Written by Emma Thackray, co-founder of Hip Pop
You might hear CBD and immediately think of the Class B drug, however, there are two different cannabis plants: marijuana and hemp. Both are comprised of hundreds of compounds, but the major players are CBD and THC. Marijuana contains higher levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the chemical that creates the ‘high’ – while hemp holds higher levels of CBD (cannabidiol).
Unlike its counterpart, CBD isn’t psychoactive, and therein lies the major difference. So, if you’re wondering whether you’ll get high, the short answer is no – there are no euphoric effects of CBD.
If CBD is cannabis, why is it legal?
Following the legalisation of CBD in 2018, a wide range of products including oils, sprays, supplements and cosmetics are now legal to purchase in the UK – as long as they contain no more than 0.2% of THC. Food and drink products also need to be acknowledged by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and as of 2020, require a Novel Food application.
CBD products and services are becoming increasingly popular, whether it’s a CBD infused kombucha or spa facial. Hailed as the ‘next big thing’ in wellness, sales soared throughout the pandemic, and the size of the cannabinoid sector is impossible to ignore, having been valued at £690 million in 2021.
The UK is the second largest consumer cannabinoid market behind the US, with Brits spending more on CBD than vitamin B and C combined. It helps that products are so readily available to consumers, with Holland & Barrett, Europe’s leading health and wellness retailer, stocking over 70 products online and in approximately 715 stores nationwide.
What are the benefits of CBD?
Historically, cannabis has been used to treat pain since at least 2900 BC. Some scientists believe that the anti-inflammatory effects of the cannabinoids found in CBD could be partially responsible for its pain relieving abilities.
Although there is limited research, some studies are promising. In fact, in 2021, researchers found that treatments containing CBD relieved moderate to severe levels of pain and helped with both physical and mental health conditions such as psoriasis, arthritis, anxiety and depression.
Although CBD doesn’t ‘cure’ illnesses, it can be used to supplement and enhance existing treatments, as it may reduce malignant inflammation and aid in pain management. Its anti-inflammatory qualities can also aid digestive issues, such as IBS and ulcerative colitis, decreasing pain and aiding digestion regulation.
The link between CBD and gut health
Inflammation is our body’s natural response to infection and injury. When chronic inflammation concentrates in the gut, it can manifest in digestive issues, chronic illnesses, or other health problems. However, CBD could provide relief for gut and colon inflammation when applied topically, a study on mice revealed.
Additional research found that a combination of CBD and THC was able to reduce intestinal inflammation in mice with colitis. This initial research suggests that CBD can trigger an anti-inflammatory effect in the digestive system which could help to calm an angry gut, however, more human trials are needed.
How do I know what’s legit?
Any CBD-based supplements, oils, food and drink must be submitted to the FSA. This database of over 12,000 products is available to the public, so anyone can check the status of any CBD product they wish to purchase.
Operating a tiered status system, all products are listed as ‘validated’, ‘awaiting evidence’, or ‘removed’. Those labelled ‘validated’ are 100% approved by the FSA, which means the producer’s processes and ingredients are up to scratch and they’re completely safe to consume. On the flip side, ‘removed’ means the submitted items weren’t fit for sale, and you should avoid these products.
If a product is listed as ‘awaiting evidence’, it can still be sold to the public with the intention of providing relevant information. It should be noted that there is often a delay in validation due to the volume of products and evidence to go through. While plenty in this limbo are likely safe, you should keep in mind that they can be switched to ‘removed’ at any time should the FSA decide.
To conclude, CBD has been used throughout history, long before the ‘trendsetters’ started adding it to products to make them fashionable. Whether historical or not, the CBD zeitgeist isn’t going away anytime soon, as demand and product innovation continues to boom across all industries and sectors.
While scientific research is still ongoing, there is at least evidence of a fondness for this compound that isn’t set to disappear in the near future. As we continue to care incessantly about our wellbeing following the pandemic, there’s no doubt that CBD will continue to reign supreme as the new “it” product in the health and wellness world.
About the author
Emma Thackray is the co-founder of Hip Pop