CBD has become a huge hit in the UK with people turning to it for its perceived wellbeing benefits such as easing anxiety, sleep problems and pain. But there are some concerns over products claiming medicinal benefits that are not proven.
CBD is legal to buy on the high street and online as long as it meets UK regulations. This applies to consumable products such as oils, capsules and balms and cosmetics like our CBD Tea.
What is CBD?
CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant and has become the focus of much interest as it doesn’t cause a high like THC. In fact, it’s thought to provide wellbeing benefits such as pain relief and anxiety reduction.
CBD infused products are sold as supplements in the UK, with products ranging from oils to be dropped under the tongue to e-liquids to be vaped and more. It has also been incorporated into beauty products and even food such as hummus, cappuccinos and chocolate.
It’s important to choose CBD products that are properly regulated. The best way to do this is to buy from companies that use pharmaceutical or dietary supplement quality control standards, as these are rigorously tested and backed up by a Certificate of Analysis. Also, look for a company that has been awarded a Novel Food Application by the Food Standards Agency. This is the only way to be sure your CBD product is safe to consume.
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which controls several bodily functions including mood, pain, sleep, metabolism and motor control. It is thought to help with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain and anxiety. Preclinical studies suggest it may also be effective in treating other conditions such as insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder and reducing the effects of glaucoma on the eyes.
A CBD-based drug called Epidiolex is being reviewed by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to see if it can be prescribed on the NHS as a treatment for two rare forms of epilepsy. It is a strong anti-seizure medicine and has shown significant benefits in clinical trials in children with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
The dietary supplement market for CBD is growing fast, with products ranging from capsules to drops to e-liquids. But it’s important to check labels and shop carefully. A study by the Centre for Medical Cannabis blind tested 30 CBD products bought from the high street and online. It found 45% of them had levels of THC that were above legal limits. And many had very little of the CBD they advertised on their packaging.
How to take CBD?
The CBD market has boomed in recent years and you can now find it in a variety of products including oils, capsules, muscle gels, sprays and even beer! It is best to start low and work up to a daily dose of around 70mg.
The type of product you choose will also influence how quickly it takes effect. For example, oral products such as tinctures and softgels take 30 to 60 minutes to enter the bloodstream. CBD sprays and vape oil, on the other hand, can begin to take effect immediately.
CBD may interact with some medications, especially those taken for high blood pressure and heart conditions. It binds with cytochrome P450 enzymes and can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications.
Most UK airports allow you to carry CBD products through security as long as they are in your hand luggage and do not contain more than 100ml. However, it is advisable to check with the airports at your destination and any stopovers that you may be travelling through, just to avoid any unnecessary hold-ups.
Are CBD products legal in the UK?
Despite CBD being an extract from the cannabis plant and having some of the same properties as THC, it doesn’t contain enough of this psychoactive component to be classed as a controlled substance in the UK. It is also not addictive or dangerous like THC and does not get you high.
CBD is legal to buy and sell over the counter as a wellness product in the UK. Products such as oils for vaping, capsules and gummies can be found in many high street shops and online. However, to make sure that you are getting a quality product that meets EU safety standards it is best to purchase from a reputable supplier.
The only CBD regulated as medicine in the UK is Epidyolex which is an oral solution marketed for rare forms of epilepsy in humans. However, it is important to note that taking CBD can alter the way that your body metabolises certain medications, and should not be taken alongside drugs which are metabolised by the enzyme CYP450.CBD UK
