CBD, the active component of cannabis without the intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in recreational marijuana, is being touted for everything from pain relief to sleep problems and anxiety. It’s available in a huge range of products on the high street and online from CBD oils to gummy sweets, and it’s even been used in yoga classes to help you relax. But if you’re thinking of trying it, beware that claims about CBD’s benefits are often unproven and its use is largely unregulated.
CBD is a natural compound that interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a vital role in keeping your body balanced and functioning properly, including controlling mood, appetite, memory and movement. It also regulates the production and regulation of hormones and the immune system.
There’s some pre-clinical evidence that CBD might help with conditions such as pain, inflammatory disorders and anxiety but human trials are small and have produced mixed results. It can also increase your alertness and reduce nausea and vomiting, and it might help with some sleep disorders. Some people are taking CBD as a health supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties and to treat depression, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues and even cancer.
However, the majority of CBD products on sale in the UK are marketed as food supplements and cannot make explicit medical claims. There are some products with higher concentrations of CBD than others, and it’s important to know what you’re buying and how much of each ingredient is in the product.
For example, a 50mg bottle of CBD oil could contain up to 10 times as much CBD as a 200mg bottle. And it’s worth remembering that the UK Food Standards Agency recommends that healthy adults take no more than 70mg of CBD a day.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that some medications might interact with CBD, notably those metabolised by the P450 family of enzymes. This can cause a dangerously high concentration of the drug to reach your bloodstream. Some examples of drugs that might interact with CBD include antibiotics, anticonvulsants, some antidepressants and antifungals.
While CBD is safe to consume, it’s advisable to do a patch test 24 hours before starting a new product and to always check the ingredients to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to one of the other ingredients. And if you do start using it, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. It’s also worth talking to your GP before trying it, especially if you have other health concerns. They might not recommend it, but they might be able to suggest alternative treatments that might work better for you. CBD UK