If you Google “CBD and its uses” you will stumble across hundreds, nay THOUSANDS of pages all about CBD oil. If you are new to using CBD oil, it can be very difficult to cut through the noise and find clean facts. Current UK law states that companies selling CBD oil are not allowed to explicitly lay claim to its health benefits and so accessing clear, concise information is made harder still!
Our beginner’s guide to CBD oil will arm you with the knowledge required to step into the world of CBD oil safely, simply and without any of the distracting noise.
Firstly let’s look at what CBD oil is. CBD (or cannabidiol to give it its proper name) is a pure plant extract, a food supplement, a herbal health booster that is more effective than anything we’ve experienced from nature before. Reports of the positive effects on both body and mind have made this natural plant extract one of the most celebrated health supplements of recent times. As we further understand the power of natural remedies to defend and balance our systems, CBD oil steps into the mainstream.
The cannabis plant has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. CBD is a cannabinoid, a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids originate from two sources: phytocannabinoids (the cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant) and endocannabinoids (which are produced naturally by mammals).
New research is regularly coming to light highlighting the interaction between CBD and the endocannabinoid system, but we know that it plays a major role in achieving homeostasis: your optimum state of functioning. When you feel off-kilter and are not functioning at full capacity, this is because your endocannabinoid system is lacking. When we take cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant, it mimics the behaviour of the naturally occurring cannabinoids in our bodies which stimulates the body into producing more of its own endocannabinoids.
Put very simply, using CBD oil to replace a deficit of cannabinoids in our bodies can remedy a plethora of issues of the body and mind.
Research shows that many other plants possess cannabinoids which can positively interact with the human endocannabinoid system too such as sunflowers, echinacea, cacao, and the tea plant. By restoring your natural endocannabinoids system, CBD oil can support your everyday wellbeing and (without an ounce of hyperbole) change lives.
We talk a lot about cannabinoids at EthicaCBD, and each individual cannabinoid is reported to have its own unique benefits. One cannabinoid that you have perhaps heard most about is tetrahydrocannabinol (or ‘THC’ as it is more commonly known). THC is one of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis, and the one which is illegal in the UK due to its psychoactive properties. In most countries including the UK, a cannabis plant which contains 0.2% or less THC is called ‘hemp’, whilst a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.2% of THC is known as ‘marijuana’. The most important distinction to make between CBD and other cannabis-related products is the absence of THC.
Thanks to the reputation of cannabis being used as a recreational drug, many newcomers to the world of CBD oil are afraid that it is illegal and will cause a ‘high’. It is true that there are many CBD products on the market which contain impurities and have until recently been unregulated. The Regulators in both the UK and Europe are now taking action and all CBD products on the market are now subject to stricter controls.
Non digestible products such as cosmetics must be registered and undergo safety tests – all of our products have done just that. Digestibles such as oils and tinctures must now have extensive safety assessments and seek authorisation under the Novel Food Regulations. Our customers can be assured that all of the EthicaCBD products have undergone this process. We have submitted applications to both the FSA and EFSA and our products are thoroughly tested for impurities and food safety. There are many illegal products on the market but here at EthicaCBD we are committed to providing legal and thoroughly tested products. You can find more information on CBD legality and safety in our Knowledge Hub.
Incorporating CBD oil into your daily routine is the best way to enjoy the benefits, just like you would perhaps take a daily vitamin or nutritional supplement. Our CBD oil is pure, clean, vegan-friendly and easy to use. EthicaCBD oil is made from carefully-cultivated hemp, which is produced ethically and sustainably, then robustly tested in the world’s best laboratories to guarantee the very best plant-based care.
Some people like sugary tea with milk, some people prefer it black and strong. As with tea, we encourage you to find your own personal preference for CBD dosage. Starting low and building up is sage advice when trying anything new - by experimenting you can find the correct dose for you. The best dose is the one that suits your personal needs.
Because we know our product, our beginner’s dosage guidance is simple. We suggest that you start by placing three drops (or 1 spray) under the tongue three times per day. Hold for at least two minutes then swallow. Allowing the product to absorb into your system by placing it under the tongue results in a quicker entry to the bloodstream and gives faster results. This method of ingestion also preserves a higher quantity of the CBD.
There may be occasions where it is deemed necessary to increase or reduce the daily dose, but we are confident that when implementing EthicaCBD oils as a supplement to a daily routine, 3 drops 3 times a day is the perfect amount. You can ‘mix and match’ our CBD products and interchange to suit your needs (but always a max of 9 drops a day). The Food Standards Agency advise no more than 70mg of CBD in a 24 hour period for a healthy adult.
CBD should be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle routine. There is no right or wrong time to take CBD – just when it works for you.
CBD is a safe and non-toxic herbal supplement. Reports show that incorporating CBD into your daily routine has the power to reset/correct our feelings of wellbeing due to it effectively restoring our existing natural cannabinoid system.
We have seen CBD positively change the lives of ourselves, our families/friends and clients. Whilst it is safe to use and rare for users to experience negative side effects, the way CBD interacts with the body and some prescribed medicines must be considered by anyone starting out on their CBD journey.
CBD is usually very well-tolerated by the body, but there is still ongoing research into its effect. Many drugs are broken down by enzymes in the liver and sometimes CBD might compete with (or interfere with) these enzymes, meaning that the body may receive too much/too little of the prescribed medicine you are taking. The Harvard Medical School states that:
“People considering or taking CBD products should always mention their use to their doctor, particularly if they are taking other medications or have underlying medical conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease, epilepsy, heart issues, a weakened immune system, or are on medications that can weaken the immune system (such as cancer medications)”.
For more information on CBD drug interactions, visit ‘Can I Take CBD With My Medication?‘
This will depend on the dose, formulation of the CBD product and why you are taking it.
Published scientific and clinical studies indicate that tolerance to the pharmacological effects of CBD does not occur.
When CBD is consumed according to the recommended daily intake on the product labels, there is extensive clinical and scientific evidence to show that it is safe.
Although CBD is not considered suitable in food products or oils for children under 18 years old, its safety has been extensively studied in this population when it was in development as a medicine to treat epilepsy. In these clinical studies, CBD was safe at doses many times higher than the recommended daily dose of CBD in food products or supplements. Therefore, there is a good margin of safety for the use of CBD as a health supplement in oils, food products, or skin creams where the daily dosage is much lower.
It is important to give the CBD time to work for you. We advise starting slow and taking time to feel any effects you might feel from using CBD for the first time.Some users will notice an instant impact, whilst others may not feel the benefits for a few weeks. The method of delivery depends on how fast the CBD will hit your system:
CBD can be absorbed through the skin. The amount absorbed depends very much on the formulation of the particular product which contains CBD. CBD may be included in products for topical application in oils, creams, sprays, gels or skin patches.
Choosing a CBD brand that you trust is the first step on your CBD journey. Here at EthicaCBD we strive to be open, transparent and honest in everything we do so that you can fully trust the information we provide. If you take anything away from this beginners’ guide to CBD, please know that not all CBD providers are created equal, and much of the information out there can be misleading or exaggerated.
We take time to strip back the facts and present them to you honestly so that you can make up your own mind about using CBD and what it can do for you. You can find lots of useful articles and information on all things CBD in our Knowledge Hub.
A more connected, happier and healthier ‘you’ is just around the corner when you embrace the power of nature. When you are equipped with trusted knowledge it can make you feel more confident in the decisions you make. If you would like to know more about our products or have any questions regarding the use or benefits of CBD oil we would love to discuss this with you as it is our passion!
Feel free to contact us to book a consultation to speak to one of our experts here.
EthicaCBD,
Unit 7 Bude Business Centre,
Kings Hill Industrial Estate,
Bude, EX23 8QN,
United Kingdom
