The Rise And Rise Of CBD In The UK: Why Is It So Popular?

CBD oil has been on the rise worldwide for sometime now, but in the last couple of years it’s popularity seems to have exploded, and it can be found on almost every high street in the UK.

CBD can be found in health shops, in beauty products, in food and drink products, and even in skincare.

What exactly is CBD, and why is it so popular?

 

What Is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is an extract of the marijuana or hemp plant. There are many compounds that make up the marijuana plant, and the other most commonly heard of one is THC.

THC is the compound that makes you high, or the psychoactive part. CBD is separate to THC, and therefore does not make you high.

CBD can be used in many different ways, it can be taken orally as a liquid in a dropper that you drop onto your tongue, it can be contained in capsules or even eaten as sweets, similar to those chewy vitamins children have.

It is also available as an ointment that can be directly to the affected area, or as a vape juice for use in an e-cigarette.

 

What Is CBD Used For?

You’ve probably heard the amazing claims that CBD oil cures everything, and sadly this isn’t true, nothing cures everything, but it does seem to have a look of beneficial properties.

The most commonly talked about uses of CBD are for epilepsy and for mood disorders such as anxiety.

CBD does reduce heart rate and blood pressure, so in this way it is useful for combating the signs of stress.

Many people who suffer with epilepsy use CBD, and for many people it helps to control their seizures, or at least reduce the frequency.

CBD seems to have a positive effect on anxiety as well. As we have said it can reduce the signs of stress, and it also seems to make the receptors in the brain take up serotonin in a more useful way.

Serotonin is also known as the happy hormone, and it is vital for our mental wellbeing. Many people who suffer with generalised anxiety disorder, or clinical depression are found to have a low uptake of serotonin, so in this way CBD can help.

There are also studies which show the efficacy of CBD in patients who suffer with conditions that cause chronic pain. CBD is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, so it is thought that it helps pain through this action.

These anti-inflammatory properties may also be what makes it so good in skin care, as it can reduce acne and skin sensitivity.

CBD is being studied by scientists to help with a range of other disorders, including dementia, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, insomnia and other sleep disorders, along with many others.

CBD oil is widely available now, and you can buy it here also, if you’re looking to buy it online.

It should be noted, however, that CBD is not a cure, or indeed even a treatment, for every ailment, and any product claiming to do so should be avoided.

If you want to add CBD to your routine, it is vital you talk to your doctor first, some people react badly to CBD, and some medications shouldn’t be used in conjunction at all, so it is always best to seek medical advice first.

 

Is CBD Legal?

Marijuana has been illegal in many places for a long time now, but it is slowly becoming legalized for medical use around the world.

It was recently made legal in the UK when prescribed by a doctor, and this marks a huge leap forwards.

CBD, as it doesn’t contain that psychoactive THC, is more likely to be legal somewhere that marijuana isn’t, as it doesn’t give you that ‘high’.

However, if you want to buy CBD, always check that it is legal where you live, as you do not want to break the law by buying CBD oil.

 

Is It Safe?

CBD is considered, by The World Health Organisation to be very safe, with few side effects, but everything has some kind of side effect, and CBD is no different.

The most common side effects to encounter are dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, anxiety, depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, and irritability.

CBD can interact with some more traditional medication, such as blood thinners, so it is always best to check with a doctor before starting CBD treatment.

CBD oil also disagrees with some people, and some people with epilepsy who have used CBD have suffered from some quite severe side effects, so, once again always check with your doctor before starting to take CBD.

 

Where Can You Buy CBD?

In the UK, CBD oil can be found mostly in health shops, or your local vape shop will have the vape juice you will need for your e-cigarette.

You can also buy CBD online at many different retailers.

Sadly, the CBD industry is still mostly unregulated, so always try to buy from a trusted brand.

Some products might say they have a certain percentage of CBD in them, but in reality have barely any. As CBD is considered a supplement, this is sadly not illegal, so if a product looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Ask the staff at the shop you are buying it in, as they will know which brands are trustworthy and which are not.

Always look for products that have low THC, and CBD that is derived from the hemp plant, rather than the marijuana plant will have almost zero THC.

 

To Sum Up

CBD continues to be popular all across the UK, and is set to continue on it’s rise in the future.

The key points to take away are, do your research, buy from a reputable source, and always talk to your doctor before starting any treatment with CBD, even if you consider yourself to be healthy, but especially if you have any pre-existing conditions.

 

 

 

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