What Is CBD? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Start here if CBD is new to you.
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of more than a hundred compounds the hemp plant produces. It is extracted from Cannabis sativa L. — hemp varieties grown for fibre and seed, low in THC.
How it differs from THC
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound that intoxicates. CBD does not — that is the central difference, and the reason products containing it are sold openly where the THC thresholds are met.
Both come from one plant, but from different varieties and in different amounts. The hemp behind CBD food and cosmetics in the EU is a certified low-THC variety. The difference in full: CBD vs THC.
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.
World Health Organization, Cannabidiol critical review, 20184
The forms it comes in
| Form | How it is taken | When it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Oil with a dropper | Sublingually, under the tongue | When you want to vary the amount |
| Capsules | Swallowed with water | When you want no taste and no measuring |
| Edibles and drinks | Eaten | When format matters more than precision |
| Paste | With an applicator | The most concentrated, least processed form |
| Topicals and cosmetics | On the skin | For local application |
What to look for on the label
- CBD in milligrams for the whole bottle, not just a percentage.
- Bottle volume — 1000mg in 10ml and 1000mg in 30ml are not the same thing.
- Extract type: full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate.
- A lab report (COA) for that specific batch.
- THC content below the legal threshold.
Legal status in the EU
Hemp extracts containing cannabinoids are classified by the European Commission as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Placing them on the market as food requires authorisation, and the applications submitted are still under assessment.
Separately, CBD carries no authorised health claims under Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. An honest trader therefore describes composition and format rather than an effect on health — and you have grounds to distrust a shop that claims otherwise.
Frequently asked questionsQuick answers
Does CBD get you high?
No. Intoxication comes from THC. Products on the European market are made from certified hemp varieties low in THC.
What is the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil?
Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds and contains virtually no cannabinoids — it is a source of fatty acids. CBD oil contains extract from the flower and leaf, in which the cannabidiol is measurable and stated in milligrams.
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Sources & references
Every factual statement above rests on the documents listed. Check them yourself.
- Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foodshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32015R2283
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claimshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006R1924
- EU Novel Food Catalogue — Cannabinoidshttps://ec.europa.eu/food/food-feed-portal/screen/novel-food-catalogue/search
- WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence — Cannabidiol critical review (2018)https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-CND-2018-CBD