CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound that occurs in the cannabis plant. It’s one of hundreds of chemicals – known as cannabinoids –  found in the plant, and among the best known. The other most commonly discussed cannabinoid is THC, and it’s important to know the difference.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive chemical found in cannabis that makes the user feel “high” because of its effects on the brain. CBD, on the other hand, does not cause any psychoactive effects, which  means you can enjoy the calming and therapeutic effects of the plant without feeling spaced out.

It’s completely legal to buy CBD products as long as they are EU approved and certified as legal for sale. In order to be sold legally, CBD products are required to contain less than 0.01% THC (the chemical compound that makes you “high”). 

To understand the effects of CBD on the body, it’s important to understand a bit of biology. We all have our own endocannabinoid system; a complex and important system that has an impact on how we feel, physically and mentally. It’s an essential part of our neuro-immuno-endocrine network; a system of organs and tissues that sends signals to the brain about how we respond to pain, stress and other threats like bugs.

Two receptors – CB1 and CB2 – affect how the endocannabinoid system works in the body. CB1 receptors are found in the brain and linked to mood, appetite, coordination, motor skills and pain. CB2 receptors are found mainly in the spleen and tonsils, so they relate to the immune system.

The overall effects and benefits of CBD is the subject of many research projects, but an increasing number of studies have found it to aid in the treatment of a wide range of conditions. These include – but are not limited to – MS, anxiety, depression, epilepsy. fibromyalgia and joint pain. Many people also believe it can be used to treat cancer, although this claim has not yet been substantiated.

Very few side effects have been reported from the use of CBD oil and it is generally considered to be safe to use, although consuming high doses may result in diarrhea, fatigue or increased appetite.

Hemp is found in the seeds of the cannabis plant, while CBD oil is extracted from its leaves and stems. It’s also important to note that hemp is unrefined, but CBD undergoes strict and careful scientific processes to extract the most beneficial compounds.

CBD is considered to be safe and there is no recorded evidence of any physical or psychological problems resulting from its use. It’s not linked to dependency either, which means there’s no danger of becoming addicted to CBD.

Even high doses of up to 1,500mg a day have been reported as safe and well tolerated, although we would always recommend a maximum dose of 70mg a day and a single dose of 10mg.

There is little research in this area at the time of writing, so as with many health supplements, we would not recommend taking CBD products if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

We are all different, and this goes for our endocannabinoid systems too.  There are many factors that can impact on how our bodies react to CBD products, such as height and weight. If you’re shorter or lighter than your friend you might find you need less CBD oil than they do – and vice versa. It’s always best to start on a low dose, and we recommend that you don’t take more than 70mg a day.

Again, this depends on the individual. Many people report marked improvements in a wide range of conditions such as chronic pain, seizures, Multiple Sclerosis, anxiety, fibromyalgia, insomnia, arthritis and much more. However, government regulations mean we are unable to claim that CBD oil can “cure” any of these conditions, and no supplement can be sold as a magical remedy that should be used in place of medical advice. Research in this area is still relatively new, but there is an increasing amount of both scientific and anecdotal evidence to back up the health benefits of CBD oil.

This is really down to personal preference. Some people believe that CBD  is most effective when it’s dropped or sprayed under the tongue, so if you’re happy to do it yourself the oil is a good option. You can also add it to food or drink.

Our products come as oils. If you’re using the oil, the handy dropper makes it easy to add to food or drink. Many people enjoy its earthy, nutty flavour in tea, salad dressings, smoothies and cordial, but you can also just drop it under your tongue. CBD oil can be used as a cooking oil, but it’s important to remember that this process will destroy many of its beneficial effects, so we recommend keeping it at room temperature.

This depends on personal preference and your reasons for taking CBD oil. If you’re looking for pain relief or just as a general health supplement you may choose to take it first thing in the morning as part of your daily routine.

If you want to relax at the end of the day and get a good night’s sleep, you might prefer to take it at bedtime.

If you find CBD oil makes you drowsy, we definitely recommend taking it when you’re ready for bed, and not before driving or operating machinery.

We recommend first thing in the morning, lunchtime and evening for general usage.

Yes. CBD is  a completely natural ingredient found in the cannabis plant, and it contains no synthetic materials or additives. 

Although we don’t recommend taking any more than 70mg of CBD oil a day, there are no reported incidences of overdoses, injuries or illnesses from taking any amount of CBD oil. The worst  that can happen from exceeding the recommended dose is most likely to be fatigue or an upset stomach.

Although CBD oil will not make you high or experience any psychoactive effects, you might find that it makes you a little more relaxed or drowsy than usual. For this reason we don’t recommend driving  or operating heavy machinery after you try CBD for the first few times.

Because CBD is legal and doesn’t have any psychoactive effects it shouldn’t show up in any standard drugs test. Most tests are looking for chemicals that make you high or affect decision making, mood, behaviour etc, and because legal CBD products contain less than 0.2% of THC they are highly unlikely to lead to a positive test result.

You would have to be taking an extremely high dosage for there to be any trace of THC in the blood, but if you need a drugs test for work, it’s a good idea to check what they’re looking for and advise them that you’re taking CBD oil first.

No. There are generally three different types of CBD oil available to buy: full spectrum CBD oil, which contains all natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, including a low level of THC; broad spectrum CBD oil, that contains many compounds and no THC; and CBD isolate, which contains only CBD and no other compounds.

Like all things, there are good and bad suppliers of CBD oil and production standards vary all over the world. CBD oil made in Europe is subject to particularly strong standards, while some areas have very limited regulations in place. To be certified legal, CBD products must have undergone strict tests and legislative processes and be proven to contain less than 0.01% THC.

CBD oil has not yet been authorised by the FDA or Veterinary Medicines Directorate for use with pets, however there is much anecdotal evidence to suggest that it can be of great benefit to animals as well as humans. Our advice is to discuss this with your vet before using CBD products to treat your pet at home.

This varies from person to person, but many customers report a feeling of relaxation and calm after taking CBD oil, without any of the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis use.