Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many compounds that makes up the cannabis plant and, unlike THC, it doesn’t get you high. It is becoming increasingly popular and there are now an estimated quarter of a million regular CBD users in the UK, who take it to support general wellness, ease anxiety, sleep problems or pain. It can also be found in beauty products such as facial oils, creams and rubs, with some people rubbing it into their arthritic joints.
But the popularity of the oil has drawn in “CBD cowboys”, according to one expert, who warns that buyers can be misled by product claims and prices. The industry has been growing rapidly, and some companies are making health claims that are not backed by scientific evidence. This is because CBD is a food supplement, not a medicine, and manufacturers cannot make explicit medical claims for their products until they are licensed as medicines.
There is, however, some promising research into the use of purer forms of CBD for certain conditions including heart and circulatory diseases and pain. More work is needed to confirm this, and people with such conditions should always speak to their doctor before trying any new product.
CBD can be extracted from the cannabis plant and added to a variety of products. It can be used in vape pens, taken as capsules or as an oral spray or oil. Some companies produce a pure form of CBD that has no other cannabinoids or plant matter and is sometimes called isolate, and this is available as crystals or a powder.
The UK Food Standards Agency recommends that healthy adults consume no more than 70mg of CBD a day. It is a common misconception that higher doses are more effective, but this can lead to side effects including low blood pressure and dizziness.
When shopping for a CBD product, experts advise that shoppers look out for the percentage and milligram figures on the packaging. This indicates how much CBD is in the product and should match the claims made on the website or in marketing material. Consumers should also check that the company can provide a certificate of analysis for each batch of product.
Finally, they should ensure that the CBD they are buying is derived from hemp and not from the marijuana plant. It is illegal in the UK to sell any product containing more than trace amounts of THC, the compound that gets you high, so CBD sourced from hemp must have a negligible amount of THC to be legal.
Despite the warnings, there is still demand for CBD products, and this is likely to continue as more research shows possible benefits for some conditions. Some people are using it to help with insomnia, depression and anxiety, and it is also marketed as a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. But the current lack of clinical trials means it’s difficult to say whether it is really effective for these conditions. CBD Oils UK