A guide for those new to CBD who wish to understand more about the molecule to determine whether CBD is for them. What is CBD, the new product which is taking the wellness industry by storm.
What Is CBD?
Discovered in 1940, cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical found exclusively in the cannabis and hemp plant. CBD has a range of physiological effects on the human body. It is one of many compounds called cannabinoids, all of which have different effects. CBD and THC are the two most well-known cannabinoids that come from hemp.
Research into medical cannabis and CBD is still in its infancy. It is being studied to help alleviate certain symptoms of medical conditions. It still requires more studies to be conducted in many areas for this to be confirmed.
Is It Legal in the UK?
The range of CBD products in the UK is growing at an exponential rate. CBD is legal in the UK and is set to be a household item in the years to come. Though the vast amount of cannabinoids are still illegal, like THC, as they are listed as controlled substances under the controversial Misuse of Drugs Act. CBD and THC however, are two vastly different things.
Cannabidiol, however, is an exception to this law and is 100% legal in the United Kingdom. It is only legal so long as it comes from industrial hemp strain that is previously approved by the European Union or has come from outside the EU.
Legal cannabidiol in the UK also has to contain no THC. There is an exception to this rule according to the BBC, however. Sativex, which is a mix of 50% CBD and 50% THC can be given to those people who suffer from multiple sclerosis.
Can You Get High When Taking CBD?
While the perception regarding cannabis around the world is changing and the laws surrounding its prohibition are generally relaxing, many still see it solely as a recreational plant to be used for its ability to cause an altered state of sensory perception.
While cannabis can be an intoxicant, it doesn’t have to be and this depends upon the strain of cannabis you are consuming. If the cannabis strain has no tetrahydrocannabinol (and some other minor cannabinoids) then it will not cause you to feel “high’ when consuming it.
It does not have intoxicating qualities in the same way as THC, and therefore does not cause those who consume it to feel high.
What Are the Health Benefits of CBD Oil?
Research is still in the beginning stage and even though some small studies may be beginning to show it has a place within the medical world it is not yet classified as a medicine. However, several cannabinoids including THC but mainly CBD are used being used in health and wellness supplement, these supplements generally focus on :-
- Stress relief
- Alleviating symptoms of irritated skin and redness
- Pain relief
- Helping to keep skin moisturised
Stress Relief
Using CBD has been shown to provide relief from stress, in multiple clinical studies done by experts in both humans and animals trials. Cannabidiol has been shown to act upon the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor in the brain, which is believed to hold the key to its anxiolytic effects. There are many anecdotal stories of people who swear that using CBD has helped them deal with their stress and frustration. It is important to note this is not scientifically and medically proven to the levels required to be considered a medicine so please always check with your medical professional first!
Pain Relief
Studies have shown that cannabidiol may help with everyday aches and pains. This is reported in some studies to be done by affecting the way in which endocannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors, providing pain relief. Cannabidiol oil for pain is one of the biggest reason that cannabidiols popularity has soared in recent months. When in pain always seek professional advice!
Helps Keep Skin Moisturised
CBD is present as an ingredient in many face creams, serums, balms and body lotions because of its benefits for the skin. CBD’s soothing properties appear to have a regulatory effect on sebum production, the skin’s natural moisturiser. Hemp seed oil products can support your journey to achieving good skin. In general always choose a skin care product that matches your skin and if the CBD helps you personally then we are delighted and wish you the best !!
Alleviating Symptoms of Irritated Skin
The skin might get irritated due to overproduction of sebum. Hemp seed oil CBD may help regulate this and consequently reduce irritation and soreness.
What Are the Best Ways to Take CBD?
Cannabidiol is commonly referred to as CBD oil, but it can be consumed in many different ways, all of which have their own associated benefits. There is no one way to consume cannabidiol which is the best, although the benefits for some methods of consumption outweigh the benefits of others.
Different ways to take CBD have different time frames for which the effects can be felt and different bioavailabilities (how much CBD enters your bloodstream). This means that different methods lend themselves better to certain individuals and specific conditions.
Common ways of consuming CBD are:
- Vaping
- Capsules
- Tinctures
- Cream
- Smoking
- Edibles
Vaping
CBD e-liquids can be vaporized using a CBD vaporizer pen. The effects of vaping are almost instantaneous and about 80% of the product enters the bloodstream. Vaping CBD is the new trend around the world and it doesn’t seem to be dying down any time soon.
Capsules
CBD can be extracted from hemp and the oil placed into capsules to be swallowed as a daily supplement. CBD capsules are useful for people who wish to quickly and easily consume their daily amount of CBD with minimal fuss. Capsules are probably the easiest ways to take your CBD products. The effects may take several hours to be absorbed and around 20% of the CBD stated enters the bloodstream.
Tinctures
CBD that has been extracted can be placed into a carrier oil or other solution (ethanol) which can be placed under the tongue. Blood vessels under the tongue absorb the CBD, so leaving it there for the maximum amount of time can result in full absorption of the product into the bloodstream. The effects of the CBD tinctures are fairly instantaneous.
Cream
CBD can be placed into a cream, balm or lotion which can then be rubbed onto the skin. Because it doesn’t enter the body, it doesn’t have an associated bioavailability or time taken to cause an effect. CBD creams are very popular with people who are suffering from red, itchy irritated skin.
Smoking
Plant material (cannabis) containing CBD can be heated to its combustion point and the smoke produced can be inhaled into the lungs. This is similar to vaporizing but considered much more dangerous to long-term health because of the combustion of the carcinogenic byproducts.
Edibles
CBD can be extracted from the cannabis plant and placed into a medium, such as butter or oil and then cooked into a variety of foods, sweets and drinks for consumption. The effects of CBD edibles may take several hours to be seen and the bioavailability can be as low as 5% for some foods.
What Are the Side Effects of Cannabidiol?
CBD is generally considered to be well tolerated by humans. However, like most medications, supplements and medical cannabis, some people do report adverse effects which may affect your health. These may include: –
- Upset stomach and changes in appetite
- Tiredness, drowsiness and fatigue
- Interactions with medications
Upset Stomach and Changes in Appetite
Some studies show that a small percentage of people do suffer mild troubles when subjected to prolonged CBD use in high doses.
Tiredness, Drowsiness And Fatigue
Different people have different thresholds for the amount of CBD they require for certain conditions. Consequently, for some, a certain dose of CBD could be mildly relaxing, for others it might bring about tiredness and fatigue.
Interactions With Medication
CBD is metabolised in the liver and intestine by an enzyme called Cytochrome P450, which is also responsible for metabolising a whole variety of other medications. Therefore, CBD (along with some fruits such as grapefruit) can potentially affect the way some medications interact with the body. If on any medication, it is always advised to talk to a medical professional before consuming CBD to check for any potentially harmful interactions that will negatively affect your health.
Related Article: CBD Vs THC
Different Types of CBD Oil
The CBD oil market is saturated with different products, from flavoured full-spectrum CBD tinctures to CBD-infused bath bombs. All of these products can be potentially overwhelming for those entering the CBD market for the first time.
What’s the Difference Between Isolate, Broad-Spectrum and Full-Spectrum CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is CBD and the amount stated on a product will be the amount of CBD you get. The terms isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum refers to what other cannabinoids are present within the product.
CBD isolate contains no other cannabinoids, just CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD contains other cannabinoids apart from no THC. Full-spectrum CBD contains all other cannabinoids including THC, even if the amount of THC is negligible.
The distinction between these products is important for legality issues in some countries and for people who want no THC because they might be sensitive to it or maybe subjected to randomised drug tests.
Extraction Methods – What Are They & Why Are They Important?
CBD exists within the flowers/buds of the cannabis plant. When CBD is in an oil or other substance, then it must have been extracted from the plant first. Different methods of extracting CBD allow for different impurities to be present within the oil. Common methods for extraction are: –
- CO2 extraction – Generally considered the cleanest and purest method.
- Ethanol extraction – Can contain impurities and plant material.
- Butane or other solvents – Considered the most impure and least safe for consumption.
Most high-quality CBD products will use CO2 or ethanol extraction, or a combination of the two.
Which Form of CBD Oil Is Best?
It’s hard to know which is the best CBD oil the UK has to offer. The entourage effect suggests that CBD works better when used in the presence of other cannabinoids. So, full-spectrum is better than broad-spectrum which is better than CBD isolate.
It is generally recommended that if you don’t have randomised drug tests or you are not sensitive to THC, then full-spectrum CBD extracted by CO2 method is the best.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Take?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much CBD a person should take. Different people have different tolerances depending on their size and metabolism and also the condition in which they might require it. Consequently, a CBD dosage guide can be given for where to start, but ultimately the monitoring of symptom relief is up to the person consuming CBD or doctors that may be monitoring them. It is always better to be on the safe side with regards to your health.
A good guide for initial amounts to consume is: –
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What to Know When Buying CBD
Since the CBD explosion that has taken over the United Kingdom, hundreds of CBD brands have popped up all over the place. This means that while there are some amazing CBD oils in the UK there are also a host of brands that are simply not good. So here are the main things that you should look out for when you’re buying CBD oil :
- 3rd Party Tested
- Claims
- Ingredients
3rd Party Tested
This is the major thing that you should be on the lookout for when your buying CBD. 3rd party testing gives you the assurance that the product you are buying is telling the truth in regards to what they are offering. If you can’t find any mention of this testing on the label or mention of it on their website then it is safer to move on and try a different product or brand.
Claims
Do the brands claim that their CBD oil can cure a whole host of different diseases? It means that that brand is breaking the rules. Avoid these companies, there are plenty of other suppliers that don’t lie for profit. It is always safe to go with what the medical experts are saying about said hemp or cannabis oil.
Ingredients
If there is no list of ingredients on the label then they are probably trying to hide something from their customers so its probably best to avoid this and find a reputable supplier. It should say whether it came from the cannabis or hemp plant.
Where Can You Buy CBD?
When purchasing CBD products, it makes sense to use a vendor with multiple years of experience in the market, who know about rules and regulations within that country. Because of this, the perfect choice for high-quality CBD products in the UK is CBD Village.