Hemp without the highs
CBD supplement that’s pure, safe and legal
CANNABIDIOL (CBD) has been the health news sensation of 2018. Media coverage has been widespread, as CBD supplements are launched for everyday use.
But while many already consume them for a variety of reasons, others are still wary about the product due to its link to cannabis.
Dr Nicholas Shenker PhD FRCP, a consultant rheumatologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and an expert in chronic pain syndromes, says this should not be the case. ‘All over the world, people are using CBD, often in pharmaceutical (very high) doses, to address their health issues,’ he explains.
CBD is extracted from the leaf of the hemp plant (pictured left), called Cannabis
sativa L. in Latin, not from the cannabis plant used to produce marijuana.
It contains significantly lower levels of the tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs) that cause ‘highs’. CBD has no psychoactive effects at all.
In fact, the human body produces cannabinoids, and CBD from the hemp plant is believed to have the same effect as these natural compounds. Endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and body receive these cannabinoids, triggering cellular responses related to mood, sleep and muscular movement. Other receptors in the immune system have an impact on pain and inflammation.
When looking for a CBD oil supplement, it is important to ensure you choose a high-quality extract.
Working with global expert Professor Michael Heinrich of University College London, a Cambridge-based supplement brand reviewed extract data to create an effective supplement. This high-strength formulation contains 10mg of CBD, in a format that increases absorption by the body.
‘Many supplements we looked at contained less CBD than was claimed on the label. There are major concerns with regards to the composition and quality of such unregulated products,’ says Professor Heinrich, who is a member of the company’s medical board.
‘ People should ensure that their CBD supplement is supplied by a reputable company and created using a pure extract.’