Our Methodology
How we research, review, and recommend CBD products
At Cannetics, we believe you deserve transparent, science-backed information to make informed decisions about CBD. This page details exactly how we research products, calculate dosages, evaluate scientific evidence, and maintain editorial independence.
Our Commitment:
Every recommendation, review, and piece of content on Cannetics is backed by rigorous research methodology, third-party verification, and transparent evaluation criteria. We never accept payment for positive reviews or recommendations.
🔬 Product Review & Evaluation Methodology
Product Selection & Sourcing
We independently purchase all products we review at retail price. We do not accept free products from manufacturers for review purposes. Products are selected based on:
- Market reputation and consumer demand
- Third-party lab testing availability
- Ingredient transparency
- Manufacturing practices (cGMP, ISO certification)
- Price point accessibility
Certificate of Analysis (COA) Verification
Every product must provide a current, batch-specific Certificate of Analysis from an ISO 17025-accredited third-party laboratory. We verify:
✅ Cannabinoid Profile
- CBD potency (matches label claim ±10%)
- THC content (complies with legal limits <0.3%)
- Other cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, CBC if applicable)
- Full-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum vs. isolate verification
🚫 Contaminant Screening
- Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury)
- Pesticides (66+ common agricultural pesticides)
- Residual solvents (butane, propane, ethanol)
- Microbial contaminants (E. coli, Salmonella, mold, yeast)
- Mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin)
Red Flag: Products without current COAs, COAs older than 12 months, or COAs from non-accredited labs are automatically disqualified from our recommendations.
Ingredient & Formulation Analysis
Our team analyzes every ingredient in the product formulation:
- Carrier Oils: MCT oil, hemp seed oil, olive oil - evaluated for quality and bioavailability enhancement
- Active Ingredients: CBD concentration, additional cannabinoids, terpenes
- Flavoring Agents: Natural vs. artificial, potential allergens
- Preservatives: Safety profile and necessity
- Fillers & Additives: Unnecessary or potentially harmful ingredients flagged
Products containing harmful additives, artificial colors, or undisclosed ingredients are disqualified.
Manufacturing & Quality Standards
We evaluate manufacturer practices and certifications:
cGMP Certified
🏭
Current Good Manufacturing Practice
ISO Accredited
✅
International quality standards
U.S. Hemp Grown
🌱
Domestic, regulated cultivation
Preferred: Products manufactured in FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facilities using U.S.-grown hemp from state-regulated hemp programs.
Customer Experience & Real-World Testing
We analyze hundreds of verified customer reviews and conduct hands-on evaluation:
- Taste & Palatability: Flavor profile, aftertaste, ease of consumption
- Packaging: Protection from light/air, clarity of labeling, child-safety
- Dosing Accuracy: Clarity of serving size, ease of measurement (dropper marks, pre-dosed)
- Customer Service: Response time, transparency, return policy
- Value: Price per mg of CBD, subscription discounts, shipping costs
Scoring & Rating System
Products are scored on a 100-point scale across six weighted categories:
Rating Scale: 90-100 (Excellent), 80-89 (Very Good), 70-79 (Good), 60-69 (Fair), Below 60 (Poor - Not Recommended)
💊 CBD Dosage Calculator Methodology
Our CBD Dosage Calculator uses evidence-based formulas derived from clinical research, pharmacokinetic studies, and expert consensus. Here's exactly how we calculate your personalized dose:
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
The Dosage Calculator provides educational information only and is NOT medical advice. Individual CBD needs vary significantly based on genetics, metabolism, condition severity, tolerance, and other factors. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting CBD, especially if you take medications or have medical conditions.
Step 1: Weight-Based Baseline Calculation
We start with body weight as the primary determinant, using mg/kg dosing ranges established in clinical literature:
Formula:
Base Dose (mg) = Body Weight (kg) × Experience Factor (mg/kg)
Experience Level Multipliers:
- • Beginner: 0.05 - 0.15 mg/kg (start low, assess tolerance)
- • Intermediate: 0.15 - 0.30 mg/kg (established tolerance)
- • Advanced: 0.30 - 0.60+ mg/kg (high tolerance, specific therapeutic needs)
Example: 150 lb (68 kg) beginner = 68 kg × 0.1 mg/kg = 6.8 mg CBD starting dose
References: Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2022); Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (2023); Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021)
Step 2: Wellness Goal Adjustment
Different wellness goals may require different dose ranges based on clinical research:
| Wellness Goal | Typical Dose Range | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|
| General Wellness | 10-25 mg/day | Anecdotal |
| Stress/Anxiety | 25-50 mg/day | Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sleep Support | 25-100 mg/day | Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pain/Inflammation | 20-80 mg/day | Strong ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Active Recovery | 15-40 mg/day | Emerging ⭐⭐ |
| Severe Chronic Pain | 50-150+ mg/day | Strong ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Note: Evidence levels based on human clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses available as of 2026.
Step 3: Bioavailability Correction
Different consumption methods have vastly different bioavailability (the percentage of CBD that actually enters your bloodstream). We adjust your dose accordingly:
High Bioavailability
- Vaping/Inhalation: 34-56% ⬆️
- Sublingual (under tongue): 13-35% ⬆️
- Nasal Spray: 34-46% ⬆️
Low Bioavailability
- Edibles/Gummies: 4-20% ⬇️
- Capsules: 6-15% ⬇️
- Topicals (systemic): <5% ⬇️
Adjusted Dose Formula:
Adjusted Dose = Base Dose ÷ Bioavailability Factor
Example: 25 mg base dose via gummies (15% bioavailability) = 25 ÷ 0.15 = 167 mg in edible form
References: Journal of Clinical Pharmacology; European Journal of Pain; Frontiers in Neuroscience
Step 4: Titration Schedule (Start Low, Go Slow)
We recommend a conservative 4-week titration schedule to help you find your minimum effective dose while minimizing side effects and cost:
Week 1: Starting Dose
50% of calculated dose, once daily. Monitor effects and side effects.
Week 2: Assessment
If no effect, increase to 75% of calculated dose. Continue monitoring.
Week 3: Target Dose
If needed, increase to 100% of calculated dose. Evaluate effectiveness.
Week 4+: Optimization
Fine-tune dose up or down by 5-10 mg increments based on results. Goal: minimum effective dose.
Why titration matters: CBD builds up in your system over time (steady state reached in 5-7 days). Starting low prevents waste, reduces side effect risk, and helps you find your personal "sweet spot."
📚 Content & Research Methodology
All educational content on Cannetics is developed using rigorous research standards:
Sources & Evidence Hierarchy
We prioritize evidence in this order:
- Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses - Gold standard, synthesizes multiple studies
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) - Human clinical trials with control groups
- Observational Studies - Cohort studies, case-control studies
- Preclinical Research - Animal studies, in vitro studies (clearly labeled as such)
- Expert Consensus - Position statements from medical organizations
- Anecdotal Evidence - User reports (supplementary only, never primary basis for claims)
Fact-Checking & Review Process
- All health claims are verified against peer-reviewed literature
- Statistical data is cross-referenced with primary sources
- Content is reviewed for accuracy before publication
- Articles are dated and reviewed quarterly for updates
- Corrections are prominently noted when errors are identified
Key Research Databases
We regularly search:
PubMed/MEDLINE
27+ million biomedical citations
Google Scholar
Cross-disciplinary academic papers
ClinicalTrials.gov
Ongoing & completed clinical trials
Cochrane Library
Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
📰 Editorial Independence & Ethics
Our Editorial Policy
- ✓We never accept payment for positive reviews or recommendations
- ✓All affiliate relationships are clearly disclosed (FTC compliant)
- ✓Reviewers have no financial stake in recommended products
- ✓We purchase all review products at retail (no free samples)
- ✓Content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partners
- ✓We maintain the right to publish negative reviews and criticism
Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
Cannetics staff and contributors disclose any potential conflicts of interest. We do not hold equity in CBD companies we review, serve on advisory boards, or receive compensation beyond standard affiliate commissions (which are disclosed and do not influence ratings).
🔄 Updates & Revisions
We commit to keeping all content current and accurate:
- Quarterly Reviews: All content reviewed every 3 months for accuracy
- Real-Time Updates: Breaking research, safety alerts, or regulatory changes updated immediately
- Version History: Major updates include revision dates and change summaries
- Product Re-evaluation: Products re-reviewed annually or when formulations change
- Correction Policy: Errors corrected promptly with transparent notation
This Methodology Page:
Last Updated: March 4, 2026
Version: 1.0 (Initial Publication)
Next Review: June 4, 2026
Questions About Our Methodology?
If you have questions about our research methods, evaluation criteria, or editorial policies, we welcome your inquiry. Transparency is core to our mission.