Best CBD Oil for Depression

More and more people are using CBD products to relieve common issues, including depression.

Early research suggests that CBD may have antidepressant effects. Besides, many people are wary of taking antidepressants because of their potential side effects and see CBD as a safer, natural alternative.

However, with so many CBD products available, it’s not easy to find the right one. To help you make a better choice, we compared dozens of brands to find the best CBD products for depression.

What does science say about CBD and depression?

Early studies suggest that CBD has antidepressant properties:

• A 2020 case report of a boy suffering from severe depression, social phobia, and other issues linked to drug abuse found that CBD significantly improved his symptoms
• A 2018 study of chronic cannabis users found that CBD capsules improved their depressive symptoms
• A 2014 study of people suffering from cannabis withdrawal found that a drug containing similar doses of CBD and THC improved depression and other symptoms
• CBD showed antidepressant effects in multiple animal studies
• A 2021 book on the treatment of depression concluded that “preclinical evidence suggests it [CBD] can be a promising new antidepressant”

Nonetheless, researchers stress the need for high-quality human studies before we can say anything conclusive about CBD’s potential to help with depression.

How we chose these products

We review and compare hundreds of CBD products based on transparency, hemp quality, price, formula, and other criteria. For a full explanation of how we choose products for our best lists, check out this page.

All of our content is written and reviewed by a team of medical doctors, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, and other health experts knowledgeable about CBD and cannabis.

Why should you trust us?

Unlike other review sites, we use a standardized rating system to give every CBD product and brand an unbiased rating out of 100 points. This is calculated by using our database, which collects third-party lab test results, prices, additional ingredients, extract types, and other data for more than 3000 products.

We also act as a CBD industry watchdog by doing our own independent investigations. For example, we send CBD products for testing at an independent lab and publish our findings in market reports. We also collect and publish data on CBD prices to help you make an informed choice.

Our picks

Best Overall — Plant People Drops+ Mind + Body

Our top pick for depression goes to the mind + body drops from the New York brand Plant People. This strong full spectrum tincture provides 50 mg of CBD per ml.

Learn more by reading our Plant People Review.

Third party tests verify that this tincture is free of contaminants and carries the right amount of CBD.

Plant People sources its products from USDA certified organic Colorado hemp.

This CBD oil is made with full spectrum hemp extract, which is the most effective form of CBD.

According to third party tests, this CBD oil contains multiple minor cannabinoids that work together with CBD.

This CBD oil costs $0.07 per mg of CBD, which is cheaper than average.

Best Potency — CBDistillery Full Spectrum CBD Oil

Some people need higher doses of CBD, which means they need to look for products with higher CBD concentrations. We recommend the full spectrum CBD oil from CBDistillery, which is available in a very high potency of 167 mg/ml.

Learn more by reading our CBDistillery Review.

Third party tests verify the potency and purity of this tincture.

CBDistillery uses organic Colorado hemp to make its products. The company is also certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority, highlighting its adherence to strict hemp production standards.

This tincture is made with full spectrum hemp extract, which is considered the most effective form of CBD.

Third party tests show that CBDistillery’s CBD oil contains multiple minor cannabinoids.

With a price of $0.05 per mg of CBD, this tincture is significantly cheaper than average.

Best Value — Lazarus Naturals High Potency CBD Tincture

If you want to get the bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with Lazarus Naturals. The company’s high potency full spectrum tincture provides 3000 mg of CBD (50 mg/ml) at an extremely low price.

Learn more by reading our Lazarus Naturals Review.

Third party tests verify the potency and purity of this CBD oil.

Lazarus Naturals grows its organic hemp in central Oregon, whereas most companies buy their hemp from other producers.

This CBD oil is made with full spectrum hemp extract, providing the full benefits of hemp.

According to third party tests, this tincture carries multiple minor cannabinoids that work in synergy with CBD.

Lazarus Naturals’ high potency tincture costs $0.02 per mg of CBD, which is one of the lowest prices you’ll find anywhere. The company also offers free shipping over $25 and a 60% discount to veterans, low-income families, and people with disabilities.

Best THC Free — Medterra Broad Spectrum Cannabinoid Tincture

Some people have to avoid THC because of drug testing and other reasons. For that case, we recommend the broad spectrum cannabinoid tincture from Medterra. It’s available in three flavors and has a strong potency of 67 mg/ml.

Learn more by reading our Medterra CBD Review.

Third party tests verify the purity and potency of this broad spectrum CBD oil.

Medterra’s products are sourced from organic Kentucky hemp. They’re also certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority, which means Medterra follows strict hemp industry quality standards.

This CBD oil contains broad spectrum hemp extract, which is free of THC but maintains all of the other beneficial components of full spectrum CBD.

According to third party tests, this tincture is rich in minor cannabinoids which work together with CBD.

With a price of $0.05 per mg of CBD, this product costs less than most broad spectrum tinctures.

Best Capsules — Farmacy Bliss Full Spectrum CBD Softgels

Thanks to their ease of use and precise dosing, capsules are a popular alternative to CBD oil. We recommend the full spectrum CBD softgels from Farmacy Bliss. They contain 30 mg of CBD with 30 caps per bottle.

Learn more by reading our Farmacy Bliss Review.

Third party tests confirm the potency and purity of these capsules.

Farmacy Bliss’ softgels are sourced from USDA certified organic American hemp. The company is also certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority.

These softgels are made with full spectrum hemp extract, which is the most effective form of CBD.

Third party tests confirm that these capsules contain multiple minor cannabinoids that work in synergy with CBD.

With a cost of $0.07 per mg of CBD, these capsules are cheaper than average.

Best Gummies — Five CBD Full Spectrum Gummies

If you’re looking to use CBD in the delicious form of gummies, we recommend Five CBD. The company offers one of the only proper full spectrum CBD gummies on the market. Better yet, they have a high strength of 50 mg (with 5 mg of THC), or the option of 25 mg.

Learn more by reading our five CBD Review.

Third party tests confirm that these gummies are free of contaminants, and they passed the test for CBD levels with results within the acceptable 10% variance.

Five CBD’s products are sourced from organic American hemp.

Unlike most CBD gummies, these are made from full spectrum hemp extract. As such, they may be more effective.

According to third party tests, these gummies contain THC and multiple minor cannabinoids.

These edibles cost $0.04 per mg of CBD, which is quite cheap for gummies, especially when they’re full spectrum.

**Use caution with this product as it may cause impairment**

Best Vape Product — CBDfx Terpene Vape Liquid

If you prefer immediate relief, vaping CBD can be a good option. We recommend the terpene vape liquid from CBDfx, which has four flavors and two potencies: 500 mg (17 mg/ml) and 1000 (33 mg/ml).

This unique vape juice is infused with a blend of terpenes from various cannabis strains, making it more effective than standard pure CBD vape oils.

If you don’t have a vape, CBDfx also sells a dedicated CBD vape kit.

Learn more by reading our CBDfx Review.

Third-party tests confirm the potency and purity of this vape juice.

CBDfx products are derived from organic Kentucky hemp.

This vape juice is formulated with pure CBD.

Unlike most vape juices, this product also contains a blend of cannabis terpenes that may have beneficial properties.

At $0.07-0.10 per mg of CBD, this vape oil costs less than most CBD e-liquids.

How to choose the best CBD for depression

With so many CBD products available, it’s not easy to choose the best one for depression. Here are some helpful tips:

• Third party testing: Reputable brands send their products for testing at an independent lab to verify their safety and CBD content. You should only buy third party tested products.
• Consumption method: CBD can be taken in a variety of ways, each with its advantages and disadvantages. For example, some people prefer to vape CBD because it works right away.
• Type of CBD: There are three types of CBD; isolate, full spectrum, and broad spectrum. Full spectrum is considered the most effective whereas the other two types are better when you need to avoid THC.
• Dosage: The right amount of CBD is different for everyone. You should start with a small dose and raise it slowly. The next time you shop, you can match your dosage to the product with the right potency.

Check out our detailed guide for a full explanation of how to find reputable CBD companies and choose the best products.

Safety and side effects

CBD has been the subject of intense research, showing that it’s a safe and well-tolerated compound. Its side effects are minor and include:

• Tiredness and drowsiness
• Diarrhea and nausea
• Low blood pressure and lightheadedness
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Dry mouth

CBD can also interact with many prescription drugs. As such, it’s best to talk with your doctor before taking it, especially if you’re already using antidepressants or other prescription medication.

Nonetheless, most people are unlikely to experience side effects because they’ve only been reported in studies using high oral doses of pure CBD.

Legality

Hemp derived CBD products (with 0.3% or less THC) are federally legal in the United States. However, a few states have more restrictive laws. Some ban CBD completely or only allow THC free products, so it’s best to research the particular state you’re curious about.