CBD (Cannabidiol) FAQs

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a chemical present in the Cannabis sativa plant (a.k.a. hemp or cannabis). It belongs to a class of chemicals known as cannabinoids found in the plant. CBD does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient that gets you high.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that induces a high. It is thought to act the same way as naturally produced cannabinoid chemicals in the body, according to NIDA (the National Institute on Drug Abuse).

As a rule of thumb, it is best to start with the least impactful supplements and work your way up, as needed. The basic form is ‘CBD isolate’, a pure form containing no other compounds from the cannabis plant. The next level is Broad-Spectrum CBD with all the components of the plant except for THC. At the ‘Full-Spectrum CBD’ level, you get all the components of the cannabis plant, including a specific (and conservative) amount of THC (depending on the laws that apply to you.)

CBD is psychoactive but in a different way than THC. The high we associate with THC is not replicated when you take CBD, since they engage your endocannabinoid system in different ways.

The World Health Organization says that in humans, CBD shows no effects that indicate health risks or potential for addiction. There is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD. The key here is that you get it from a reliable, regulated, and trustworthy supplier. Often, when you see complaints of dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea, or other nasty effects, the product may be questionable.

The World Health Organization says there is no evidence so far indicating the potential for addiction from CBD use. Since its benefits aren’t accompanied by a visceral high anywhere near the level of THC, recurrent use is based on health benefits, rather than to recreate a ‘high.’

Most people can tolerate it well but you may also experience dry mouth, fatigue, drowsiness, reduced appetite, and diarrhoea. All the effects could be an indication that the CBD you got may not be pure. It is recommended to stick with reliable brands that provide dosage information, stay within regulations and deliver a pure product.

The answer depends on the trace amounts of THC tetrahydrocannabinol present in the CBD. Pure CBD should not show up on a drug test but will present as positive if a high enough amount is present in the dose taken.

Since it was illegal not too long ago, studying cannabis’s pain relief properties was difficult. However, current research is showing promising results that include reduced brain and nervous system inflammation, mood improvement, increased levels of anandamide (a pain regulating compound).

While CBD doesn’t produce the ‘high’ effect associated with regular marijuana, it has demonstrable benefits in blocking enzymes that trigger inflammation in the body and reducing seizures in people with drug-resistant Dravet Syndrome. CBD interacts with the type 1 receptor (CB1R), the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, and other receptors that regulate behaviours triggered by fear and anxiety.

Yes, they are. However, the law still enforced the same 0.2% or less of THC in the CBD used to make the edibles.

Aside from the many health benefits, many of which are only now being tested after legal restrictions loosened, CBD also provides users with relief from anxiety and its side effects. In other applications, it can help combat acne, while protecting the brain and nervous system from inflammation.  

Taken in safe doses and through ingestion, the effects are real and manifest even better with continued/prolonged use. However, we feel that when CBD oil is used in things like tampons and mascara, the effects may be more of a placebo, if felt at all.

Yes, you can. Why? To get the maximum benefits. The thing about CBD is that you can never overdose on it and it is fat-soluble (lipophilic), meaning it accumulates in your body with usage, potentially benefiting you more, with continued usage.

Depending on the dosage, you should start to feel effects after 15 to 45 minutes, according to the Arthritis Foundation. However, for optimal effects and changes, it is advised to take CBD regularly and enjoy its benefits over time.

In a study where participants took 1,500 mg over six weeks, no dangerous side effects were observed. A recent 2019 study using mice on the recommended highest dosage of 200mg caused a sensation when it showed that high doses of CBD could damage their livers. However, the study acknowledged that it tested the maximum daily dosage and even though the endocannabinoid system is the same in humans as it is in mice, we are not the same physiologically and have a much bigger liver. At recommended doses (0.5mg to 20mg per day); CBD will not damage your liver.

It does. CBD has gut motility properties that spur on the digestive system. The relaxing effects, the calmed nerves, and antioxidant properties all work together to increase and/or make your bowel movements more regular.

The Indiana University Department of Medicine compiled a list of pharmaceutical drugs and medications that should not be taken with CBD.

They include Angiotension II Blockers, Antiarrhythmic, Antibiotics, Antidepressants, Anticonvulsants / Anti-Seizure Medications, Antihistamines, Antipsychotics, Anaesthetics, Beta-Blockers, Benzodiazepines, Calcium Channel Blockers, HIV Antivirals, HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins), Immune Modulators, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Oral Hypoglycaemic Agents, Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), Prokinetics, Steroids and Corticosteroids and Sulfonylureas. The potency may be reduced due to CBD interaction.

If you experience the burning sensation, you are probably consuming CBD that is not pure. When used under the tongue, the oil is delivered in form of droplets that are absorbed through the mucous membrane and directly into the bloodstream. To avoid an experience where your tongue burns, buy your CBD from a trusted shop. Pure CBD should not sting.

CBD hemp flowers are a type of hemp buds you can smoke without getting high. The CBD cannabis flower may be derived from one of the three main varieties (Indica, Sativa, or Ruderalis).

Hemp is cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC (the part of marijuana that gets people high). For this reason, Hemp is where we get most of our CBD since the psychoactive ingredient THC is only present in minuscule amounts.  

If you smoke CBD hemp flower with low THC levels, there is potential that you could experience something, though it may not be as profound as when you smoke weed. Most users will not feel any of the psychoactive effects of the THC compound, since it takes a certain amount to produce a perceptible reaction.

How long the effect lingers will depend on your body, the dosage, and the method of delivery. Generally, the effects last from 2 to 6 hours, which is why nighttime (an hour before you sleep) is the best time to take some.

Given the current legal status of CBD and cannabis-related plants in many places and the limited research done in the time since it was made legal in some places, doctors do not prescribe CBD oil. That will take some time. However, they can recommend it as a possible treatment or augmentation for existing treatment. If you are on medication, talk to your doctor about taking CBD before you start, to avoid disrupting any effects of your medication.

The benefits of CBD with regard to appetite and weight loss are documented. However, it also can cause users to gain weight due to increased appetite. The studies are still limited but one of the most common side effects of CBD usage is appetite changes, especially the need to eat more.  

Yes, you can. None of the intake methods (topical, capsule, edibles, creams) is disrupted if you drink water. However, when using a tincture, it is recommended to give it a literal minute for absorption to occur, before drinking water.

There is no official recommended level of CBD one should take. Given that it is not psychoactive or something you can overdose on, the safety risk is incredibly low, which should come as a relief if you took more than you intended to. However, we recommend talking to your doctor (some may not have any information to give depending on law or experience) and gaining valuable information about it. In case your doctor doesn’t know, a safe dosage starts from 20-40mg a day and can be increased for pain relief users over a few weeks to 50mg daily.

As with many types of medication that help you manage pain, it is recommended that you take the dosage about an hour before you are scheduled to fall asleep. The body will absorb it better this way, enhancing your relaxed state as you sleep.

No. It should not leave an odour in your mouth. If it does, you might not be taking pure CBD (even CBD with high THC levels should not make your mouth smell). The other explanation would be that there are dental/oral issues to look at.

CBD is safe for your teeth. However, some of the delivery methods change the story a bit. For instance, if you are taking gummy CBDs, in cigarettes or vaping, you could impact your teeth negatively because of sugar or deposits on your teeth through smoking.

Full-spectrum CBD extracts have all the compounds that occur naturally in Cannabis, including some traces of THC (the cannabinoid associated with getting high). There is a theory called the entourage effect, which suggests that ingesting all cannabinoids together has more benefits than when one takes just CBD. It is one of the reasons people consider full-spectrum CBD oil instead of just CBD. However, anything with more than 0.2% THC is not legal in the UK, which rules this out for UK citizens.

CBD isolate means exactly what it sounds like; the extraction process is all about getting the purest CBD without other cannabis compounds/ingredients.  

There are several ways to take pure CBD oil. You can have it as part of your tea, use tinctures, swallow capsules, apply topically on the skin, in a smoothie, in coffee, in a salad dressing, as sweets/gummies, in a cocktail, and more. You have just to get it inside your body and the absorption process begins. Avoid pairing with foods or mixtures that may affect the absorption rate by taking it an hour before you eat to give it time to absorb before you eat or drink. However, you can drink water a minute or so after taking some CBD.

While research is fairly limited, CBD cosmetics (done well) offer healing properties in the form of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to combat skin dryness and inflammation. CBD may also be suitable to curb acne-causing sebum production. Studies show that CBD could be effective in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema.

Yes, you can. CBD does work on the skin too. The effects are different though and leverage the cannabinoid receptors accessible via the pores on your skin. However, it is advised to use the ingestion method for maximum utilization, since CBD has low bioavailability. Feel free to augment yourself with creams for maximum effect.

According to research done on the cream, it would seem that CBD reduces intense pain, cold, itchy sensations, and sharp pains when applied to the skin. Cream application is also called topical application and refers to the fact that you have to smear it on the affected area. You can substitute lotion with CBD cream when dealing with skin disorders to combat them better. Lotions tend not to have medicinal properties but CBD oil does.  

Yes. However, there are some conditions attached to this ‘legal’ status. It is only legal if the THC content is less than 0.2% and if the CBD has been extracted from an approved hemp strain. The reason why THC content is kept so low is that it is still a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971.

The legality of CBD is a shifting mass of regulations, conditions, and guidelines. Since 2016, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) maintains that products with cannabidiol can be classed as medicines. However, there are numerous laws regarding how to sell, supply, and advertise CBD as medicine. A license is required, as well as adherence to high standards of safety, efficiency, and quality.

Short answer: No. There were cases involving unsafe vapes (not that any vape is safe, since risks over a long time remain relatively unknown with sinister undertones) which led us to believe that CBD should only be ingested the safe way. Vaping is not recommended.

Yes, but it’s more of a loophole than anything. Since CBD is a non-rewarding chemical with no high or intoxication, CBD oil vape pens are legal in the UK. As always, the minimum amount of 0.2% THC or less is enforced for them too.

While no peer-reviewed scientific data is showing that CBD can be used to treat dogs, a sizeable number of dog owners who have tried it report that it helps with pain (neuropathic pain especially) and controls seizures. It is all anecdotal but since CBD is harmless, even to dogs, you could try it out and see if your dog feels better.

When it comes to dogs, you will need to go with a lab-tested option. CBD made for dogs is normally used to help our canine friends with separation anxiety, arthritis, or mobility issues. The oil enables man’s best friend to live a healthier and happier life. From where the industry is headed, the next few years should see the CBD pet industry boom. You should speak with a qualified vet if you plan on giving CBD to your pet.

Yes, you can. In their old age, dogs are usually dealing with a weaker immune system, joint issues and might be grappling with pain from old injuries. Some pet owners have said CBD great way to help your senior dog stay active and potentially experience pain relief.  You should speak with a qualified vet if you plan on giving CBD to your pet.