The Rise of CBD in the UK During Lockdown

As anxiety rises and the NHS becomes overwhelmed, CBD use has skyrocketed since the first British lockdown.

Statistics show that 37% of adults believe that COVID-19 has increased feelings of anxiety and low mood, many people are looking for relief. Turning to nature, many people have decided to try CBD oil and e-liquid as a remedy to their problems. 

CBD is a cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. It has many medicinal uses, mainly helping with pain relief and anxiety, although has been shown to help many chronic conditions such as PTSD, Fibromyalgia and arthritis. Its popularity has risen significantly in recent years due to regulations changing and the general attitude towards cannabis relaxing. E-commerce companies selling CBD have reported their sales climbing over the last 12 months.

Research also suggests that CBD can help the bodies immune response, which may also be a contributing factor to the increase in CBD consumption.

• Research suggests that CBD and THC could be used to treat deadly complications in COVID-19. The University of South Carolina performed a number of studies on mice which found that THC could help prevent a harmful immune response that causes Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). 

• A study by researchers in Israel found that a specific terpene compound in cannabis could also be used to prevent cytokine storm syndrome, an inflammatory response that can lead to fever, fatigue and vomiting in COVID-19 patients.