CBD is everywhere but what does it actually do and is it safe?
CBD is the buzzword that’s taking over our lifestyle routines. Craving a relaxing skincare evening? There’s a hemp mask for that. Want a non-alcoholic drink to unwind? Your meal deal has a soft drink for that. Sweet treats all your mind can think about? Try an indulgent brownie flavoured with CBD oil.
Most people get worried that consuming CBD will give them a hallucinogenic experience, but that confusion could be stopping you from finding your new favourite self-care activity.
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What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis plants that is legal to sell. You’ll typically find CBD sold in an oil, with this oil added into fizzy drinks, skincare products, food or vapes.
CBD won’t give you the same psychoactive effects or experiences when you consume it. That’s because it has different properties from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound in cannabis plants that causes hallucinogenic effects. Marijuana has low amounts of CBD and high amounts of THC, whereas hemp, which you’re more likely to find on the high street, has low amounts of THC and high amounts of CBD.
A safe amount to consume is 10mg per day, according to the Food Standards Agency. If you’re adding oil to your coffee, that averages to about 4-5 drops per day for a CBD oil at 5% strength. In the UK, the daily recommendation used to be no more than 70mg per day, but this was reduced to account for CBD being consumed for recreational use, rather than medicinally. In Canada, however, recreational use of cannabis has been legal since October 2018. Under the Canadian Cannabis Act, an adult can legally hold up to 17.1L of cannabis-infused beverages.
Finding the right CBD product for you shouldn’t be difficult, but there are a variety of pros and cons that you may want to consider first:
Advantages
1. You’ll feel calmer
For some people, consuming CBD makes them feel more relaxed and less anxious. Reducing your stress levels can make CBD a great instrument to help you tackle that party or work function that you’ve been feeling anxious towards, giving you the confidence to socialise and network like a pro.
2. It’s a no-alcohol indulgence
When socialising revolves around late-night pub trips and boozy brunches, trying to manage your alcohol consumption each week can feel tricky, especially if you’re worried about missing out on plans by saying no to booze. CBD drinks bridge that gap for you, offering something alternative to a lemonade or seltzer to enjoy.
According to research from Health Survey for England, 48% of English adults have an alcoholic drink at least once per week, with 17% of adults admitting to binge drinking in the last week. CBD drinks may be a healthier swap to alcoholic drinks with a high calorific content that you may normally reach for first in the pub.
3. It’s not an addictive substance
The World Health Organisation does not consider CBD an addictive product. When research was conducted by providing people with 600mg doses of CBD to consume orally, no physiological effects were recorded. In contrast, a separate group who consumed 10mg of THC orally reported anxious side effects, psychotic experiences and increased heart rates. It highlights how CBD is a safer and legal alternative to THC products.
That being said, anything you consume dangerously can become harmful, so be sure to consume safely in moderation as recommended by the CBD supplier you’re sourcing from.
4. Your sleep may improve
Getting a good night’s sleep is the backbone of a healthy lifestyle, but getting some quality rest can feel difficult. Even if you try your best to unwind and unplug yourself from the closest nearby device that’s spamming you with notifications, sometimes it can feel like your brain just can’t turn the volume of the world around you down. Health experts recommend that you sleep for roughly 8 hours per night. When you consume CBD, the calming and anxiety-reducing effects can help you to feel more prepared to have an undisturbed sleep.
Disadvantages
5. It may be a placebo effect
In a randomised clinical trial of 102 people, participants were split into four groups to orally consume different milligram portions of CBD, with one group consuming no CBD as part of a placebo-controlled measure. Over the 8 weeks of the study, CBD didn’t have a dramatically positive or negative impact on the well-being of the participants. That’s not to say that all CBD products cause a placebo effect in consumers, but that we still need to conduct more research into how CBD can enhance our efforts to live a healthy lifestyle.
6. You can’t always rely on the effects
How CBD makes you feel can depend entirely on what you’re consuming. That’s because the concentration can change between products, with some products and oils offering a higher or lower CBD concentration or mg content. Depending on the outcome you’re hoping for, that can either leave you feeling underwhelmed or overwhelmed if you unknowingly consume a concentration you weren’t prepared for.
Be careful what you consume, however, and always make sure to check the packaging for the ingredients. Some drinks have THC mixed in with them, which may cause you to have a psychoactive experience. This can be quite intimidating if you thought the product you were drinking was of a low dosage, and this may even cause you to fail a drug test if called.
7. Moderation is key
For younger adolescent people, overconsumption of THC can have impacts on cognitive function. That’s different to CBD, but as many CBD drinks contain THC, it’s worth double-checking the ingredients of whatever you’re buying. CBD and THC are often mixed together as CBD has been considered to reduce some of the unwanted side effects of THC consumption, for example, anxiety and paranoia.
When people overconsume THC, research has indicated that adolescents find it more difficult to concentrate as the fat in their bodies becomes dysfunctional. Similarly, when people consume THC heavily at high doses, some people experience increased anxiety, rather than the relaxing experience that a lower dosage CBD alternative can provide. That’s why sticking to the guidelines can help you safely consume CBD as part of a healthy lifestyle, rather than exposing yourself to further health risks.
How to consume
CBD is often mixed in an oil if you’re hoping to drink or eat it, as this conceals the unpleasant distinctive flavour that the extract holds. If you’ve never tried CBD and you’re looking to open up your lifestyle routine to new flavours, there are plenty of ways to test your comfort levels. Why not try:
CBD Oil – Oils can be added to tea and coffee, with a strong brew masking the flavour of the CBD to make it more palatable. Be sure to check which CBD oil you’re buying, however, as some oils should be included in your skincare routine rather than being accidentally drunk.
Vapes and E-cigarettes – If you’re a smoker looking to cut back, vapes and e-cigarettes may be a good way to help you get out of the habit. Vaping and e-cigarettes boil CBD oil to make it a vapour that you can inhale. Always be sure that you double-check what CBD you purchase, however, as your vape or e-cigarette may contain traces of THC. In the US, a legal CBD vape will be produced from hemp and should not contain higher than 0.3% THC. As CBD vapes aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, you should take extra effort to make sure that any vape you buy doesn’t have any other elements present that may cause any unwanted side effects.
Hemp Skincare – Hemp is a beauty buzzword that fills our high street and drug store shelves. Hemp oil, derived from the plant, is a great source of fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6 that help to lock in moisture in your face and reduce inflammation. It’s different to CBD as it’s produced from the seeds of the plant, whereas CBD is produced using plant leaves.
Baked goods – Has anyone ever said no to a great brownie, cookie, or sweet treat to end the day? Now, CBD can add an extra layer of indulgence to your favourite treat in the evenings. If you’re looking for something sweet and light, CBD gummies are also available to try.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional if you experience concerning symptoms and always follow the legal guidelines in your country.
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