Cannabidiol 101: Shopping For CBD Oil In The UK

CBD has become one of the most popular health supplements in the UK over the past decade. Among the most popular of all CBD products are sublingual CBD oils. Sublingual CBD tinctures have quicker-hitting effects than CBD edibles, like gummies or capsules, and longer-lasting benefits than CBD vape oil products. But with so many different CBD brands and products in the UK marketplace, it can be difficult to distinguish quality CBD oil products from ones that are weak, ineffective, and potentially even hazardous to your health.

In this article, we’ll learn how to distinguish quality CBD products from poor products, and we’ll take a deep dive into cannabidiol itself: what CBD is, how it works, and the different types of CBD oil. Let’s begin with a quick primer on how to shop for quality CBD.

How to Shop for the Best CBD Oil

Shopping for CBD doesn’t have to be difficult, so long as you know what to look for. First, only purchase organic CBD products. Cannabis is a bioaccumulator, absorbing everything it can from the soil surrounding the plant. That can be disastrous when that cannabis plant is surrounded by pesticides or other toxins. These dangerous compounds can end up in your CBD oil, if you don’t choose an organic product. 

Also, make sure the CBD oil was extracted from the cannabis plant with clean CO2. Cheap CBD companies will use solvents, like butane, to extract the oil from the plant. This can leave a residue in the CBD oil. Carbon dioxide leaves no residues in the oil, meaning a more pure and potent CBD product for you.

The best CBD companies are transparent about what’s in their products, and will provide you with a Certificate of Analysis to prove their purity and potency. This is a third-party lab report stating how much CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids are in the product, and alerting you to the presence of any of those nasty toxins we mentioned. Never buy CBD tinctures or other cannabis products that aren't accompanied by a COA.

Finally, CBD drops generally include ingredients beyond hemp oil. These can include carrier oils for absorption, and other ingredients. Make sure your CBD oil drops don't contain any artificial flavours or fillers.

Best CBD Tinctures of 2023: CBDfx

CBDfx is an established CBD company that meets all of our criteria. They only use organic hemp, with oil extracted by clean CO2 and backed by a Certificate of Analysis. And they formulate their CBD oils with all-natural ingredients. 

Here’s a look at CBDfx’s line of best-selling UK CBD tinctures.

CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture

CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture contains organic, broad spectrum CBD, CBG (the “Mother of All Cannabinoids”), coconut-derived MCT oil for absorption, health-boosting terpenes, and two potent antioxidants, curcumin and coenzyme Q10. This oil is a great morning health and energy booster.

CBD Hemp Tincture

CBD Hemp Tincture is a broad spectrum tincture that lets the CBD shine. With coconut-derived MCT oil as the only added ingredient (for improved absorption), CBD Hemp Tincture provides a potent CBD-only experience.

Flavoured CBD Oil Drops

CBDfx offers four tasty Flavoured CBD Oil Drops: Very Berry CBD Oil Drops, Lush Lime CBD Oil Drops, Zesty Orange CBD Oil Drops, and Morning Mint CBD Oil Drops. These tinctures contain CBD isolate, MCT oil, and natural flavours—ideal on their own or blended in your favourite food or beverage.

What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound native to the cannabis plant. CBD is one of a group of compounds, called cannabinoids, which also include THC, CBN, and CBG. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not get you high. Instead, cannabidiol engages the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps the body maintain homeostasis (balance), and thus regulates a number of important functions, including mood, memory, sleep, pain management, and more. When consumed, cannabidiol mimics the body’s endocannabinoids and helps to bolster this system, resulting in a wealth of health and wellness benefits.

Broad Spectrum CBD & CBD Isolate

While cannabidiol is found in multiple types of cannabis plants (including marijuana), the CBD used in these products comes from the low-THC form of cannabis called hemp. CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant’s buds, leaves, and stalks. This initial hemp extract, called full spectrum CBD, contains all of the plant’s cannabinoids (including CBD and trace levels of THC), terpenes, flavonoids, and healthy fatty acids. As this form of CBD oil can potentially contain THC above the UK legal limit of 0.2%, there aren’t a lot of actual full spectrum products available in the UK (even if some brands may label their products as such).

In general, the most robust form of CBD available for UK consumers is broad spectrum CBD. This type of CBD is the same oil as full spectrum CBD, only with detectable levels of THC filtered out (along with some hemp compounds). Still, broad spectrum CBD is a potent CBD oil that can produce the Entourage Effect.

The Entourage Effect refers to the phenomenon by which CBD and other cannabis compounds, when consumed together, actually bolster one another’s effects. This can mean a stronger CBD experience for you.

There is a third type of CBD, CBD isolate, which contains only cannabidiol, with all other cannabis compounds filtered out. While you can’t experience the Entourage Effect with CBD isolate, some prefer this form of CBD because you can’t smell or taste the cannabis. 

The Benefits of Sublingual Hemp Oil Products

CBD tincture products not only deliver faster effects than CBD edibles, they also allow you to customise your CBD serving right down to the milligram. You also have the flexibility of adding CBD drops to your favourite food or drink.

We hope this article has helped you better understand CBD and sublingual CBD products, so that you can shop with confidence for the CBD oil that’s right for you!

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga's opinions and has not been edited for content. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. Benzinga does not make any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company.