UK mental health charity Mind recently warned of a ‘second pandemic’ hitting the UK in the wake of COVID-19. More people have experienced a mental health crisis than ever before recorded, according to their data analysis. In some cases, calls to Mind’s helpline doubled in comparison to the typical daily call rate pre-pandemic. Although many individual mental health crises require medical intervention, studies show that improving general health and practising wellness may help tame some cases of anxiety and depression. CBD has become an increasingly popular natural remedy to manage both mental and physical health. Here, we explain the benefits of CBD oil, as well as how and when to use it.
What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a chemical compound that is present in the Cannabis Sativa plant. CBD is just one of the hundreds of chemical entities present in the plant. The most infamous of these compounds is THC – the psychoactive compound which gets you stoned. CBD is a non-mind-altering compound of cannabis, which retains several benefits for both physical and mental health. We derive our CBD from hemp which is naturally low in THC compared to marijuana – the other plant in the cannabis family. Although it comes from the cannabis plant, CBD is legal in the UK and governed by legislation from the EU and FSA.
CBD producers extract CBD oil from the hemp plant using a variety of methods. Here at Only Green, we use the environmentally-friendly CO2 extraction method. During the process, CO2 gas pumps into a chamber containing a harvested hemp plant. The gas in the chamber then turns to liquid through the application of pressure. As a result, cannabidiol extracts from the plant with the liquid CO2. The lab then separates the CO2 which leaves a full-spectrum CBD. Other extraction methods include using a solvent, such as ethanol, butane or propane, or olive oil.
The Benefits of CBD Oil
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the body; a system which helps regulate functions including immune system response, sleep and pain. The scientific research into CBD oil, and its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, is still in its relative infancy. However, the studies so far suggest that using CBD oil may have a range of physical and mental health benefits. The health benefits of CBD oil manifest via reactions with cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
Anxiety and Stress Management
CBD oil interacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors; the part of our brain which regulates mood. As such, using CBD oil is linked with the treatment of some mental illnesses including depression and anxiety. In some animal testing of CBD, the natural compound was found to have had anti-depressant-like qualities. As a result, many people suffering from anxiety, excessive stress and depression have turned to CBD oil as a natural remedy. The benefits of CBD oil for mental health even extends to calming down anxious pets!
Natural Pain Relief
Studies of CBD suggest that the chemical compound can be used for natural pain relief through interactions with endocannabinoid receptor activity. In particular, some studies show that soreness and muscle inflammation due to arthritis can be reduced through a course of CBD. One of the benefits of CBD oil for pain relief is that the remedy is completely natural.
Insomnia Relief
Insomnia is often caused by more deep-rooted mental health issues like anxiety or depression. People who are experiencing excessive levels of stress or anxiety often report finding it difficult to sleep. By interacting with your endocannabinoid system, CBD can create an internal equilibrium; otherwise known as homeostasis. This balance can reduce levels of anxiety and depression and, therefore, improve sleep!
General Wellness
Homeostasis is a process in which a biological system finds equilibrium or stability. Through interaction with the endocannabinoid system, CBD products can help your body achieve a better balance, which can improve your general mental and physical wellness.
Different Types of CBD Oil and CBD Strength
When CBD extracts from the hemp plant, it then goes through further processes to produce a certain type of CBD. If CBD oil is full-spectrum, then all of the natural elements of the hemp plant remain intact, including trace levels of THC (but nowhere near enough to get you high). Broad-spectrum CBD contains CBD and Terpenes, and CBD isolates only contain CBD.
After CBD extraction, we mix CBD with a ‘carrier oil’, like refined hemp seed oil. Depending on the quantity of CBD extract in the carrier oil, the end product will be a different strength.
CBD oil usually comes in bottles containing between 5% and 25% CBD content. No matter the concentrated strength of CBD in a bottle of oil, it is never enough to get you high. Even full-spectrum CBD only ever contains a trace amount of THC. If you take more than the recommended dose of high-strength CBD, you may feel drowsy or fatigued, but little else.
How To Take CBD
There are many ways you can enjoy the health benefits of CBD oil. The first, and most common way, of administering CBD is through taking CBD oil in drops. Using your bottle of Only Green CBD Oil, drop a few drops under your tongue to get the desired effect.
Finding the right dosage for you is mostly a case of trial and error. We always recommend starting small, with just a couple of drops, and steadily increasing your dosage over several days until you find the best dose for you. Each drop of our CBD contains either 5mg or 10mg of CBD, depending on whether you have chosen 10% or 20% strength, and the generally-accepted maximum dose of CBD is 70mg per day. So, if you’ve chosen our 10% product, limit yourself to around 14 drops per day and if you choose our 20% product, it’s 7 drops per day. If you’re struggling to know where to start, we’ve created a useful CBD oil buyers’ guide. You can take drops as required throughout the day, but taking them with meals works well for many of our customers.
You can also take CBD with infused products, like CBD coconut oil or CBD coffee as well as through balms for localised pain.
Try CBD From The Only Green CBD Shop in Bristol
Only Green is a CBD shop and cafe based in Bristol’s famous Stoke’s Croft. Buy CBD from our online shop to start your CBD wellness journey. Our CBD oil has Novel Food status and is compliant with the relevant regulation. Contact us if you have any questions about our products and the benefits of CBD or visit us in-store. We’d love to meet you!