It’s no exaggeration to say that CBD is everywhere at the moment. It’s been one of the biggest trends in the wellbeing industry for the past few years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. But what exactly is CBD and what are the benefits of taking CBD? Here we’re answering some of your common questions, and revealing six of the best UK CBD brands.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol and is one of the many active compounds found naturally in hemp plants and marijuana. Unlike the cannabinoid THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana that makes you high, CBD is non-psychoactive and doesn’t impact the body in this way.
The CBD used to create the products on sale for public consumption can made from the stalk, stems, leaves and flowers of both the hemp plant and the marijuana plant.
What are the benefits of CBD?
More research into this area needs to be done, but it’s believed that CBD can offer a calming effect on the nervous system, thereby helping with issues including anxiety and poor sleep. It’s also thought CBD can help support and relieve tired muscles and protect skin too.
It’s worth noting that although CBD is generally considered safe, some people can experience side effects and if you’re concerned you should always speak to a doctor or healthcare professional.
How can you consume it and how much CBD should you use?
You can find CBD in all sorts of products – from oils that you pop under your tongue and oral sprays, to CBD-enriched creams and balms, capsules and gummies, and even snacks.
Every product will have a different potency level and different formulation, and it’s important to be aware of this when shopping and using products. The UK Food Standards Agency recommends that healthy adults (with an average body weight of 70kg) should limit their consumption of CBD to 10mg per day. Always take things slowly if you’re just starting out, and begin with a smaller dosage than recommended.
What does full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD mean?
Full-spectrum CBD refers to CBD that contains several parts of the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC (within legal amounts and up to 0.2% in the UK). They are the most potent of products available because they have both cannabinoids, vitamins, proteins and terpenes.
Broad-spectrum CBD doesn’t technically contain THC (although there may still be very small trace amounts, and not as much as in full-spectrum products). It may also contain trace amounts of other components such as terpenes, but again not as much as in full-spectrum products.
You can also find CBD isolate, or pure CBD, products, which contain no other compounds except for the CBD itself.
Best UK CBD brands
You can buy CBD products from across the world, but it’s a good idea to opt for UK-based brands, which you know are following government guidelines and regulations. Plus, it’s important to find high quality products with the right sort of potency, as otherwise you may not feel the benefits. Here are some of the best UK CBD brands….
CBDIABLO
This Edinburgh-based company was set up by two friends – Ian and Sam – in 2019, with the aim of supporting those struggling with their mental health. For this reason, they’re committed to only offering the highest possible quality products, which are truly effective, alongside personal customer service and a genuine desire to help. All their oil products are independently third party-tested, free from additives, preservatives and GMOs, and cruelty-free too.
As proof of their commitment to quality, the brand has more than 1,000 reviews on Trustpilot with an ‘Excellent’ rating, and they have been featured in The Independent’s ‘Best CBD oil‘ list for three years running – additionally their Warming Balm and Green Powder have both been featured within our own Wellness from Within Awards.
Helping the wider community is important for Ian and Sam, and they donate a portion of their profits to the CALMzone. In fact, over the years they’ve raised more than £30,000 for the mental health charity. Plus, their packaging is also sustainably sourced, recyclable or biodegradable – and they offer free shipping!
Key products to try include the Diablo 1000mg Full Spectrum Hemp CBD Oil, which is 100% natural and lab-tested. It uses the whole plant to support your body’s endocannabinoid system and has a 10% oil concentration. Those who’d prefer a cleaner oil can rely on the Deity 2000mg CBD Oil – a great broad-spectrum oil option. Alternatively, for those who have a sweet tooth, their Vegan CBD Gummies are a fantastic option. These products all offer brilliant value for money and the brand regularly offers useful discount codes.
The Long Leaf
With their focus on giving people the opportunity to live a life full of potential, awe and hope, the team at Long Leaf have established themselves as a wellbeing company worth knowing.
They specialise in small artisan batches of products, which are third-party lab tested and contain quality ingredients and formulations.
This is the brand to visit if you fancy trying something a little bit different – they offer hemp edibles (including Vegan Cola Bottles!), CBD vape cartridges, dab extracts and hemp paste as well as traditional cold pressed CBD oils.
Orange County
Inspired by a revolutionary trip to California undertaken by the founders, Orange County CBD is focused on driving positive change. The founders are keen for their legacy to be about leaving people, places, communities, and the planet better off than the way they found them – and their aim is to empower people to have their best days ever.
All their products use high quality ingredients, which they have traced back to their origin, including batches, suppliers, and internal inputs, and their online store offers a vast array of products – from oils and gummies to vape cartridges and skincare – and they even stock calming treats for pets!
Mindful Extracts
At Mindful Extracts, the team are dedicated to creating products that support balance in the body and peace in the mind, while also being kind to the planet.
Founded by Donal Bourke, who first discovered the powerful effects of CBD following a life-threatening motorcycle accident, the brand takes a holistic, whole-body approach to wellness. It makes sense, then, that their website not only includes products such as premium CBD oils and body care products, but also guided meditations, expert articles and mindfulness insights to support mental and emotional wellbeing.
The brand is fully committed to sustainability and understanding the social impact of its products. Every product is vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in 100% recyclable packaging, and a tree is planted with every purchase. Plus, 5% of all profits are donated to environmental initiatives and mental health programmes.
Bud and Tender
Like many of the brands on this list, the team at Bud & Tender care deeply about community, climate, and biodiversity and their commitment goes beyond just producing high-quality CBD oil. They make regular donations to charities and not-for-profit organisations and they plant a tree for every order received.
The brand’s products use high quality ingredients grown specifically for CBD, and they refrain from adding any flavouring or additives, making their supplements 100% natural.
Plus, there’s also a quiz on the website which shows you which product and strength is best for you – making it easy to choose the most suitable product for your needs.
We’ll be celebrating some of the best supplements in our Wellness From Within Awards later this year. Keen an eye on our socials and website for more details.
