If you haven’t heard of CBD yet then you could be missing a trick – because this burgeoning wellness trend has been dominating the past few years and has shown no signs of slowing down in 2022. A derivative of the Cannabis Sativa plant, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that is considered safe and effective, and CBD oil in the UK can be legally bought and consumed – unlike cannabis itself, which is categorised as a Class C drug.
Why exactly has it become so popular? Because of its therapeutic benefits, with this particular cannabidiol compound praised for its ability to help ease chronic pain, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and manage the symptoms of a whole host of other ailments and medical conditions.
While the scientific evidence of its efficacy is still reasonably limited, results of early studies have been looking promising, and many users who have tried it for themselves now swear by it as a daily health and wellness essential. Although it has taken a while for CBD to shake off the stigma initially attached to it due to its origin, it seems the worm has well and truly turned over recent years, and such is today’s demand for CBD products that you can now find it in everything from oils, lotions and tinctures to food and drink.
Whichever way you look at it, it’s clear that our appetite for CBD products and experiences knows no bounds, and in 2022, we’ve seen some creative new launches designed to help enthusiasts get their therapeutic dose. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest CBD trends we’ve seen this year so far, from luxury spa treatments to alcohol alternatives and everything in between.
Luxury CBD spa treatments
Kim Kardashian made headlines back in 2019 when she threw a CBD-themed baby shower that was packed with pampering spa treatments – and since then, it seems that it’s a trend that has spiked significantly.
Now, some of the world’s biggest luxury hotel brands are embracing the trend to deliver some of the very best wellness treatments through their opulent spas, with the likes of Asian hotel chain Anantara and globally renowned Mandarin Oriental some of the first to pioneer the trend. While the Mandarin Oriental’s flagship Hong Kong hotel, Landmark, has started offering a 90-minute CBD sleep therapy treatments, which involves a host of CBD oils and tinctures incorporated into a soothing, sleep-promoting massage, Anantara has launched not one, but three CBD signature spa experiences at its hotels across Thailand.
Europe hasn’t been far behind, with the likes of the Gstaad Palace in Switzerland and Cliveden House in the UK just a few of the others following suit with CBD spa experiences of their own.
CBD alcohol alternatives
The concept of being ‘sober curious’ has gathered momentum over the past year, with a growing number of us looking to cut down our alcohol consumption or even curb it completely. One of the major sticking points? Our association with a good glass of wine aiding feelings of relaxation at the end of a long and stressful day.
As we continue to seek out healthier alternatives, it’s perhaps unsurprising that CBD has found a place for itself in the ever-expanding non-alcoholic beverage sphere, but going one better than the usual zero-alcohol offerings, brands like Trip, which lauds its CBD drinks as the ‘holy grail of alcohol alternatives’, also prides them on delivering a gentle lift, as well as their ability to soothe feelings of anxiety and promote improved sleep.
CBD chocolates and sweets
For those who don’t enjoy the natural, earthy taste of CBD, gummies have long been seen as a more palatable alternative, allowing consumers to enjoy fruity flavoured, soft and chewy sweets and simultaneously enjoy the benefits of their daily dose. But for those looking for something a little more luxurious, gummies haven’t always cut it, so it’s been with much fanfare that we’ve seen the arrival of some decadent, CBD-infused luxury chocolates arrive onto the market over the past year.
Sourcing the finest cacao from around the world and combining it with the highest-quality full-spectrum CBD money can buy, the best brands in the business have brought us a way to relax and unwind in the most opulent of ways. Just add a long, hot bath – infused with CBD oil too, of course, and a good book, and enjoy the ultimate self-care experience at home.
The bottom line
When it comes to the most popular products, online searches for 1500mg CBD oil in the UK remain one of the most common, but there’s no denying that the past year has been an exciting one for the CBD industry. For luxury lovers, it has certainly made the concept of getting our daily dose more exciting, and as we head into 2023, we can expect to see the growth of CBD products in the luxury sphere continuing to gather momentum and offering us a wider choice than ever before.
