by Christen Russo, MSA Reviewer, Believer in Plant Magic
March 1, 2021| 15 comments

Wait, what’s the deal with CBD?

Wondering what CBD is and why you’re seeing it everywhere? Let’s start with the basics. CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of hundreds of chemical compounds found naturally in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, it is not psychoactive, so it won’t make you feel high. CBD’s effects on one’s awareness are extremely subtle, so if anything, you may notice yourself feeling more calm and at ease. CBD is non-addictive, as is cited in this concise overview by Harvard Health Publishing.

So, if it’s so subtle, why take CBD at all? Many people turn to CBD as a natural means of relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Others use CBD just as a way to take the edge off and relax. (I fall into the latter category.) It can be taken in many forms: as a tincture or oil, in capsules, infused into gummies, or topically by way of lotions or rubs.

How to take CBD

Perhaps the most common way to ingest CBD is as an oil, using a dropper to apply it under the tongue, holding it in place for up to a minute, then swallowing. Taking it this way, known as “sublingually,” makes for quick absorption by the blood vessel under your tongue. When taking a supplement in this manner, it’s always good to know what else your body is quickly absorbing! CBD oil is always diluted with a carrier oil, so you’ll want to read your ingredients. In the case of Sunsoil, the carrier is organic MCT, which is extracted from coconut oil and has some of its own benefits. Some consider MCT to be the best carrier oil because it promotes the absorption and bioavailability of the CBD. Other common carrier oils for CBD are hemp oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, and more.

CBD Spectrums

Next, you might consider spectrum. There are three: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolates. To grossly oversimplify, full-spectrum CBD is extracted from the hemp plant in a way that keeps all the active compounds intact (CBD, trace cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils—and also a trace amount of THC, though not enough to make you high). Broad spectrum maintains most of those compounds, but notably, removes the ~0.3% of THC, guaranteeing one would not receive a false positive in a drug test. CBD isolate is exactly what it sounds like: CBD that has been isolated from all the other active compounds from the hemp plant. Removing the “other stuff” means the benefits aren’t as readily available, though CBD alone has some positive impacts.

Legality

Hemp-derived CBD products are legal in the United States. However, thought and caution is advised when taking hemp extract, CBD oil tinctures, or CBD capsules out of your home with you. The legality of CBD is relatively new and some states still have some restrictions. Additionally, some establishments have their own guidelines on its allowance. We suggest doing your due diligence before taking CBD on the go.

Learn for Yourself

There is so much more to learn about CBD—it’s a really fun topic to geek out on, and it’s commonplace for CBD companies to publish their lab results, so there’s a lot of great research readily available.

Please note: The above is a brief overview of CBD in my own words. Please do your research before trying CBD for the first time. It’s never a bad idea to consult your doctor before trying a new supplement.

About Sunsoil

The Brand: Sunsoil (formerly known as Green Mountain CBD)

The Cost: Individual products start at $30. Save 20% when you subscribe to automatic shipments.

COUPON: Use code MSA10 to save 10% your first order.

What You Get: The Starter Bundle includes Sunsoil’s 1 oz. bottle of CBD Cinnamon Drops and a 30-count bottle of Softgels (20mg CBD per softgel). Each contains full-spectrum, whole plant CBD oil. Other options for oils and softgels are also available a la carte.

Ships to: The US only. Shipping is free for orders of $75 or more. For orders under $75, shipping costs $3.99 for standard, $9.99 for express/priority, $20.99 for next day.

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Why did I try Sunsoil?

As I mentioned ever so briefly above, I am a regular taker of CBD, but not as a means of treating any specific diagnosis. I enjoy CBD for the sake of smoothing out those little aches and pains that begin to accumulate in life. I first tried it when I was training for a half-marathon and the joints in my knees and ankles were scream-crying at me in fatigue. If I thought that life experience was a doozy, I then became a mother, and let me tell you, these early years of parenthood aren’t easy on the body either. Did CBD “fix” my physical woes? Honestly, it’s hard to say. Not in the same way an ibuprofen would, but it’s also not healthy to take an ibuprofen every day just because life hurts. It worked well enough to keep me coming back. From my experience, CBD’s kind of like a low-key, plant-derived chill aid. Which is exactly my speed.

This is almost certainly going to get some eye rolls, but it’s something I’d tell a friend if they asked me: I think CBD is best paired with intention. As I ingest it, I radiate love and healing to wherever in my body I need it to go. The earthy taste of CBD serves as a nice reminder to spend a moment with my intention. And, guess what? There’s science in that, too.

The Starter Bundle

Previous

5 of 5

1 of 5

2 of 5

3 of 5

4 of 5

5 of 5

1 of 5

2 of 5

3 of 5

4 of 5

5 of 5

Next

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Sunsoil offers a simple spread of CBD products: CBD oil, CBD softgels, and CBD coconut oil. If you know you want something topical, their coconut oil is going to be your jam. If you’re looking for something you can take orally but aren’t sure which you’ll prefer, their Starter Bundle gives a great sampling. It includes their smallest bottle of softgel capsules (30 count) and their smallest bottle of cinnamon-flavored oil (1 oz). They’re two of Sunsoil‘s most popular products. Individually they each cost $30 for one-time purchase, and are not offered as subscription options like the larger sized bottles are.

Printed on the back of the card that comes inside the shipping box, there’s an illustrated graphic showing you the life of a Sunsoil product. I love this! As a consumer it makes me feel like they have nothing to hide.

Sunsoil CBD Cinnamon Drops

Previous

4 of 4

1 of 4

2 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4

1 of 4

2 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4

Next

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Bottle size: 1 oz

Serving size: 1-2 mL (1 full dropper = 1 mL). It is suggested to start with 1 mL and go up from there as you are comfortable.

Servings per bottle: Up to 30, when you consider 1 serving as 1 mL

Potency: 20mg CBD per 1 mL

Sunsoil‘s full-spectrum CBD oil drops boast a delightfully minimal ingredients list: their homegrown organic hemp, organic MCT oil (which is fractionated coconut oil, AKA it won’t harden like the coconut oil you use in your kitchen), and natural flavors. In this case it’s cinnamon oil, which has a spiced scent and a hint of bite to its taste. I appreciate that the added flavor doesn’t overpower the natural earthy taste of the hemp. I also love that the dropper’s markings are dark and easy to read, so you know exactly how much you’re measuring out.

This full-spectrum CBD contains 20mg of CBD per 1 mL. That’s a relatively low dose and generally a great place to start for first-timers—you can always go up from there. I typically take 1 mL and that feels like plenty for me! CBD can sometimes cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, and irritability, which is something to look out for as you learn what dosage is right for you. I’ve never experienced side effects from 1 mL of CBD.

Learn more about Sunsoil’s cinnamon drops here.

Sunsoil CBD Softgels

Previous

4 of 4

1 of 4

2 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4

1 of 4

2 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4

Next

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Bottle size: 30 liquid softgels

Serving size: 1 softgel

Servings per bottle: 30

Potency: 20mg CBD per softgel

The CBD capsules sent in the Starter Bundle are made with organic coconut oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin, and water—in addition to 20mg of CBD. That’s the same amount as 1 dropperful of the oil. The suggested dosage is 1, and again, you can scale up as you are comfortable. I decided to take 1 with my vitamins in the mornings after eating breakfast, then supplemented with the oil drops later in the day if I felt I needed it (usually I didn’t; I went for either capsules or the oil on any given day). Some people like to take CBD before bed to help them get to sleep, and this would be a great option for that since it’s slower-release.

This was my first time taking CBD in capsule form. I’m not a particularly finicky pill-taker, but sometimes for those giant pressed pills I have to employ a water whooshing technique to guarantee it goes down without a hitch. These capsules are relatively small and very smooth, so they were easily swallowable and didn’t have any flavor whatsoever! I’ll absolutely enjoy this whole bottle but the jury’s still out on if I’ll go for capsules again—mainly because I like the ritual and flavor of taking CBD with a dropper.

Learn more about Sunsoil’s CBD softgels here. Note that these CBD capsules contain gelatin, but they also offer vegan capsules.

By the way, Sunsoil products have QR codes printed on their labels, which can be used for quick access to lab results and more. For those with an iPhone, all you have to do is open your camera and hover it over the QR code, then a notification will pop up to prompt you to open a Sunsoil link in your browser (see below). When you click that notification, you’ll be taken to a page with lab results and also given information about their referral program.

Previous

3 of 3

1 of 3

2 of 3

3 of 3

1 of 3

2 of 3

3 of 3

Next

• 1
• 2
• 3

Value Comparison

When you place a one-time purchase of any Sunsoil CBD product you are paying $0.05 per mg of CBD. When you subscribe, you end up paying $0.04 per mg of CBD. Other popular CBD brands like Charlotte’s Web break down to $0.08 per mg of CBD, and Lord Jones comes in at $0.10 per mg. Suffice it to say Sunsoil offers extremely affordable pricing. This is kind of mind-blowing for a product that’s the manifestation of organic farming, safe and efficient extraction practices, and quality manufacturing.

So, what’s the verdict?

I had a really positive experience with Sunsoil CBD. It is Sunsoil‘s goal to make high-quality CBD oil affordable and accessible, and I think they do a great job of it. Their process is efficient, organic, and transparent, three virtues that are personal values of mine. Their product is sold at a reasonable price point, yet they do not skimp on delivering CBD that stands up to its more expensive peers.

The Starter Bundle was also a great way to explore what Sunsoil is all about and give me the chance to find which one seems right for me. I’m not sure the pills are for me long-term, but if ever I begin to contend with chronic pain, anxiety, or insomnia I may reconsider. I look forward to trying other flavors of their CBD oil, and the coconut oil for topical use as well as for cooking!

Some of our readers shared their experiences with CBD in the comments section of our list of the Best CBD Subscriptions (Sunsoil is ranked at #1!). Have you tried CBD? Do you use it regularly?

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.