Cannabidiol or CBD is all the rage right now. In fact, it is quite possible that you’ve heard of it, especially if you move in the natural health and well-being circles. But what exactly is CBD? What does it do for you? And is it legal in the UK?
What is CBD?
CBD is a shortened version of the word cannabidiol. It is found naturally in the cannabis plant but is one of the compounds which won’t make you high. CBD is what’s known as a cannabinoid – which means that it can interact with the endocannabinoid system within the human body in a similar way to the cannabinoids which are made naturally by ourselves.
The endocannabinoid system was only recently discovered by scientists who were looking into the medicinal effects of cannabis and CBD usage. They found that the endocannabinoid system is responsible for keeping certain aspects of our body regulated, including systems such as the nervous system, the immune system, digestive system and mood.
Is CBD Legal in the UK?
It is the compound known as THC – tetrahydrocannabinol – which is the compound in cannabis which makes you high. This means that the law allows for you to buy and use CBD with no problem – as long as the THC level is below 0.2% – in other words, so low that you won’t get stoned.
Another factor to take into consideration is that CBD oil is sold as a Food Supplement in the UK and not as a medicine. According to MHRA regulation not medical advice or benefits may be advertised by CBD retailers.
4 Tips
If you’re thinking about buying CBD oil, here are some tips from CBD Shopy on how to pick a high-quality product:
1. Choose how you want to take your CBD
CBD can be taken in a number of forms. The most common are CBD oil – which is extracted from the plant and then taken in drops – usually under the tongue – or in CBD capsules. The CBD oil is a great option for those who want it to come into effect quickly, but it also wears off quickly, and some people find that it is tricky to get an accurate dose.
CBD capsules, however, go through the digestive system so it can take longer to be effective. They will also stay in your system for hours, giving you a great background dose of CBD and your dosing can be extremely accurate.
CBD gummies are processed similarly to capsules through the digestive tract but offer users a tasty method of consuming CBD, check out ZenBears CBD gummies a local UK-brand to learn more.
2. Speak to your doctor first
Although CBD is a natural product, it can have a substantial effect on your body. This is why it is recommended that you speak to your doctor before trying it. This is even more important if you are taking medication. CBD can affect the way that your body metabolises some medicines, meaning that it could have a stronger or weaker effect than your doctor calculated.
3. Check that it is genuine
The CBD industry is still relatively unregulated by the government, and this leaves it open to abuse. The best way to check that you are getting good quality, genuine CBD is by checking that the producers can supply a third-party lab tested certificate of analysis. This will be able to tell you exactly what is in your CBD product, ensuring that you know exactly what you’re taking.
4. Getting the right dosage
It is important to get the right dosage of CBD. Everybody requires different amounts for different outcomes, so you need to find the best dosage for you. The best way to do this is by starting off with a very low dosage and then gradually increasing it until you hit the sweet spot. Don’t worry about overdosing though – no-one has ever died from taking too much CBD – the worse that will happen is that it becomes less effective for you.
The potentials that CBD has for the world of medicine are enormous, At the moment, however, we are only allowed to say that it can be a wonderful boost to your general health and well-being. So, if you think that CBD could be a welcome addition to your life, why not give it a go and see what it can do for you?
