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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical found in cannabis plants. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD doesn’t make you feel intoxicated, but it does have some promising health benefits. Though research is ongoing, studies done to date indicate that it might help ease pain, inflammation, skin conditions, anxiety, and other conditions.
One of the more well-known CBD brands in the United States is Charlotte’s Web. Charlotte’s Web creates and sells a number of different products that contain CBD.
Cannabis terminology
- Hemp: a type of cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3 percent THC
- Full-spectrum: a type of CBD product that contains all the compounds found in cannabis, including both CBD and THC — federally legal products will still contain less than 0.3 percent THC
- Broad-spectrum: a type of CBD product that contains all compounds found in cannabis except THC
- Isolate: a type of CBD product that contains only CBD
Background
In 2012, the seven Stanley brothers developed a strain of hemp called Charlotte’s Web. This strain, which was high in CBD but low in THC, was shared with a girl named Charlotte Figi. Charlotte had Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. The strain of hemp helped her symptoms and reduced the frequency of her seizures.
Charlotte’s story, and the Stanley brothers, were widely covered in international media, highlighting the medical potential of cannabis. From there, the Stanley brothers founded a company named Charlotte’s Web. Today, they sell CBD tinctures, oils, gummies, capsules, and pet products made with extracts of their original hemp strain.
Reputation
Charlotte’s Web is one of the oldest, most well-known CBD brands. As such, it’s faced some scrutiny over the years. In 2017, Charlotte’s Web received a
Currently, the company is facing two class action suits over mislabeling CBD products and overstating the amount of hemp extract in their CBD creams.
However, the company also has many positive reviews on their website and other sites such as the Better Business Bureau. They’re also certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority.
Transparency and standards
Charlotte’s Web is transparent about what goes into their products, offering batch-specific certificates of analysis (COAs) online. They’re also transparent about their process, giving customers an overview of their planting process and quality control processes here.
The facility where they make their products follows the FDA’s good manufacturing practices. While this doesn’t mean they’re FDA-approved — no over-the-counter CBD product is — it is an additional indicator of quality.
Price and quality
Compared with other companies and considering potency, Charlotte’s Web products are relatively inexpensive. They range from around $15 to more than $100. The company also offers a discount for veterans, and they have a rewards program.
Charlotte’s Web grows their own hemp in Colorado. While their hemp isn’t currently certified organic, the company is in the process of getting certified. All products are gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan.
As mentioned above, all products are third-party tested so you can be sure of what you’re getting.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $50
- $$ = $50–$100
- $$$ = over $100
Pros and cons
Pros of Charlotte’s Web
- well-known brand that’s been around for a long time
- lots of positive user reviews
- relatively inexpensive
- good breadth of products
- veterans discount
- good transparency
- batch-specific COAs
- made from U.S.-grown hemp
Cons of Charlotte’s Web
- hemp isn’t currently certified organic
- currently facing two class action lawsuits
- received a warning letter from the FDA in the past
Healthline’s picks of best Charlotte’s Web products
Best Charlotte’s Web oils
Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil, 17 mg/mL
Use code “HEALTH15” for 15% off
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- CBD potency: 17 mg per 1-mL serving
- COA: Available online
Price: $$–$$$
Charlotte’s Web markets this CBD oil as their go-to, everyday CBD oil, ideal for people who haven’t tried CBD yet. The product contains only hemp extract, coconut oil, and flavoring. The available flavors are mint chocolate, lemon twist, orange blossom, and olive oil
This product has 17 milligrams (mg) of CBD per 1-milliliter (mL) dropper, but if you’re new to CBD, you may want to start with half a dropper full. If you’re looking for an even lower dose product, you can also try their 7 mg/mL oil.
The 17-mg/mL oil is isopropyl alcohol extracted, whereas most of Charlotte’s Web products are carbon dioxide (CO2) extracted. Each extraction process has pros and cons.
CO2 extraction is a solventless extraction process, so there are no harmful chemicals in the final process. However, this process can also remove the terpenes from the plant. Terpenes have been shown to improve the effectiveness of cannabis for therapeutic potential.
With alcohol extraction, solvents such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butane, and hexane can leave more terpenes in the final product — though there’s a risk of possible residual solvents in the final process. You can read more about both of these extraction processes here.
Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil, 60 mg/mL
Use code “HEALTH15” for 15% off
- CBD type: Full-spectrum (less than 0.3 percent THC)
- CBD potency: 1,800 mg per 30-mL bottle or 6,000 mg per 100-mL bottle
- COA: Available online
Price: $$–$$$
With 60 mg of CBD per milliliter, this oil is the most potent one Charlotte’s Web offers. So, if you need something stronger than the product above, this might be a good choice for you. It comes in mint chocolate, orange blossom, and lemon twist flavor.
The cannabinoids in this oil are extracted via CO2 extraction. This may be a more environmentally friendly extraction method than alcohol extraction.
Charlotte’s Web CBD Isolate
Use code “HEALTH15” for 15% off
- CBD type: Isolate (no THC)
- CBD potency: 600 mg per 30 mL
- COA: Available online
Price: $$
If you’re looking for a product that’s truly THC-free, this isolate may be a good choice. It’s the only CBD isolate product by Charlotte’s Web.
While the full-spectrum products come in a variety of flavors, strengths, and sizes, this product is only available unflavored in a 30-mL bottle at a strength of 20 mg per mL.
Best Charlotte’s Web topicals
Charlotte’s Web Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Cream
Use code “HEALTH15” for 15% off
- CBD type: Full-spectrum (less than 0.3 percent THC)
- CBD potency: 750 mg per 2.5-oz. tube
- COA: Available online
Price: $
Topical products like creams, gels, and lotions can be helpful for pain relief since you can apply them to a localized area. Some people also use them for skin conditions like acne and psoriasis.
This CBD-infused body cream contains hempseed oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, and sea buckthorn oil, which are said to be hydrating, soothing ingredients. The cream is intended to be moisturizing, nonirritating, and suitable for sensitive skin.
Charlotte’s Web Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Cooling Gel
Use code “HEALTH15” for 15% off
- CBD type: Full-spectrum (less than 0.3 percent THC)
- CBD potency: 510 mg per 1.7-oz. bottle
- COA: Available online
Price: $
As with most cooling gels, this product is intended to be used to soothe pain in muscles and joints. This gel, which is vegan and not tested on animals, comes in a bottle with a pump mechanism for easy use. The formula includes menthol and arnica, both of which are commonly used to relieve pain.
Best Charlotte’s Web gummies and capsules
Charlotte’s Web CBD Gummies, Sleep
Use code “HEALTH15” for 15% off
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- CBD potency: 5 mg per gummy
- Count: 60 gummies per container
- COA: Available online
Price: $
These berry-flavored gummies are used to induce sleep. The suggested serving size is two gummies, which contains a total of 10 mg of CBD and 3 mg of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that’s naturally produced by your body to induce sleep, and it’s often sold as a dietary supplement.
Additionally, some research suggests that CBD might help improve sleep.
Charlotte’s Web Hemp Extract Liquid Capsules
Use code “HEALTH15” for 15% off
- CBD type: Full-spectrum (less than 0.3 percent THC)
- CBD potency: 750 mg per 30-count bottle, 1,500 mg per 60-count bottle, or 2,250 mg per 90-count bottle
- Count: 30 or 90
- COA: Available online
Price: $$–$$$
Measuring and dropping a precise amount of CBD oil can be cumbersome. If you want no-frills, straightforward CBD oil, but you don’t like using CBD drops, you might like these vegan capsules. Since every capsule contains the same amount of CBD, you don’t have to worry about measuring it out. Capsules are also ideal for those who don’t like the taste of CBD oil.
While this option contains 25 mg per capsule, you can also buy a version with 15 mg per capsule.
How to choose
If you want to try a Charlotte’s Web CBD product but aren’t sure which one would work best for you, first ask yourself exactly what you want to address. This will help you narrow it down.
For example, if you’re looking for a product to ease pain in a localized area, you may want to try a topical. If you’re looking for relief from full-body pain or other issues like anxiety, ingesting CBD through oils, gummies, or capsules might be a better choice.
Additionally, some products contain added ingredients that might be beneficial for a particular use, like melatonin for sleep or camphor for pain.
If you’re stuck, you can try the product finder on their website. Also, be sure to read customer reviews. They might help you determine what’s worked for other people with the same condition.
It’s also a good idea to work with a qualified clinician who is knowledgeable in CBD. They can help determine the best product, dose, and route of administration for you.
Other than that, it can be helpful to experiment. The taste or fragrance, in the case of topicals, might appeal to one person and not the other, so it’s up to you to try it and see what you prefer.
How to use
For the most part, you can find out how to use Charlotte’s Web products on their website or packaging, which has suggestions and directions.
Generally speaking, if you’re ingesting CBD (via capsules, oil, or gummies), it might take a while to figure out what dosage works for you. It’s a good idea to start small and gradually increase from there. After a week of daily use, assess how you’re feeling. If your symptoms are still bad, you might want to try increasing your dosage a little until you feel a difference.
Topical CBD products can be massaged into the affected area. It’s difficult to dose topical CBD products because it’s hard to measure how much you apply to your skin. In general, you should use as much as you’d use if it were a regular topical product. If it doesn’t feel any different after some time has passed, use a little more.
Bear in mind that it might take a while — a few days or even a week — before you feel the effects of the CBD.
Side effects
CBD is generally considered safe for human consumption, according to
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite
- changes in weight
Some
It’s also important to note that CBD can interact with some medications, especially medications that carry a grapefruit warning. Whether or not you’re on any long-term medication, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before using CBD. You can talk with a knowledgeable cannabis clinician if one is available to you.
Takeaway
Charlotte’s Web is a well-known CBD brand with a wide range of products, including oils, gummies, capsules, and topicals. Before you try any CBD products, it’s a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider.
Is CBD Legal? Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.
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