The Ultimate Guide To CBD - Greenbox
Plant based wellness store GreenBox offers the best in natural health and wellbeing products. Their mission is simple: to help people live healthier and happier lives by discovering the incredible power of plant extracts. The most topical of these plant extracts is CBD. Derived from the cannabis and hemp plants CBD products are often met with hesitance as people are still unsure of the legalities and side effects surrounding them despite resounding evidence that they are actually beneficial to our wellbeing. Here Greenbox have put together a cohesive guide to help us understand CBD and how it can have a positive on our daily life.
So, what is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring plant cannabinoid found in abundance in the hemp and cannabis plants. It is able to help the ECS maintain harmony across the human body’s many complex functions. Contrary to popular opinion, it does not directly bind with the CB1 or CB2 receptors of the ECS like endocannabinoids and other plant derived cannabinoids (such as THC & CBG) do. It actually effects these receptors indirectly, almost acting as a guide to help other compounds bind to the CB receptors. Additionally, CBD protects the body’s natural endocannabinoids that would otherwise be broken down by enzymes.
The scientific community is carrying out a number of studies to explore how CBD could assist with medical conditions relating to inflammation, chronic pain, and anxiety thanks to its involvement in upholding homeostasis. Much of this important and exciting work is still ongoing but shows early promise.
For example, many people who take CBD refer to the feeling of calm and relaxation it creates. This could be down to how CBD helps target the causes of anxiety.
CBD and anxiety
There are already pharma solutions to deal with anxiety, such as Xanax and Valium. So why use CBD over these white coat options? Well, not only are these drugs often addictive, expensive, and inaccessible, but they are not generally intended to be long term solutions. In addition, consumers around the world want natural solutions to health problems, rather than chemical ones. That’s why it has become a popular product among those with anxiety disorders. And yet, this is despite the fact that the scientific evidence is still mostly based off animal and pre-clinical trials.
A 2019 Japanese study explored the use of CBD to treat social anxiety disorder (SAD). 37 Japanese students with SAD received 300mg of CBD daily for four weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the results showed it “significantly decreased anxiety”.
It’s encouraging to see evidence that it does help people with these mental disorders. We look forward to the results of the ongoing studies to support these early results.
CBD and pain or inflammation
Early clinical studies once again suggest that CBD could have some promising benefits when it comes to combating pain.
One arthritis study explored the effects of a CBD gel on a group of rats. The study concluded that “topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation”. It’s a very encouraging sign for people who suffer with arthritis and are looking for a natural alternative to try.
Meanwhile, the Journal of Experimental Medicine also reported that, according to a separate study, CBD was shown to “significantly suppress chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain” in rats. It’s another ray of hope for people who suffer with similar conditions and are looking for a solution.
Numerous further studies show that CBD can help combat inflammation. It engages with the ECS in many organs throughout the body, helping to reduce inflammation systemically. The therapeutic potential is impressively broad, as a wide range of diseases have inflammation at its core.
What are the other health benefits?
As mentioned, there are many potential benefits of taking CBD. Many consumers find it can help combat anxiety, stress, inflammation and more. However, we do reiterate that the evidence is highly anecdotal today, and there are only a few animal and preclinical human studies to rely on. The reason is because it was only until recently that CBD was a not a controlled substance. So, scientific study of it was highly restricted. Today though, there are many exciting ongoing studies , and the results will be released in the coming years.
One of the more high profile benefits of CBD is its ability to significantly reduce the seizure activity of Dravet Syndrome. This is a rare form of infantile epilepsy. In June 2018, a company known as GW Pharma successfully progressed a drug called Epidiolex through clinical trials, which is now FDA approved in the US. The study proved CBD reduced the seizure rate down by nearly 40%. It is essentially 100% isolated CBD and is from hemp rather than the cannabis plant.
Will it get me high?
It won’t. CBD does not have the ability to create a high. It’s more infamous cousin, D9-THC (delta nine-tetrahydrocannabinol), usually extracted from the cannabis plant, offers the mind altering effects. This is because CBD and THC react differently with the body’s ECS. THC binds directly to the CB1 receptor while CBD does not, and it is this function that causes the ‘high’ associated with cannabis. Interestingly, THC can also increase the feeling of anxiety in some people. What we understand today is that the effect is entirely down to a person’s own body chemistry.
Could it show up in a drugs test?
A drugs test is searching for illegal substances in your bodily fluids. Given CBD is legal there are no concerns here. However, the reason why some people might be concerned about this is because some low quality CBD products contain low levels of THC. The quality issue we mentioned earlier is rearing its head again.
As THC is an illegal substance in the UK, if a consumer has been taking a low quality CBD product that still contains some THC, a drugs test could come back positive. To avoid this small chance entirely, buy only quality products and ask for a certificate of analysis to prove the absence of any illegal content.
Are there any other side effects?
GW Pharma’s clinical trials data is a good place to start as the Company looked at the side effects of dosing at 20mg per kg of body weight per day. So, for an average adult human weighing 62 kg, the Epidiolex dose would be 1240 mg per day. This is an extremely high dose and this is partly because the product is a pure CBD isolate.
The recorded side effects at this dose included sleepiness, reduced appetite, increased liver enzymes and others. Note however that the dosage was around 25 times higher than the level regular consumers might take CBD for the discussed wellness benefits we have also discussed. In addition, Epidiolex’s main ingredient is 99% CBD, and there are additional compounds formulated into the medicine that could have impact on the side effects the body will endure.
Is CBD legal?
We can confidently confirm that it is a legal substance. However, many products in the marketplace do contain some levels of THC and this is the source of the legality issue. THC is an illegal substance, and if it is found above a threshold level in a CBD product, then the product is illegal.
The HM Government is clear about what makes a product legal in this factsheet. A CBD products is legal as long as it meets the “exempted product” status. To meet this status the product must not:
be designed for the sole purpose of administering THC
be in a form that is simple to recover the illegal substance
contain more than 1 milligram of THC in the product
Most products in the market today pass the first two points, but it is the third point that low quality products fail. Practically, as long as a lab test reveals a product has no THC in it (defined by the scientists as a “non detectable” level), the CBD product is legal.
Many industry participants state that a CBD product is legal in the UK if it contains less than 0.2% THC content. This is totally incorrect! The 0.2% threshold level actually refers to rules for industrial hemp. It is legal to grow industrial hemp in the UK as long as the variety chosen has a THC content in its biomass below 0.2%.
Is CBD safe?
According to the World Health Organization, it is entirely safe to consume and non-addictive. As mentioned earlier, it is safe even if taken at hundreds of milligrams daily, according to the few clinical trials done so far. In fact, up until a couple hundred years ago, hemp was actually a large part of the feed given to livestock. This, in turn, became a consistent part of the human diet.
Regulatory bodies around the world and large consumer products companies are sitting on their hands. They’re waiting to see how the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chooses to regulate this impressive ingredient. Until that time, it’s likely the Coca Cola’s of this world don’t participate. This leaves the market open for smaller brands to establish themselves. At GreenBox we know this can mean quality can be at risk. So, we have gone the extra mile to bring consumers a high quality range of products.
2. How to take CBD
We can consume CBD in many different forms, but what is the best way? From oils and sprays to creams and balms, and many more. The choices can be overwhelming! We’ve put together this guide to help you find the ideal product form to introduce CBD into the daily routine.
The variety of product types
Different product types offer variations in convenience but also effectiveness. The most important factor is the latter, which is all about bioavailability. The same dosage taken in two different product forms will result in different absorption levels in the body. For example, taking the CBD dose through an intravenous (IV) drip would give 100% absorption. This is because the entire dose hits the bloodstream. That’s great, but it’s not very convenient! Ingesting it, however, means it passes through the digestive system. As a result, the bloodstream only receives a small percentage of the CBD.
Taking it under the tongue
To support a daily wellness routine, GreenBox recommends dropping CBD oil under the tongue. This delivers a high absorption rate and a reliable onset of around 60 to 90 minutes. It’s also fairly quick and easy to do. Product forms like oil droppers and sprays are perfect for this. They’re also among the most cost effective ways to consume regularly.
The benefits of edibles
To give yourself a mid-day boost, a wide range of edibles are available. These include chocolates, drinks, gummies and other common edible products. Edibles do offer a lower level of absorption as it must pass through the digestive system, but the benefit is longer onset and true convenience.
Skin and body products
To target a specific area on the body or face, topicals such as balms, lotions, serums and creams are very effective. The advantage of skin application is it can be administered exactly where the discomfort is, so it is possible to get a high level of CBD right on the target area. That’s why skin products are also a popular option.
3. What’s the right dosage?
Our bodies are all unique. So the way our endocannabinoid system (ECS) reacts when taking CBD is unique to us too.
Where to start
It can be hard to figure out how much CBD to begin with, but we are here to help. Many brands provide a daily dose with the product, and this is a fine place to start. For example, top quality German pharma brand Ayucana advises healthy adults take 50 mg of CBD per day. For children aged between 14-18 years, Ayucana advises 40 mg per day.
Recall that CBD is entirely safe according to the WHO, even at very high doses. So, it’s important that new CBD consumers find their ideal dose by trial and error to find what is right for them. We are all different on the inside and out! It makes sense that someone with a greater body weight may require a greater dosage than a smaller person to feel the same effects of CBD.
Raise CBD dose slowly
Begin by taking a low initial daily dose or a brand’s advised dose. Then, slowly increase it by 10 mg CBD per day until you begin to feel its effect, if you don’t already. It’s important to explore and find out what works for you. When you are happy with the effect you are feeling, hold that level of dosage from there on.
An easy way to accurately dose is to either use CBD capsules which have a specific concentration of CBD per pill, or use a bottle of CBD oil with a dropper. We always advise dropping the CBD into the mouth in front of a mirror so you can easily count how many drops you’ve applied, as it can be hard to feel them.
FSA advice
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has stepped in to advise that consumers take no more than 70 mg daily.
Speak to your doctor
Cannabidiol CBD is a natural plant based ingredient from either the hemp or cannabis plant, so it is safe to consume. However, it’s important for a first-time consumer’s peace of mind to speak with their doctor if there are medical conditions to consider. This is because drug interactions can take place if you are already taking a prescription. This may effect what CBD serving sizes may be appropriate to proceed with.
More About Greenbox
"Plant based wellness is about rediscovering the incredible healing power of plants. We created GreenBox to harness that plant based power and enable people to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives"- GreenBox Founders
GreenBox began when the founders both discovered the calming and restorative benefits of CBD. It sparked a journey of discovery regarding the many different healing botanicals around the world which had been used for thousands of years but have fallen out of favour in modern times. So, GreenBox was created to reconnect us with the restorative powers of plant extracts and help people live their best life, naturally.
The products the online retailer stock target; energy & focus, immunity, joint & muscle, skin, sleep & stress, and these product range from bodycare and supplements, to CBD oils and skincare.
GreenBox is committed to offering you the very best, high quality and innovative products on the market from reputable brands that are committed to creating products that are ethical in their ingredient policies, efficacy, performance & sustainability of their production and packaging.
Visit www.greenbox.co.uk
Our Top 3 CBD Products
If you’re new to CBD we’ve picked our favourite 3 products to gently ease you into a more holistic approach to wellbeing
Our Remedy CBD Oil £29.99. Designed for women by women to help ease period pains, promote better sleep and reduce anxiety
Sanctuary Spa Calming CBD oil £12.50. This multi-tasking bath, shower and body oil will help encourage you to unwind and feel calm. Delivering an aromatic fragrance, 84% of users agreed the scent helped to relax their body & mind after just one use*. *1 week study, Nov 2019, 60 subjects, females 25-40years
Green Stem CBD Hand Cream £20. This luxurious hand cream from Green Stem’s CBD skincare collection is fortified with nourishing essential oils to leave your skin smooth, soft and sensationally supple.
Brand New #Inconversation
Season 2 Episode 3 - Nichola Ludlam-Raine
Join Natalie as she talk to Specialist Dietician & Fitness Instructor Nichola Ludlam Raine. Discussing the importance of nutrition on your physical and mental wellbeing, Nichola provides an in depth insight into how certain food groups can optimise hormonal balance, weight management and mood. She also talks how adopting the 80:20 rule has had a positive impact on her own wellbeing and shared her personal experience of the recent lockdown.
