Are we experiencing yet another craze?
CBD is a chemical found in cannabis plants and is the most recent thing being given credit for ‘curing’ cancer and other illnesses. Now, CBD edibles are the latest craze, offering low levels of CBD to help with anxiety, insomnia and pain relief in the form of a gummy bear! Meg Matthews has even bought a company who makes them and she credits them for changing her life and helping with her anxiety.
Instagram: @megmathewsofficial_
Here’s the science!
There are two oils that are found within cannabis. The most well-known (the illegal one!) is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is famous for the ‘high’. The other is CBD (cannabidiol), which is legal and can be bought on the high street. It is derived from hemp, which does come from the marijuana plant but is cultivated differently.
THC is known for its ‘mind changing’ effects, this is because THC binds to CB1 (cannabinoid 1) receptors, which are mostly found in the brain. This changes how the brain functions and leads to the ‘high’. CBD, however, doesn’t bind to the receptors so it doesn’t give the same effect, but the way it does interject with the receptors can make it work as a mild anti-depressant.
Common uses for THC (illegally in most cases!)
- Euphoria and relaxation
- Sleep and drowsiness
- Appetite stimulant
- Painkiller
- Muscle relaxant
Common uses for CBD (legal in the UK)
- Anti-anxiety
- Neuroprotective
- Anticonvulsant
- Anti-psychotic
- Fights against tumours
- Painkiller
- Anti-inflammatory
It can take up to 20-60mins for the oil to take effect and is dependent on what food you have already absorbed, so its best on an empty stomach. The effect can last for up to four hours!
CBD – Benefits?
CBD can be bought on the high street but, due to the low levels, we need to take it in larger quantities. This is because CBD is poorly absorbed by the body as it can easily be broken down by enzymes in the gut and the liver.
Although we can buy CBD on the high street, due to the low levels we need to take it in larger quantities. This is because the body does not absorb CBD well. High doses of CBD has been proved to assist with mental illness by reducing their psychotic symptoms.
MS has been proven to benefit from levels of CBD to ease the painful spasms that often come with the disease. Research is going ahead to investigate the benefits but could take many years to come to light. Meanwhile Former EastEnders actress Pam St Clement recently revealed she takes CBD oil every day to help ease the pain of her osteoarthritis/polymyalgia rheumatica.
Pam says that CBD products have given her a ‘new lease of life’. CBD has newly been classified as a legitimate medicine in the UK and Pam expressed her delight, ‘Taking this oil has changed my life. I am no longer in pain’.
So Should I Try It?
Research is still being carried out on the effectiveness of the CBD gummy bears, but with so many people saying good things about it, we think its worth a try. In some cases, it can be expensive though!
Where to buy CBD
100x 1mg CBD Gummy Bears – 10.99
High Strength CBD Oil – £18.99
KIKI Health CBD Oil 10% 10ml – £70.00
Hemp Seed Oil 1000mg Supplement 180 Soft Gels – £13.49 (reduced)
