Is the vast array of CBD products now available making you delirious? Please excuse the pun, but it’s hard to walk into any ch emist these days or shop online without CBD being offered for a myriad of uses. So what exactly is it - and will it get you ‘high’ or even a criminal record? Let’s dispel some myths first before we get down to the benefits - of which there are many.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive component found in the cannabis plant (also known as hemp). Unlike THC it will NOT get you high and is not addictive. CBD is legal in the UK and CBD has been declared safe by the World Health Organisation. Other cannabinoids, including THC or CBN, are illegal.
It can come in all kinds of forms from patches to gummies, pills, capsules, drinks, drops, creams, gels, bath bombs, skincare and tinctures - with some brands reporting a 500% increase since lockdown.
Broad spectrum CBD oil supports your body allowing it to regulate itself and maintain a healthy balance. It helps the body effectively process stress and anxiety, in turn rebalancing hormone levels and improving sleep patterns, resulting in a calmer, more focused, productive state.
It’s the choice of many A list celebrities including Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Aniston who extoll its virtues for treating anxiety and stress whilst athletes like Freddie Flintoff and James Haskell find it great for treating sports injuries and maintaining fitness.
Tom Hanks has been very vocal about using CBD for his anxiety and how it has helped him with his acting career. Tom even teamed up with Cornell University to study how CBD can help those with Type 2 Diabetes, an illness he was diagnosed with at the age of 36
Scientific studies are ongoing but research has demonstrated that CBD products can be beneficial for:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Sleep
Pain and recovery
Menopause symptoms
Acne
Eczema
Inflammation
Promotes cardiovascular health
Anti seizure
Lowers the risk of diabetes and eases symptoms
Pet anxiety
Reduces nausea
Inhibit arthritis symptoms
Protect against neurological disease
Alleviate ALS symptoms
Treat opiod addiction
Treating epileptic seizures
When used topically in skincare, CBD also has powerful benefits. Responding differently depending on your individual skin needs, CBD is an incredibly versatile ingredient. It supports healthy skin rejuvenation and sebum production, revitalising and rebalancing both oily and dry skin alike. CBD is also an antioxidant and protects skin from the damage of free radicals.
Not unlike other food products such as fat, hemps negative reputation is rooted in marketing.
CBD was demonised in the 1900's because farmers saw the Hemp plant, which is where CBD oil comes from, as a threat in the potential use of fibre because they wanted to grow cotton. Up until then Hemp had been used by humans to treat a vast array of ailments.
With CBD in our system, the ECS can function at an optimal level helping with:
Anxiety | Depression | Panic Disorder | OCD | PTSD | Neurological disorders | Sleep | Pain Relief & Inflammation | Helps fight cancer | Relieves nausea | Promotes cardiovascular health | Lowers the risk of diabetes | Treat seizures | Reduces acne.
But how does CBD actually work?
According to mental health and medical cannabis expert Dr Julie Moltke, it’s all about balancing out different receptor systems in your brain to ease stress and anxiety.
‘It interacts with different receptor systems, but the two most important ones that can be attributed to the beneficial effects on mental health is the serotonin system and the endocannabinoid system,’ Dr Moltke explains. ‘CBD balances out these systems in the brain so that you will get a sense of feeling more calm, less stressed and it can help improve sleep by decreasing stress and anxiety. Some people also find that it helps with productivity and sometimes it can have – on a different level – an anti-inflammatory effect which can also be beneficial for general health and lifestyle.
Unlike THC, the dominant marijuana compound that does cause a high, CBD does not contain the same psychoactive properties.
Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
In our Two Women Chatting podcast  archives you'll find episodes with Angie Best, Samantha & Lorraine from Hapi Hemp discussing the benefits of CBD. On Brooklands Radio recently Michelle chatted with Jo Devall, founder of EveryBudy CBD. Click here to listen.
Use code TWC25 for 25% off your first purchase at www.everybudy.co.uk
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It's hard to know which one to choose but this is helpful
I started using CBD oil this year and its definitely helped my anxiety.
It's overrated