What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is being increasingly acclaimed around the world as a natural plant-based product that offers a wide range of health and well-being benefits.
Because CBD derives from a variety of cannabis plant, like the infamous
psychoactive drug marijuana (also known as weed, pot, hash, dope and various
other colloquialisms), many people remain confused about the legality and safety of its use.
For anyone a little fearful about trying CBD, the best way to cure that
apprehension is to find out exactly where it comes from, how it is made and what the legal position is in the UK as regards its use.
Here’s a run-down on what CBD is all about in the form of frequently asked questions:
What plant does CBD come from?
CBD is extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant – a cousin of the plant Cannabis Indica from which marijuana is derived.
The CBD plant is also known as the industrial hemp plant, which has been cultivated through the ages for making fibrous products like rope, textiles, paper and, more recently, biofuel.
Fortunately, hemp is a highly regenerative plant that grows abundantly with little water or fertiliser, and is naturally resistant to pests, so it ticks all the boxes for sustainability.
Most of the hemp used to make CBD in the UK is grown commercially and organically in the United States in compliance with US Department of Agriculture standards.
Can CBD make you “high”?
The short answer is “no”. There is one big difference between the Cannabis sativa (CBD) plant and the Cannabis Indica (marijuana) plant, and that lies in the levels of a substance known as THC that they contain. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychotropic effects, producing the “high” sensation. It’s just one of at least 100 cannabinoids identified in cannabis plants, another being non-psychoactive CBD (cannabinol).
The specially genetically bred and cultivated Cannabis sativa or hemp plant from which CBD is derived contains only very small amounts of THC, compared to the Cannabis indica plant variety.
When CBD is extracted from the plant and processed with a carrier oil it is as pure as can be. Instead of making you high CBD oil has all sorts of potential health benefits.
What are the benefits of CBD oil?
The therapeutic effects of CBD on the human body are still being researched, but CBD users claim it has a positive effect on a range of health problems. While it is not yet clear how exactly it works CBD is believed to influence receptors in the body that control pain and the release of serotonin, which is known as the “feel good” hormone.
Some of the conditions that CBD oil is said to relieve are:
Acne
Anxiety
Arthritis
Chronic pain
Depression
Epilepsy
Hypertension
Insomnia
Joint pain
Parkinson’s disease
How is CBD oil made?
Down on the farm when the hemp plants are deemed ripe for harvest (usually around October in the USA) the crop is brought in by hand and spread out in large barns to dry for several weeks. CBD is most prolifically contained in the hemp flowers – specifically the trichomes (fine glandular outgrowths) of the flowers. Once dried the flowers are stripped from the plants for the next step.
The CBD has to then be separated from the plant material. There are several extraction methods, each suitable for different CBD products. The CO2 extraction method is regarded as the best way to get the purest high potency CBD isolate – almost pure cannabidiol. It involves the use of super-cooled, condensed carbon dioxide.
Other common methods are Ethanol Extraction in which the plant is soaked in alcohol; and oil extraction where the plant is “cooked” in a carrier oil. Once extracted the pure CBD isolate can be combined with other ingredients – oils and flavourings – ready for bottling and labelling. Finally, each batch is subjected to rigorous quality testing using various criteria.
Are all Products containing CBD legal?
Yes – as long as they have a THC level of no greater than 1mg. Most commercially available CBD products have a THC level far below 1mg so are perfectly safe and legal to use without intoxicating effects. Millions of people in the UK are using CBD perfectly legally in some form, whether it be oil, lotions, vapes, gums or in various other products.
All UK CBD products are officially considered to be food supplements or cosmetics, and NOT for medicinal use. This means they have to comply with the appropriate regulations for “novel” foodstuffs and the cosmetics industry. CBD regulation and legislation is still evolving and manufacturers are doing their best to keep up and comply in the interests of the industry.
As a consumer it is important that you do your research and ensure you are buying CBD products from tried and trusted brands who are operating according to best practice and within product safety laws.
Nature's Organics Range
AVOCADO
- Rich in oleic acid, a very healthy fat.
- Reduces cholesterol and improves heart health.
- High in lutein, an antioxidant that has benefits for the eyes.
- Enhances the absorption of important nutrients.
- May reduce symptoms of arthritis.
- Helps prevent gum disease.
COCONUT
- Contains healthy fatty acids. Coconut oil is high in certain saturated fats.
- Boosts heart health.
- Encourages fat burning.
- Has antimicrobial effects.
- Reduces hunger.
- Reduces seizures.
- May raise HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Protects your skin, hair, and teeth.
PUMPKIN
- Great source of Omega-3 fatty acids
- Glowing skin
- Improved cardiovascular and heart health
- Lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels
- Strong hair
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Prostate protection
- Restful sleep
SAFFLOWER
- A healthful source of fatty acids.
- Improves blood sugar levels.
- Lowers cholesterol, boosts heart health.
- Fights inflammation.
- Soothes dry skin.
MCT FLAVOURS Range
ACAI & LEMON
PINEAPPLE
SPEARMINT
5 EVIDENCE-BASED BENEFITS OF MCT OIL
- Promotes weight loss in several important ways.
- Instant source of energy that can also be used to fuel your brain.
- May reduce lactate buildup in athletes and help use fat for energy.
- Could help manage epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and autism.
- Contains powerful fatty acids that fight yeast and bacterial growth.
How do Feel Good CBD Products work?
All of the Feel Good CBD products contain only the finest natural ingredients and the purest, high-grade CBD, extracted from organic plants. CBD oils and tinctures should be taken orally, once or twice a day. The recommended daily dose of CBD will vary from person to person depending on what they are taking the CBD for. For the best effects the dose is dripped under the tongue and held there for 30 seconds so it is absorbed into the soft palate and into the bloodstream. Using this method means that none, or very little, of the cannabidiol is lost through digestion. The CBD then targets the areas that need it most by activating the body’s endocannabinoid system to help refresh, restore and repair.
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