Cannabidiol

Cannabidiol reference formula with an example 25 mg per serving, developed as a softgel, a liquid or a gummy, with the final amount set by the brand.

Cannabidiol is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient CBD product, with the cannabinoid declared by weight. The example serving carries 25 mg of cannabidiol, and the brand sets the final amount, the extract type and the format for its market.

A softgel carries the example amount, with liquids and gummies as the other main formats among the reference labels. The development work centers on the extract type and its cannabinoid profile, the stability of an oil-soluble cannabinoid in each format, and the regulatory position of CBD in each sales market.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
Cannabidiol25 mg (example amount)Hemp-derived cannabidiol isolate or extract; specification 25 mg CBD per serving, with CBD purity, cannabinoid profile and residual THC limit set with the supplierA broad-spectrum extract at an adjusted weight, or a water-soluble CBD powder for liquid and gummy formats

The amount is the weight of cannabidiol as declared on the label, so the purity and the cannabinoid profile are part of the specification and are not inferred from the weight. The label names the ingredient as cannabidiol; the source and the extract type are set in the specification.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around stress and mood wellness. Cannabidiol is included as the single active so that the extract type, the purity and the format can be set around one ingredient.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Hemp-derived wellness ingredientCannabidiolIncluded as a phytocannabinoid in a single-ingredient format. Evidence: Product positioning
AnxietyCannabidiolA systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies with 316 participants found a large effect of CBD on anxiety (Hedges g of -0.92, 95% CI -1.80 to -0.04), and the authors urge caution because of the limited clinical sample and call for further trials [1]. Evidence: Mixed

The example amount is a starting point, and the brand sets the final CBD amount and the format for its market.

Available Formats

The reference formula is built for a softgel, a liquid and a gummy version; counts per serving are design choices that the brand can adjust.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Softgel1 softgel25 mg cannabidiol30 or 60 softgelsCarrier oil, glycerin, shell (gelatin or plant-based)Carries the example amount
Liquid1 mL25 mg cannabidiol30 mL dropper bottleCarrier oil (MCT), natural flavorOil tincture dosed by dropper
Gummy1 gummy25 mg cannabidiol30 or 60 gummiesPectin, sweetener, acid, natural flavor, water-soluble CBDChew for brands that want a flavored format

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. CBD isolate is assumed at 98% purity and a carrier oil density of 0.92 g/mL, so 25 mg of CBD needs about 25.5 mg of isolate per unit.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
Softgel25.5 mg CBD isolateAbout 500 mg fill in a size 10 oval softgelAbout 475 mg carrier oilSolubility of CBD in the oil, fill weight variation, leak test, CBD assay
Liquid25.5 mg CBD isolate per mL30 mL amber bottleMCT oil to volumeDissolution at strength, assay, oxidation, taste
Gummy25.5 mg CBD per gummy (as a water-soluble powder)About 4 g gummyAbout 4 g gummy baseDispersion, assay after storage, texture, taste

Capsule and tablet versions are separate projects, because a milligram-level oil-soluble active needs its own blending or oil-fill study in those formats.

Formulation Considerations

Extract type and purity. Isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum extracts differ in cannabinoid profile and in residual THC. The specification states the CBD purity, the other cannabinoids and the THC limit with a method.
Dispersion in each format. CBD is oil-soluble. A softgel and a liquid use an oil carrier, and a gummy needs a water-soluble form or an emulsion; dispersion and assay after storage are checked per format.
Regulatory position. CBD is treated differently across markets, and some markets limit or restrict it as a food ingredient or set limits on THC. The sales markets are chosen first, and the market review is completed before a product is developed.
Evidence and claims. The cited anxiety result comes from a small clinical sample and a wide confidence interval [1], so claims on a finished product are reviewed for each sales market before a product is developed.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the CBD amount, the extract type and the format.

ParameterRangeNote
CBD per serving0.093 to 66.67 mg across the reference labelsThe extract type and the market limits decide the amount
Extract typeIsolate, broad spectrum or full spectrumSets the cannabinoid profile and the THC limit
FormatSoftgel, liquid or gummyCapsule and tablet are separate projects
Flavor systemUnflavored, mint, citrus, berryUsed in the liquid and gummy
Add-onsMelatonin, L-theanineEach add-on changes the fill and the market review

The pilot run confirms the CBD solubility and assay, the softgel fill weight, and the dispersion and texture of the gummy.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
LiquidUnflavored, mint, citrusFresh notes cover the hemp taste
GummyBerry, citrusFruit notes cover the hemp taste

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (25 mg on the label of CF021531; example DSLD labels 241604, 241605, 241606). The label names the ingredient as cannabidiol; the extract type is set in the specification.
SpecificationSet in formulationHemp-derived cannabidiol, 25 mg per serving; CBD purity, cannabinoid profile and THC limit, residual solvent, heavy metal, pesticide and microbial limits and methods are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Han K, Wang JY, Wang PY, Peng YC. Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2024;339:116049. DOI · PubMed

Related products

OEM/ODM Development Inquiry

Essencefield supports custom supplement formulation and OEM/ODM development, including ingredient selection, dosage adjustments, delivery formats, flavors, packaging, and commercial supply. Submit your project requirements below to explore customization options, sample development, and manufacturing solutions tailored to your brand and target market.