CBD oil is very nice to take, especially after a rough day. This article is here to help you find the best CBD oil across the UK. Please note – legislation about CBD oil is different across every country in Europe, but it is legal in the UK to purchase to support and promote your health and wellbeing.
Frequently, information about CBD oil can be inaccurate, conflicting, and vague. After you finish reading this, you will be able to confidently buy and use CBD oil by making fact-based decisions, and not leaving anything up to chance. Keep reading to find out how!
Finding The Best CBD Oil
There are 6 key things to determine how good your CBD oil is:
Clear Content
When it comes to CBD oil, there are lots of percentages, and they can all be confusing. The main question you want to ask yourself is: How does the product specify the total amount? If the answer is in mg, then you are in luck!
People are different, and that is the case for taking CBD oil! There isn’t any one amount that people take to feel the effects. However, you should know the exact amount in milligrams per milliliter (for example, 100 mg in 500 ml). This allows you to monitor how much you take, so you can determine the right amount for you!
Supercritical Extraction of CO2
Check to see if the CO2 oil has been extracted. The “gold standard” for cannabidiol is CO2 superficial extraction because it preserves the full spectrum of cannabinoids.
There are over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis, including CBG, CBC, and CBDA, and over 300 types of chemical compounds, including phenols, flavonoids, and terpenes. When extracting CBD along with these other compounds, you may be able to feel the entourage effect, which is when all of the ingredients of CBD oils work as a team to make the effects feel better and last for a longer period of time.
There are other methods to use for extraction, such as butane, but these other methods aren’t as good as supercritical extraction. They can leave dangerous residues of chemicals behind.
Certified Organic And Toxin-Free
How pure is the CBD oil, and is it certified organic? Find out that your purchase is lab-tested before buying – otherwise, you could be ingesting a hefty amount of harmful, dangerous chemicals, like fertilizers, heavy metals, and pesticides.
It is vital to find a manufacturer that you trust to plant organic seeds, and that harvests, extracts, and bottle the extract following a certified, organic process. Make sure you look for brands that can prove their claims of being organic. After all, claiming to be organic and being organic are two entirely different things! Any brand worth their time would be happy to show the exact ingredients in their product, including showing the lack of pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals.
Safe THC Content
Look at your CBD oil’s certificate of analysis. Does it prove that the amount of THC is within the legal range? Make sure it does – because if it doesn’t, you are buying an illegitimate product that does not adhere to UK laws.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Is your oil whole-plant? Is it rich in things like terpenes and other sorts of cannabinoids? You will have a better oil if you have better extraction methods and sources. If you’re looking to buy the best CBD oil in the UK, we suggest Blessed CBD. Their CBD oils are all full-spectrum, and they were voted the best in the UK by the below publications:
- https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/cbd-oil-uk-discover-the-8-best-cbd-oils-in-the-uk-2020
- https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/health/wellbeing/cbd-oil-uk-the-8-best-cbd-oils-in-the-uk-reviewed
- https://observer.com/2019/12/best-cbd-oils-in-the-uk-blessed-cbd/
- https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1278641/best-cbd-oil-uk
- https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/special-features/best-cbd-oil-uk-21953049
- https://venturebeat.com/2020/04/15/the-5-best-cbd-oil-brands-in-the-u-k-2020/
You would ideally want a plant that gives you all of the active ingredients in the Cannabis Salva L. plant. The synergy that they create by working together is currently being studied Some of the active ingredients include:
- CBN (Cannabinol)
- CBDa (Cannabidiol acid)
- CBG (Cannabigerol)
- CBGa (Cannabigerol acid)
- Lipids
- Chlorophyll
- Waxes
- Terpenes
- Flavonoids
- Other phytonutrients
Each strain, crop, and variety contains a different profile of the biomolecules mentioned above. You want to make sure that there is a clear access to a certificate of quality.
Tried And Tested Products
Many people can be fooled by clever marketing ploys. Do not be one of these people! Many brands will make mediocre products, such as CBD oil made from undisclosed sources or crystal isolates. A CBD oil (crystal) isolate is a concentrated form of CBD produced in a lab that has no other cannabinoids present in it.
If a brand or retailer refuses to show their source and the exact ingredients of their CBD oils via a third-party lab test, you should move on to another brand. Upon request, you can look at the certificates of analysis. Ideally, oils should be tested for the following:
- The full cannabinoid and terpene profile and potency
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Pathogenic and microbiological bacterial contaminants
- Mycotoxins
- Volatile organic compounds
To summarize, the best CBD Oil brands are: clearly labeled, CO2 extracted, certified organic, free of toxins and THC, full-spectrum, and lab-tested by a third party.
Cannabis Vs Hemp CBD Laws In The United Kingdom
Did you know that humans have been using hemp for over 10,000 years as part of their diets, for the fiber, and its medicinal uses?
Hemp seeds can be grounded into flour or eaten whole. They can also be turned into omega-rich hemp oil. The fibers have been used to create some of the most durable ropes and textiles. In terms of medicine, people have used its leaves and flowers for all sorts of medicinal purposes.
It is clear that the hemp plant has been used throughout history for all sorts of great uses that benefit humanity.
What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is among the most well-known cannabinoids that naturally occur in the cannabis plant. Unlike its cousin THC, CBD does not intoxicate the user. CBD can even be a supplement for your food for part of a healthy, balanced diet if it is taken with care.
Cannabis Vs Hemp
Cannabis and hemp are both terms used to describe different varieties within the plant “Cannabis Sativa L.” Check out the chart below to see some major differences between the two:
| Cannabis | Hemp |
| Used for varieties containing high amounts of THC | Used for varieties containing under 0.2% THC |
| Associated with recreational use | Used for its seeds (creates cooking oil rich in omegas), stalks (creates fibers), and flowers and leaves (creates CBD-rich food supplements) |
What Are The Differences Between CBD And Hemp Oil?
CBD oil is made from the full hemp plant, including seeds, stalks, flowers, and leaves. Hemp oil is made from industrial seeds only. Look at the chart below for some other differences.
| CBD Oil | Hemp Oil |
| Rich in cannabinoids, like CBD and CBG | Negligible number of cannabinoids |
| Used as food supplements in the forms of gummies, balms, extracts, and e-liquids | Omega-rich cooking oil, usually eaten as a salad dressing |
Hemp oils are also more versatile than CBD oils and can be used in skincare products like moisturizer, and for the creation of fuels, paints, and certain bio-plastics.
If you’re looking for hemp oil you may wish to consider Gold Bee Nutrition. Aside from amino and Omega-fatty acids, Gold Bee’s raw hempseed is brimming with fiber and protein.
CBD Laws In The United Kingdom
Now that you know all about the common varieties you may see, let’s talk about the legality of CBD laws in the UK.
Is The Use Of CBD Oil Legal In The UK?
For the most part, it is legal to use CBD oil in the UK legally. However, there are a number of regulations regarding what it can contain, how it can be marketed, and how it is produced.
A common misunderstanding is that if your CBD oil under 0.2% of THC, then it is legal. The rule about 0.2% THC actually applies to the hemp grown to produce the CBD extract. There is a list of hemp varieties that can be grown in the EU, which are allowed because each of them contains under 0.2% THC. However, the law does not apply to CBD oil products sold in the UK.
In order for a CBD product to be sold in the UK, it must not be promoted as having medicinal benefits, or even as medicine itself. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) said this back in October 2016:
“We have come to the opinion that products containing cannabidiol (CBD) used for medical purposes are medicine. Medicinal products must have a product license (marketing authorization) before they can be legally sold, supplied, or advertised in the UK, unless exempt. Licensed medicinal products have to meet safety, quality, and efficacy standards to protect public health.”
The products that you may purchase on the Internet or at corner stores fall under the category of “unless exempt.” Since these “exempt” products are sold as food supplements, they are not considered medicinal. In order to be marked as “exempt,” the MDR 2001 (Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001) set out some very specific criteria:
“An “exempt product” means a preparation or other product consisting of one or more component parts, any of which contains a controlled drug, where—
- the preparation or other product is not designed for administration of the controlled drug to a human being or animal;
- the controlled drug in any component part is packaged in such a form, or in combination with other active or inert substances in such a manner, that it cannot be recovered by readily applicable means or in a yield which constitutes a risk to health; and
- no one component part of the product or preparation contains more than one milligram of the controlled drug.”
Notice in the third part, the 1 mg of the drug is referencing THC, cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidivarin (CBDV). This point is key – any product that contains over 1 mg of THC, CBN, or CBDV is illegal to sell within the UK.
A product is also considered illegal if the controlled substance can be recovered from the product, or it is not considered to be a “preparation” (like the hemp flower). In the case of hemp flower, the THC, CBN, and CBDV can be recovered in amounts that the MDR 2001 considers to be “a risk to health.”
Is The Use Of Cannabis Oil Legal In The UK?
The sale of cannabis oil is considered illegal in the UK, as these products contain detectable levels of THC. However, it is available for medicinal purposes with a prescription, as of November 2018. This came about thanks to the campaigning of families who have young members of their family suffering from uncommon forms of epilepsy that are drug-resistant, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastuat syndrome.
Before November 2018, it was possible (though highly unlikely) to get a prescription for Sativex to help with symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Sativex is a cannabis spray which includes both CBD and THC. However, this is rarely offered to victims of multiple sclerosis, because the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (also called “NICE”) decided that the expensive cost did make the product cost-effective.
In other countries, such as the Netherlands, cannabis oil is legal. Companies like Nutra CBD are also proving popular for their CBD oils (also known as CBD olie in the Netherlands).
Benefits of CBD Oil
CBD is among the most well-known cannabinoids. The name “cannabinoid” is actually given to the natural components found in hemp. Full-spectrum hemp often contains over 100 of these natural cannabinoids. Each one has a slightly different effect on the human body!
Many cannabinoids, including CBD, affect us and interact with our bodies through a special network of molecules that are known as the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.
What Is The Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a system, perhaps unsurprisingly, made up of chemical receptors and human cannabinoids. The receptors are found as part of your peripheral and central nervous systems. The receptors can be found in many spots – the spots found in your brain are referred to as “CB1” receptors, and the ones spread across your body are called “CB2” receptors.
There are two endocannabinoids that have been discovered as of July 2020: anandamide and 2-AG (2- arachidonoylglycerol). Your body produces these in different situations, and there is a wide range of functions for them. We know more about anandamide, which is believed, in high levels, to give “runners high” to athletes.
What Does The Endocannabinoid System Do?
The endocannabinoid system maintains your body’s homeostatic mechanisms and ensures that they are working correctly. These keep your body in a healthy balance. For example, when you get too stressed, cold, hot, sick, etc., then your homeostatic mechanism gets kicked into effect to restore your body’s balance.
Research has shown that the way your body’s homeostatic mechanisms respond is essential to preventing a gigantic range of diseases, including chronic diseases. When the endocannabinoid system is triggered, your body can restore homeostasis more easily, efficiently, effectively, and quickly.
One of the great things about CBD and other cannabinoids is that they interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors. Many of these cannabinoids even help your ECS work even better! While research is still being conducted on the ECS and the effects and benefits of CBD, the research is rather limited in its scope. This is why the medical community is still reluctant to support using it.
Regardless, the benefits of CBD oil are appealing because cannabidiol is not intoxicating, and not addictive, unlike THC.
Does CBD Get You High?
Because CBD is not addictive and not intoxicating, it does not get you high. However, CBD users report many benefits, such as relaxation, depending on the amount of CBD ingested. As is the case for other food supplements, many people report experiencing other sorts of health benefits.
How Effective Is CBD Oil?
Just like any other herb or food supplement, different forms and quantities of CBD will work more for some than others. Many factors, including the person’s physiological makeup and circumstances, and the type and quality of the CBD taken, will determine how effective CBD oil is.
Some physiological factors and circumstances to consider include:
- Height and weight
- Metabolism
- Are you taking other sorts of medication or supplements?
- Environmental factors, such as climate, pollution, stress, etc.
- Lifestyle factors, such as amount and quality of sleep and exercise, diet, etc.
Regarding the type and quality of the CBD oil, consider:
- Type of product you will be taking, such as drops, vape, tea, edibles, paste, etc.
- Quality of CBD product – Is it organic? Full-spectrum? Natural? Synthetic?
- Bioavailability of cannabidiol based on the quality and type of the product
CBD oil is not a painkiller. It does not have any immediate effects, although some people who are sensitive to supplementation claim to feel an effect immediately. The effectiveness of CBD oil is based on many factors. The only way to find out how it affects you is to give it a try!
How Do I Use CBD Oil?
As a reminder, CBD oil is not toxic, and not addictive. As it is overall safe, learning how to use it is a simple process because there is so much room for experimentation. There are three basic steps: choose the best quality (already covered), figure out the best amount to take for you, and find the type of CBD oil that is most suitable for you and your needs.
How much CBD Oil Should I Use?
As a food supplement, it is recommended that a typical adult take no more than 200 mg daily. Higher amounts can be used if you get the permission of a doctor.
If you are just starting with CBD, take 10 mg of it twice a day. After a week, you can double this to 20 mg twice a day. You can keep increasing the amount you take by listening to your body – just make sure you do not take over 200 mg per day. You can even take the oil 3 or 4 times a day if you choose!
Once you begin to feel the benefits, you will have a better idea of the best amount for you to take. If you have any doubts, talk to your doctor first. Remember – everybody is different, so taking the same amount as a friend of yours may not work!
CBD Oil Percentages and Total Content
When you look at CBD percentages on products from different brands, it can be confusing. After all, is 5% on Brand A really better than 20% on Brand B? The percentage actually does not purely indicate the quantity of CBD oil. You also need to think about the product volume, whether 10 mg, 30 mg, or some other amount.
Look for clear information on the amount of CBD in each product, as well as for each serving of the product in mg. By doing this, you would easily be able to compare them and choose the best products for your own needs.
Which Type of CBD Products Are The Best To Use For Me?
In the UK, there are seven main types of CBD products for sale. Just like anything, each of these seven types has its own list of pros and cons to be considered before purchasing. You should also consider the bioavailability of each type. Bioavailability refers to the rate and speed of absorption; in other words, how quickly your body absorbs the cannabinoid content of a product and how long it can stay in your system.
CBD Oil Drops
Full-spectrum organic CBD extract that uses the entire plant is the purest form of CBD. This oil contains CBD and over 400 terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, and cannabinoids (including CBDA, CBG, CBDV, and BPC). All of these, especially when combined together, have a large number of beneficial properties. Together, they create what is known as the entourage effect.
How Long Does It Take CBD Oil To Work?
When taking CBD oil orally, the effect can take between 20 minutes and 2 hours to fully take place. The effect can last up to 8 hours! Because of this length, drops are by far the most popular way to take CBD oil – it is both convenient and lasts longer than the other methods. Researchers are discovering that long-chain triglyceride fats (like MCT) and active ingredients (like turmeric) increase the absorption of CBD when taken orally.
Can I Put CBD Oil Under My Tongue?
Yes, you can! This increases the bioavailability by up to 36%. You need to apply this sublingually.
Applying the CBD oil sublingually requires taking the desired amount and holding it under your tongue for about a minute or more. Then, you take a drink and eat a meal. Sublingually taking the CBD oil ensures the fasted bioavailability because so much of it will be absorbed by your mucus membranes, which lead directly to your bloodstream.
In order to take it sublingually, make sure you keep the dropper close to your mouth, so you can avoid any drops not going into your mouth. Most droppers contain 5 or 6 drops, making it easy to take the proper amount, especially in front of a mirror. It is recommended you do this while looking into a mirror right before eating a meal, to increase the absorption rate and avoid an aftertaste. If you would like to,
you can mix the CBD oil into a smoothie or take it with food.
CBD Spray
CBD oil can become a spray when it is diluted in coconut oil, or some other carrier oil. People find sprays more convenient than drops because the spray won’t leak, while the drops run that risk.
If you are new to CBD, the spray may be your best bet because of milder concentrates. You are also able to choose between many tasty flavors of spray to avoid tasting the “green” of the plant.
CBD Hemp Teas
This is also an enjoyable (and affordable) way to take cannabinoids. By brewing dried cannabis flowers, stems, buds, seeds, and leaves, you yield a different group of cannabinoids, phytonutrients, and terpenes. The dry herb can also be ingested in a number of ways, such as being smoked, inhaled, vaporized, or cooked.
Hemp tea is best taken with CBD oil or close to eating foods with healthy fats. It is also high in CBDa content and is recommended that you have your hemp tea with
CBD Capsules
Capsules are a great option if you would rather take your CBD oil like you were taking a multivitamin. These are among the most convenient types because you can carry them around in your purse or pocket. You can even purchase empty capsules from your local pharmacy and fill them with your desired amount of oil if you don’t like the taste of the oil. If you do not like keeping track of the number of drops you have taken, capsules may be a perfect solution.
Capsules are absorbed through the GI tract. They take about an hour or two to begin taking effect; however, the effect can last for up to 8 hours.
CBD e-Liquids And Vapes
These follow the same principles as the CBS spray but are carried by vegetable glycerine, which allows for the main ingredient to be vaporized. If you choose to use e-liquids, you would have to supply your own vape, which is available in many shapes, colors, and sizes, and can be found online. When inhaling through your respiratory system, the CBD reaches your bloodstream between 5 and 10 minutes!
Studies show that caping or inhaling the CBD oil makes it highly bioavailable. However, the e-liquid only stays in your system for about 3 hours. For this reason, vapes may be better for when you are looking for a quick hit, and other, more oral methods, are better for nighttime.
CBD Topicals, Like Face Cream, Balm, And Salve
CBD topicals can be applied directly onto the skin to allow cannabinoids to be absorbed into your small capillary blood vessels. Salve, balm, and face cream bypass digestion, since they are applied directly to the skin, and are dissolved directly into your bloodstream. Therefore, applying CBD topicals directly onto your skin allows you to target specific areas of your body.
Face creams, balms, and salves combine cannabinoids with essential oils to boost their effect on you. It is recommended that you apply these topicals after a shower and well onto the skin. Opening the skin’s pores by warming it slightly will increase penetration, and make the effects of your topicals last for a longer amount of time.
CBD Gummies
This is the least healthy option on the list – because gummy bears contain sugars, and the other types are natural. If you want an easy way of taking your CBD oil, this is the way to go – no counting drops or plant flavor.
Be aware that these look like normal gummy bears, so you should keep these out of the reach of any children that may be around. Also be aware that, just like normal gummy bears, it is incredibly tempting to have more than you actually need.
You have read a lot of information about CBD oils within the United Kingdom. You now know how to find the best CBD oils, cannabis, hemp, and CBD oil laws, benefits of CBD oils, how to use CBD oils, and the various types of CBD products for you to choose from.
This was a lot of information to read about CBD oils. It is OK if you need to go back and reread some – it is better to be sure that you have all of the correct information, as opposed to making a stupid decision because you read too quickly. To learn more about CBD, we suggest reading the HerbMighty CBD and marijuana knowledge base.
About Blessed CBD
Blessed CBD was formed shortly after the UK legalized CBD products in 2017. Their company was unique. It was formed because they noticed a need for reliable and consistent products. They don’t make false claims about their products.
What you will find with Blessed CBD is honesty and reliability. Their products are exactly what they say they are. They won’t overcharge you for their quality. These products truly contain pure CBD oils to provide consumers with natural alternatives to medications.
They take a view that is about caring for the consumers rather than just looking to make a profit. That is truly what sets Blessed CBD apart from so many other CBD companies out there. Their products are reliable and the company seeks to be honorable in the market.
