If you’re here, then you already know how debilitating chronic pain can be. It can make it difficult to get through your day. And even harder to finally relax once the day is done.
The answer to both your pain and your inability to unwind may just be the same thing.
CBD gummies and oils have the proven ability to reduce pain and help your body and mind relax. That’s why we put together this list of the strongest CBD products on the market. We’ve used each of these supplements in the pursuit of pain management and stress relief with results that speak for themselves.
Table of Contents
How Does CBD Work?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of many cannabinoids present in hemp and marijuana plants. These phytochemicals interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system, which is made up of a vast network of chemical signals and receptors in the brain and body, helps regulate almost every critical bodily function.
According to Harvard Medical School, the endocannabinoid system regulates and controls(1):
- Learning
- Emotional Processing
- Memory
- Body Temperature
- Sleep
- Pain Control
- Immune Response
- Inflammation
- Appetite
- Weight Gain and Loss
By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, CBD and other cannabinoids can affect how our body perceives and reacts to pain. Animal studies have shown that CBD reduces pain by modulating the body’s inflammatory response and interacting with the nociceptive system, which is responsible for sensing pain(2).
Other cannabinoids, including THC, have also been shown to reduce pain.
Many of CBD and THC’s same interactions with the body lead to lowered levels of stress and anxiety. CBD also appears to bind to certain receptors in the brain to help reduce the production of stress hormones while also reducing the effect they have on the body(3).
Best CBD Gummies and Oils for Pain and Relaxation
The research backing the use of CBD and hemp oil for pain and stress reduction is out there. And more proof of these chemicals’ effectiveness seems to come to light every day.
Just as prevalent are the number of CBD brands on the market. To help you fight through the haze to find the best products to meet your needs, we present our top 4 favorite CBD and hemp products for managing pain and promoting relaxation.
Strongest CBD Oil for Pain: Remedy Drops
Features:
- 10 mg CBD isolate per serving
- High absorption rate
- GMP Certified
- Vegan Certified
- Organic
If you’re looking for pure pain-relieving power that works fast, let me introduce you to Remedy Drops Hemp CBD Oil.
This high-potency hemp oil product is made with concentrated CBD isolate. While many hemp oil products contain full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil with many cannabinoids and extra compounds, this one contains only the CBD extract you’re after.
Because of this, most users get faster results from Remedy Drops than they do with other products. And because this supplement comes as an oil with a dropper for delivery, it’s easy to get under the tongue for sublingual absorption which adds to how quickly it takes effect.
Each dropper contains 10mg of pure CBD. This is a lower dose than many products, but because of the higher absorption rate, most users find it works wonderfully for relieving their pain symptoms.
Each bottle of Remedy Drops contains CBD isolate from organic hemp oil farmed in the USA. Each batch is lab-tested for heavy metals and impurities.
You will pay a little more for this hemp oil product, but the fast results and effective pain relief make it more than worth the investment.
Best for Stress Relief: Seven7h Sense Harmony Gummies
Features:
- 25 mg CBD per gummy
- Hemp-derived isolate CBD
- Tested by third-party labs
- Vegan
- Natural raspberry flavor
If stress has you just as uncomfortable as chronic pain, then these delicious gummies from Seven7h Sense are here to help you relax.
Like our favorite hemp oil, this product contains CBD isolate from hemp plants. Each gummy contains 25mg of this potent extract to help reign in stress hormones, fight inflammation, and provide muscle and joint pain relief.
Each gummy is made from natural vegan ingredients, including delicious raspberry puree. And with 1g of sugar, you can feel good about adding this reinvigorating treat to your daily routine.
If you struggle with anxiety in the evening, you may also want to try Senven7h Sense’s Serenity Sleep Gummies. These blueberry gummies also contain 25mg of CBD. But an added dose of cannabinol (CBN), a natural sedative, makes these the perfect nightcap for beating sore muscles and a racing mind.
Purchase multiple bottles of Harmony Gummies and receive up to 15% off your order.
Best CBD and THC Blend: FOCL Feel Good Gummies
Features:
- 25mg CBD and 5mg THC per gummy
- Third-party lab tested
- Organic
- USA grown hemp
- Vegan
For many, CBD is enough to take the edge off their pain. But for others, this one cannabinoid isn’t strong enough to reduce the pain and promote a better outlook. Often, a dual-action CBD-THC hemp supplement is the answer.
In this category, we love FOCL’s Feel Good Gummies.
With 25mg CBD and 5mg THC, it has just the right amount of each of these compounds to bring relief without overwhelming your senses. On top of excellent pain relief, these tasty supplements also do a wonderful job of improving mood and reducing anxiety.
Each gummy is made with organically grown full-spectrum hemp oil. This provides not just the marketed compounds, but also the cofactors and terpenes that supply an entourage effect for better pain management.
We also have to give a shout-out for the brilliant blood orange flavor of these delicious gummies. The sweet and tart citrus taste makes for a wonderful way to start your day or end your night.
Bundle your gummies with FOCL’s 1,000mg CBD oil drop and save over 50% on your order.
Best THC Pain Relief: Galaxy Treats Delta 9 THC Gummies
Features:
- 10mg THC per gummy
- Delta 9 THC
- Multiple flavors
- Third-party lab tested for potency and purity
- Various doses available
While CBD is a great option for people with chronic pain caused by injury, joint inflammation, or general soreness, it may not be enough for people with nerve pain.
THC, on the other hand, has been studied extensively for use in treating patients with nerve damage and disease, including neuropathy. If this is the source of your chronic pain, an option worth trying is Galaxy Treats Delta 9 THC gummies.
These psychedelic gummies utilize hemp-derived THC oil and terpenes. Each gummy contains 10mg of THC—more than enough to produce psychoactive effects along with pain relief. For more of a relaxing high with pain relief benefits, we recommend taking half a gummy.
These gummies are not pure in terms of the inactive ingredients used to make them, but the hemp oil is third-party tested for purity and potency. They come in a variety of flavors, including purple punch, tropical kush, and berry melon.
How to Choose a CBD Product for Pain Management
There are a lot of CBD products out there, which means you need to know how to spot a quality option. Here are some things to look for.
Active Ingredients
These supplements typically contain one or two active ingredients.
Hemp Oil
Hemp oil is at the root of all CBD and THC products legally sold in the US. Some products use only the extracts created from hemp oil, while others utilize hemp oil itself.
Hemp oil contains a long list of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Full-spectrum hemp oil contains all of these and THC while broad-spectrum hemp oil contains these but has less than 0.3% THC.
Unless the product contains hemp oil plus added CBD extract or isolate, the CBD percentage will be quite low, as it is in natural, unprocessed hemp oil.
CBD
When CBD is listed as an active ingredient in a product it typically comes in the form of CBD extract or isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD oil extract contains small amounts of other cannabinoids along with a high concentration of CBD. CBD isolate, on the other hand, only contains CBD.
THC
THC also comes in two forms, isolate and distillate.
THC isolate is much like CBD isolate in that it contains a high amount of THC without many other flavonoids or terpenes in the mix. THC distillate is even more concentrated, without any other compounds present.
Because hemp contains very little THC, legal products that have THC in them in measurable amounts typically contain one of these concentrated forms.
Extraction Method
When extracting cannabinoids from full-spectrum oil, a number of processes can be used.
Solvent extraction is the cheapest but also the least desirable because it can leave behind chemical impurities. Steam distillation is an inexpensive extraction method that creates a purer product, but the yields are low and the concentrations are less consistent.
The best CBD products are created using CO2 extraction. This solvent-free method is environmentally friendly and creates a precise, highly pure product.
Dose
Because CBD is still being actively studied and isn’t regulated by the FDA, there are no strict dosing recommendations available. This is a good question to bring up with your doctor, especially if you are already taking pain or anxiety medications.
In studies, dosages anywhere from 20 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD have been used(4). The general recommendation for treating chronic pain with CBD is to start with 40 mg and slowly increase the dose by 5 mg every week or so until you find an amount that works for you.
The dosing for THC is generally much smaller. Studies into chronic pain management with a mixture of CBD and THC generally start with a THC dose of 1mg or 2.5mg, which is increased slowly as needed to a maximum dose of 40mg(5).
Again, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor about how much CBD you should take.
Form
CBD products come in many forms. Which one is right for you depends on your needs.
Oils
Oils or tinctures are typically the most concentrated formulas available. These supplements are made up of a carrier oil with added CBD extract and possibly other cannabinoid extracts, including THC.
If you require a high dose of CBD to combat your pain, oils are typically the best option. They also tend to work the fastest since they are absorbed more quickly by the body.
Gummies
Like with other supplements, gummies have some positives but also some drawbacks. They’re a tasty, easy way to get your daily dose of CBD. But they also contain a lot of other inactive ingredients that not only dilute the CBD but also slow down how long it takes to get into your system.
If you take a lower dose of CBD and plan to take it consistently, gummies are a good choice.
Balms
If you’re looking for pain relief from muscle soreness, arthritis, or an injury, CBD balms and CBD creams are a wonderful option.
These topical treatments are applied directly to the skin over the area of pain. The CBD is absorbed and helps fight pain at the source.
Seven7h Sense has a wonderful line of topical CBD treatments, including their Deep Relief Muscle Balm. This powerful pain treatment contains 1,000mg of CBD per bottle, plus some other herbal ingredients known to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Carrier Oils
When CBD extract is used in a topical cream or an oral oil tincture, it’s typically accompanied by a carrier oil.
The best carrier oil for this purpose is hemp oil, since it contains many cofactors and flavonoids that boost the effectiveness of CBD extract. Hemp seed oil is another good option. This hemp plant product does not contain CBD naturally, but it’s very nutritious and has some cofactors present to help CBD do its job.
Another carrier oil commonly used is MCT oil. This typically comes from coconut oil and provides a healthy base full of good fats to help protect the CBD from breaking down while being stored.
Olive and avocado oil are less frequently used carrier options. They’re both healthy oils but tend to be thick and have a strong flavor. Plus they have low solvency, which means they can’t carry as much CBD, making them less than optimal for this purpose.
Quality
When it comes to the overall quality of your CBD product, marketing gimmicks and industry tricks can make it hard to know what you’re looking at. But there are a couple of things you can look for to determine the truly high-quality products.
Third-Party Testing
Reputable CBD dealers have their products undergo third-party lab testing. This process is carried out by an unaffiliated laboratory to determine the purity, concentration, or both, of a CBD product.
Reliable companies will make these test results readily available on their website so you know exactly what you’re getting before you make the purchase.
Origin and Type
Another thing to look at when buying CBD products is where the hemp was grown that went into making the CBD.
For a long time, it was illegal to import CBD products into the US. But that has recently changed, which means it’s possible to find products made from foreign-grown hemp.
While this isn’t always a bad thing (Canadian hemp, for example, tends to have fewer issues with heavy metals and pesticides than US hemp), you do want to research farming practices in the country where your hemp product is produced.
No matter where it comes from, we recommend buying only organic-grown hemp products since they are better for the environment and less likely to contain toxic impurities.
Nootropics vs. CBD
Nootropics are a category of health supplements that help improve cognitive function. Technically speaking, CBD is a nootropic.
This powerful chemical affects many parts of the body and brain. While you may be taking it for its pain-relieving and calming effects, you’ll likely also notice that it helps clear your mind and may even improve your memory.
Other nootropics include functional mushrooms, L-theanine, and ginkgo.
While most of the side effects of CBD are actually benefits, there are some negatives people can experience. These are typically limited to fatigue, dry mouth, drowsiness, and reduced appetite. Some sensitive individuals may experience diarrhea when taking oil-based products.
Legality
Currently, CBD and THC products produced from hemp plants (not cannabis plants) are legal in all states, according to federal law. This is still up for debate in some parts of the country and local laws may contradict this.
While CBD is not tested for or regulated by employers, THC often is, especially by federal employers. Because even CBD-only products can contain trace amounts of THC, it’s best to avoid these if you are subject to drug tests.
What Is the Strongest CBD Product for Pain?
When it comes to the strongest CBD for pain relief and the best CBD oil supplement, we recommend Remedy Drops.
This hemp oil supplement contains 10mg of potent CBD isolate per serving. For those battling severe chronic pain, even just three or four doses tend to be enough to provide relief. This is thanks to the product’s impressive absorption rate.
If you need a little more relief from pain or anxiety than CBD alone can offer, we recommend FOCL Feel Good Gummies. These powerful chews provide a moderate dose of CBD with a boost of THC to help quell nerve pain and stimulate relaxation and happiness.
Whether you’re looking for a little help winding down at the end of the day or a lot of help dealing with chronic pain, you’ll find the answer on our list above.
