Benefits of CBD Oil: Effects & Safety Explained With Medical Studies
CBD oil has become a popular wellness choice for people seeking natural support with stress, sleep, discomfort, and more.
Many people in the UK are turning to CBD Oil as part of their daily routine, whether it’s to unwind after a stressful day or support their recovery from exercise. While ongoing research continues to explore CBD’s potential, we can look to early studies and growing user experiences for insight into how it may support wellbeing.
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What Is CBD Oil and How Does It Work?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it doesn’t produce a high. CBD oil is typically made by extracting CBD from hemp and combining it with a carrier oil such as MCT or hemp seed oil.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) – a complex network of receptors found throughout the body that helps regulate mood, sleep, immune response, and more. By influencing the ECS (especially the CB1 and CB2 receptors indirectly), CBD is thought to help the body maintain balance, or homeostasis.
Importantly, CBD oil is non-intoxicating and legal in the UK as long as it contains less than 1mg of THC per product and meets safety requirements under the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Benefits of CBD Oil
CBD is not a medicine, but research suggests it may support several aspects of physical and mental wellbeing. The following areas have been studied in early trials, case reports, and preclinical models. You’ll find links to each referenced study at the end of each claim, and a full summary at the end of the article.
✅May Support Stress and Anxiety Management
The body’s response to stress is regulated in part by the endocannabinoid system, which CBD may influence. Case series and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD may help ease symptoms of generalised and social anxiety by promoting a sense of calm. [1]
See our advice on CBD for anxiety.
✅May Help Improve Sleep Quality
CBD is thought to support sleep by relaxing the nervous system and reducing factors that disrupt rest, such as anxiety or physical discomfort. In early studies, users reported improved sleep patterns after regular use. [2]
See our advice on CBD for sleep.
✅May Help with Epilepsy
CBD’s effects on seizure disorders are among the best documented. A clinical trial found that it significantly reduced seizure frequency in children with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy. This led to the approval of Epidiolex, a CBD-based medicine. [3]
✅May Help With Pain and Inflammation
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in pain perception and inflammatory signalling. In animal models, CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation, joint swelling and pain-related behaviour - particularly in arthritis-related conditions. [1]
See our advice on CBD for pain and CBD for arthritis.
✅May Help with Substance abuse disorders
A case study involving a teenager with long-term use of cannabis, MDMA and other substances found that CBD may help reduce drug use, manage withdrawal symptoms and improve mood. While this is early evidence, it opens the door for future research. [4]
✅May Help with Depression
That same report also documented a reduction in depressive symptoms. CBD may affect serotonin pathways, though controlled clinical studies are still needed to confirm its potential role in mood regulation. [4]
✅May Help with Multiple Sclerosis
In people with MS, a cannabinoid-based spray (Sativex) containing both THC and CBD was linked to reduced spasticity and improved motor control. Tests showed that it altered spinal excitability, which may explain its therapeutic effect. [5]
✅May Help with Osteoarthritis
Topical CBD has shown encouraging results in animal models of osteoarthritis. Applied to the skin, it reduced swelling and improved mobility without signs of adverse effects - suggesting it may support joint comfort in future human trials.[8]
✅May Help with Acne
CBD interacts with receptors involved in oil production and inflammation. In laboratory research using human skin cells, it reduced excess sebum and showed anti-inflammatory activity, making it a potential option for acne management. [6]
✅Cancer (Glioblastoma)
A small clinical trial tested a THC:CBD spray (nabiximols) in people with recurrent glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour. When combined with chemotherapy, patients receiving the cannabinoid spray had higher 1-year survival rates compared to placebo. While promising, more research is needed. [7]
Is CBD Oil Safe?
CBD is generally well tolerated. Some people may experience mild side effects such as:
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Fatigue.
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Dry mouth.
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Appetite changes.
If you’re worried about CBD showing up in drug tests, the good news is most don’t actually check for CBD itself - so it usually won’t flag anything. That said, some CBD oils (especially full-spectrum ones) do contain trace amounts of THC, even though they’re within the UK’s legal limit. If you’re taking a lot over time, there’s a small chance it could show up as THC on a test.
It's important to consult a healthcare provider, especially if you're taking other medications, as CBD may interact with certain drugs.
How to Take CBD Oil
CBD can be taken in several ways, including:
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Sublingual drops (under the tongue).
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Capsules or softgels.
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Sprays or edibles.
Sublingual delivery offers faster absorption than oral ingestion, as it bypasses digestion and enters the bloodstream more quickly.
How to Choose a Quality CBD Oil in the UK
When shopping for CBD oil, look for:
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Third-party lab testing: Transparent results for cannabinoid content and contaminants
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Low THC content: Under 1mg THC per product to stay compliant with UK law
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FSA Novel Foods authorisation: Only brands with validated applications should be on the market
These checks help ensure you’re getting a safe and legal product that meets industry standards.
With so many CBD products out there, it’s smart to choose one that ticks every box for quality, transparency, and compliance. Orange County CBD does just that.
We’re proud to be one of the UK’s most awarded CBD brands, known for high-strength oils, bestselling gummies, and rigorous third-party lab testing on every batch. All our products stay well within the UK’s legal THC limit and follow FSA Novel Foods guidelines - so you can shop with confidence.
Looking for relaxation, pain relief, or a delightful treat? Give our high quality CBD oil a try today!
Research
[1] - Study: Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
Source: PMC6326553 – NCBI
Summary: In a clinical case series of 72 adults, CBD was associated with decreased anxiety scores in 79% of patients after the first month. Sleep scores also improved, though results varied over time.
[2] - Study: Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis
Source: PMC4851925 – NCBI
Summary: In a preclinical trial using arthritic rats, topically applied CBD significantly reduced joint swelling, limb posture scores, and pain-related behaviours. No adverse effects were observed, suggesting potential for safe anti-inflammatory use.
[3] - Study: Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome
Source: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1611618
Summary: CBD significantly reduced seizure frequency in children with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. This led to the development and FDA approval of Epidiolex.
[4] - Study: Cannabidiol treatment in an adolescent with multiple substance abuse, social anxiety and depression
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32052321/
Summary: 16.9-year-old with multiple substance use disorders, severe depression, social phobia, and narcissistic personality disorder showed significant improvement after 8 weeks of CBD treatment (100–600 mg/day), following failed antidepressant therapy. CBD was well tolerated and associated with reduced anxiety, depression, and dissociative symptoms. The patient also stopped using illegal drugs, including THC, without withdrawal. While this single case suggests promising effects, larger clinical trials are needed to confirm CBD’s therapeutic role in substance use disorders.
[5] - Study: Sativex in the management of multiple sclerosis-related spasticity: role of the corticospinal modulation
Source :https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25699191/
Summary: A study involving 30 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients found that Sativex, a cannabinoid-based oromucosal spray, reduced spasticity and related symptoms after one month of treatment. Neurophysiological tests showed increased intracortical inhibition and reduced spinal excitability, suggesting Sativex may ease spasticity by rebalancing sensory-motor circuit activity. These findings highlight potential benefits beyond standard clinical assessments.
[6] - Study: Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25061872/
Summary: This study found that cannabidiol (CBD) significantly reduces oil production and inflammation in human sebaceous glands. By activating TRPV4 ion channels, CBD blocked lipid production pathways and reduced cell growth. It also triggered anti-inflammatory responses via A2a adenosine receptors and suppressed NF-κB signalling. Together, these effects suggest CBD may be a promising therapeutic option for managing acne.
[7] - Study: A phase 1b randomised, placebo-controlled trial of nabiximols cannabinoid oromucosal spray with temozolomide in patients with recurrent glioblastoma
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8039032/
Summary: Nabiximols (a THC:CBD oromucosal spray) showed a manageable safety profile and potential survival benefit when added to chemotherapy in recurrent GBM. These promising findings justify larger, more robust trials to confirm clinical efficacy.
[8] - Study: Attenuation of early phase inflammation by cannabidiol prevents pain and nerve damage in rat osteoarthritis
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28885454/
Summary: This preclinical study investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. Researchers found that locally administered CBD reduced joint pain, inflammation, and nerve sensitivity in advanced OA. It also increased pain tolerance and weight-bearing ability. When given early (prophylactically), CBD prevented the development of OA-related pain and protected joint nerves from damage. These results suggest that CBD may offer both pain relief and neuroprotection in OA, highlighting its potential as a safe treatment for joint neuropathic pain.