Everything you need to know about CBD & the Benefits

CBD Oil has exploded in popularity in recent years, with so many people opting for more natural forms of medication, from enhancing well-being to reducing anxiety and stress, CBD has so many amazing benefits.

Contents:

– Benefits of CBD Oil
– When should I take CBD Oil?
– Are there any risks?
– Is CBD Legal?
– What research has been carried out?
– What are the best CBD products?

So what exactly is CBD?

CBD is an extract from a Cannabis plant and stands for ‘Cannabidiol’, a group of over 100 compounds characterised by their similar shape and chemical composition. First discovered in the Cannabis plant (hence the name), they were later discovered to also be used inside the human body.

What are the benefits of CBD Oil?

The reported benefits of CBD Oil have so far been largely anecdotal and have spread quickly via word of mouth. Although research into CBD is accelerating, there is still a huge lack of clinical trials surrounding reported health benefits. That’s not to say that there aren’t any benefits to taking CBD Oil, but just that large-scale clinical trials haven’t been conducted yet.

CBD has been known to;

• Relieve pain
• Help with anxiety or depression
• Reduce acne
• Benefit heart health
• Promotes healthy skin
• Lower risk of diabetes

Michael Fitzgerald, Founder of Body and Mind Botanicals said: “CBD is one of over 100 compounds found within the Cannabis plant. It has been consumed for 1,000s of years with users enjoying the benefits but only more recently has the compound itself been studied and understood. It works alongside the central nervous system and reaches almost every part of the body and has been shown to help with pain, inflammation, stress, anxiety as well as sleep and low mood.”

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When should I take CBD Oil?

How often and when you take your CBD Oil will depend on what you are using it for. Many people will start off by having a few drops in the morning and then a few more in the afternoon. Everyone is different, so it’s about finding what works for you. You may find that having it once a day is enough!

Some people will also try having it in the evenings, about 1-2 hours before bed. We encourage you to experiment and find the best time of day for your own personal needs. It can also help to speak to friends and family that are also using CBD Oil to see what times of day works best for them.

You can use your CBD Oil up to 3 times daily and it is recommend not exceeding a maximum of 70mg total CBD each day.

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Is it safe for everyone to use and are there any risks?

Although CBD has always been present in Cannabis, it’s only relatively recently that it has been taken in high doses as a food supplement. As such, there aren’t many studies on the safety profile of CBD and as a precautionary measure, the FSA recommend that “healthy adults do not take more than 70mg a day, unless a doctor agrees more”.

The FSA also advise against CBD for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and for people taking medication. If you do have any health concerns surrounding the supplementation of CBD, please contact a healthcare professional.

If you are taking any prescribed medication (such as beta blockers), we recommend consulting with your GP before trying CBD.

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Is CBD Legal? 

When it comes to Cannabis, the law is particularly convoluted and confusing. That’s because the term ‘Cannabis’ actually covers a broad range of different strains, each with their own ‘Cannabinoid Profile’. There are some strains of Cannabis – known as Hemp Cannabis – that have been used in the UK for hundreds of years to make rope and contain very little THC (so smoking it won’t get you high). 

Even though we call Hemp, “Hemp”, and not “Cannabis”, it is still technically a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant, and although it doesn’t contain much THC, it does still contain large amounts of other Cannabinoids, such as CBD.

So, by extracting CBD from a Hemp strain of the Cannabis plant, it is perfectly legal to be bought and consumed as a food supplement. Well, sort of. There is still a load of other conditions that need to be met, and to make matters more complicated, different countries have different definitions for Hemp. For example, in the UK, a Cannabis plant is considered Hemp if it contains less than 0.2% THC. 

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What research has been carried out?

CBD Oil has exploded in popularity in recent years, and it’s no coincidence in timing. This recent spark in public interest is in part a result of the recent discovery of a whole new system inside the body: The Endocannabinoid System. This discovery, along with the subsequent revelations of its role inside the human body, led to an unprecedented boom in research into the cannabis plant starting in the 1990s. As research into cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System has started to mature, countries have started to legalise Cannabis for medicinal use to help ease restrictions on further research. In fact, since the discovery of the Endocannabinoid System in 1992, 33 countries, including the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, along with 32 US states, have legalised cannabis for medicinal use.

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What are the best CBD products?

There are so many CBD products out there and it can be hard to know which ones to chose, so to help we’ve compiled a list of the best products we’ve come across from the best oils and captuals, to skincare and edibles, reviewed by our health editors.

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CBD Teas, Coffee & Drinks

CBD coffee blends are designed to help you flow through your day as they contain cognitive-enhancing mushrooms, CBD and other natural adaptogens such as ashwagandha & rhodiola.  CBD teas are great for winding down with in the evening, soothing stress and anxiety, boosting low mood and promoting sleep, without the high.

CBD Skincare Products:

A luxurious addition to your daily routine, these CBD beauty products can aid the skins regeneration process by promoting hydration and unveiling a more radiant complexion.

All the Best CBD Oils:

The most popular form of CBD, oils are designed to MOT your body and give it a helping hand where it needs it most. Simply drop the required amount under your tongue and leave for 2 minutes, can be taken any time during the day or night.

(use code TDS25 for 25% discount at Orange County CBD)

CBD Sports Supplements:  

All-encompassing products of the finest quality, to naturally support a healthy lifestyle and help you reach your fitness goals. CBD protein is relatively new, but there are so many benefits of CBD for training!