Hemp CBD oil is an extract of Cannabis sativa L. with 0.3% delta-9 THC or less on a dry weight basis. It is sold as full spectrum, broad spectrum, or isolate. States regulate hemp production under USDA-approved plans, and the FDA has approved no over-the-counter CBD product for medical use. Labels state total milligrams per bottle, not per dose.

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Extract types

Label math

A 30 mL bottle labeled 1000 mg holds about 33 mg of CBD per 1 mL. One full dropper is about 1 mL, so one dropper is one common serving. The big number on the front is the total for the whole bottle. Read the serving size line on the back panel before you compare two products.

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FDA status

The FDA has approved one CBD drug, Epidiolex, for seizures tied to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. The agency states that CBD cannot be sold as a dietary supplement or added to food in interstate commerce. That gap leaves most hemp CBD oil sold online without FDA review of purity, dose, or claims.

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Testing and COAs

Ask for a certificate of analysis from a third-party lab. A useful COA lists a batch number, a cannabinoid profile, THC percentage, and results for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbials. A COA with no batch number that matches the bottle proves nothing. FDA lab testing has found THC in products labeled THC free.

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Drug tests

Urine immunoassays screen for 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC, a THC metabolite. Full spectrum hemp oil can carry enough THC to trigger a positive result. Daily users face higher risk than one-time users. Isolate and broad spectrum products carry lower risk. No CBD product can be called test-safe.

Dose and side effects

No federal agency sets a CBD dose for general use. Epidiolex trials used 5 mg per kg per day to 20 mg per kg per day. Store-bought bottles often suggest 10 mg to 50 mg per day, a range with no trial support for most conditions. Reported side effects include sleepiness, diarrhea, and appetite change. CBD blocks the CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 enzymes, so it can raise blood levels of clobazam, warfarin, and other drugs. Tell a pharmacist about current prescriptions.

Storage

Keep bottles closed, upright, and out of light. Heat and air break down cannabinoids. Most oils carry a 12-month to 24-month shelf life. A bitter or sharp smell points to oxidation. Shake the bottle before each use, because CBD can separate from the carrier oil.