Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most talked-about substances in the world of natural remedies as well as nutrition and is rapidly gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional medicine. CBD has numerous health advantages associated with it, which is why people in the UK are becoming increasingly inclined to include its use in their daily lives. While CBD is becoming a commonly used product in the UK, there is still a great deal of confusion, misconception and un-education surrounding its usage, which often puts it in the murky illegal? territory.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant, which is a member of the cannabis family. CBD however contains little to no amount of the compound called THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effect that marijuana gives. Therefore, CBD does not grant the "high," which therefore makes it safe to consume, according to a study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology. CBD is found in the major parts of the hemp plant, including the leaf, the stem, and the stalk, the way in which is it processed can increase CBD’s concentration, giving you more CBD in less amount of product i.e. CBD oil.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is one of the most commonly used CBD products in the UK. It can be used in a variety of different ways, which is what makes it so easy to incorporate in our lifestyles. CBD oil is produced by distilling parts of the hemp plant and is 100% legal in the UK, provided that the final CBD product contains less than 1 milligram of THC per container. There are a few different types of CBD oils available in the UK, to allow you to find the right level of CBD concentration for your needs.

Types of CBD Oil

CBD oil, and essentially all CBD products, are found in three varieties; broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. The main difference being the amount of CBD contanined  in the products, along with the level of processing that they go through.

Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil

Broad-spectrum CBD oil is manufactured from all the natural compounds found in the hemp plant, excluding the THC. It can be regarded as the middle-ground option between the two extremes of full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. Because many people in the UK prefer not to have any THC in their CBD products, broad-spectrum CBD oil is the perfect solution as it includes all the benefits of a full-spectrum CBD oil with none of the THC.

Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

Full-spectrum CBD oil is the least refined form of the contents of the hemp plant. It is obtained from distilling all parts of the hemp plant and effectively contains all compounds that are present in the plant. These include CBD, THC, fatty acids, terpenes, flavonoids, along with a few others. These substances are believed to have therapeutic effects of their own, which is why people in the UK opt for full-spectrum CBD oil when they are keen to maximize the overall benefits of consuming CBD.

Full-spectrum CBD oil is also famous for inducing what some call the "entourage effect." This is an amplified effect that is created when several compounds found in full-spectrum CBD oil work together. According to a 2019 study, the entourage effect fights depression, addiction, cancer and anxiety.

CBD Isolate

The most refined form of CBD found in the UK is CBD isolate. This is CBD powder that is extracted from the hemp plant and is separated from all other components, including fatty acids and THC. After extraction from the plant, the CBD compound is put through a "winterisation process," which fully separates it from all other compounds of the hemp plant.

This results in a CBD product that contains as high as 99% pure CBD. CBD isolate can also be used in CBD vapes because of the lack of fatty acids in this type of CBD oil. CBD isolate does not have the distinctive herbal taste of hemp that can be found in broad-spectrum CBD or full-spectrum CBD oils.

Types of CBD Oil Products

CBD Oil Tinctures

A combination of CBD rich oils and liquid medium is called a CBD oil tincture. CBD oil tinctures are safe to consume orally and can be added to foods to incorporating CBD into your diet. CBD oil tinctures found in the UK often have added flavours, like mint or honey in order to make the taste of CBD more palatable.

CBD oil tinctures in the UK are most commonly available with a dropper that allows the consumer to place a few drops directly under the tongue for maximum absorption. CBDMD is one of the leading American brands that specialise in CBD products, and their tinctures are rated amongst the best available in the UK. The company grows hemp in a unique way through a farming method that is non-GMO. This ensures that their hemp products are of the highest quality. The CBD oil tincture by CBDMD includes all the benefits of broad-spectrum CBD along with the entourage effect and is available in a variety of flavours, including orange, mint, and berry.  

CBD Sprays

CBD oils in the form of oral sprays are intended to be directly sprayed in the mouth and under the tongue. These sprays allow for the rapid absorption of CB, making them convenient and effective. Love CBD is one of the leading brands of CBD oil in the UK, and their Entourage Oil Spray is categorized as the highest quality CBD oil in the UK.

The hemp used in the product is fully organic, and there are no harmful chemicals used in the growing or refining process. The Entourage Spray is a product of 3 years of research and development to find the perfect balance of all the compounds found in the hemp plant so that they complement each other to provide the consumer with the maximum benefit.

CBD Topical Solutions

One of the most commonly used type of CBD product in the UK is CBD oil in topical solution form. Intended to be applied directly to the affected area for pain relief, as confirmed by research on Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal. CBD oil topical solutions include topical creams, moisturisers, and even sprays. While CBD moisturisers have been in the UK market for quite a while, the newest addition to the CBD topical family is the CBD cream.

CBD cream is most commonly used by athletes as it effectively relieves muscle and joint pain and reduces inflammation. The CBD cream is applied like a lotion and can also be used to treat soreness of the skin along with mild skin infections like eczema. Moreover, CBD topical solutions are also commonly used by patients of chronic arthritis who suffer from joint pain.

One of the best topical CBD creams found in the UK is Joy Organics Pain Salve.  This CBD product is available in the form of a stick, making it all-the-more convenient to use while on the go. The company manufactures its CBD products with 100% organic hemp and makes sure that strict quality standards are met. Their CBD products are free of THC and are infused with pleasant scents like lavender and eucalyptus.

CBD Vaporisers

Vaping CBD is less common but increasingly popular with the younger generations. Vaping CBD can be regarded as a healthy alternative to smoking as it curbs the urge of a regular smoker to light up a cigarette. Additionally, it incorporates all the benefits of the CBD without the entourage effect, which makes it more effective and safer to use.

Vaping CBD has also proven to lower signs of depression and anxiety in the consumer while also providing pain relief and fighting the symptoms of epilepsy. Synergy Extracts' Vape Starter Kit is rated as one of the best CBD vapes in the UK Market. The CBD vape is designed to be highly potent in its CBD content while being stylish and extremely easy to use.

It comes in a variety of flavours, and the conveniently enjoyable vaping experience can truly make it a haven for those who are struggling to quit smoking. It is one of the strongest CBD vape pens in the UK market and provides the exact same feel as holding a cigarette, due to its lightweight and the fact that it does not have any buttons.

CBD In the UK Amidst Coronavirus

The coronavirus has brought economies, including that of the UK, to their knees and continues to cause massive losses to industries. However, there are some industries that have faced an unprecedented increase in the demand for their products, including the CBD industry in the UK. Research-based on the spending patterns of UK citizens shows that more than 8 million brits have bought CBD products since the pandemic started. This is mostly due to the therapeutic benefits of CBD, and with the pandemic causing anxiety and stress, we see more people are turning to CBD.

The UK has also seen consumers shifting towards healthier, more organic remedies, becoming more aware of CBD and its benefits. CBD products in the UK are also mostly bought online, and research shows that as more information about CBD becomes available in the UK, citizens are becoming more critical when it comes to trusting brands to provide high-quality CBD products.

There is still much confusion surrounding the different types of CBD products in the UK, ranging from medical CBD to over the counter remedies. What we do know is people have more time to research about CBD and it’s benefits when staying home due to the UK lockdown situation.

CBD Laws in the UK

Laws regarding the sale and consumption of CBD in the UK are not void or alight of complications. As far as importing CBD into the UK is concerned, there are no strict requirements, as long as there is no THC detected in the CBD products. The sale of CBD products in the UK also depends on the type of product. For example, CBD vape products are required to be non-nicotine while cosmetic products are required to have the Cosmetic Product Safety Report. As far as CBD food products are concerned, there is no license required to sell them in the UK but required a novel food application.

To summerise CBD in the UK

There is a wide variety of CBD oil products now available in the UK and making the right choice can still be confusing. It is important to make sure that you're getting a good organic, safe, and legal product from a high-rated brand/retailer in the UK. While there are many brands that offer high-quality CBD oils in the UK, there are also many whose products are not as organic as they claim to be. Regulation around CBD in the UK is not strictly enforced, which is what makes it easier for rogue brands to take advantage of the consumers and CBD products that are either lacking the beneficial compounds or include high contents of THC which is illegal in the UK. Therefore, it is important to only get your CBD products from brands that are willing to provide you with lab reports confirming the testing and verification of their CBD oil. Many of the CBD manufacturers in the UK have websites through which you can learn more about their products and their ingredients and processes, so it’s always good to do your research first.

CBD oils are known to be highly beneficial for your overall mental and physical well-being which is why we are seeing an increase of products and retailers in the UK.