What actually is CBD?
CBD seems to have gone from zero-to-hero ingredient in no time at all, so it's no wonder that people still find it so confusing.
There’s no denying that CBD is the favourite wellness product of the moment. If you live somewhere where it’s been recently legalised, you might feel like CBD has gone from being illegal to absolutely everywhere all at once. CBD lattes, CBD facials, CBD tampons, CBD lotions & CBD oil; it’s truly infiltrated every corner of the wellness industry. What was once an almost-taboo ingredient, now everyone from your anxious friend to your arthritis-suffering grandma wants to get their hands on some.
The speed at which this change has occurred, partnered with the limited information available, it’s no surprise that people still find CBD a little confusing. Here at Evnly, we wanted to help bridge the knowledge gap, not only to help you understand what CBD is but also to stress the importance of buying from a trustworthy source.
OK, first things first. What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of many (over a hundred!) chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Although these compounds were first discovered in cannabis, they have since been found in many other biological systems, including our own!
To fully understand CBD, it’s important to first understand cannabis. Cannabis actually refers to a family of plants, which can be split into two categories: Hemp and Marijuana plants. Hemp is identified by its high CBD but low THC content, it’s grown for industrial use, such as for biofuel, rope, paper and CBD. Marijuana, on the other hand, has a high THC but low CBD content and is grown for recreational use, to get the user high.
So, you’re saying CBD won’t get me high?
Nope. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is another cannabinoid found in cannabis and is the compound that induces most of the euphoric and intoxicating effects typically associated with getting high. CBD however is non-psychoactive, so although it’s known to calm your body down and chill you out, you will not get high as you would with THC.
It’s important to note, however, that everyone is different – and that according to medical cannabis expert Junella Chin, 5% of CBD takers report feeling ‘altered’ after taking it. It’s impossible to tell how your body will react to a new supplement or medication. We would highly recommend that people trying CBD for the first time do so in a safe environment and if you are susceptible to side effects or are taking other medication, we would suggest you speak to your doctor before trying CBD. It’s also important to only buy CBD products from a reputable source that has been quality assured by third-party lab testing.
How can you tell if a CBD product is legit?
CBD is a relatively new substance in the UK, with it having only been legalised in 2015. For a CBD product to be legitimate and legal in the UK they must contain less than 1mg or 0.2% THC. This is why it's important to buy your CBD products from a reputable brand and shop, as otherwise, it may not be what it says on the bottle. This is also where third-party-tested CBD comes into play - reputable companies will be transparent with their CBD analysis, (often called a Certificate of Analysis), so you can see clearly that their CBD is not only legal but also a legit product that will help you.
Can I take my CBD product on holiday with me?
The short answer is it's complicated. In today's world it's very rare that you are taking a supplement or medication that cannot be taken abroad with you, and the idea that this could be the case with CBD is frustrating - but unfortunately as CBD legality varies so much worldwide, it’s a realistic one.
Therefore, it's important to research the laws and regulations before your trip. For example, if you were travelling from the US to the UK, you may have issues as in the US CBD is legal up to 0.3% THC whereas in the UK the limit is 0.2%. It's also necessary to check the status in any countries you have stopovers in, as even if it just a 30min stop, you still fall under their jurisdiction. If you are flying to a US state or Europe, this is a good article to start your research with. It's vital to remember that in large portions of the world, like Russia and China, CBD is illegal and possession can incur hefty fines (if not something worse).
Why do you care?
Here at Evnly, we want to level with you; we believe that health seriously needs an alternative, so its time alternative health got serious. We truly love CBD and plant-based remedies, they’ve helped to calm our stress & anxiety, to enable us to sleep soundly and keep grounded to succeed each day. We want everyone to understand the intricacies so they too can reach their health and wellness potential! Therefore, if you’ve found this blog useful, share it. If you want to see us write about a specific topic, please let us know.
Coming very soon: Evnly will be launching a range of high-quality, fully-tested CBD products from small, locally owned and sustainable brands.
