Pure CBD isolate offers many of CBD’s benefits without other cannabis compounds, like THC. Learn why some prefer it, and see our favorite products.

If you’re interested in a CBD product that’s the least likely to have any unexpected side effects, you might consider CBD isolate.

This form of CBD results from isolating CBD in the extraction process from other cannabis plant compounds, like THC, terpenes, and flavonoids. People who want to avoid consuming THC, often prefer it.

Like other CBD products, you can get CBD isolate in many forms, including gummies, tinctures, capsules, creams, and more. Here are some of our favorites.

-
Price
Form
Flavors
Bluebird Botanicals THC-Free CBD Oil
$
oil
unflavored
Extract Labs Daily Support Hemp Tincture
$$
tincture
unflavored, but may taste like coconut from the oil
Medterra Isolate CBD Gel Capsules
$
capsules
unflavored
Soul CBD Rapid Relief Cream
$$
cream
unscented but includes menthol
Soul CBD Gummies, 25 mg, Seriously Sour
$$
gummies
• Seriously Sour
• Sex on the Beach
• Rocket Pop
• Mystery
• Pineapple Mango
• Strawberry
• Raspberry
• Orange Cream
• Piña Colada
• Passion Fruit
Medterra Isolate CBD Oil
$$$
oil
unflavored

We selected these CBD isolate products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.

As a part of our vetting process, we consider:

  • the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
  • any third-party certifications
  • the company’s reputation and business practices
  • any lab test results
  • marketing claims

Whenever possible, our editors test these vetted products personally, including some of the ones recommended in this article.

The purest form of CBD is CBD isolate. To create CBD isolate, hemp goes through a number of purifying processes to strip away other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, leaving behind only CBD.

The other types of CBD are:

  • Broad-spectrum: CBD products that are almost the same as full-spectrum CBD, but there’s one key difference: They don’t include THC.

Research on CBD is still underway. There’s much more to learn, but some research suggests CBD may be able to offer several benefits.

Anxiety relief

Numerous studies have pointed to CBD’s anti-anxiety effects.

For instance, a 2019 study looked at whether CBD can enhance sleep, reduce anxiety, or do both.

During the study, 72 adults who experience anxiety or sleeping issues were given CBD capsules. Approximately 79% of the participants reported reduced anxiety, while nearly 67% of people noticed better sleep within the first month. However, the quality of their sleep varied over time.

A separate 2019 study indicated that CBD lowered anxiety among a pool of 37 young adults who experience social anxiety.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Some animal research points to CBD’s potential to help lower inflammation. It may do this by affecting activity in the body’s endocannabinoid receptors.

Seizure reduction

Epidiolex for seizures is the only prescription CBD product approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It can help reduce seizures caused by:

While CBD isolate may offer the above benefits, it still may not be the best option for everyone. Here are some considerations:

Missing entourage effect

Research suggests that CBD’s therapeutic effects are greater when combined with other cannabis compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and lesser-known cannabinoids. This theory is called the entourage effect.

A 2015 study on mice suggested that although CBD isolate offers some health benefits, it may be less impactful than the benefits of using full-spectrum CBD products.

The study’s results also suggested that CBD isolate can help relieve swelling and pain at a specific dose, while full-spectrum CBD products offer additional effects with higher doses.

Research from 2020 on the effects of cannabinoids suggested that pairing terpenes with terpenoids may serve as a possible future treatment option for some people with mood and anxiety disorders.

Drug testing

Some people prefer CBD isolate over full-spectrum products because they want to avoid THC. However, it’s worth mentioning that there’s always the chance that even CBD isolate products may include trace amounts of THC.

If you get drug tested, you may want to avoid CBD products entirely.

There are various ways to take CBD, including CBD isolate.

You can take CBD orally via:

You can apply CBD topically for targeting localized pain with:

You can also add CBD isolate powder to food or drinks.

Some people vape CBD, though this method isn’t recommended due to safety concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against vaping.

The FDA doesn’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter CBD products. To avoid buying products that are misrepresented or mislabeled, look for an up-to-date certificate of analysis (COA) from a reputable third-party lab. You can use this to make sure that the amount of CBD and THC in the product matches what’s advertised.

It’s also important to check the contaminant testing results. These will vary by brand, but it’s best to look for results for pesticides, heavy metals, and mold — all of which you’ll want to steer clear of.

It’s also a good idea to buy from a company that’s transparent about where it grows its hemp and how it makes its products. This information should be clearly available on the brand’s website.

Common mistakes when buying CBD

  • Choosing the cheapest products you find: If a company is promoting cheap prices, be wary of the quality. Significant effort is put into making good quality CBD products, which typically results in moderate to higher pricing.
  • Expecting instant results: Finding the right type of CBD product in the right formulation and dose can take time. There are also many unknowns and gaps in research on effectiveness. CBD shouldn’t be viewed as a cure-all or a quick fix.
  • Ignoring missing lab results: Transparency is key to distinguish a good CBD product. Make sure the brand has COAs available to confirm the quality and purity results. Also look for other indicators of quality, such information about farming practices and extraction methods.
  • Buying the wrong product: Hemp and hempseed oil are not the same as CBD. They are made from different parts of the cannabis plant and do not confer the same benefits. Some retailers, like Amazon, don’t allow the sale of CBD, so products there will made from hemp or hempseed.

While research suggests that CBD is generally considered safe, some people may experience side effects, including:

  • fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • changes in appetite
  • changes in weight

Talk with a doctor before trying CBD, especially if you’re taking any medications. CBD may interact with some medications, including those with a grapefruit warning.

If you’re taking CBD orally, avoid taking it with a high fat meal. One 2020 study found that doing so may increase side effects.

Although some research and anecdotal reports suggest that CBD is effective and beneficial on its own, other research suggests CBD’s therapeutic effects are better when mixed with other cannabis compounds, like terpenes, flavonoids, and lesser-known cannabinoids. This concept is known as the entourage effect.

CBD, in general, is touted for its ability to help the body with sleep, anxiety, pain, and more. Pure CBD may not have as strong of a therapeutic effect thanks to an extraction process that strips out added cannabis plant compounds, which are thought to boost potential benefits.

Pure CBD is CBD that’s had all additional cannabis plant substances and compounds extracted, resulting in CBD in its purest form. This means pure CBD doesn’t include THC, terpenes, or flavonoids.

Pure CBD, or CBD isolate, may be a good choice if you’re interested in CBD but want to avoid the other compounds found in the cannabis plant, including THC.

CBD isolate boasts a number of potential benefits, including relief of pain, inflammation, and anxiety.

Studies do suggest, however, that some of these benefits may be more noticeable when using full-spectrum CBD products.

When shopping for CBD products, be sure to choose from a reputable company, and read labeling and dosage recommendations carefully.

Remember to consult with a doctor or healthcare professional before trying CBD.

Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

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