You are likely to have heard a lot about the potential for CBD to help people with a range of common health problems. The most common of these is anxiety, but you may also have heard about its ability to help relieve chronic pain. If you are thinking about introducing CBD oil into your life it is important to be informed so you know what benefits you are hoping for. Read on for our five most valuable points of information about CBD oil.

What CBD is

CBD is shorthand for Cannabidiol. It is one of over seventy “cannabinoids”, chemicals which are found in the cannabis plant. While CBD is the compound which has been lauded for its health benefits, another compound called Tetrahydrocannabinol, and known as THC, is found naturally in Cannabis and is responsible for the drug high that users of cannabis experience.

CBD that is sold legally in the United Kingdom, as health supplements or e-liquids, are made using hem –, a generic term for any form of cannabis which contains 0.3% THC or less. At this low level the negative effects of the compound are minimal, meaning that CBD bought legally in the United Kingdom is far safer than forms of cannabis sold illegally.

The benefits of CBD 

The reason many people are taking up CBD health products is their ability to relieve the symptoms anxiety – which a huge portion of the British population suffers from – as well as depression. CBD has also been found by many people to be an effective and sustainable source of relief for chronic pain.

The dangers of illegal strains of cannabis

Illegal cannabis, high in THC, has been linked to increases in paranoia, anxiety and depression. Alarmingly, the majority of cannabis sold illegally in the United Kingdom today is from strands cultivated to have a far higher THC share, and a lower level of CBD. This means that many people who wish to use this cannabis for relaxation, and soothe pain, may find it has the opposite effect. Many strains, sold on Britain’s streets today, are many times as powerful as the hemp varieties sold legally.

The legal status of CBD

In America, thirty-three of the fifty states have legalised the sale of marijuana for medical purposes, and eleven states have legalised its sale for medical and recreational use. In the Netherlands cannabis is produced to a high standard of safety and is legal to consume on licenced premises.

In the United Kingdom though, cannabis remains illegal for recreational use, and medically legal only in very specific contexts, including reducing seizures in children. However, it is legal to buy as a food supplement or e-cigarette liquid.

The strengths of CBD available

When you buy strains of CBD from a reputable supplier such as VSAVI, there are a range of different strengths available. If you are trying these products for the first time it is a good idea to start with the lowest strength products available, to see the impact on your overall health, or a specific condition.