Does CBD Oil Need A Prescription in the UK?

Cannabis plants slipped into the healthcare and wellness world in the last decade. Medical cannabis can be prescribed as a medicine in some countries, but it is still rare, and it is not considered a conventional therapy. Unlike medical cannabis, CBD oil can be sold without a prescription in the UK. You can legally buy CBD and use it as therapy or just for fun.

CBD is labeled as a food supplement, not a medicine, and therefore it can be freely distributed on the market by retailers. But, there are few things you should know regarding the use of CBD oil.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is an extract from the cannabis plant. It is usually extracted from hemp, a strain of cannabis that doesn’t have a psychoactive effect. Hemp is rich in CBD and has a low levels of THC (under 0.2%). CBD and THC are cannabinoids, and with about a hundred other cannabinoids, they make the cannabis plant.

The difference between CBD and THC is that CBD will not make you high, and THC will. CBD interacts with different receptors in our body than THC, causing a different effect. Because it lacks the “high” effect, CBD is suitable for commercialization and it became a part of a wellness market.

The legality of CBD oil

CBD oil is legal in the UK as long as it doesn’t have a traceable THC amount. But, producing and selling CBD products require special permissions. Growing hemp needs a license, and you need to have proof that the product doesn’t contain THC.

However, you can buy CBD products freely. The market is abundant with different products and brands.

How can I buy CBD?

Easy, many different CBD products are available in shops, mostly online. As we said, you don’t need a prescription to buy CBD oil in the UK. However, you can take some precautions before using CBD. It’s a good idea to consult the medical specialist about it and discuss possible side effects or interactions with other medicines.

What are the side effects of CBD?

So far, the studies showed some possible side effects of CBD, occurring with very high dosages, such as:

• fatigue
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• liver problems

When you buy  CBD products, try to choose a reliable brand and find as many reviews as possible about it. Also, you can choose the way of using it which suits you the most. Whatever product you decide to take, it’s good to start with small doses, slowly increasing it if needed. That way, you will have time to see how your body reacts to it and find out what’s good for you.

CBD products and how to choose the right one

CBD is available in various forms. The most popular CBD products are:

• tinctures
• edibles (such as gummies and cakes)
• creams and lotions
• vape

People usually choose CBD products according to their needs and taste. If you vape CBD or take tinctures sublingually, your body will absorb it fast, and you will feel the effect sooner than with edibles.

In the abundance of the CBD market, it is not so easy to find a high-quality product. CBD products are often mislabeled and could have fewer or more active substances than claimed. Choose a trusted brand, and do thoughtful research, to find high-quality and safe products.

What is CBD oil used for?

With more and more research emerging, the potential benefits of cannabis and its extracts are being discovered. However, scientists hesitate to call it a medicine, and there is still ongoing research about the features of CBD. That’s one of the reasons why you will not get CBD on prescription in the UK.

CBD oil is considered as a supplement that may be helpful with:

• insomnia
• anxiety
• chronic pain
• stress

CBD is interacting with our endocannabinoid system, which is maintaining the nervous system of our body. It is helping our body to be in homeostasis, enhancing our wellbeing and health.

Can a doctor prescribe CBD?

Theoretically, doctors can recommend the use of CBD.  It is still rarely happening, but many doctors are familiar with CBD and its features. Since it’s officially considered a food supplement, you will not get CBD oil prescriptions for it. However, it’s still a good idea to discuss the use of CBD with your doctor.

CBD may interact with other medicines or supplements that you are using, so it’s better to check before. CBD on subscription is not a thing in the UK since you can buy it freely.

On the other hand, you can get a prescription for medical cannabis. The UK legalized the use of medical cannabis in 2018. It can be prescribed in certain situations, for example, a severe case of epilepsy.

However, more research is needed before the doctors can routinely prescribe cannabis-based medicines.

CBD on Prescription in the UK – the bottom line

Let’s sum up.  CBD is a legal supplement that you can easily buy on the market as food supplements. Searching for CBD on prescription in the UK is unnecessary since you don’t need medical approval to use it.

However, please take these steps before using it:

• check with your doctor if there are potential interactions of CBD with other medications or supplements that you are using
• find a trusted brand and a high-quality product
• start with low doses and increase it slowly if needed

So far, there are a few cannabis-based medicines, but they are prescribed in rare cases. However, the full potential of CBD oils and other medical cannabis derivatives is yet to be discovered, and many countries are loosening the attitude towards cannabis plants.

The popularity of CBD oil products speaks in favor that maybe one day we will be able to get CBD on prescription in the UK. It may be accepted as medicine and included in therapies in the future. But, for now, we still wait for more research, which will shed more light on all the features and potential benefits of CBD oil.