CBD Oil
Also known as Cannabidiol, CBD
Non-intoxicating cannabinoid that modulates the endocannabinoid system indirectly and acts on serotonin 5-HT1A receptors; studied for anxiety, inflammatory pain, and sleep disruption.
Be careful if: pregnant, breastfeeding, some medical situations
Ask first if you take: epilepsy medicines (antiepileptics)
Upper limit: 70 mg — per day for healthy adults, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional (FSA consumer advice, quoted by NHS England)
Suspect a side effect? Report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme ↗
What the research actually shows
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
Safety and considerations
What sources report about side effects, who should be careful, and medicines to ask about first.
Be careful if you…
| Applies to | What sources say | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| pregnant | The Food Standards Agency advises people who are pregnant not to consume CBD products (FSA consumer advice, quoted by NHS England). | Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) — NHS England, last updated 10 August 2023 (quotes FSA consumer advice on CBD) |
| breastfeeding | The Food Standards Agency advises people who are breastfeeding not to consume CBD products (FSA consumer advice, quoted by NHS England). | Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) — NHS England, last updated 10 August 2023 (quotes FSA consumer advice on CBD) |
| some medical situations | FSA consumer advice (quoted by NHS England): people taking any medication should not consume CBD products. | Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) — NHS England, last updated 10 August 2023 (quotes FSA consumer advice on CBD) |
| some medical situations | MHRA (April 2025): products containing CBD used for medical purposes are medicines and need a marketing authorisation; people using CBD products to manage symptoms of a medical condition should discuss it with their doctor. Products may contain residual levels of THC, a controlled substance. | MHRA statement on products containing cannabidiol (CBD), GOV.UK, published 14 April 2025 |
Medicines to ask about
| Severity | Medicine | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| ask first | epilepsy medicines (antiepileptics) — Prescription cannabidiol (Epidyolex) is appraised by NICE for severe treatment-resistant epilepsies specifically in combination with clobazam; people taking epilepsy medicines should talk to a doctor before using any CBD product. | Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) — NHS England, last updated 10 August 2023 (quotes FSA consumer advice on CBD) |
How much is too much
70 mg — per day for healthy adults, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional (FSA consumer advice, quoted by NHS England)
Sources
MHRA statement on products containing cannabidiol (CBD), GOV.UK, published 14 April 2025Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance — FSA business guidance on CBD as a novel food, GOV.UK, last updated 28 August 2026Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) — NHS England, last updated 10 August 2023 (quotes FSA consumer advice on CBD)
Suggested uses (unproven)
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
- Strong evidenceLennox-Gastaut / Dravet epilepsy (prescription CBD)
- Moderate evidenceAnxiety (single-dose studies, speech tasks)
- Mixed evidenceChronic neuropathic pain adjunct
Where the evidence is negative
Common claims the trials do not support
- Most OTC products are mislabelled (under/over-dosed vs claim).
- No robust evidence for generalised 'cures all' claims, diabetes, or cancer.
- Not established as a sleep aid in insomnia trials (results mixed/null).
Cannabidiol with one strong approved indication (rare epilepsy syndromes) and widespread consumer uses that outrun the evidence; product quality is a known problem.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Integrative Systematic Review on Pharmacological, Psychotherapeutic, and Neurostimulatory Treatment Options in Treatment-Resistant Anxiety DisordersSchiele MA, et al. · Psychotherapy and psychosomatics · 2026PMID 40946318 ↗02The effects of oral cannabidiol supplementation on blood pressure in adults: a systematic review of randomised controlled trialsRoberts A, et al. · Journal of cannabis research · 2026PMID 42321899 ↗03Effectiveness of Cannabidiol to Manage Chronic Pain: A Systematic ReviewMohammed SYM, et al. · Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses · 2024PMID 37953193 ↗04Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysisHan K, et al. · Psychiatry research · 2024PMID 38924898 ↗05Interventions for generalized anxiety disorderByrne GJ · Current opinion in psychiatry · 2023PMID 36705012 ↗06Cannabis-based medicines and medical cannabis for adults with cancer painHäuser W, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2023PMID 37283486 ↗Show all 22 studies
Published research summaries are unavailable.
Why people look into CBD Oil — and what they report
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
Where to get CBD Oil (UK)
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.
In the UK, CBD products fall under the FSA novel foods list — buy from retailers listing an FSA-assessed product.