CBD still feels relatively new in the health circuit, but it seems to be a growing wellbeing trend appearing in sport, food and beauty products. A recent YouGov survey estimated that around 6 million people have tried it in the UK, and it’s already a larger market than the vitamin C and vitamin D supplements market combined.

What is CBD?

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a chemical compound that is naturally sourced from the low THC cannabis plant.

The CBD is extracted so that it doesn't contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which means it doesn't have the psychoactive or addictive qualities as found in marijuana and is therefore legal to use.

Despite being used mostly by younger adults, CBD has the potential to provide some health benefits to help people of all ages. CBD has been seen to interact naturally with the sub nervous system, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS regulates a huge number of everyday functions that can promote a feeling of calm and focus, support a healthy sleep cycle and a stable equilibrium affecting sleep, discomfort, memory and mood. While it can't cure or prevent diseases, it can provide unique benefits for individuals and this is why it seems to have become more popular across the health and wellbeing industry and been adopted more so over recent years.

CBD is absorbed well sublingually (under the tongue) which is why the majority of products are available in oil format. However, there are a large variety of ways you can take CBD from adding it to your tea or coffee, swallowing in capsules or rubbing it on your skin as a balm.

As recommended with food supplements, you should consult your GP first. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.

Choosing the right one for you

CBD can be found in branded products from chocolates to make-up, tablets to oil drops. However, the most important factor in choosing the right one for you is to make sure it's produced by a trusted source such as Goodbody. Not all CBD is equal so they guarantee:

Traceability

Reputable CBD brands like Goodbody can trace the products they use from field, all the way through production and testing to the store. This seed to shelf traceability gives you complete confidence that the CBD you buy is of the best quality and can be trusted to comply with EU regulations.

No THC

A CBD brand should be able to show you test certificates to prove that the CBD advertised is exactly what you get and is legal to use. As CBD has no psychoactive effect (unlike recreational cannabis), the THC content has to be below 0.01 percent to be legally sold.

Quality

Some brands sell products with a very low percentage of CBD content in large bottles - while it may seem like a fantastic deal, it actually makes them poor value for money! By choosing products with a higher percentage of CBD, you can make sure you get quality and value. To vary your intake you can increase or decrease the amount you take or choose products with varying concentrations.

David and Drusilla's story

David, 85 and Drusilla, 76 are married and live together in Somerset. While CBD cannot prevent, treat or cure diseases, the couple found they were able to use CBD to help alleviate the symptoms of the ailments and improve their quality of life so they could continue to live life to the full.

Drusilla is very active but suffers with painful arthritis in both her hands and knees. As a result, her knuckles, especially on her right hand, are mis-shapen and painful.

“CBD oil drops help with both the pain and mobility." says Drusilla. "I am very active – I have a big house and clean my own home and I also paint and craft as hobbies so my mobility and dexterity are very important to me.

“The CBD drops mean I can get on with life and be doing the things I want to do without worrying about the arthritis holding me back. I take the 20% oil drops in the morning, and occasionally in the afternoon if I have a flare up where I feel I need a slightly higher dose to get back on track."

Last year David had recently recovered from pneumonia and was starting to feel back to normal. However he shortly after had a nasty fall in his home which resulted in broken ribs, excruciating pain as a result of the injuries and a lengthy healing process. He found the pain affected his sleep which made it difficult to recover and get a restful night.

According to David, “I decided to try CBD for the pain as nothing else was giving me relief. I used the Goodbody Botanicals 20% oil drops to manage the pain and find some relief, as well as helping me to sleep."

Special offer

If you think CBD could be right for you, visit www.goodbodystore.com/product-category/goodbody-botanicals/cbd-drops and quote code YOURS30 at checkout for 30% off your first order. Exclusive to Yours customers.

Not available in conjunction with sale or other promotional offers. Offer ends 31/01/21.

All of Goodbody’s case studies are reflective of individual experiences and are not part of a scientific study so we cannot comment on whether other individuals would have a similar experience.

Goodbody products are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented in this article are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.

In partnership with Goodbody Wellness