When you go looking for a good CBD oil, you soon discover that the choice is enormous. Not only the percentage of CBD differs per bottle of CBD oil, the type of CBD, the carrier oil and the production process vary too. At Dutch Balance we are therefore often asked which CBD oil is the best. The answer depends on a number of things. In this article we set out the most important considerations in finding the best CBD oil for you.
The best all-round CBD oil: full spectrum 10%
First our personal favourite and the CBD oil we recommend to everyone when you have no particular preference: full spectrum CBD oil 10%, this one from Dutch Hemp for instance. This CBD oil has a nice, medium strength, which makes it easy to dose either lightly or more generously.
Why do we prefer a full spectrum formula over broad spectrum? That has to do with the small amount of THC it contains. The content is very low (less than the legal maximum of 0.05%), but it is part of the character of a full spectrum oil. It is often mentioned in connection with the entourage effect: the idea that the CBD and the other cannabinoids in the oil form a whole. How that works exactly is still being researched.
The best CBD oil without THC
For some people it is important that their CBD oil is entirely free of THC, so really contains 0.00% THC. That is the case, for instance, when you may not take in THC because of work or travel, or with hypersensitivity to the compound. In that case we recommend broad spectrum CBD oil, with 5% or 10% CBD for instance. A broad spectrum CBD is rich in all the cannabinoids too, except THC. So the only difference with full spectrum is that small amount of THC.
What is a good percentage of CBD to start with?
As we said above, 10% CBD is a nice medium percentage for both beginning and more advanced CBD users. Per drop this oil contains 4 mg of CBD. As a new user you might start with 4 to 5 drops a day (16 to 20 mg of CBD), spread over 2 to 3 moments if you like. Always keep to the dosage on the packaging.
But are you only just starting and would you like to be able to dose a little more precisely? Then a lighter oil is a good option too, such as 5% CBD or 2.5% CBD oil. 5% CBD oil contains 2 mg of CBD per drop, which means you can take 8 to 10 drops a day of it. Do you choose 2.5% CBD? Then we recommend 16 to 20 drops a day. In our view that is just about workable. Bear in mind, incidentally, that the price per mg of CBD is always higher the lower the percentage. So if you want maximum value for money, we would always choose a stronger rather than a lighter oil.
When do you choose a stronger oil?
A stronger oil is mainly practical: you need fewer drops for the same amount of CBD. A drop of 25% contains about 10 mg of CBD, a drop of 10% about 4 mg. Our favourite at that strength is this Dutch Hemp full spectrum 25% CBD. Here too, keep to the dosage on the packaging. If you want to take more CBD a day than it states, or if you use medication, talk to your doctor first.
What are the best CBD oil brands?
To know exactly what you are buying, it is important that you choose a reliable CBD brand. A reliable CBD brand can be recognised by making (external) laboratory results of its products freely available. On these test reports (which can be downloaded free of charge) you can read exactly which compounds are in a bottle of oil and in what quantity: a very transparent way of working. That way anyone can check not only whether the percentage of CBD matches the producer’s claim, but also that it does not contain too much THC or compounds that are harmful to health.
The brands that in our view do this best are Dutch Hemp and Wedihemp. These brands are transparent about origin and test results, at a sharp price.
Which CBD oil for animals?
For dogs and cats there are separate CBD products. These are matched to animals and differ in composition from the oils for people.
For pets three things are very important:
- A low percentage of CBD, for easy dosing
- Free of THC and terpenes, because animals do not cope well with these
- A carrier oil they like the taste of
In our collections CBD for dogs and for cats you will find CBD oil for dogs and cats that meets these requirements.
Which CBD if I do not like the taste of hemp seed oil?
We love the lovely nutty taste of hemp seed oil ourselves, but at the same time we know not everyone is a fan. Fortunately there are good alternatives these days for anyone looking for a CBD oil without the pronounced nutty taste of hemp seed oil:
- CBD oil with olive oil as the carrier oil
- Water-soluble CBD, so with water instead of oil
- CBD oil with pleasant flavours, such as lemon or peppermint
Would you like to know more about choosing the best CBD oil for you? In that case you can always get in touch with us, for instance about the difference between percentages or carrier oils. We are happy to help.
Frequently asked questions about choosing CBD oil
Is CBD oil proven to be effective?
No. No health claims have been approved for CBD in the European Union, which is why we do not say what CBD does for you. What you can compare is on the label: the percentage of CBD, full or broad spectrum, the carrier oil and whether there is a lab report for each batch.
How many drops of CBD oil can you take a day?
Keep to the dosage on the packaging. How many milligrams of CBD that is depends on the percentage: a drop of 10% oil contains about 4 mg of CBD, a drop of 5% about 2 mg. Start low and build up gradually. If you want to take more than the packaging states, talk to your doctor.
What should not be combined with CBD oil?
CBD can affect how certain medicines work. If you use medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use CBD.
Which cannabis oil is the best?
Cannabis oil is something other than CBD oil. It contains a significant amount of THC and falls under the Opium Act in the Netherlands, so we do not sell it. Legal CBD oil stays below 0.05% THC. You can read the difference in our article about hemp oil.
