Cannabidiol – or CBD – is one of 2019’s hottest food trends. Yes, it’s derived from cannabis, but no, it won’t get you high

What is it?

CBD is a non-psychoactive derivative of the cannabis plant which advocates claim can provide relief for many conditions from joint pain to anxiety, although not enough research has been done to substantiate how effective it really is. Its new-found fame as a stress-relieving super supplement is down to its influence on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is said to regulate sleep, mood, fertility and libido.

Cannabis cocktails

CBD-laced libations are popping up on trendy cocktail menus across the country while cannabis drinks like Bournemouth’s CBD-infused cold brew coffee, High Tide, is billed as an ‘energy drink without the jitters’.

Foodie trends

Cornish company, Themptation, has created a hemp seed, raw cacao powder and CBD oil spread in their Hemp Chocolate Spreadables range. Use it on toast, as a cake glaze or simply spooned down the trap. Or, for post-dinner serenity, pop a cannabis, grapefruit and pink peppercorn marshmallow. Its creator, The Marshmallowist, claims: ‘You’ll feel the effects immediately upon eating’ … leaving your imagination to conjure what exactly those effects might be.