CBD Beginners Guide: Getting started with CBD

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.   

What is CBD Oil and What Does it Do?

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. 

Facts About CBD

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.

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.

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 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?‘