CBD comes from an oil that is extracted from the industrial hemp plant. That oil can then be taken as a liquid, or it can also be added as an ingredient in such products as gels, body oils, bath bombs, beauty products and bath salts. It should never be confused with hemp seed oil which comes from the seeds and does not contain CBD.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis plants. It doesn't produce any psychoactive or intoxicating effects when consumed on its own, but may help reduce anxiety and pain.

CBD makes you feel relaxed and calm. Many say that it also helps them with pain relief, inflammation, skin irritations, muscle spasms, insomnia and seizures.

THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

The human endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a network of receptors spread throughout the body that control some of the most vital life functions including:

• Sleep
• Mood
• Memory
• Pain sensation
• Skin and nerve function
• Immune system
• Appetite
• Metabolism
• Chronic pain
• Inflammation and other immune system responses
• Muscle formation
• Stress

The human body already produces cannabinoids of its own, which are called endocannabinoids and these help to regulate the ECS. CBD and other phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids that come from plants) have the ability to interact with and stimulate our cannabinoid receptors which improve the performance of these functions.

Homeostasis is the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by all living systems and all of the above have a role to play in maintaining a balance in your body. If any of these functions are influenced by external factors (inflammation, pain, skin conditions etc) the ECS will attempt to fire up to help your body retune to a state of homeostasis.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com

According to a 2015 studyTrusted SourceNeurotherapeutics, CBD influences many other receptor systems in our body and will influence the ECS in combination with other cannabinoids (medicalnewstoday.com)

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The ECS involves three core components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.

Endocannabinoids also called endogenous cannabinoids are molecules made by your body. They are similar to cannabinoids, but are produced by your body.

Receptors are found throughout your body. Endocannabinoids bind to them in order to signal that the ECS needs to take action. There are two main endocannabinoid receptors:

CB1 Receptors: these are mostly found in the central nervous system and are moderators of your memory, mood, motor function, perception of pain, stress response and thinking.

CB2 Receptors: these mainly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells and control signals from your bones, immune system, respiratory tract, skeletal muscle, nervous system, and cardiovascular system as well as the moderators of inflammation.

Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they’ve carried out their function. There are two main enzymes responsible for this:

Fatty acid amide hydrolase, which breaks down AEA.

Monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG.

WILL CBD GET ME HIGH?

CBD is non-psychoactive, which means that it doesn't produce any effects like those produced by drugs such as alcohol or caffeine. However, clinical studies suggest that CBD may be useful in reducing pain, anxiety levels, inflammation and other conditions in humans.

The main difference between hemp and marijuana is that hemp contains only trace amounts of THC – which is why hemp cannot get anyone high. This means that the effects of cannabidiol or CBD will not cause any kind of euphoric effect.

This makes it a great alternative for patients who want to avoid the side effects associated with prescription drugs and to use a safe, natural alternative instead.

When trying new products, it is always a good idea to check first with a health professional, health care provider or some kind of medical advice.

IS CBD LEGAL?

In terms of it's legal status, CBD has never been a controlled substance in the US, UK, EU and most of the Rest of the World - as long as it is extracted from the hemp plant and not the marijuana plant. Hemp-derived CBD topical products (with less than 0.3% THC) are legal on the US federal level but are still illegal under some state laws. (healthline.com)

However, trace amounts of THC (which is illegal) is present in hemp plants grown for industrial purposes. The levels of THC varies from one variety to another but it is usually found in very low amounts.

Knowing that our customers want a THC free experience and may take part in sports and work where they may at some stage be subjected to a drug test - we at Hempe decided to use CBD isolate to ensure that our products are THC free and also heavily purified and free of heavy metals.

CBD isolate is the purest form of cannabidiol available today. It has been extracted from hemp plants using extraction methods that produce a product that contains no THC at all. The end result is a clean, clear oil that has zero contaminants or impurities.

CBD isolate is one of the best ways to consume CBD oil for pain relief. The isolation process removes all other cannabinoids from the hemp plant, leaving behind only cannabidiol. This makes isolating pure CBD oil much easier than when using whole-plant extracts.

You should always check the laws where you live before using CBD or importing CBD. You may find that CBD is illegal in your country or region.

ARE CBD TOPICALS LEGAL?

Yes, they are. Topical products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are completely legal for use in the UK, Europe and the United States. In fact, many people prefer topical CBD over ingesting the oil itself due to its effectiveness when applied directly to the skin.

Topicals also avoid the initial breakdown of the ingredients by the liver so are safer to take.They are also faster acting as they are applied directly to the affected surface and do not need to distribute to the full body as with oral ingestion. They may help relieve pain and inflammation from arthritis, muscle soreness, and joint stiffness.

HIR sells topical CBD products which are legally classified as cosmetics and fully legal for sale in the UK, EU and the US. Please do check CBD's legality if you reside outside of these areas. Ingesting CBD as a food supplement is governed using a separate set of laws.

IS CBD SAFE?

A World Health Organization (WHO) report found no adverse health outcomes but rather several medical applications for cannabidiol (CBD).

According to a WHO report published in 2018, naturally occurring CBD is safe and well tolerated in humans (and animals), and is not associated with any negative public health effects.

Experts further stated that CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical found in cannabis, does not induce physical dependence and is "not associated with abuse potential." The WHO also wrote that, unlike THC, people do not get high off of CBD, either.

In the same report from the World Health Organization, "In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD."

So yes, CBD can be consumed safely. There has been no evidence of any negative side effects from consuming CBD. However, for best practice, it should be avoided during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and may cause drowsiness when used at high doses.

WHAT MAKES OUR HEMPE PRODUCTS SO UNIQUE?

Simply put because they work! The Unique Selling Point is the phenomenal science behind the products. They have been formulated by a team of experienced scientists from the Czech Republic. Our Czech formulators are scientists that not only have access to decades of cannabinoid research but also the world-class expertise in formulation processes and combining bioactive ingredients to deliver the most effective products. CBD is a phenomenal natural ingredient but it is only one of many reasons and ingredients that make our products so special.

FURTHER RESEARCH:

• 6 Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil (Plus Side Effects) - Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound in cannabis with a variety of uses. Here are 6 benefits of CBD oil. (healthline.com)
• Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don't - Harvard Health - Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient in cannabis that is derived from the hemp plant, but it does not cause a high and is not addictive. CBD has been shown to be effective in treating conditions like pain, insomnia, and anxiety. (health.harvard.edu)
• Medical cannabis (cannabis oil) - NHS - Information from the NHS website on medical cannabis. (nhs.uk)
• What Are the Benefits of CBD? - The New York Times - More than 60 percent of CBD users were taking it for anxiety, according to a survey of 5,000 people. Does it help? (nytimes.com)
• CBD Oil: 9 Science-Backed Benefits - CBD oil has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to its purported calming effects. Here are nine ways studies suggest CBD oil could benefit your health. (forbes.com)
• CBD oil for pain management: Effects, benefits, and uses - Cannabidiol or CBD oil has become popular for pain treatment. This article looks at how it works, how to use it, and the benefits and risks of CBD oil. (medicalnewstoday.com)
• CBD: Health Benefits, Risks, Dosage, and More - Find out the benefits of CBD, what it is, and the associated risks. (webmd.com)
• CBD for Arthritis Pain | Arthritis Foundation - People with arthritis may consider CBD products for pain relief. Learn what science and experts say about CBD's benefits, risks, different ways the product can be used and how to be a smart shopper. (arthritis.org)
• CBD oil and cancer: 9 things to know - Wondering whether you should use CBD oil to cope with cancer treatment and its side effects? We spoke with Kimberson Tanco, M.D., to separate fact from fiction. (mdanderson.org)
• CBD Oil for Dogs: What Is It and What Does It Do? (akc.org)
• CBD: Safe and effective? - Mayo Clinic - Interested in using CBD? Here's what you need to know about the risks and benefits of using this drug. (mayoclinic.org)
• CBD: What is it, and can it help the heart? | BHF - In recent years, CBD oil has been called the 'miracle of the modern age'. But what is CBD, and can CBD products help the heart? (bhf.org.uk)
• Cannabis, CBD oil and cancer| Cancer Research UK - Cannabis is a plant and a class B drug. CBD oil is a chemical found in cannabis. Research is looking at the substances in cannabis to see if it might help treat cancer. (cancerresearchuk.org)
• CBD: What Is It, What Does It Do, and What Are the Benefits? | Lifespan - CBD is a commonly used product, can be found in many items such as oils and food and is reported to have numerous health benefits. (lifespan.org)
• What You Need to Know (And What We're Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD | FDA - The FDA is working to answer questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds, particularly CBD. (fda.gov)
• CBD Oil Benefits vs. Side Effects: Is It Safe? - CBD oil is made from hemp plants. It may help treat pain, anxiety, and seizures. Here is what you should know before trying it. (verywellhealth.com)
• CBD (cannabidiol): What does it do and how does it affect the brain & body? - Learn the science behind cannabidiol (CBD) and the brain, and find out how it's able to provide such a broad range of potential medical benefits. (leafly.com)
• Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series - PMC - Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis. It does not appear to alter consciousness or trigger a “high.” A recent surge in scientific publications has found preclinical and clinical evidence documenting ... (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
• Is CBD Safe for People With Cancer? | Cancer.Net - Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a buzzword within the cancer community. But while some people with cancer have found CBD to be helpful in managing side effects, research does not yet support CBD's use for cancer treatment. Here, find out what CBD is, ho (cancer.net)
• The Impact of Cannabidiol on Human Brain Function: A Systematic Review - PubMed - Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that the non-intoxicating cannabinoid compound cannabidiol (CBD) may have antipsychotic and anxiolytic properties, and thus may be a promising new agent in the treatment of psychotic and anxiety (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What makes our products so unique?

Simply put, they work! The Unique Selling Point is the science behind the products. They have been scientifically formulated by the worlds leading scientific based cannabis research scientists, who are headquartered in the Czech Republic. They have harnessed 65 years of research and have a wealth of clinical and scientific data into the healing effects of the cannabis and hemp plants and their use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

View our product range