Find out what CBD is and how it’s used…
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It’s a chemical found in the marijuana plant. Unlike cannabis (also known as weed, skunk, and hash), cannabidiol doesn’t contain THC. THC is the chemical found in cannabis that makes the user feel ‘high’.
What Does It Look Like?
CBD is usually sold in oil form, but it can also be sold as capsules, oral sprays, creams, ointments, vapour or even infused in foods. The oil can be dropped directly under the tongue where it reaches the bloodstream quicker or added to food and drink.
Is It Legal?
CBD is legal in the UK, so long as it doesn’t contain THC. For a CBD product to be legal in the UK, it must not contain more than 0.2% of THC.
What Is It Used For?
CBD is thought to have healing properties. It’s sold by many high street health shops and people use it to treat a wide range of health complaints and conditions, including anxiety, depression, arthritis, seizures and Parkinson’s disease.
The use of CBD is controversial. There’s very little evidence of CBD’s effects and many different opinions on just how effective it is.
Is It Available On Prescription?
No. Your GP cannot prescribe CBD. Only specialised hospital doctors can prescribe it and, even then, it’s only likely to be prescribed for a very small number of conditions, including rare, severe forms of epilepsy and people suffering from muscle spasms and stiffness from MS. The only kind of CBD a doctor can prescribe is medicinal grade CBD, usually prescribed for the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. The CBD that can be bought over the counter is not regulated in the same way.
