The controversial ingredient that’s technically illegal
The world is awash with CBD, a compound in cannabis plants called cannabidiol. It’s finding its way into a smorgasbord of food and drink, from coffee, bottled water and alcohol to energy bars, chocolate and pastries. But can these products deliver any of the claimed health benefits – and does CBD need proper regulation? Sue Quinn leafs through the evidence
THE SANE VIEW
ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
Cannabis itself is arguably the world’s oldest medicine, cultivated for thousands of years for therapeutic purposes and even administered to Queen Victoria to relieve her period pain. But interest in the cannabis compound CBD has surged in the past couple of years after it was found to be an effective treatment for Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy in children.
Since then, amateur ‘wellness’ experts – who often sell CBD products on their websites – have claimed the compound is a cure for an extraordinary array of conditions including (but not confined to) insomnia, sleepiness, migraines, acne, ADHD, cancer, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, joint pain and mental health problems. Food and drinks manufacturers have seized on the claims with the result that an ever-growing array of products are now infused with CBD and available on the high street, including chocolate, water and even gummy bears.