CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, unlike THC that gets you high. UK regulations stipulate that CBD products must contain no more than 1mg of THC to be sold legally.
The choice of CBD products has exploded, including oils, capsules, sprays and muscle gels. It’s important to choose a product from a reputable source with clear, backed health claims.
Benefits
CBD can be found in oil tinctures, capsules and creams. It is a natural product that has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain, anxiety and depression. It also aids sleep and has sedative effects when taken at the right dosage.
Supporters claim CBD can help with a wide range of clinical conditions, including refractory epilepsy, chronic pain and anxiety, as well as acne, stress and inflammatory conditions. However, evidence is still weak, and more research needs to be done.
A small number of people in the UK are prescribed cannabis-based medicines to treat their condition. These include Nabilone, which is used to treat severe sickness during chemotherapy and Sativex, which is used to ease the muscle spasticity of multiple sclerosis patients who don’t respond to other treatments.
High street CBD products aren’t as well regulated as those that are prescribed by doctors, so it’s important to choose a trusted brand with premium ingredients and third-party lab testing. One of our top picks is Vibes CBD. This brand uses chromatography techniques to extract the best cannabinoids and then blend them into base oils like organic coconut and MCT (fractionated hemp) oil.
Ingredients
CBD oils are usually made with hemp, which is pressed for cooking oil rich in omegas and contains negligible amounts of THC (the psychoactive compound found in marijuana). Some brands use premium ingredients and best manufacturing practices to create top quality products such as Blessed CBD, which uses third-party lab testing to verify the contents and potency of all their CBD oils.
The products that contain CBD oil can be sold in a variety of forms, including tinctures and drops. They can also be added to e-liquids, capsules and topical skin creams. A pure isolate powder containing only CBD is also available and can be added to products without violating UK law, because it does not contain THC.
There are also a few CBD companies that make a CBD paste, which is a thick putty-like substance preloaded into a syringe and can be dispensed directly under the tongue. Some people choose this type of CBD product because it can be absorbed more quickly and may be more effective than other forms of CBD.
Dosage
CBD is an effective natural remedy for many health problems but it isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ treatment. The amount of CBD required will vary from person to person depending on their weight and the specific condition they’re trying to treat.
CBD acts as a neurotransmitter for the endocannabinoid system, affecting different receptors in the brain and body. The different receptors have different threshold amounts for activation so people respond to CBD in a unique way.
The type of CBD oil you choose will also have an impact on your reaction to it. For example, a full-spectrum CBD product will contain trace amounts of THC but won’t have the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis.
When choosing CBD products, look for third-party lab testing and high-quality ingredients. A good CBD brand will make their lab reports available so that you can see what’s in each bottle of their oil tinctures, edible gummies, or vitamin-enriched capsules.
Side Effects
CBD does not have any psychoactive properties like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil can be used as a natural remedy to help with anxiety, sleep disorders and pain relief.
It is also being investigated as a potential treatment for severe forms of epilepsy, Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, which are not controlled by other medicines. It is also being considered as a medication to treat neuropathic pain caused by multiple sclerosis and for the nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy when anti-sickness tablets fail.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has classified CBD as medicinal product, provided it meets certain regulations, but many products on the high street aren’t properly authorised. Look for brands that offer third party testing and premium ingredients with a dedication to customer satisfaction like CBII. Their full spectrum CBD products have been independently validated as Novel Food and are guaranteed to contain less than 0.2% THC with Certificates of Analysis available for each product. CBD Oils UK