CBD products, like the ones sold by Evopure, can be bought freely across the UK without a prescription — you’ll even find oils in Boots and Holland & Barrett. There is also prescription CBD (Rx CBD), which can only be obtained via an authorised clinician.
Is there evidence for shop-bought CBD?
You might hear “there’s no evidence for shop-bought CBD.” Technically, there aren’t trials that test “high-street only” products as a category — but there are thousands of studies on the CBD molecule itself.
CBD is CBD, regardless of whether it’s in an OTC oil or a prescription medicine. Research suggests CBD can modulate the endocannabinoid system and interact with serotonin, dopamine, vanilloid and GPR55 receptors. It’s been investigated for potential anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-convulsant, muscle-relaxant and antipsychotic effects, among others. That’s why there are medical patents for CBD/cannabinoids and why some CBD-based medicines are available on prescription.
Read more: Benefits of CBD
What’s the difference between medical CBD and regular CBD?
Chemically, CBD is identical. The differences are regulatory and clinical:
- OTC CBD: regulated as a Novel Food by the UK FSA — must meet safety/quality Novel Food standards, but isn’t a medicine.
- Rx CBD: regulated as a medicine by the MHRA — must meet medicinal manufacturing, consistency and clinical standards.
Some OTC oils may meet high quality thresholds, but they aren’t required to meet MHRA medicinal standards. Notably, certain shop-bought products are recommended by the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society as alternatives in specific cases.
Read more: Medical Cannabis UK
Rx CBD has to adhere to stricter regulations than shop-bought CBD.
Is medical CBD stronger than regular CBD?
The key difference is dose and clinical oversight — not the CBD molecule itself.
- The FSA’s suggested limit for OTC CBD is 70 mg/day.
- Clinical trials often use hundreds of milligrams (e.g., ~160 mg for insomnia studies; ~150–300 mg in some anxiety research).
CBD is dose-dependent and more isn’t always better (e.g., benefits at ~300 mg but not 600 mg in some anxiety data). For medical needs, higher and carefully titrated doses under clinician guidance are typical — which is why Rx CBD can feel “stronger” in practice.
Rx CBD is typically administered in higher doses than shop-bought CBD.
Are there different levels of CBD?
For OTC products you’ll usually see three types:
- CBD isolate: pure CBD in a carrier oil.
- Broad-spectrum: CBD plus a range of minor cannabinoids/terpenes (no detectable THC).
- Full-spectrum: CBD with terpenes and trace cannabinoids, including very low THC (kept within UK legal limits).
Lab reports (COAs) show cannabinoid content and purity. In the UK, OTC products can’t include meaningful THC levels. By contrast, prescribed products can be titrated and mixed with THC to clinician-selected ratios (e.g., 20:1, 1:100) where appropriate. THC can be essential in some conditions (e.g., certain epilepsies, chronic pain), explaining why some people feel limited benefit from OTC CBD alone but respond to Rx combinations.
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What is non-prescribed CBD oil useful for?
As a daily wellness supplement, many people use OTC CBD to help maintain balance — commonly for stress, sleep, mood and inflammation support (anecdotally). Dosing, format, and consistency matter.
Read more: CBD for sleep
Does high-street CBD vary in quality and usefulness?
Yes — products must meet FSA Novel Food standards, but efficacy can vary with formulation, dose, bioavailability, and ingredients. Check COAs, extraction method, cannabinoid profile, and brand transparency.
Over-the-counter CBD is subject to strict FSA rules, but quality still varies.
Frequently asked questions
Is prescription CBD “better” than shop-bought CBD?
Neither is inherently “better” — Rx products are medicines with clinical dosing and may include THC, while OTC CBD is a supplement for general wellness. For medical conditions, supervised prescription routes are usually more appropriate.
Does OTC CBD contain THC?
UK OTC products must keep THC to trace/legally compliant levels. Prescription products may include clinician-directed THC:CBD ratios when indicated.
Is there any evidence that OTC CBD works?
There aren’t trials of “OTC as a category,” but there are many studies on CBD itself. The same CBD molecule appears in both OTC and Rx products; results depend on dose, formulation, and the condition.
How much OTC CBD can I take?
The FSA suggests ≤70 mg/day unless advised otherwise. Medical dosing should be guided by a clinician.
How do I choose a quality OTC CBD?
Look for third-party lab reports (COAs), clear cannabinoid profiles, reputable extraction (e.g., CO2), clean carriers, and transparent brands.
Final words on prescription CBD vs over-the-counter CBD
High-street CBD oils are supplements for daily wellness — not intended to treat or cure disease. If you have a health concern, speak with your doctor and consider whether prescription CBD/medical cannabis under clinical guidance is more suitable. If you’re exploring OTC options, focus on quality, dosing within guidelines, and consistency.
