Health

The Benefits of CBD Oil for Skin

Posted on by Hempstil
Benefits CBD Oil Skin
Benefits of CBD Oil for Skin

The positive effects of CBD on the body are well documented. This is especially true when it comes to pain and inflammation. We know all about the healing properties of Cannabidiol oil and how it helps those suffering from serious conditions. However, one topic that does not get much attention is the skin. The health benefits of CBD oil for skin are numerous. Indeed, a number of conditions that affect the skin have been shown to respond well to CBD treatments. These issues cause discomfort and painful itching, which Cannabidiol will alleviate.

Promote Healthy Skin with CBD

CBD will promote healthy skin and help with a range of skin-related issues. These include eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and acne. For example, people who suffer from eczema and psoriasis have found Cannabidiol to be effective, natural treatment. This is because CBD is analgesic and a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also has antibacterial properties. Furthermore, CBD has shown promise in reducing acne, spots and skin impurities. It will also relieve stress, which can be a trigger for these symptoms.

Healthy and Nutritious Carrier Oil

It is worth noting, CBD extract is mixed with a carrier oil. These oils can also be good for the skin. These contain high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 oil that contribute to healthier skin. The body cannot produce these omega oils which is why they are so important. They have to come from our diet, hence the name ‘essential fatty acids’. Popular CBD carrier oils include Hemp seed oil and Olive oil. Both of these have a reputation for being healthy and nutritious base oils.

CBD Oil and Skin Care

Now that Cannabidiol is gaining popularity, there are countless CBD-infused skincare products. These are specially developed to harness the healing power of this compound. You can choose from balms, salves, creams or lotions. All the aforementioned products come in a range of strengths to suit. The options include mild or high-strength concentrations. That said, you can even use most CBD oil tinctures which will suffice. It is simply a case of applying the oil drops topically. All these products are easy to apply. They allow for precise targeting on the area needing relief.

The abundance of products demonstrates how effective CBD oil is in helping the skin. Now the big cosmetic companies are starting their own CBD-infused skincare products. That should tell you everything about whether Cannabidiol is the real deal. After reading this article, you will now have a better understanding of the health benefits of CBD oil for skin.

News

Is CBD Oil Legal in the UK?

Posted on by Hempstil
Is CBD Oil Legal
Is CBD Oil Legal in the UK?

The topic of CBD raises many questions, not least surrounding its legal status. Is CBD oil legal in the UK? Well, it is a fair question and one that is asked by many people. There are some who have never taken CBD oil and who know very little about the product. It is perfectly understandable that people are wary of trying CBD because of the connection to Cannabis. The last thing these folk want is to unwittingly fall foul of the law. Furthermore, people have genuine queries about whether the compound is addictive, intoxicating or likely to cause impairment.

CBD Oil UK Law in 2019

In January 2017, the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced they were reclassifying CBD as a medicine. The following year, in a similar move, the United States of America removed industrial Hemp from the Controlled Substance Act. President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill, which meant CBD products were now legal. Both of these events are a step in the right direction in achieving widespread acceptance for Cannabidiol products. Although it is noticeable that a certain amount of stigma still remains. In short, CBD products are sold as food supplements as opposed to medicines.

The Legality of CBD (Cannabidiol)

Other countries may differ slightly when it comes to CBD products, THC content and the law. In the UK, the law states that CBD oil products must contain no more than 0.2% THC. This is key because THC is a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The good news is most reputable CBD oils contain significantly less THC than the legal limit so you are well within the law. A small, trace amount of THC is not enough to make you feel ‘high’ Hence, there should be no issue with driving or operating machinery. Indeed, most people who use CBD happily go about their daily business and have no problem maintaining normal daily function.

CBD is Legal in the United Kingdom

CBD is legal in the UK “provided it has been derived from an industrial Hemp strain that is EU-approved”. This is important because industrial Hemp plants contain very low amounts of psychoactive THC. If you still have any doubts, check the lab test reports on your chosen Cannabidiol brand. These PDF documents are displayed on their website. More often than not, on the product details page. Certificates of analysis will provide clarity on the levels of CBD and THC in your product. This will confirm the legality. After reading this article, you will no longer need to ask if CBD oil is legal in the UK. In fact, you could now be in a position where you educate others by sharing your newly acquired knowledge.

Education

The Main Cannabinoids in CBD Oil

Posted on by Hempstil
Cannabinoids in CBD Oil
Cannabinoids in CBD Oil

There are over 100 cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant. However, these are not all included in Cannabidiol products. Cannabinoids start as cannabinoid acids which are the precursor to an active compound. For the most part, there are 8 main cannabinoids in CBD oil products. The 3 which immediately spring to mind are CBD, CBDa and THC. The 2 former compounds will support improvements in health while the latter is key for altogether different reasons.

Key Cannabinoid Compounds in CBD

It should come as no surprise, Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main cannabinoid of interest to most people who consume CBD oil. It is often pure, Gold with a distinctive smell and taste. The next compound is CBDa. This is the precursor to CBD. In short, when CBDa interacts with heat (decarboxylation) it becomes a CBD compound. CBDa also offers a number of health benefits. This compound is usually associated with the raw CBD oils. In most cases, it is dark to light brown or Green in colour. These raw CBD tinctures contain a combination of the CBD and CBDa.

The Only Psychoactive Compound

The next cannabinoid compound to look out for is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive element in marijuana. In the vast majority of CBD oil products, THC is only included in very small or trace quantities. These trace amounts are not sufficiently high enough to cause impairment. In other words, they do not leave users feeling ‘high’. In some cases, THC in small quantities does offer certain benefits. Even a trace amount of THC will have a positive impact on other ingredients. This phenomenon is called the ‘entourage effect’ and is found in the full spectrum CBD oil. It means the various elements (cannabinoids, terpenes) combine and the whole product works better as a result.

List of Cannabinoid Acids in CBD Oil

Cannabis does not produce the compounds we are familiar with, such as CBD and THC. However, it does produce cannabinoid acids which have antibiotic and/or insecticidal properties. You can find the typical cannabinoid acids found in CBD oil below;

CBDA (Cannabidiolic acid)
CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid)
THCA (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)
CBCA (Cannabichromenenic acid)
CBGVA (Cannabigerovarinic acid)
THCVA (Tetrahydrocanabivarinic acid)
CBDVA (Cannabidivarinic acid)
CBCVA (Cannabichromevarinic acid)

List of Cannabinoid Compounds

When the oil extract has been processed and is fully decarboxylated, this activates the cannabinoid acids. This process yields the compounds listed below;

CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBG (Cannabigerol)
THC (Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol)
CBC (Cannabichromene)
CBGV (Cannabigerivarin)
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
CBDV (Cannabidivarin)
CBCV (Cannabichromevarin)

The number may vary or differ to an extent with some manufacturers or in specialist products. That said, on the whole, these are the 8 main cannabinoids in CBD oil products. In general, the list of compounds will largely remain the same. However, the quantities of each ingredient will vary on manufacturer lab test reports. After reading this article, you should now have a better understanding of the different cannabinoids in a typical CBD oil product.

Education

Is CBD Non-Psychoactive?

Posted on by Hempstil
Is CBD Non-Psychoactive
Is CBD Non-Psychoactive?

When people talk about Cannabidiol, you have probably heard it said that ‘CBD is non-psychoactive’. After all, it does not give you any intoxicating effects. While the majority of people would agree with this view, not everyone does. You see, there are people, well respected in the Cannabis industry, who point out a different opinion. In some respects, you could say that CBD is psychoactive. Obviously, this contradiction causes confusion with new and existing customers. Is CBD non-psychoactive? This article will cover both sides of the debate.

CBD Oil – Psychoactive or Non-Psychoactive?

A high-quality CBD oil like our own 5% Hemp Drops tincture, contains approximately 0.03% of THC. This is a trace amount of Tetrahydrocannabinol that is not large enough to cause any adverse effects. We are confident in saying our product is non-psychoactive. It will not impair our customers or leave them feeling intoxicated. They will still be able to function normally after taking CBD oil. This is because there is no ‘high’ normally associated with Marijuana and the psychoactive compound THC.

Does CBD Affect the Mind?

However, you could stress that CBD is psychoactive in some respects. For example, the definition of psychoactive is: “drugs that affect your mind” (English). If you are taking CBD for depression and anxiety issues, the extract does indeed have an effect on the mind, albeit a positive rather than a negative one. Of course, CBD manufacturers could not market their products as psychoactive, this would cause even more problems than it would solve.

CBD Oil Is Non-Intoxicating

So who is right? Well, both sides of this argument could argue their point and claim to be in the right. The vast majority of people seem to understand. They have no issue with what ‘non-psychoactive’ means. The term explains that CBD will not get you ‘high’. It goes without saying that people who use Cannabidiol come from all ages and walks of life. The most important point is they receive the information required. This helps them to find what they are looking for.

So, is CBD non-psychoactive or psychoactive? Well, technically in some respects, it is psychoactive, in a positive rather than negative sense. That said, CBD manufacturers do not want to confuse their customers for the sake of addressing a minor technicality. Many observers believe this argument is simply ‘splitting hairs’. The debate on this particular topic will continue throughout the Cannabis industry. At least, after reading this article, you have looked at all the facts. Therefore, you will be sufficiently informed to form your own opinion.

CBD

Terpenes Found in CBD Oil and Their Effects

Posted on by Hempstil
CBD Oil Terpenes
Terpenes in CBD Oil

There are approximately 200 terpenes found in the Cannabis plant. However, only a few of them are found in CBD products. In this article, we will cover some of the common terpenes found in CBD oil and their effects. When people talk about CBD, they often mention terpenes and the importance of them. Terpenes are oils that are secreted in the resin glands of the Hemp plant. When terpenes combine with a number of Cannabinoids, a reaction occurs. This phenomenon is the ‘entourage effect’. In simple terms, it means the different elements combine and make the whole product even more effective.

List of Common Terpenes in CBD

The following list of terpenes is what you would expect to find in a good-quality Cannabidiol oil product. These terpenes include myrcene, linalool, caryophyllene, pinene and limonene. Of course, terpenes like these have specific attributes that will deliver certain health benefits.

Terpenes Found in CBD Oil

Myrcene (Hops)

Aroma: musky, earthy.
Effects: relaxing, sedation, sleep, elevated mood.
Benefits: antioxidant, insomnia, anticarcinogenic.
Found in: mango, lemongrass, hops and thyme.

Linalool (Lavender)

Aroma: floral, sweet.
Effects: calming, relaxing, anaesthetic.
Benefits: anxiety relief, analgesic, sedating, anti-convulsant.
Found in: lavender, laurel and rosewood.

Caryophyllene (Black Pepper)

Aroma: wood, spice.
Effects: soothing, calming, anaesthetic.
Benefits: pain relief, antiseptic, anti-cancer, digestion.
Found in: Black pepper, cloves and cinnamon.

Pinene (Rosemary)

Aroma: pine, earthy.
Effects: creativity, energy, alertness, euphoria.
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiseptic.
Found in: pine trees, basil, rosemary and sage.

Limonene (Lemon)

Aroma: citrus, lemon.
Effects: stress relief, elevated mood.
Benefits: anxiety relief, an antidepressant.
Found in: citrus, juniper and peppermint.

Additional Terpenes of Note

Other terpenes of note that you may encounter include humulene and terpinolene. These are found in hops and tea tree too. The terpenes in this article are the ones which usually feature in most reputable CBD oil products. This concludes the most common terpenes found in CBD extract and their effects. The next time you take a serving of your preferred Cannabidiol product, you will know the sort of terpenes it is likely to contain.