Have you heard of CBD oil, also called cannabis oil? It might sound illegal, but don’t worry — CBD oil was officially classed as a medicine in the UK this year. To sell it legally as a medicine, companies need a product licence and must meet safety, quality and effectiveness standards to protect public health (1).
I’m really excited about this natural remedy because I believe in the power of nature. CBD oil may help with anxiety, some types of cancer and can reduce pain. If you or someone you know has health issues, read on to learn more about this interesting natural medicine.
Quick navigation:
– What is CBD oil?
– How is CBD oil made?
– Health benefits and effects of cannabis oil
– CBD side effects
– How CBD oil has helped people — online case studies (epilepsy, autism, breast cancer)
– Is CBD oil legal in the UK?
– Where can I buy cannabis oil?
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil comes from the cannabis plant, but it won’t get you high. Cannabis contains over 60 compounds, and CBD and THC are the most well-known. THC is the compound that causes a high, while CBD is not psychoactive.
A 2011 review in Current Drug Safety says CBD “does not interfere with several psychomotor and psychological functions” and several studies suggest CBD is “well tolerated and safe” even at high doses (2, 3). Besides cannabinoids, CBD oil can also contain vitamins, fatty acids and trace minerals.
How is CBD oil made?
CBD oil is extracted from hemp or marijuana plants — both are types of cannabis. Hemp usually has high CBD and low THC, while marijuana has higher THC and lower CBD. CBD oil can come from either plant.
There are several extraction methods, including using alcohol or CO2. For more on these techniques, see the linked article.
Health benefits and effects of cannabis oil
Research on CBD oil is growing (4) and suggests many possible benefits. Some of these include:
– Reducing nausea, including in chemotherapy patients
– Fighting tumour and cancer cells
– Relieving pain
– Helping with anxiety and depression
– Reducing inflammation (useful for arthritis)
– Helping with IBS/IBD
– Treating severe paediatric epilepsy disorders
Keep in mind: more studies in humans are needed to confirm some of these claims, as many studies have been done in animals.
CBD side effects
What about side effects — can CBD be harmful? Sources like Ministry of Hemp (5) report that most side effects are minor, and for many people the benefits outweigh the rare issues.
People react differently. Some sensitive individuals report mood changes or mild digestive upset. In some cases, side effects are caused by low-quality oil, so it’s important to buy from trusted brands.
Also note that CBD can interact with some drugs, such as certain antidepressants, anti-epileptics and antihistamines. Always do your research and consult a medical professional before combining CBD with other medications.
How CBD oil has helped people — online case studies
There are many stories online about people whose symptoms improved after using CBD oil. A few examples:
– Ellie-Jae: A 10-year-old with a rare genetic epilepsy was part of a clinical trial for Dravet syndrome at the Children’s Hospital in Glasgow. Her parents noticed she was more alert, had better control over seizures, was happier and had an improved appetite after starting CBD oil (6).
– Alex: A four-year-old diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, autism and epilepsy saw his seizures stop after using CBD oil (7).
– Breast cancer research: An Israeli study found that CBD can inhibit the development of breast cancer tumours (8).
You can find many more stories online. The potential of this natural medicine is impressive, but questions remain about legality and where to buy it safely.
Is CBD oil legal in the UK?
CBD oil was recently classed as a medicine in the UK (1). Companies selling it as a medicine must have a product licence. The MHRA has been working with companies to ensure legal requirements are met — if a company doesn’t have a licence, it cannot sell CBD oil as a medicine or make medical claims on its website. Setting that aside, CBD oil itself is legal in the UK, but the laws are complex (9).
It’s legal to import CBD from the EEA for personal use or to give to a child, but the product must not contain any THC. If it does, you could be prosecuted under the 1971 Act (9). Because of this complexity, buy from trusted sources.
In the USA, CBD’s legal status is also complicated and depends on its source (10).
Where can I buy cannabis oil?
Buying CBD oil isn’t always straightforward, especially if it’s your first time. Don’t buy from the first seller you find and avoid the cheapest options — they may contain unwanted additives.
Look for pure CBD oil without toxins or pesticides. Hemp can absorb toxins from soil, so where it’s grown matters. If possible, buy certified organic CBD oil.
Some UK companies sell organic CBD online but lack official organic certification. For example, Love CBD and CBD Oils UK post certificates of analysis showing product purity and CBD content. CBD Brothers claims to provide organic history and certified quality, though not all information is openly available (11).
Even stores like Holland & Barrett have started selling CBD oil, but reviews are mixed. Try a product and switch brands if it doesn’t work for you.
You can also buy organic CBD from overseas companies like CBD Sense in the Netherlands, which sells a wide range of CBD products, including MediHemp items that are certified organic. US companies such as Just CBD also sell various products and sometimes offer discounts (code “LOVECBD” noted on their site).
To learn more, check a CBD oil product guide linked in the sources.
Have you heard of CBD oil before or tried it? I’d love to hear any success stories or thoughts.
References:
(1) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-statement-on-products-containing-cannabidiol-cbd
(2) http://www.eurekaselect.com/75752/article
(3) http://www.leafscience.com/2014/02/23/5-must-know-facts-cannabidiol-cbd/
(4) http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/medicinal-value-of-cannabidiol-cbd/
(5) https://ministryofhemp.com/blog/cbd-oil-side-effects/
(6) http://ulsterherald.com/2017/01/15/ellie-jaes-life-transformed-cannabis-oil/
(7) http://www.fox5atlanta.com/health/fox-medical-team/243270519-story
(8) http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/10/7/1161.full
(9) http://www.release.org.uk/blog/cannabis-confusion-legality-medicinal-cbd-uk-cannabidiol
(10) http://kightoncannabis.com/dea-clarifies-marijuana-extract-rule-and-cbd-legality/
(11) http://cbdfamilyinformationcentre.org.uk/the-best-cbd-products-i-have-found-in-the-uk/
https://www.rt.com/uk/372481-cannabis-medicine-cbd-mhra/
http://herb.co/2017/03/07/cbd-oil-made/