The Rising Popularity of CBD in the UK

There’s no denying that the popularity of CBD or cannabidiol in the UK has exploded in recent years. CBD is something you see popping up in wellness remedies, skin and beauty products, and even foods and drinks.

Discovering CBD

The history of cannabis, from which CBD derives, dates back to the third millennium BC. However, it wasn’t until 1940 when CBD was discovered, with the first complete study of its chemical makeup conducted 23 years later.

There are several different strains of cannabis, one of which is hemp. Towards the end of the 20th century, restrictions on CBD research in the UK began to soften. In 1993, the EU gave the green light for industrial hemp cultivation, provided the grower got a Home Office licence.

The Home Office also states the hemp strain cultivated should have no more than 0.2% THC (the cannabis compound or cannabinoid that gives people a ‘high’). CBD contains very little, if any, THC.

CBD in the 21st century

By the beginning of the 21st century, interest in CBD for wellness, health, and beauty rose dramatically. According to data compiled by the CMC (Centre for Medicinal Cannabis), approximately 4-6 million people in the UK have tried CBD as of 2019.

Other information from the CMC indicates that over 70% of CBD consumers in Britain primarily purchase tinctures, oils and capsules.

Interest in CBD for medicinal purposes is also growing. For example, a pure CBD treatment called Epidiolex, which is used for treating some severe forms of epilepsy, became an approved prescription medicine on the NHS.

How to Get Started With CBD

You’ve seen CBD for sale here and elsewhere and have wondered how to get started with it. After all: there are so many choices available to consumers as CBD is available for consumption in various ways!

Firstly, it makes sense to buy cannabinoid oil uk from a trusted and reputable supplier of CBD products, such as Simply CBD. Next, you’ll need to consider how you wish to consume CBD. The following describes the different choices available and how they can affect you:

Oils

If you’re looking to buy CBD UK and try it for the first time, the most common route is oils. CBD oil gets directly absorbed into the blood vessels when applied under the tongue, with the effects lasting 6-8 hours.

CBD oil comes in different strengths and is also available as flavoured CBD and water-soluble CBD.

Edibles and Capsules

Once consumed, CBD edibles and capsules get absorbed through the intestines and end up in the liver. It can take up to an hour to feel the effects of CBD when taken on an empty stomach, or up to three if eaten with food (however, this can vary by individuals).

Balms

CBD balms are products designed for application exclusively on the skin. These topical CBD products are easy to apply and gentle on the skin, plus they don’t get absorbed into the bloodstream.

Vape E-Liquids

Last but not least, CBD vape e-liquids are ideal for people that prefer to inhale CBD. Vape e-liquids are fast-acting and affect the lungs immediately, followed by the heart, brain, and the rest of the body.

What Is the Entourage Effect?

Standard cannabinoid oil typically contains three ingredients: CBD, terpenes, and carrier oil. You already know about CBD, but what are terpenes? In a nutshell, they are aromatic molecules that result in synergistic effects. Terpenes are found in many foods. The carrier oil binds to the CBD, enabling the transmission of its therapeutic benefits across the body.

When cannabinoids like CBD and terpenes co-exist, their chemical attributes become significantly increased due to the entourage effect. It’s a phenomenon unique to the various cannabis species and all the cannabinoids that exist within them.

Did you know at least 144 cannabinoids exist in cannabis species? While each one, like CBD, provide the most therapeutic benefit to people when consumed as a “full-spectrum” formula (more on that in a moment).

The concept of the entourage effect first got introduced in 1999. A paper written by a scientist named Raphael Mechoulam (the same man that conducted the first study on CBD back in 1963) discusses what he described as the entourage effect.

In his paper, Mechoulam wrote that science has yet to establish the exact role of all compounds found in cannabis. But, he believes that the compounds work better together than in isolation.

One scientific example to prove Mechoulam’s point is Marinol - a synthetic version of THC developed in the mid-1980s. Scientists were baffled that Marinol didn’t possess the same benefits or results as THC found in cannabis.

The reason for that was simple: Marinol does not contain other compounds like cannabinoids from cannabis. In short, Marinol only has limited benefit as it’s the synthetic equivalent of THC isolate.

What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?

As you might have gathered, full-spectrum CBD contains all the cannabis compounds that result in the entourage effect. Full-spectrum CBD is more potent than CBD isolate because, as mentioned earlier, the entourage effect provides the best results.

Full-spectrum CBD contains a rich blend of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and even trace amounts of minerals and vitamins. CBD is the prominent cannabinoid ‘ingredient’ of full-spectrum CBD, but there are also several minor ones, including CBG, CBC and CBN. You’ll also find in full-spectrum CBD terpenes like myrcene, a compound also found in plants like thyme and lemongrass, the latter being a plant used in traditional folk remedies for centuries.

When cannabinoids like CBD interact with terpenes like myrcene, they amplify their properties. In the case of myrcene, the terpene offers anti-inflammatory properties. Full-spectrum CBD also contains flavonoids - components found in many plants, fruits, and vegetables abundant in antioxidant activity. The role of flavonoids is to help regulate cellular activity in the body, protecting it against everyday toxins and stressors.

Some of the flavonoids found in full-spectrum CBD include orientin, quercetin, silymarin and kaempferol.

One question you might have about full-spectrum CBD is whether it contains the cannabinoid THC. As you know, THC is a cannabis compound that gives people a satisfying feeling.

Full-spectrum CBD only contains trace amounts (less than 0.2%) of THC at worst, while most full-spectrum CBD products contain significantly smaller THC quantities. Will full-spectrum CBD get you high? The answer is a definite ‘no.’

Is CBD Oil Safe?

As a first-time user, when looking to buy CBD oil UK, one question that will be at the forefront of your mind is whether CBD oil is safe or not. In short, the answer is a resounding yes!

One research paper published in 2017 analysed the effects of CBD on both animals and human beings from several previous scientific experiments and studies. The review concluded that CBD has a “favourable safety profile.”

CBD oil contains very minimal trace amounts of THC. The quantities found are a by-product of the processing stage and don’t cause the psychoactive effects of THC.

Another question many people new to CBD oil have is whether it can be addictive like the recreational consumption of cannabis. The good news is CBD doesn’t possess any compounds that will cause it to become addictive. That’s because CBD doesn’t contain any intoxicating effects. The World Health Organisation (WHO) compiled a report on CBD back in 2017, and they determined that existing scientific research indicates CBD has no addiction potential.

At Simply CBD, when you buy CBD oils online they are backed by independent laboratory tests that confirm each product’s chemical makeup for your peace of mind. We recommend that people new to CBD oil start with a low dose to get their bodies used to it.

Is CBD Oil Legal?

CBD oil is entirely legal to sell, buy, and consume in the UK.

When looking to buy the best CBD oil UK for the first time, people new to CBD oil are naturally apprehensive about the product considering it gets produced from cannabis.

Thankfully, you won’t get in any legal hot water by buying and using CBD oil. It’s worth pointing out that, as you might imagine, the production and sale of CBD oil is tightly regulated.

Firstly, all CBD oil for sale must come exclusively from industrial hemp. The entities growing the hemp must also have a licence from the Home Office to do so. Secondly, all CBD oil must contain a maximum of 0.2% THC.

As mentioned earlier, full-spectrum CBD does contain slight trace amounts of THC. But, they are way below the 0.2% threshold. For example, our Green CBD Oil independent laboratory test shows the THC content at just 0.069%.

Another concern that some beginners to CBD oil have is whether they’ll pass any workplace drug tests or not. The truth is, most drug tests focus on highlighting high levels of THC.

Theoretically, CBD oils with extremely low levels of THC shouldn’t trigger a positive result. You could also consume CBD isolate for peace of mind, such as our Pure CBD Isolate Oil THC Free. However, you won’t experience the full entourage effect that CBD has to offer, as it doesn’t contain terpenes or other cannabinoids.

How Is CBD Oil Made?

The process of CBD oil production remains a mystery to many people, especially those new to CBD. Exact procedures vary depending on the manufacturer, but the fundamental methods of extracting CBD from industrial hemp are the same across the board:

Sourcing

Firstly, CBD oil can only legally be sourced from licenced industrial hemp. The source plant must be a strain that is naturally high in CBD and low in THC. Thankfully, all legitimate brands of CBD UK come from such high-quality sources.

All hemp plants used in the process should be healthy and disease-free. Plus, they must also get harvested at the correct time. Otherwise, they might not contain optimal levels of CBD, terpenes and flavonoids.

Extraction

The next stage of the process involves extracting the CBD and other relevant cannabinoids and terpenes. Supercritical CO₂ extraction methods are highly sophisticated, technologically advanced, and won’t risk damaging the elements vital to creating the entourage effect.

When this stage of the process is complete, the resulting extract is packed full of the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids required to create a full-spectrum CBD oil.

Purification and Distillation

Some people might assume that the extraction process is enough. However, the extract requires comprehensive purification and distillation for several reasons. Firstly, THC must get isolated, and any trace amounts left must get minimised as much as possible.

Secondly, the extract must pass quality control tests. Third, purification and distillation will eliminate any potential problems with the chemical makeup before combining it with a carrier oil.

Bottling

The last method involves bottling. Each bottle contains crucial information like the product name, along with a “best before” date and dosage recommendations. Once this part of the process is complete, the CBD oil is ready for sale and consumption.

Why People Are Turning Towards CBD Products

It’s important to note that few scientific studies have been conducted on CBD for medicinal purposes, and so CBD products get marketed purely as wellness products. Therefore, we cannot make any claims that CBD will explicitly treat specific symptoms or conditions.

However, we can tell you that increasing numbers of people in the UK turn to CBD products for various reasons.

It’s not surprising, given the entourage effect of CBD products! Another reason is that people don’t need a prescription from their GP to buy CBD products. That means it’s possible to buy CBD oils online without needing a pharmacist to review your order!

There’s also the added benefit of CBD having virtually no THC content. As a result, consumers don’t need to worry about any potentially adverse psychoactive effects because there is no ‘high’ associated with CBD products.

Lastly, endorsements from notable public figures have also spurred the rising demand for CBD products. For instance, Kim Kardashian-West has made it known that CBD products help keep her “calm.”

Another example is Gwyneth Paltrow, another proponent of CBD that has invested in a CBD-infused wellness beverage.

Why Buy CBD From Simply CBD?

At Simply CBD, we’re committed to providing our customers with the highest quality CBD products in the UK. Here’s why we’re one of Britain’s leading providers of CBD products:

Excellent Value For Money

It’s no secret many companies sell CBD products online. What makes us different from our competitors is that we offer excellent value for money. Our prices aren’t over-inflated, and our CBD comes from 100% natural and organic Dutch high-grade cannabis.

Premium Service

When you’re investing in CBD wellness products, you want to make sure that you deal with a professional provider. At Simply CBD, we pride ourselves on our attentive customer service. Our friendly team is always on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Each order gets picked and packed carefully, and we offer express delivery options (one to two working days).

High-Quality Products

We work hard to research and source only high-quality products that will surpass each customer’s exacting needs. We also like to be fully transparent about what we offer for your added peace of mind.

Lab-Tested Products

Some online sellers of CBD products might offer mouth-watering deals on what they offer. However, there’s always a danger that you don’t get what you pay for. That’s why, for the avoidance of doubt, all our products get tested in independent laboratories.

What’s more, we openly publish the results of those tests, which can be found on each product page.

An Active Community Support Group With Over 43,000 Customers

Finally, we have a fantastic and active community support group on Facebook with over 43,000 customers. If you need any help, you can contact us or post your questions on a group with other like-minded individuals.