What exactly is CBD Oil & Is it legal in the UK?

CBD oil is one of the trendiest topics in the UK at the moment. You hear about celebrities bringing out their own ranges, CBD oil being given out in the Oscars gift bags and CBD restaurants popping up here there and everywhere. But what actually is CBD oil? And what is all the fuss about?

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol – or CBD as it is better known – is one of potentially over 100 compounds that are found naturally in the cannabis plant. It was only really discovered in the 1990s when scientists were looking into why cannabis makes us high.

What they found was that there was a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC) in the plant which, when taken by humans, makes us high. They discovered that this happened as a result of its interaction with a system called the endocannabinoid system – an important system in the body which is responsible for regulating a number of bodily functions helps to help keep the body in a state of homeostasis.

CBD oil is not the only option. There are a dizzying array of CBD products available to the consumer today. One of the most increasingly popular forms is CBD balm. This maximises the anti-oxidating and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD in a topical sense. If you are looking for an effective, THC free and vegan friendly option, then look no further than Cannacares’ restorative CBD balm.

The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is based around a set of cannabinoid receptors which are concentrated in many different areas around the body, and endocannabinoids – which are made naturally in the body. The endocannabinoids interact with the cannabinoid receptors and then are broken down by certain enzymes. These receptors are called CB1 and CB2 receptors and are located in different parts of the body.

Scientists found that CBD and THC were similar in that they interact with the endocannabinoid system in a similar way to the endocannabinoids. Which is why they called them phyto cannabinoids (meaning cannabinoids derived from a plant). However, the difference between the two is that they interact in different ways.

THC binds mainly to the CB1 receptor, stimulating the part of the endocannabinoid system that is controlled by the CB1 receptor and also making you high.

CBD mainly affects the output of the CB2 receptor, stimulating other parts of the endocannabinoid system and not making you high.

So, whilst THC may be useful, it is illegal because it makes you high. CBD, on the other hand, won’t make you high at all and is therefore completely legal in the UK.

Is CBD Legal?

In a word, yes.

Since technology and research has allowed us to split down the different compounds in cannabis, we have been able to determine parts of it that are legal and illegal. In short, THC is illegal, and CBD is legal.

For this reason, farmers have cultivated varieties of cannabis which naturally have very low THC levels (less than 0.2% in the UK) which firstly won’t get you high, and secondly means that the plant and anything made from it is completely legal. This is called industrial hemp.

Tips for Buying CBD Oil

• Lab Reports - When you buy a CBD product, it is recommended that you buy from a manufacturer who can provide a third-party lab testing report – or certificate of analysis. This will give you an accurate breakdown of the levels of CBD, THC & various other cannabinoids that are present in the bottle.

Leading CBD retailers like CBD Shopy have researched the UK CBD-market to bring you only the best CBD oils, capsules, creams, and various other products backed by third-party lab reports which are made available on their website.

• Medical Claims – In the UK, CBD Oil is currently sold as a “food supplement” and no medical claims can be made by producers or retailers alike, so if you see any companies making outrageous claims - ask yourself why they’re not playing by the rules, are they to be trusted?

• Hemp Associations – Check to see if the CBD-brand you’re interested in purchasing is part of the Cannabis Trades Association of the UK which was created to promote good practice, provide practical advice and ensure consumers of legal cannabis and hemp products have access to top quality information.