Cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD oil, refers to a type of bioactive oil that’s made by mixing CBD (which is extracted from the hemp or cannabis plant) with a carrier oil such as coconut or hemp seed oil. This oil can be ingested orally, applied topically, or vaporised.
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CBD oil has gained massive popularity in the last couple of years, and it's no surprise that this product has created a billion-dollar industry globally.
This article discusses in great detail what CBD oil is, how it works, what it does, and its long list of potential health and wellness applications. We will also see if we can bust some popular CBD myths, and bring clarity to the CBD discussion.
CBD, the short form of cannabidiol, is one of the many (hundreds of) bioactive molecules that are present in hemp and cannabis plants. It belongs to a category of compounds known as phytocannabinoids. CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the most popular and most studied phytocannabinoids.
The psychoactivity of CBD is a subject of heated controversy, and most sources claim that CBD lacks psychoactive effects. Let’s first define psychoactive.
Psychoactive refers to the ability of a bioactive molecule to alter the brain’s activity in terms of perception, cognition, mood, and behaviour.
Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating meaning CBD oil is also not intoxicating. However, CBD has some psychoactive properties. However, they are mild and CBD will not cause intoxication or euphoria as THC does. CBD oil is therefore psychoactive but non-intoxicating. This means CBD will not produce the “high” that is usually associated with consuming cannabis.
CBD oil is made from CBD extract and a carrier oil such as medium chain triglyceride (MCT), hemp seed, avocado, olive, or coconut oil. The CBD is extracted from hemp or cannabis plants.
Hemp refers to cannabis sativa that has very low levels of the intoxicating cannabinoid THC. For hemp to be legal in the UK, it must be grown from approved seeds containing no more than 0.2% THC.
To be considered legal in the UK, CBD oil must contain no more than 1 mg of each controlled cannabinoid per container, and pure CBD is uncontrolled.
CBD is extracted from the leaves, flowers, and stems of the hemp plant using a variety of methods, such as CO2 extraction or ethanol extraction. During the extraction process, the CBD is separated from the other plant compounds and then diluted with the carrier oil.
Yes, CBD oil is legal in the UK so long as it contains no more than 1 mg of each controlled cannabinoid per container. Pure CBD oil is not controlled in the UK and can be sold over the counter.
The controlled cannabinoid content of CBD products is what distinguishes it from medical cannabis oil. CBD oil that contains more than 1 mg of each controlled cannabinoid per container remains a Class B controlled drug, and is therefore illegal without a specialist doctor’s prescription.
While CBD oil is legal, making definitive medical claims about CBD is prohibited.
In the UK, CBD products are sold as novel foods or supplements, and are regulated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). While not as stringent as the regulations for medical cannabis, CBD products are still subject to an independent safety assessment before they are authorised.
Getting authorisation as a novel food can be a long, drawn out process, and the official list of CBD food products contains any CBD product that is linked to an application, even if they are not yet authorised. Each product on the list is marked as:
Validated (the application contains all required information to proceed with risk assessment and authorisation)
Awaiting evidence (not all the required information has been provided, with plans in place to complete the studies needed for risk assessment)
Removed (has not made it to the next stage of authorisation, and products should be removed from market)
However, as of 2026 no CBD food products have been authorised, but the FSA consulted on authorising three CBD products (synthetic CBD, CBD isolate, and isolated CBD from hemp), and while the draft recommendation was to authorise them, the final decision sits with ministers.
CBD is not approved as a medicine in the UK, and continued studies are needed to fully understand CBD and its effects on the body. That said, research has shown that of 267 patients surveyed, nearly 70% of individuals using CBD products for health and wellness reasons found it be effective, with reasons for taking it including:
Easing stress
Aiding sleep
Improving overall wellbeing
Relieving anxiety
Further studies and clinical trials into the use of CBD have shown it to have antiepileptic, analgesic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and sedative properties as well. However, the therapeutic effects and benefits of CBD are still being investigated and it is important to note that more research and clinical trials are needed to fully understand its potential.
CBD oil in its pure form is usually an amber-coloured viscous liquid. When choosing the most appropriate method of consuming CBD oil, have these seven considerations in mind:
Ease of application or administration
Dosage required
Desired effect
How soon it starts to act
How long do the effects last
Side effects
Cost
With this in mind, there are 5 different ways of administering CBD oil. Most CBD providers will offer CBD oil in all these forms, though the preparations may be different. The method of administration determines how fast and how much CBD is absorbed into your system.
CBD tinctures are one of the most common ways of administering CBD oil. Administering CBD drops is very simple. Simply squeeze out one or two drops of the tincture using the dropper to the sublingual region (under the tongue) and hold it there for about half a minute before you swallow. This area is well supplied with blood capillaries that ensure that the CBD is absorbed within a few minutes. This route also ensures that less CBD is lost through the first pass effect.
Tinctures can also be mixed in foods and beverages. As much as this helps to mask the taste of CBD, the absorption is slower and up to 50% of the CBD is lost during the process of metabolism.
CBD-infused topicals may be effective in treating skin inflammation, muscle soreness, and joint pain. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is well-endowed with cannabinoid receptors. When applied, CBD from creams mostly stays in the skin.
Soft-gels and capsules are a convenient way to take CBD oil. The oil is encased in a digestible capsule that is broken down by gastric acid in the stomach to release CBD. The onset of action may be slower, but the effects usually last longer. Soft gels are designed to offer maximum bioavailability. They are ideal when one requires exact dosages and a discrete method of consuming CBD.
CBD manufacturers have been very creative in coming up with enticing CBD edibles in the form of gummies and other treats. Edibles come in a ridiculous range of options, they are portable, discrete, and are infused with enticing flavours and sometimes even extra nutrients. Edibles will take a longer time to exert their effects (30-90 minutes) but the effects will last for over four hours.
CBD vape products can be inhaled using vape pens. Inhaled CBD is directly absorbed from the lungs into the bloodstream. The onset of action is almost immediate, but the effect does not last for as long as when the CBD is in edible form. Unlike smoking, vaping does not include combustion and is therefore less harmful to the lungs.
CBD oil is non-intoxicating, but there are still considerations on how much to take and who CBD is not recommended for.
THe FSA advises healthy adults to limit their CBD intake from food to 10 mg a day (approximately 4 to 5 drops of 5% CBD oil). The FSA also recommends avoiding CBD (unless under medical direction) if you are:
Under 18 years old
Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
Taking any medications
Our full CBD dosage guide provides more information on how much CBD to take, and what products are available.
CBD oil may cause some side effects, especially when consumed in high amounts or for first time patients. Some of the side effects that have been reported in studies include:
Drowsiness
Low blood pressure
Lightheadedness
Nausea
GI disturbance
Should you experience any side effects from CBD oil, you should stop taking it and consult your healthcare provider immediately.
It’s also important to understand how CBD interacts with other drugs as this can impact how medications work or even increase the risk of side effects.
There is often confusion on the difference between CBD oil and medical cannabis oil, so we’re here to clear it up.
CBD oil, as we’ve mentioned, is not a controlled substance in the UK, and can be sold over the counter provided it contains no more than 1 mg of each controlled cannabinoid. While regulated by the FSA, CBD oils are not subject to the same testing standards as cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs).
CBD oils can also remain on sale if their application for being classed as a novel food is in progress (either validated or awaiting evidence). This means not all CBD products on the market are necessarily reputable, which is what makes finding a CBD vendor that conducts their own third-party testing important.
Medical cannabis oil, on the other hand, may contain higher levels of controlled cannabinoids, taking it from not controlled to a Class B controlled drug. As such, medical cannabis oil can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor in the UK.
Cannabis-based medications are typically unlicensed, but are still regulated by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) making them subject to much more stringent testing, and the regulations for growing the cannabis for medical use is much more regulated with higher security measures.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the numerous (125) phytocannabinoids that are present in hemp. Studies have shown that CBD has potential therapeutic properties and may promote health and wellbeing.
CBD, like other phytocannabinoids, predominantly works through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body, and CBD supports this incredible system. CBD also works through other pathways that are not related to the ECS, such as the serotonergic pathways.
CBD is first extracted from hemp using different methods; solvent-based and solventless. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is a preferred commercial method of extracting CBD because it is efficient, scalable, and leaves no impurities in the final product. The CBD is then mixed in a carrier oil.
Both hemp and cannabis originate from the cannabis sativa L species. However, they differ in the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that they contain. While hemp contains trace amounts of THC (less than 0.2%), cannabis may contain high amounts of THC and other controlled cannabinoids.
THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid recognised as causing intoxication, or feeling ‘high.’
CBD oil is non-intoxicating and will not make you high.
These are aromatic compounds that are found in both hemp and cannabis. They are responsible for the different aromas in hemp. They also have been shown to have potential therapeutic properties that can be harnessed.
The entourage effect is a scientific theory that suggests cannabinoids (such as CBD) work together with terpenes and flavonoids to produce different effects than a single compound acting alone.
Studies have shown CBD oil is generally well-tolerated and non-intoxicating, but that does not make it risk free.
Side effects are a possibility, and the FSA advises healthy adults to limit their CBD intake to 10 mg per day, and recommends certain groups (under 18s, those pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive, those taking other medications) avoid using CBD.
CBD oil may produce mild side effects in some patients. This may include drowsiness, stomach upsets, irritability, and low blood pressure. This is most likely to occur when CBD is taken in high doses. Should you experience any adverse effects after starting on CBD, you should stop immediately and consult your healthcare provider.
No. So long as CBD oil adheres to the rules of no more than 1 mg of each controlled cannabinoid per container, it remains uncontrolled and is not considered a drug.
Cannabis oils and tinctures that go over the 1 mg threshold, however, are considered Class B controlled drugs and can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor.
For the most part, no. But that is mostly down to the lack of evidence and clinical trials into the effects and benefits of CBD as a health and wellness product.
NHS specialists can prescribe select licensed CBD-dominant medicines (such as Epidyolex for epilepsy) but rarely do so unless strict criteria are met and after other conventional avenues have been explored.
Releaf understands that medical cannabis can be life-changing for many people. That's why we offer tailored monthly packages based on your cannabis prescription, specialist consultations for medical cannabis, and a medical cannabis card to show you have a valid prescription.
We also have a wealth of information for you to dig your teeth into on our blog, cannabis research pages, and education hub.
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