallowing or taking a sip of water. Alternatively, you can use CBD oil products to enrich your food or drinks with a dose of CBD. Depending on the mode of application you prefer, you can choose between products coming in a spray or a dropper bottle. The spray is often recommended for people interested in practical everyday use on the go. Drops are more generic and suitable for most applications.
Strongest CBD Oil: Conclusion
In summary, the strength of CBD oil depends on the concentration of CBD in the product, but the best CBD oil for you is not necessarily the strongest one. Factors that will influence your perception of the strength are the amount of oil ingested, the method of administration itself and your individual tolerance to CBD. You have to determine your ideal dose by trial and error, starting "low and slow" and moving to a higher concentration of CBD only when necessary. And remember: If you have any questions about this or need advice, please don't hesitate to check customer reviews or contact us. We're always happy to help.
written by
anna falk - head of product
As the Head of Product at Harmony, Dr Anna Falk leads the development of our products and provides expert tips for your wellness. With over 10 years of experience in the research and development of natural products, her work is based on rigorous scientific studies.
Anna is an award-winning, internationally published researcher with a PhD in Organic Chemistry. She applies her expertise to develop Harmony's certified products that support your overall well-being. From research to development, she ensures that our products are of the highest quality and meet the highest standards.
✓ FACT CHECKED AND SCIENTIFICALLY REVIEWED
We ensure our content is current and accurate with strict guidelines about sourcing that rely on governmental authority, academic institutions and peer-reviewed studies..
[1] Itin C, Barasch D, Domb AJ, Hoffman A. Prolonged oral transmucosal delivery of highly lipophilic drug cannabidiol. Int J Pharm. 2020 May 15;581:119276. — link to source
[2] Moltke J, Hindocha C. Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. J Cannabis Res. 2021 Feb 18;3(1):5. — link to source
[3] Taylor L, Gidal B, Blakey G, Tayo B, Morrison G. A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose, Multiple Dose, and Food Effect Trial of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects. CNS Drugs. 2018 Nov;32(11):1053-1067. — link to source
[5] Morrison G, Crockett J, Blakey G, Sommerville K. A Phase 1, Open-Label, Pharmacokinetic Trial to Investigate Possible Drug-Drug Interactions Between Clobazam, Stiripentol, or Valproate and Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2019 Nov;8(8):1009-1031. — link to source
[6] Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. — link to source
[7] Ferber SG, Namdar D, Hen-Shoval D, Eger G, Koltai H, Shoval G, Shbiro L, Weller A. The "Entourage Effect": Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2020;18(2):87-96. — link to source
