Away from the discussion about the legalisation of cannabis, one component often falls into the background: cannabidiol, CBD for short. Obtained from the hemp plant, CBD has long been a trend in the beauty and wellness industry — reason enough to take a sober look at what lies behind it.
Cannabis containing THC is a recognised medicine in medical practice — available on prescription and not freely obtainable by everyone. It is prescribed, for instance, to accompany chronic pain or certain neurological conditions. Responsible for the intoxicating effect is THC, obtained from the resin of the female hemp flower — the reason cannabis is also consumed as an intoxicant. The legal situation has changed: since April 2024 private consumption in Germany has been legal within narrow limits, while sale remains strongly regulated. For the wellness field a different component is decisive in any case.
In wellness the subject is cannabidiol — and, unlike THC-rich cannabis, that is freely available. CBD is obtained from hemp and contains only traces of psychoactive THC (in legal products under 0.2 %); so it does not make you high. Users report a calming, relaxing effect — though the effect of wellness CBD has so far scarcely been robustly documented scientifically.
The use of CBD is as varied as the range of products: the most common forms include CBD oil, lotions and capsules. Here is an overview of the most widespread applications:
Oral intake — usually as an oil under the tongue — is said to have relaxing, calming effects without making you high. Many users take it to come down in the evening and switch off from everyday life. There is so far no evidence of an effect on more serious psychological complaints — treatment there belongs in medical hands.
In skincare CBD is used as a serum or oil — often for sensitive skin prone to redness. Numerous large cosmetics brands now carry hemp products in their range; one American skincare brand even grows the hemp it needs in Lower Saxony.
CBD is popular as a topical lotion too — for massaging into tense spots, for example. An anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving effect is frequently ascribed to the hemp plant, but it is not documented for cosmetic CBD products; many nevertheless value them as a soothing care ritual.
As you can see, the fields of application of hemp and CBD are varied. Whoever is curious can simply try it as a wellness building block — with realistic expectations and in the knowledge that CBD wellness products are not medicines.
A note on our own account: we are a wellness portal, not physicians — this article does not replace medical advice. With concrete complaints the way leads to a doctor; reliable information can also be found in the sources below.