CBD FAQs

Strictly, no. CBD is a constituent in hemp oil, which can contain several other cannabinoids and terpenes. It can be confusing though, as some CBD brands refer to their product as hemp extract oil. Historically, hemp oil is just the oil from crushing hemp seeds. It’s rich in omega 3 and other fatty acids, but there is no CBD. The CBD comes from the leaves and plant matter of hemp. Some CBD brands use hemp oil as a carrier oil and add CBD to it. Always check the label of a hemp oil product to confirm if it contains CBD or not. Chances are, if the product is cheap, it’s simple hemp oil without CBD.

There is a liver enzyme, Cytochrome 450 which is responsible for metabolizing 60-80% of the medications we consume. As a result, it also metabolizes CBD which can temporarily change the way our body metabolizes certain medicines. So, you need to be careful, but studies have shown low levels of CBD consumption (50mg or less) and taking the two substances at least two hours apart is safe.

Yes. We wrote about CBD for dogs and cats recently. There are no VMD-approved CBD products on the market today. However, more and more vets are happy to advise human CBD products for a pet parent’s pooch or cat. If you’re not sure where to start, it’s worth speaking to your vet about it.

The use of CBD oil while breastfeeding is not recommended but can be used during labour.

This is about personal preference. CBD Oil can sometimes be messy and a bit more difficult to get a consistent dose. Whereas CBD gummies provide the same dose with every ingestible (usually 20mg), and some find it easier to administer in this format.

The digestive system contains a high concentration of CB2 receptors. These play a crucial part in regulating our endocannabinoid system, and helping to bring our body back into balance. CBD replicates a naturally produced cannabinoid in the body, and interacts with our CB2 receptors to help control inflammation. So, a deficiency in these naturally occurring endocannabinoids is a contributing factor to IBS. Clinical studies are ongoing.

CBD is a non-addictive, plant-based material with a variety of health benefits.

CBD derived from the hemp plant is completely legal in the U.K and can be purchased from multiple channels.  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently enacted new regulations around “novel” foods to further protect the consumer from poorly produced CBD.

It could be considered a drug as it provides a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.

Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from the hemp plant. It is one of over 116 cannabinoids contained within this plant. Hemp can be grown outdoors or in a glasshouse. The hemp plant is a “phytoremediator”, so this means it absorbs everything from the soil in which it is grown. Therefore, it is important to ensure the plants are grown in appropriate conditions (i.e., not near industrial waste) and are tested for the presence of heavy metals.

CBD is a fat-loving substance and is not water soluble. As a result, to ensure the highest bioavailability, its best to place the CBD oil under the tongue for 60 seconds. There are blood vessels there and it can enter more easily into your blood stream.

No specific health claims can be made about CBD without clinical trials. As a result, there are many of these trials going on around the world today. In the absence of hard data, trials done with animals have demonstrated a calming effect, while anecdotal evidence is quite robust.

Again, no specific health claims can be made about CBD products without clinical trials. We know we each have an endocannabinoid system with receptors and endogenous cannabinoids which help regulate our mood and body. So, the theory is CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid which emulates a cannabinoid our body already produces to help bring the body back into balance. As a result, there are many researchers globally trying to access the effectiveness of CBD as a therapy for anxiety.