What we base our reviews on how we rate our CBD top lists
Over the past few years, the CBD oil industry has seen a sharp surge in popularity. Sadly, with this popularity comes an insurgence of second-rate brands and products. Whilst there are many reputable brands, there are also quite a few who are only interested in turning a quick buck. Many of these inferior brands use a low-quality CBD extract that’s not only ineffective, but that’s also laden with pesticides, herbicides, and other nasty solvents. We also know of a brand that doesn’t include any CBD in their products at all!
As a result, it is really important to put some time into researching every brand that you intend to purchase from.
At CBDguide UK we have spent countless hours researching brands on the UK market in order to help take some of the guesswork out of the process for our readers. We have also spent quite a few long evenings poring over numerous scientific studies to ensure we are informed to the best possible standard as to exactly how CBD oil could work to help with anxiety, depression, and stress.
In choosing our top CBD oils for anxiety, depression, and stress, we have looked closely at the following important points:
Organically sourced Hemp that is free of pesticides and GMO’s:
As you might expect, organic hemp sources are always the best way to go. Whilst many places around the world grow hemp, this doesn’t mean that all hemp is grown to the same standards. Brands that only purchase from suppliers that use pesticides free methods of growth are GMO-free and Organic are important considerations when quality is of the highest of regard.
The extraction process:
The extraction process of CBD from the Hemp plant can differ in a number of ways. Currently, the cleanest and best method is the Co2 extraction process. Other cheaper methods include using solvents to extract the CBD, however, this can yield a low volume of CBD and can also extract plant material and unwanted cannabinoids. There is no way of controlling the purity, with minimal levels of CBD.
Olive Oil extraction is also another method used by many brands. In a similar way to solvent extraction, with Olive Oil extraction there is also little control over the final volume of CBD extracted. It is also widely acknowledged it is not the best form of extraction for commercial use.
Full-Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, or CBD Isolate:
There are three types of CBD, Full-Spectrum, Isolate and Broad-Spectrum CBD. All three have benefits and suitability depends on the person and also how they are administering the CBD as certain types of products (eg. CBD oils, gummies, topicals and cosmetics).
Isolate CBD contains only CBD, all other cannabinoids and traces of THC have been removed from the compound. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum both contain beneficial terpenes, cannabinoids, vitamins, and nutrients. However, with Broad-Spectrum CBD, similarly to Isolate CBD, all traces of THC have been removed. According to UK law, all CBD products must have less than 0.2% THC.
Independent Third-Party Lab Tests:
The most trusted brands will always have an independent third-party laboratory to test their products. These labs test and certify CBD oils for potency, purity, quality and to check that there are no nasties. Third-party lab results show customers that a brand is committed to creating top-quality products. The best brands will publish their lab reports upon their website, by batch. This is a very good sign that a brand is transparent and confident as to the quality of their products. Stay clear of any brands that will not provide you with a third party lab test report when requested, this is a huge warning sign.
Oil Potency:
CBD oils come in different strengths. Some oils are stronger and more potent than others. These types of CBD oils are typically used by people who have difficult medical and health issues that they are trying to tackle.
Brand Reputation:
When looking at the brand’s reputation, we focused on how transparent the brand was with its customers as well as the brand’s overall reputation among its customers. Looking at Trust Pilot scores, online reviews and their reputation industry-wise. There are a lot of sub-level brands out there and they are not always easy to spot. However, it is a small industry and we have also have some inside knowledge of what brands are doing behind the scenes, in terms of the quality of suppliers, sustainably, along with their company ethos. All important points when taking into consideration a brands reputation.
Price:
In looking for a top-quality CBD oil, customers are obviously also looking for the best value for money. At CBD guide UK we have spent a lot of time focusing on the amount of CBD customers receive based on the amount of money they’re spending on the product.
Summary
In looking at all of our criteria, you can see that our top lists and recommended products are very extensive. We have spent a great deal of time and effort coming up with our recommendations for the best CBD brands and products. We hope that it will help you distinguish the reputable CBD oil brands from the plonk and find the product that best suits your needs.
Disclaimer from CBD Guide UK
CBD is sold as a food supplement, and as a result, It’s illegal to claim it treats, prevents, or helps cure an illness or disease. No health claims have been made in this article.
