Review: Panacea Hemp Oil Extract Softgels (75mg)

Panacea softgel packaging

I received a generous free sample of Panacea Life Sciences brand 75mg Hemp Oil Extract Softgels in a giveaway contest.  The sample arrived quickly in a plain, unmarked envelope 2 days after requesting them.  The packaging is super professional looking.  Upon opening, the smell is, well, not so great.  The softgels definitely have that hemp/dirt smell.  But it's not terrible.  They're small & easy to swallow which more than makes up for it.  They came with a nice glossy information card that contains more info about the product:  Full-Spectrum, less than 0.2% THC, grown in the USA with no pesticides, etc. 

One 75mg softgel

After taking 1 softgel, I feel nothing in the way of a head change which makes sense because hemp oil is not psychoactive.  The package doesn't list the amount of CBD in each capsule, which is kind of disappointing.  In fact I'm not entirely sure whether it's derived from hemp or hempseed, as the label doesn't say.  (What exactly is hemp oil extract anyway?)  That's one thing I'm not a fan of when it comes to supplements: unclear labeling.  I prefer to know which parts of the plant it came from, how much CBD it contains & where the hemp was grown.

There is no burping or stomach irritation from the gel cap.  No GI upset which is huge for me since I have both GERD & IBS.  It appears to be a reliable hemp oil supplement if that's what you're looking for.  I prefer CBD isolates & whole hemp flower myself, but hemp oil definitely has its own health benefits.  It contains a perfectly balanced 3:1 ratio of the essential fatty acids Omega-3 & Omega-6 and is low in saturated fat compared to other culinary oils.  Other ingredients include bovine gelatin, coconut oil, glycerin & peppermint oil to help with bioavailability. 

Considering that these 7 softgels cost $44 at full price, this was a VERY generous giveaway, for which I'd like to thank Panacea.  I only wish their products were more affordable for the average shopper.  One month's supply of these 75mg softgels costs $93.  But maybe it's worth it?  If they help your health problems significantly enough to cut back on medical costs, Panacea's hemp products might be right for you.  They also have some more affordable products, such as topical salve ($12) & hemp dog supplements ($12).  Woof.