CBD goodies
I’m here to sprinkle CBD all over your lives - but before I review some lovely products infused with the wonder plant, some intel. What is CBD?
A non-psychoactive compound naturally occurring in the hemp flower, CBD molecules interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system and are thought to provide a variety of therapeutic benefits. Studies suggest that CBD could be used as a natural treatment for a variety of health concerns, including relieving anxiety, improving sleep, increasing focus and reducing inflammation.
There’s some confusion about getting high. You can’t get high from CBD. That’s THC and although I think marijuana should be legalised, I haven’t touched the stuff in years. I’m here for the CBD, not the THC.
Industrial hemp production grown for CBD has significantly lower THC levels and higher CBD yields. In the UK, THC is highly-regulated to ensure there is no more than 1mg of THC per bottle of product and therefore it will not induce psychoactive effects.
Ok? We good here? Now for some treats.
Good brand name guys, good brand name. nooro has combined mind health (‘neuro’), with the idea of enhanced mental function (‘nootropics’) to deliver a snack focussed on neuro-nutrition, with the addition of wondrous CBD.
Available in banana & cinnamon, lemon & ginger or cacao & coconut, the bars are wrapped in natural, home-compostable, non plastic packaging, which gets you bonus points round here. The CBD is grown organically in Bristol and Leicester, two of my favourite cities. Well, actually I haven’t been to Leicester but one of my best friends is from there so it’s one of my favourite cities nonetheless.
Back to the bars. Full of antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, slow-release energy and 25mg of CBD. There’s chicory root to aid digestion and support gut health, antioxidant-rich cacao nibs and minerals including iron, magnesium, copper and zinc, vital for mind performance.
£2.95 per 45g. Available at Eat Nooro and Planet Organic, As Nature Intended, Revital and independent stockists.
BumbleZest CBD tonic water
This is much nicer than plain old common or garden tonic water for two reasons. One, it’s got 5mg of CBD in it and two, it actually does just taste nicer. And I’m not even mixing it with gin, I’m drinking it straight up. With ginger, cinnamon, lemon juice and maple, it’s lovely.
Buy in bulk from Bumblezest
While I am with the bumbles and the zest, Bumblezest also do a Ginger, Turmeric and CBD health shot. It’s got that lovely kick you get from a decent dollop of ginger, a kick that says ‘I’m doing good things to you.’
Compared to some other CBD products reviewed here it’s only got a smidge of CBD, but it’s all good, baby. Also present: anti-inflammatory turmeric, lemon juice, cinnamon and maple. Lovely stuff.
CBD coffee from Cheerful Buddha
There’s 10mg of CBD in this bad boy - and it’s organic too. As we know, CBD does not get you high… but coffee does! AMIRIGHT! So you get the coffee buzz, while the CBD quietly goes about being all good for you. CBD consumed in coffee is metabolized more slowly, producing a powerful and long-lasting effect.
£13.95 for 100g with free postage in the UK.
It works perfectly well in cafetières, stove-top percolators, barista-style coffee machines and reusable coffee pods. A mellow and delicate flavour delicious black or with plant-based mylk (oh, what’s that now - scroll down for some CBD plant based mylk, my friend!). Cheerful Buddha can also be used in recipes such as tiramisu, espresso martinis (I miss these), cakes or for whatever you would use a shot of mainstream coffee.
Hop & Hemp Brewery Co.
Wait, so it’s vegan, tick. It’s no-alcohol beer, tick. It’s got CBD in it? Can you tick any more boxes in one drink?! For someone plant-based and teetotal (hello) with high hopes (pun intended) for the therapeutic benefits of CBD, this drink is a triple threat. The world’s first low alcohol, low calorie, vegan, CBD craft beer contains 8mg of hemp derived CBD (with 0% THC content, the bit that makes you high). Lowdown Lager is a crisp, golden pilsner style lager with a gentle, spicy hoppiness and notes of citrus. Easy Times IPA also has 8% CBD, with hints of pineapple and grapefruit.
From £13 for four. Available here.
You know the Good Hemp guys - they’ve been offering hemp milk in the UHT mylk aisle since before mylk became the thriving industry that it is now. New to their collection is hemp mylk with CBD, which DOES NOT CURDLE in hot drinks! Hurrah!
I still haven’t figured out what makes some mylks curdle in my coffee but this isn’t one of them. I also love how bright white hemp mylk is. It’s packed with ALL the omegas - we’re talking 3, 6 and 9. They’re all there. It works out as about 7.5mg CBD per serving.
Did I mention that I made an infomercial about the merits of hemp when I was a film student nearly 20 years ago? (Jesus, time.) It’s on an old VHS in a box in the spare room, so in lieu of showing you that to illustrate how planet-saving hemp is, head to Good Hemp for a glossy, present-day account.
From £2, Sainsburys, Holland & Barrett and more.
Good Hemp Barista Seed Milk with 60mg CBD