You’re in the perfect spot if you’ve been thinking about taking hemp oil over the counter but don’t know where to start.
Truth be told, the differences between medical hemp and marijuana can be confusing to many people first discovering the plant.
At its most basic, there are two things you need to know about cannabis products:
- Products made from the hemp variety of cannabis are meant for over-the-counter use. They contain a maximum of 0.3 percent THC, so you cannot get high when using them as directed. It is legal to buy hemp oil online in all 50 states without a prescription or special permission from a doctor.
- Cannabis products made from the marijuana variety of the plant will get you high because they contain a lot more psychoactive THC. They are also illegal in most places. Marijuana-derived cannabis requires a doctor’s prescription for medical marijuana use and can only be sold at dispensaries.
Now that you know the main difference between the two varieties of cannabis sativa plant, let’s zoom in on low-dose THC hemp oils you can buy over the counter. We’ll look at what they are, how they work to help you feel better, and where to find the best over-the-counter hemp oil in today’s Hemp 101 blog.
FAST FACT
Over-the-counter hemp cannot make you feel “high” or “stoned” because the amount of THC in it is too small to have any psychoactive effects.
Is OTC hemp oil right for me?
We are all unique, and over-the-counter (OTC) hemp oils may not be right for everyone.
But if you haven’t tried hemp-derived CBD products, you owe it to yourself to experience the health benefits of this therapeutic wonder compound firsthand!
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What are the main ingredients in hemp oils?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the active ingredient in hemp oils that helps you feel better.
CBD is called a major cannabinoid because it’s the dominant medicinal compound in the plant. However, other “minor” cannabinoid compounds are found in hemp oil, too.
Minor cannabinoids include cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and even tiny amounts of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). All the cannabinoids in hemp extract work together to enhance the health benefits of CBD.
FAST FACT
The more cannabinoids in your hemp oil, the better it may help. Cannabis researchers call this synergistic phenomenon the entourage effect.
What’s the best OTC hemp oil?
Full spectrum extracts make the best over-the-counter hemp oils because they are minimally processed and offer the widest range of therapeutic compounds.
OTC hemp users looking to avoid potential psychoactive effects, because they are hypersensitive to THC, opt for broad-spectrum or hemp isolate oils instead.
Broad spectrum hemp extracts go through an extra purification process that filters out detectable levels of THC (0.0%). Some of the more fragile cannabis compounds are damaged during the process, but broad spectrum hemp oil contains many of the same cannabinoids as full spectrum varieties.
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Isolate is the purest form of hemp extract you can get. It’s been radically purified, containing pharmaceutical-grade pure CBD — up to 99.97%! Hemp isolate oils do not contain any other cannabis compounds, not even a hint of THC (0.00%).
FAST FACT
Even though full spectrum gets the spotlight because of its much-touted entourage effect, broad spectrum and isolate hemp oils offer the same benefits without the THC.
How does hemp CBD oil help me feel better?
Cannabinoids in hemp-derived oil tinctures target the body’s endocannabinoid system to change the way you feel safely and naturally.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) controls virtually every vital process in your body, from stress response to mood balance, pain tolerance, sleep quality, and a whole lot more. CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 to promote beneficial health effects.
Here are five ways OTC hemp oils can help you feel better through the power of cannabis plant medicine:
Improved everyday stress tolerance
Anandamide is an endocannabinoid compound your body produces with similar effects to CBD. It relieves pain, stabilizes mood, promotes relaxation, and balances sleep/wake rhythms. Taking hemp CBD oil increases natural anandamide levels in the body. The two work together to signal your overworked body systems to relax and return to a balanced state.
Positive mood and outlook
One research study found that hemp oil CBD supplements interact with the 5-HT1A receptor site, which may influence serotonin levels. The neurotransmitter serotonin plays a crucial role in mood, stress, and anxiety regulation.
Less pain and inflammation
CBD relieves everyday aches and pains in two unique ways. It binds to transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV-1) receptor sites, dulling pain sensitivity. Taking hemp CBD oil also increases levels of the body’s natural painkiller, anandamide.
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Faster healing and recovery
When CBD interacts with TRPV-1 receptors, it triggers them to produce an anti-inflammatory response. This amplifies the body’s natural defenses, promoting faster healing and shorter recovery times.
Better sleep quality
Hormones, neurotransmitters, and endocannabinoids regulate sleep and wake rhythms. CBD hemp oil increases anandamide levels and supports a healthy serotonin balance to improve restful sleep quality and boost daytime energy levels.
FAST FACT
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system, so your furry family members can also feel better with OTC hemp oil for pets!
How much hemp oil should I take?
People generally take 25 mg to 50 mg CBD per day. How much you need depends on your weight.
Use the Cannabiva® CBD dosage chart for OTC hemp oil products to find the best dose for you at a glance:
If this is your first time taking OTC hemp oil, consider beginning with the recommended starting CBD dose for your weight category to see how it affects you. You may increase your daily CBD dosage whenever you feel ready and think you need more.
CBD dosages range from 25 mg to 1500 mg daily. How much hemp oil you need to experience health benefits may vary because everyone is unique.
When will I feel the benefits of hemp oil?
Hemp-derived CBD oil works fastest when you take it under the tongue (a.k.a. sublingual use). That’s because cannabinoids readily and rapidly absorb into the bloodstream through the tiny capillaries in your mouth. With sublingual use, you may feel the effects within minutes. On average, CBD takes effect in about 20 to 30 minutes time sublingually.
Swallowing hemp oil after sublingual use extends the benefits for up to eight hours as CBD slowly breaks down in the digestive tract.
Here’s how to take your over-the-counter hemp CBD oil for best results:
Use at least once daily
Potential health benefits from CBD supplements are cumulative and work over time. Find the right hemp dose and stick with it!
Get dual action relief
Take hemp oil drops under the tongue, then swallow to experience both fast-acting and long-lasting benefits: 
Always take with food
Cannabinoids absorb best and promote benefits longest when taken with a large meal with a fatty food component.
Talk to your doctor if this is your first time taking a hemp-derived cannabis product.
FAQs about over-the-counter hemp oil
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions from people discovering hemp oil over the counter.
Not sure where to begin? Chat with a Cannabiva sales associate for expert advice about choosing the best over-the-counter hemp oil products.
