Cannabis is a genus of flower plants in the family Cannabaceae. The cannabis plant is also known as the hemp plant and has long been used for hemp fibre, hemp seeds, and hemp seed oil. Cannabis is often divided into 3 species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.
Cannabidiol is one of the many chemical compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Cannabidiol is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the cannabis plant's extract. It binds to a wide variety of physiological targets of the endocannabinoid system within the body.
Is there a difference between CBD and cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol is better known as CBD and is one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. They are called cannabinoids as they interact with receptors (CB1 and CB2) found in the endocannabinoid system. This system is involved in regulating a variety of functions including appetite, mood and sleep.
THC is also a cannabinoid. However, THC is a psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana plants, whereas CBD is not psychoactive, and will not cause you to feel high. According to the World Health Organization, there are no public health-related problems associated with the use of cannabidiol.
Is cannabidiol a food supplement?
CBD is marketed and sold in the UK as a food supplement, not a medication. Many people include CBD in their wellness routines as part of a balanced lifestyle. CBD oil is the main format, and can be infused or combined with other ingredients to make edibles or lotions. CBD oil differs from hemp seed oil, which does not contain cannabinoids.
CBD is thought to interact with neuroreceptors in the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in various physiological processes, though research into CBD's specific effects is ongoing.
How is cannabidiol used?
The UK CBD industry has grown in recent years. According to surveys conducted by YouGov and Dynata in 2019, between 8 and 11% of the adult population used CBD. Another survey by Cowen & Co. found that the percentage was higher in younger age groups. 15% of CBD users were 25 to 29-year-olds, 7% from 55 to 65-year-olds, and 8% of the CBD users were 65 years and over.
If you are considering adding CBD to your daily routine, we recommend speaking to your GP first, particularly if you take any prescribed medication.
What are the side effects of CBD?
When taken incorrectly, CBD can cause some side effects such as dry mouth, low blood pressure, light-headedness and drowsiness. Some people have also experienced a change in appetite.
As there is no standard dose for CBD, it is advisable to start with a low amount and increase gradually. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that healthy adults take no more than 70mg of CBD per day. Always speak to your GP before starting if you take prescribed medication.
Is CBD a banned substance in the UK?
No. CBD is perfectly legal in the UK under certain conditions. CBD products sold in the UK must contain no more than 1mg of THC per finished container and must be produced from approved hemp strains.
In 2020, the European Court of Justice published a judgement stating that CBD should not be considered a drug under the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and that cannabidiol can be qualified as food, provided that other conditions of the EU Food Safety Regulation are also met.
Will cannabidiol make you high?
No. CBD alone is non-intoxicating and will not make you high. CBD and THC come from the same plant so many people assume they both have the same effects. However, CBD can be isolated from the cannabis plant and the THC compound. It is usually infused into tinctures, oils, and edibles without the high-inducing THC.
Is cannabidiol an antioxidant?
CBD has antioxidant properties. Some early research has explored its potential neuroprotective properties, though more clinical evidence is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Many people like to use cannabidiol products for their antioxidant properties.
What are the effects of vaping CBD?
Vaping is one method of using CBD. CBD made for vaping is called CBD vape oil but it does not contain any actual oil.
CBD vape juice and CBD oil are not the same. Unlike CBD vape juice, CBD oil tinctures are strictly for ingestion. If a CBD product contains anything other than PG, VG, CBD extract, terpenes, and cannabinoids, it is intended for inhalation. Always check the label carefully.
There is no standard dosage for CBD. Start with the minimal amount and increase gradually. For vaping, talk to your GP before starting, particularly if you have any respiratory conditions or take prescribed medication.
Is CBD oil safe for dogs?
There are currently no approved CBD products for pets in the UK, and veterinarians are not permitted to recommend them. If you are considering CBD for your pet, you should consult a vet before doing so.
What types of cannabidiol products are there on the market?
Cannabidiol products are available in three forms: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolates.
- Full-spectrum CBD. This form contains all cannabinoids found in hemp, including trace amounts of THC within the UK legal limit of 1mg per container.
- Broad-spectrum CBD. This form contains multiple cannabinoids, but with THC removed.
- CBD isolate. This is the purest form, with no other cannabinoids present.
CBD is also available in a range of product formats. Here are some of the most common ones:
- CBD oils and tinctures. These are taken sublingually (under the tongue). This is one of the quickest formats to feel the effects of CBD.
- CBD gummies. CBD edibles like gummies are a discreet and convenient way to take a daily amount. They take 30 to 45 minutes to take effect as they pass through the digestive system.
- CBD capsules. CBD capsules or soft gels are easy to dose and convenient for daily use.
- CBD balms, creams, and lotions. CBD topicals are applied directly to the skin. There is no standard guidance on how much to apply.
- CBD vape juice. CBD vape juices are inhaled using a vaporiser and have a fast onset time. Please be aware of potential risks associated with vaping before use.