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Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an active compound from the Cannabis sativa plant, which causes the “high” people associate with cannabis. THC-free CBD oil may suit people wanting to avoid this compound.
- Best affordable oil: Lazarus Naturals THC Free CBD Tincture | Skip to review
- Best for a lower CBD dose: Joy Organics Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil, Unflavored | Skip to review
- Best for a higher CBD dose: Extract Labs CBD Isolate Oil Daily Support | Skip to review
- Best for reducing stress: CBDistillery ahhh distilled, 1,000 mg THC-free Oil | Skip to review
- Best for organic ingredients: MedTerra Isolate CBD Oil | Skip to review
- Best for a neutral taste: Bluebird Botanicals THC-Free CBD Oil | Skip to review
When making CBD oil, manufacturers can isolate CBD from other cannabinoids and mix it with oil. By doing this, they can produce CBD oil that does not contain THC.
This article describes CBD oil and its effects. It also lists THC-free CBD oils that a person may wish to try.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of cannabis in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of cannabis, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Individuals should check state laws, especially when traveling. People should also keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
There are two types of THC-free CBD oil: CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD.
Isolated CBD is the purest form of CBD oil. These products do not contain any other cannabinoids aside from CBD.
Broad-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, will typically contain all cannabinoids apart from THC.
While THC-free products exist, there is always a chance they may contain trace amounts of THC. It is possible, though rare, that this may result in a positive drug test. People who undergo drug testing may wish to avoid these products altogether.
CBD resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on CBD.
Why use CBD?
Research states that CBD is effective for various health conditions, despite the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only approving one prescription product for epilepsy.
According to
- anxiety
- sleep problems
- stress
- general health and well-being
The researchers of an animal study from 2020 conclude that CBD oil may be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and other related psychotic disorders. However, they also say that further research is necessary.
CBD may also help to improve sleep quality, reduce sleep disturbances, and decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.
Learn more about CBD and sleep.
Who should use THC-free CBD?
THC-free CBD may be more suitable than other forms of CBD for certain people.
THC-free CBD is more unlikely to appear on drug tests as it contains no THC. THC is the compound in CBD that causes euphoria and shows up on most drug tests.
Additionally, THC-free CBD products often have less CBD per dose than broad or full-spectrum CBD products. A lower dose may be more beneficial for people just starting to use CBD products, as they can begin with smaller amounts of CBD and increase as necessary.
However, a person should discuss CBD products with a healthcare professional. A qualified healthcare professional can advise people if the product is likely to interact with any medication and inform them about potential risks.
Before purchasing THC-free CBD oils, a person may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- No high: THC is the compound in cannabis that produces euphoria or a high. Even though THC levels in CBD are often 0.3% or less,
some users still report feeling high . THC-free products should eliminate such reactions. - Drug testing: CBD isolates are less likely to contain traces of THC that may appear on a drug test.
- Process of elimination: While using THC-free CBD products, a person can determine whether the CBD alone suits their needs, as they do not contain any other active ingredients.
Cons
- No entourage effect: THC and CBD are just two of the many compounds found in cannabis. The term “
entourage effect ” describes the way interactions between these compounds enhance the health benefits of CBD. THC-free CBD oils come from CBD isolates, which means they cannot provide users with the potential benefits of other compounds. - Lack of scientific evidence: Proponents of CBD claim that it can treat many health conditions. However, according to the
FDA , more scientific research must verify these claims.
Medical News Today chose THC-free CBD oils that met the following criteria:
- Ingredients: MNT chooses CBD oil drops containing safe, high quality, clearly labeled ingredients. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
- Dosage: MNT chooses CBD oils that must clearly state the CBD dosage. Manufacturers must also recommend a dosage on the packaging.
- Third-party labs: MNT chooses CBD oils that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
- Available certificate of analysis (COA): MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s COA after receiving its third-party lab results.
The following table compares the THC-free oils in this article.
| Price | CBD strength per serving | Active ingredients | COA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lazarus Naturals | from $34.99 | 25 mg | MCT coconut oil, CBD, and natural flavors | available online |
| Joy Organics | from $44.95 | from 15 mg | organic extra-virgin olive oil and hemp extract | available online |
| Extract Labs | $69.99 | 66 mg | hemp extract isolate, MCT coconut oil | available online |
| CBDistillery | $65 | 33 mg | MCT coconut oil and CBD | available online |
| MedTerra | from $39.99 | from 16 mg | MCT coconut oil and CBD | available online |
| Bluebird Botanicals | $49.95 | 25 mg | MCT coconut oil and CBD | available online |
People should consider their CBD tolerance to find a THC-free CBD oil that meets their needs. People who are just starting to use CBD might prefer a product with a lower dosage.
People should only purchase CBD products with a COA from an independent third party. A COA determines that the ingredients in the product are what the manufacturer claims and checks that there are no impurities.
The body of research specifically exploring CBD oil is still small. However, scientific research on the effects of CBD can suggest what potential benefits the oil might offer.
Research looking at CBD has found that it might have the following benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory:
Research indicates that CBD may help to alleviate inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. - Reducing anxiety: CBD may help
decrease symptoms of anxiety. - Sleeping: A 2019 review states that CBD may improve sleep quality and reduce sleep disturbances. However, the researchers highlight the need for further studies due to small sample sizes and these findings being the secondary outcome.
- Reducing acne: CBD may help
maintain a normal level of sebocytes — cells that secrete sebum, which can contribute to the development of pimples. - Pain: Research suggests that CBD has analgesic potential, meaning that it may be useful in treating pain.
Learn more about the benefits of CBD oil.
Even though scientific research exploring the effects of CBD in humans is increasing, much more is still necessary, as undiscovered short-term and long-term side effects may exist.
In rare cases, CBD oil may cause an allergic reaction. If a person starts using CBD oil and experiences the following symptoms, they should discontinue their use of the product and seek emergency medical attention:
- swelling of the throat, lips, or mouth
- itching in the mouth
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
Learn more about the effects and potential side effects of CBD oil.
THC-free CBD may help with pain management.
A 2022 review on the efficacy and safety of CBD for chronic pain management concludes that not only does CBD help people manage pain, but it is also better than opioid medication. CBD is nonintoxicating, and people are less likely to become dependent on THC-free CBD.
Yes, it is possible to use THC-free CBD oil to help support sleep.
People should use the lowest possible dose and gradually increase it until they reach their desired effect.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all the plant compounds found in the cannabis plant, including THC. However, THC-free means that the product has no detectable traces of THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains most plant compounds except THC. However, broad-spectrum CBD products may contain trace amounts of this compound.
People should carefully read COAs and the ingredients list of any products that claim to be full-spectrum and THC-free. It is unlikely that full-spectrum CBD products do not contain any THC.
Drug tests that screen for cannabis detect levels of THC in the body. CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD should not contain THC.
However, there is always a small chance that these products may have tiny trace amounts of THC.
People who need to return a negative drug test may wish to stay clear of CBD products.
There is little scientific evidence on whether THC-free CBD can help relieve anxiety symptoms.
A 2020 review of studies suggests that CBD may be a promising therapy for managing anxiety disorders. However, the authors note the need for more studies in this area.
CBD isolate is free of THC. The only cannabinoid it contains is CBD.
If a CBD isolate product contains other forms of CBD, it may no longer be free of THC.
MedTerra Isolate CBD Oil and Extract Labs CBD Isolate Oil Daily Support are two examples of CBD isolate products that do not contain THC.
CBD oil may offer a range of benefits, including improving sleep, reducing acne, and relieving pain. For personal reasons, a person may not wish to use a CBD oil that contains THC.
CBD oil manufacturers can isolate CBD from THC to create a THC-free product. They may also choose to isolate CBD from the other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant to produce a product containing only CBD.