You might be a little sceptical about CBD, particularly as it’s associated with cannabis. It’s been a controversial subject but with around 6 million of us in the UK having tried CBD, we wanted to delve deeper into the way this oil is used for pain relief.

What is CBD?

The psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant is not found in cannabidiol, so taking this oil won’t cause you to ‘get high’ which is where much of the controversy around products with CBD seemed to stem from.

Whilst trials are still underway and the use of the oil is partly unregulated, it is legal in the UK and can be found in many products, from skincare to balms, oils and tablets or supplements.

What does it do?

People use CBD products as a natural pain relief from chronic pain and physical ailments such as skin conditions such as eczema and acne, inflammation, arthritis, sleep aid or as an alternative to anti-anxiety or depression medication. People who use the products report both physical and mental health benefits.

It is an anticonvulsant, meaning it may aid treatment of neurological disorders such as MS or epilepsy and even Parkinson’s Disease.

What forms does it come in?

When researching we noticed that despite mainly being available as an oil, tablet or in products to apply to the body, CBD seems to be cropping up in the food industry too. You can find it in soft drinks, coffee, sweets and chocolate and raw health foods, using hemp infused ingredients.

Why is it controversial?

Whilst those who consume or use CBD are very positive about it’s benefits, there has been controversy over the substance due to it’s links to recreational drug taking in the form of smoking cannabis.

However, it is a natural product and recent studies into the use of medical marijuana have highlight that cannabidiol is the non-intoxicating component of marijuana so cannot cause the intoxication or get someone high.

As with anything, the strength of what’s available on the high-street varies to the CBD administered by healthcare professionals, where it’s sourced from and the clinical trials undertaken will all impact this.

Who’s it for?

Of course, this depends on the reason for wanting to use the product in the first place but research into consumer trends has found that 11% of UK adults have tried CBD and that the consumer base is wide, covering a range of ages and classes.

It’s important to remember that CBD is not a medicine because they are not fully regulated or trialled, as such they are more commonly referred to as supplements or an alternative to traditional forms of medicine, along with other herbal remedies.

Have you tried CBD? We’d be interested to know your thoughts.