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Check out our CBD oil ultimate guide, covering everything you need to know including benefits, what it is, risks, how to take it etc. FAQs answered!
Whether you’ve heard all about CBD oil and would like to try it for yourself, or you’re simply CBD-curious, you’ve come to the right place!
In this guide, we’ll run through all the different ways you can consume CBD, as well as the different benefits of each method.
So, let’s get started…
What is CBD?
CBD – short for cannabidiol – is  Not to be confused with marijuana that some people smoke, CBD oil is legal in the UK and doesn’t contain  In short, CBD won’t make you ‘high’.2
Learn more about the difference between THC and CBD from our guide.
Different types of CBD products
CBD comes in a variety of formats, so you should be able to find one that can work for you.
Whether it’s straight-up CBD oil you’re interested in or balms, capsules, or beauty products, read about them and how they work below.
1. CBD oil
The original (and maybe the best?) CBD oil is likely the easiest to get your hands on and perhaps the simplest to use.
It’s usually taken under the tongue to help absorption. However, this could make it tricky for some people to swallow, so if you have a sensitive palate, a different method could be better for you.
2. CBD beauty products
CBD beauty products – such as CBD-enriched moisturisers, serums, and facial oils – are absorbed through the skin.
Creams and serums can be a handy choice to help protect and soothe your skin, and they may add hydrating benefits for dry skin.
Alternatively, CBD muscle balm – which is another topical product – is great for relieving tired muscles during a massage to aid circulation.
3. CBD capsules
CBD capsules are a handy option for those who don’t get on well with the earthy taste of CBD oil.
Some CBD capsules also contain added vitamins and nutrients, for example, B vitamins, so you can enjoy additional health benefits with your dose of CBD.
So, if you don’t mind swallowing pills and want an easy way to monitor your dose, CBD capsules may be the one for you.
4. CBD gummies
In the same way as CBD capsules do, CBD gummies take away the sometimes-unpalatable taste of CBD without taking away any of the benefits. If anything, CBD gummies take it one step further, with their fruity flavours.
They’re great for travelling too, as you can take them without a drink.
5. CBD oral sprays
Quick, simple oral sprays are also an option for taking CBD.
Most have a pleasant flavour or are flavourless – passing the taste test! In addition, some of them also contain vitamins and other nutrients, so you can enjoy even benefits with each spray.
As it’s administered onto the tongue via a spray, the CBD will enter your bloodstream faster than capsules and edibles, as they don’t have to pass through the digestive system.
You don’t need a drink to ‘wash them down’ either, making CBD sprays perfect for travelling
The possible benefits of CBD oil
There are thought to be multiple associated benefits of taking CBD – some refer to your state of mind, and some to your body.
One of the main reasons why people may take CBD is due to the potential calming effect it can have on the central nervous system. This, in turn, is linked to the idea that CBD could aid sleep, due to its ability to make some people feel calm and relaxed.4
So, it’s clear to see the effects CBD may have on your state of mind. But what about the body?
CBD has benefits for topical use, too, such as:
- soothing: if using a CBD muscle balm, there are linked benefits that it can support and relieve tired muscles
- hydrating skin: CBD beauty products are thought to help protect and soothe skin, whilst also providing a hydrating feature
However, it’s important to note there have been no CBD-specific health claims authorised at this time, so it’s important to speak with your GP before adding CBD into your daily routine.
Side effects of CBD oil
Although considered generally safe, like anything, some people may experience minor side effects when taking CBD. One study has suggested that these could include:4
- diarrhoea
- fatigue
- changes in weight
- changes in appetite
What is the acceptable daily dose of CBD?
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that healthy adults (with an average body weight of 70kg) don’t consume more than 10mg of CBD per day.5
Of course, like with most things there’s not a ‘one dose fits all’ answer. Everybody is different.
Some people will get on with the ‘average’ dose of CBD just fine, whereas others may need just a fraction of the dose.
What strength CBD should I use?
Our answer: take things slowly…
If you haven’t taken CBD products before and you’d like to, it’s recommended that you start small – meaning taking a lower potency product with a small dose. You can then start to increase it little by little until you reach the daily allowance advised on the label.
Different CBD supplements and different formulations may also influence how much and how frequently you take CBD, which we’ll get on to below.
How much CBD is in CBD products?
A good way to determine how much CBD you should be taking is by following the FSA advice and looking at which types of CBD products appeal to you. You can then check how much CBD each of the products contain to find the right choice for you.
As well as percentages to show how much CBD it contains, you may also see the CBD content referred to in mgs – i.e. the recommended 10mg.
10mg of CBD per day is about four to five drops of 5% CBD oil.8 This means you may have to do a little bit of maths depending on the strength of the product you’re using!
CBD FAQs
There’s much more to learn about CBD, which is why we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions to best educate you on your CBD journey.
There have been no CBD-specific health claims authorised at this time.6,7 This is due to the specific format studies are required to have to gain authorised health claims in the EU.9
Popularity for CBD products has risen from information generally available to consumers on CBD – in short, this is mainly based on global consumer experience and emerging science, rather than accredited studies.8
The most widely available CBD is sold as a food supplement, and no medicinal claims are permitted on these products, as with any other food supplement.
CBD supplements shouldn’t be confused with medicinal CBD products for conditions, which aren’t available for general sale.9
No. As mentioned above, CBD doesn’t contain the psychoactive component that makes you high.2
Current research suggests that CBD isn’t addictive. It doesn’t share the same psychoactive tendencies as THC and doesn’t possess any known habit-forming properties.10
The World Health Organisation’s 2018 Critical Review Report on CBD stated that to date, there’s no evidence of recreational use of CBD, or any public health-related problems associated with its use.11
The World Health Organisation’s 2018 Critical Review Report on CBD states that CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.11
You may have heard this term before which is more commonly used in industry, but broad-spectrum CBD products are manufactured from cannabis plants that have been processed to remove all THC.12
What you’re left with is CBD and other permitted cannabinoids and substances, including terpenoids and essential oils.
Sometimes referred to as ‘whole-plant CBD’, this form of CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant along with THC, all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils.12
CBD is derived from hemp plants, so if you’re not a fan of the natural flavour, there are many different unflavoured, and flavoured, options available.
Capsules or tablets are a great option if you don’t like the natural hemp flavour, or gummies can even replace the hemp taste with fruity flavours instead. You could also try flavoured sprays or try adding suitable CBD oil to your drinks or food.
We believe the costs of our CBD products are fair, given the work that goes into every batch from seed to shelf.
Every CBD product that we stock uses only high-quality hemp species approved by the EU and undergoes several specialist manufacturing processes, whilst maintaining the quality of these products at each stage.
If using sublingually (put under the tongue to dissolve), within 15 minutes to 45 minutes.13
Edibles and topical products may take as long as one to two hours to kick in. Sprays and oils will likely work faster as they bypass the digestive system and enter your bloodstream quickly. However, capsules and gummies will have to be digested for the CBD to be released.14
If you use CBD only once or twice in low-to-moderate amounts, the cannabinoid will stay in your system for a few days and no more than 24 hours for most people.15
Regular consumption of CBD means the substance will be detectable in the body for a long time, perhaps several months.17
Many different factors will influence how long CBD will remain in the body. These include the form of CBD used (gummies, oral sprays, creams, oils) and the dose you’re using. Frequency of use and consumption methods can also impact this.
Yes – all our CBD food supplements, and most of our CBD beauty products, are restricted for sale to those aged 18 years and above.
CBD isn’t suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, prospective parents trying for a baby, or people taking medication.9
Before using any CBD products, it’s also best to check with your GP that they’re safe for you to use and to make sure they don’t interact with any medication being taken.
Unfortunately, there’s no definitive list of medications that are known to interact with CBD. Therefore, as a responsible retailer, we would advise that if you’re on any medication, you should always check with your GP first before using any CBD product.9
The final say
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) sets an acceptable daily CBD intake of 10mg (for a 70 kg adult) for products with 98% purity.8
This advice from FSA is precautionary and relates to long-term sustained use of CBD.
CBD shouldn’t be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, prospective parents trying for a baby, those at increased risk of infection or immuno-suppressed individuals, or by people taking medication.
H&B recommend customers check labels and consider their daily intake of CBD and the length of time they choose to take CBD, based on this updated FSA advice. For more information please visit the FSA website.
1. CBD: What You Need to Know [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/featured-topics/CBD.html
2. CBD Laws UK in 2023 - - Explained [Internet]. Medic Pro. 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 4]. Available from: https://medicpro.london/cbd-laws-uk/
3. Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal [Internet]. 2019 Mar 1 [cited 2023 Dec 13];23(1). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
4. Chesney E, Oliver D, Green A, Simina Sovi, Wilson J, Englund A, et al. Adverse effects of cannabidiol: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Neuropsychopharmacology [Internet]. 2020 Apr 8 [cited 2023 Dec 13];45(11):1799–806. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7608221/
5. Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland update consumer advice for CBD [Internet]. Food Standards Agency. 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/food-standards-agency-and-food-standards-scotland-update-consumer-advice-for-cbd
6. Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance for England and Wales [Internet]. Food Standards Agency. 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/cannabidiol-cbd
7. What to Know About Products Containing Cannabis and CBD [Internet]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
8. Rapin L, Rihab Gamaoun, Cynthia El Hage, Maria Fernanda Arboleda, Prosk E. Cannabidiol use and effectiveness: real-world evidence from a Canadian medical cannabis clinic. Journal of Cannabis Research [Internet]. 2021 Jun 23 [cited 2023 Dec 13];3(1). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8223341/
9. NHS Choices. Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils) [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/
10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep22-06-04-003.pdf
11. Geneva. CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Critical Review Report Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Fortieth Meeting [Internet]. 2018. Available from: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/controlled-substances/whocbdreportmay2018-2.pdf?sfvrsn=f78db177_2
12. Jennifer Clay Cather, J Christian Cather. Cannabidiol primer for healthcare professionals. Proceedings - Baylor University Medical Center [Internet]. 2020 Jul 2 [cited 2024 Apr 16];33(3):376–9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
13. Meissner H, Cascella M. Cannabidiol (CBD) [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556048/
14. Millar SA, Ryan Francis Maguire, Yates A, O’Sullivan SE. Towards Better Delivery of Cannabidiol (CBD). Pharmaceuticals [Internet]. 2020 Aug 28 [cited 2023 Dec 13];13(9):219–9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7558665/
15. Meissner H, Cascella M. Cannabidiol (CBD) [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2023 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556048/
Here at H&B, we only sell CBD that meets our highest standards for purity, quality, and safety, as backed by leading trade associations (HFMA & EIHA) and expert laboratories so you can find the CBD you can trust. And in the format, flavour and strength you want too.
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
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