I'll be honest with you — I came to CBD through one of the hardest periods of my life. When my father died, the grief was overwhelming. Sleep became almost impossible. Anxiety crept in. A friend suggested I try CBD oil, and it was, quite simply, a godsend. It didn't numb anything or take the grief away — but it took the edge off the anxiety, helped me sleep, and gave me enough equilibrium to get through each day.
I don't take it every day now — I take it when I need it. And that's one of the things I love most about it: it's not a commitment, it's a tool. Here's everything you need to know.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is derived from the flowers of the hemp plant, which produces over 100 cannabinoid compounds — and it is these oils that are increasingly recognised for their therapeutic benefits. Research is ongoing, and more applications are being discovered all the time.
The most important thing to understand straight away: CBD is non-psychoactive. Unlike cannabis, which contains THC, CBD will not get you high. It is perfectly legal, has no known side effects, and is not addictive. If you are on statins or blood pressure medication, check with your doctor before starting.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD interacts with receptors throughout your brain and body that form what is known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system was only discovered in 1992, but it is proving to be one of the most important regulatory systems in the body. The ECS governs mood, appetite, digestion, memory, hormones, pain sensitivity, and sleep — essentially, it helps maintain balance (homeostasis) across almost every bodily function. CBD also works as an anti-inflammatory, soothing both nerves and muscles.
What Can CBD Help With?
Based on both research and personal experience, CBD can be genuinely helpful for:
- Anxiety — CBD has a calming effect on the nervous system without sedation
- Sleep — it helps quiet a racing mind and supports deeper, more restorative sleep
- Menopause symptoms — particularly anxiety, sleep disruption, and mood fluctuations
- Pain & inflammation — useful for joint pain, muscle soreness, and chronic inflammation
- Muscle spasms — its anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing properties are well documented
- Mood — by supporting the ECS, CBD can help stabilise mood and reduce emotional reactivity
- Grief & acute stress — this is personal, but I found it invaluable during an extremely difficult time
What Dose Should I Take?
CBD oil comes in several strengths, typically from 500mg to 2000mg. My advice is always to start low and work upwards until you find what works for you — everyone responds differently. If you find yourself needing 10 or more drops of a lower strength, move up to a higher concentration rather than increasing the number of drops. Less is often more, especially when you're starting out.
How Do I Take It?
Place a couple of drops under your tongue and hold for 60 seconds before swallowing — this allows the CBD to absorb directly into the bloodstream via the mucous membranes, which is the most efficient method. Alternatively, add it to a warm milky drink. I'd suggest oat milk — the fats help the body absorb it more effectively.
Which CBD Oil Do I Recommend?
Quality matters enormously with CBD. The market is flooded with products of wildly varying quality, and a cheap oil is rarely worth it. I stock Hempen Organic Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil — a certified organic, broad-spectrum oil from one of the UK's most trusted and transparent producers. Broad-spectrum means it contains the full range of beneficial cannabinoids from the hemp plant, minus the THC — giving you what's known as the "entourage effect", where the compounds work synergistically for greater benefit.
It's the one I use myself, and the one I recommend without hesitation.