What is CBD? | 6 Benefits CBD Could Have On Your Health

What Is CBD? A Comprehensive Guide to Benefits, Usage, and Side Effects.

You will have heard of CBD undoubtedly, aka cannabidiol, it has been a wellness topic of conversation and a buzzword for some time now, but you might not be able to answer ‘what is CBD exactly?’. Well, aren’t you lucky you found us to help explain?

CBD is extracted from the cannabis sativa plant, now we know what you are thinking straight away, ‘wait, cannabis? Does that mean CBD is illegal? And can CBD get me high?’. In short, the answer to both of those questions is no.

CBD is one of over 100 known cannabinoids, but it is currently one of a select few that have piqued the interest of medical cannabis researchers and wellness enthusiasts alike (Rock & Parker, 2020). Unlike its cousin THC, CBD doesn’t get you ‘high’, but it does come with a long string of potential health benefits to compensate for what it might lack on the spacey side of things.

At this point, CBD has been added to nearly every type of product you can imagine. From the profoundly popular oral CBD oil UK wellness enthusiasts will be familiar with, the widely loved CBD gummies, to somewhat dubious CBD lubrication. Even toilet paper (honest!). With ongoing research, the list of potential benefits continues to grow, making CBD a versatile supplement for those looking to try a natural possibility of managing pain, anxiety, sleep issues, and much more.

Sold as a food supplement in the UK, falling under the novel food regulations for oral consumption, and cosmetics regulations for topical CBD products. This somewhat saturated CBD market in the UK still has many questionable brands lurking in the shadows. So it is important to be clued-up when looking to buy CBD products online.

We look to delve a little deeper into what CBD is, the potential benefits, the types of CBD products out there, side effects and a few more good to know topics. Hopefully, our beginners comprehensive guide to all things CBD answers any questions you might have, if not, check out our library of blog topics, or get in touch with us to ask us anything.

CBD UK: The story so far…..

CBD suddenly dashed for freedom onto the open market in the UK in 2018. The laws remain the same still, which is that products must have less than 0.2% THC in them to be on the market. Any reputable brand will be able to show via lab reports they openly have on their website.

CBD has probably been the first natural compound that has really started to expose people to how reliant we have become on pharmaceutical medications, which are chemical compounds that are created to interact with our systems. This has put numerous organisations in the spotlight, and people have become more aware of natural remedies to treat their symptoms, which don’t rely on large pharmaceutical companies to provide them.

Lock-down on Medical claims

However, even with the huge amount of accredited studies on the benefits of CBD. It faces some hard and maybe a little bit strange set of rules. Such as how careful CBD brands have to be about making medical claims about CBD, even though there are medical claims that studies have shown can be made about CBD.

Is CBD really Novel?

Additionally, even though there is clearly a very symbiotic relationship between humans and cannabinoids for which we have a history dating back as far as records began, such as with the Mayans. Who as part of ceremonials would ingest cannabis, CBD has been classified as a novel food. Which is defined as not having any history of being consumed by humans before 1990, which has puzzled many.

Some may be additionally puzzled that the UK FSA and the EU body that overlooks novel food seem to be concerned that, even with, no serious health issues reported as being caused by CBD anywhere in the world in any records. That if they approve the first of the CBD products that have been sat waiting for approval for almost three years, suddenly one will be found. Which is relatively challenging for many to understand this mentality, seeing as chemical compounds, if going via the far more robust medical approval route, can be approved even without a history as far back and as widely researched as CBD.

Informed on CBD

So we continue to wait in a holding pattern, sadly, while brands have minimal ability to educate consumers and consumers get little opportunity to make an informed decision themselves. We wait, poised for the regulators to finally come off the fence.

These two challenges have made it incredibly hard for CBD brands to make traction to allow the consumer the right to start to choose between more traditional natural ways of supporting their health and the standard chemical laboratory big pharma-produced remedies.

But it is clear that CBD has started a movement towards a more natural alternative to traditional medications for a number of complaints.

What is CBD? – The 6 Main Reasons People Use CBD

As we have already mentioned, CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. It has gained popularity recently for its potential vast therapeutic properties and benefits. CBD is used by various people for various purposes that include:

1. Pain relief: Many people use CBD to manage chronic pain conditions such as arthritis or muscle soreness.

2. Anxiety and stress reduction: CBD may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and promote relaxation.

3. Sleep improvement: Some individuals find that CBD can help them relax and improve the quality of their sleep.

4. Anti-inflammatory effects: CBD has shown promise in reducing inflammation, which can be beneficial for conditions such as acne or inflammatory bowel disease.

5. Epilepsy treatment: The FDA has approved a CBD-based medication called Epidiolex for the treatment of certain types of epilepsy.

6. Energy regulation: CBD has shown effects on the way that our systems process and regulate energy usage, which provides greater focus.

Even with the huge amount of research now showing the undeniable benefits of CBD and the anecdotal accounts from thousands of people, it is worth always remembering CBD is a personalised effect and experience. Also, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the current guidance remains not to take CBD unless agreed by a medical professional.

How Does the Body Respond to CBD?

Our bodies have an endocannabinoid system (ESC) named after the cannabis plant. This biological system is involved in cell signalling, so it has a vast network of cell receptors throughout the body and brain.

Now, the human body produces endocannabinoids that bind to these cannabinoid receptors. This is how the ESC regulates and controls a wide range of critical functions, such as memory, appetite, sleep, and energy balance.

It can also interact with these endocannabinoid receptors and can induce a positive response, such as reduced inflammation and pain. The receptors work via the bloodstream; this is why it’s generally best to take CBD oil under the tongue (sublingually) or topically on the skin.

But here at the London Dispensary, we have created a range of CBD gummies that are super high strength, which gives the maximum chance for CBD to reach the bloodstream from the digestive system. Most CBD gummies are so low in CBD content it’s only going to be placebo felt, which, we thought, wasn’t value for money. So our CBD gummies are bursting full of nootropics, adaptogens, and broad-spectrum CBD for maximum effect.

Although there’s still a lot of research that needs to be done on the health benefits of CBD, there are many studies already, along with anecdotes and claims, that suggest it provides pain relief, helps with anxiety and depression, promotes sleep, and more. But it mainly comes down to the individual.

As each of us is a unique composition of genes, chemicals and compounds, something such as CBD becomes a very personalised experience. Some people seem to have tremendous outcomes, whereas others might have above-average outcomes. But the only way to find out is to try it for yourself.

How are we doing so far in answering ‘What is CBD?’

What is CBD? Is it The New Wonder Drug?

Despite its hype, it’s neither a wonder drug nor a magic bullet. However, the future looks promising. Currently, there’s a prescription form that the FDA has approved to treat seizures or epilepsy. Today, you can easily find a premium CBD dispensary that supplies high-quality supplements if you want to try it out for your health, such as The London Dispensary.

The fantastic thing about it is that it looks suitable for many purposes, so other medicines might be approved to treat other disorders and conditions in the near future. In addition, as research progresses, there’ll be, hopefully, more scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of its use.

Removing THC From the Equation – Skip the High And Get The Benefits

The Cannabis Sativa plant is popularly used as a psychoactive drug. This is because it contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), another cannabinoid like CBD, but unlike its calming and relaxing relative, it induces the feeling of being “high.”

As the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, THC is the chemical responsible for the illegal status of the Cannabis Sativa Plant in some countries, especially in the past. But attitudes and society is changing to recognise the therapeutic benefits the plants have as a whole.

However, you can now legally purchase CBD products without worrying about getting high or experiencing unwanted feelings of euphoria in the UK and USA. Most of the products on the market are derived from hemp (not marijuana), which naturally contains low amounts of THC. As mentioned, CBD will not make you high by itself or cause any dependency issues.

At The London Dispensary, we use broad-spectrum CBD, which contains no registering levels of THC. Or no trace of THC, as we refer to it. So you can live with the safety knowing you are breaking no laws with our premium grade broad-spectrum blends.

CBD Products – What’s Available On The Market Right Now?

There are many products readily available on the U.K. market and elsewhere. You can obtain products at your favourite CBD dispensary without any legal issues. The most popular products include oil, capsules, vapes, gummies, and topical applications.

For instance, The London Dispensary offers 2000mg CBD Gummies with added nootropic ginseng, lions mane, and chaga, which have proved to be a winner, in fact, a 4-time award winner to date. The London Dispensary incorporates nootropics into CBD products to enhance effectiveness for all CBD U.K. users. Nootropics may offer various health benefits, such as improved cognitive function.

You can read more about nootropics in our blog dedicated to the subject.

The best product for you depends on which point you’re on in your journey and how you prefer to take CBD. For instance, if you’re a newbie, it’s best to start with a low dosage if you wish to try oils. Our 5% oils are a perfect starting point. However, you can ease yourself in with our range of CBD candles and CBD wax melts. Or anyone of our topical balms or creams.

Also, your choice of product can be influenced by whether you want to ingest it, place it under the tongue, or incorporate it into your daily routine in some other way. To discover more options, you can browse products from The London Dispensary or try our product recommender helper.

CBD Safety

Don’t forget to consult your doctor to confirm if it’s safe to take or use a CBD product if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or have an underlying medical condition. You should also seek medical attention if you experience any adverse effects after taking or using a product. These are rare but generally involve stomach or gut irritation; that’s why we always advise to start low and build up.

Where to Find Premium CBD In the U.K.?

As popular as it may be, CBD products are not made equal. If you’re shopping for “CBD oil U.K.,” chances are you’re not looking for just any oil, but premium CBD oil.

You’re likely to get the best results with premium CBD products that contain ingredients from a reputable source.

Product information from a trusted third-party lab should also be readily available so you know exactly what you’re getting. If you want high-quality CBD UK products, The London Dispensary is a good place to start.

Hopefully, we have helped answer the question ‘What is CBD?’ for you; if so, sign up for our weekly newsletter with more great content straight to your inbox.

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