7 Reasons Why CBD Has Become So Popular

It is official: CBD is no longer niche. From posh department stores to corner shop shelves, cannabidiol (CBD) is everywhere in the UK. You can find it in drinks, oils, gummies, bath bombs, skincare serums, and even pillow sprays.

But why is CBD suddenly the star of the UK’s wellness scene? What is driving its popularity? And where does a cheeky can of Little Rick fit into all of this?

Quick Answer: Why CBD Products Are So Popular

Here are the main reasons CBD is blowing up in the UK:

• The wellness and self-care trend is massive
• CBD is seen as a natural way to reduce stress
• It is legal and widely available in the UK
• You can get it in all sorts of formats, drinks, oils, edibles, and even skincare
• Research into CBD’s effects is growing
• It fits into daily life (CBD teas, sleep drops, or a Little Rick after work)
• It is part of the wider move towards functional, alcohol-free products

The CBD Boom: How It Became Mainstream

CBD did not go mainstream overnight. It took regulatory green lights, shifting social attitudes, and a few celebrity endorsements to push it into everyday use.

In the UK, the key turning point came in 2019, when the Food Standards Agency (FSA) classified CBD as a novel food. This opened the door for retailers to start selling CBD-infused products legally, as long as they were derived from hemp, contained less than 0.2% THC, and followed strict labelling and safety standards.

Since then, the UK CBD market has exploded, now projected to hit £5 billion by 2032, according to industry analysts. It is now sold in Boots, Holland & Barrett, Sainsbury’s, and even your local vape shop.

At the same time, social media played its part. Influencers started posting “CBD night routines”. Beauty bloggers added it to their skincare shelves. Gen Z and millennials, always on the hunt for a mood-balancing fix, embraced it like oat milk and kombucha.

Today, CBD sits in a sweet spot between self-care, wellness, and chill vibes. And let’s be honest: we all need a little more of that.

For more on this market shift, our blog dives into the growth of the UK CBD sector.

Wellness Culture and CBD

CBD showed up at exactly the right time. The UK has seen a massive rise in wellness culture over the past five years, and CBD fits the brief perfectly.

Stress & Relaxation

Ask around and you will hear the same thing: “I’m just trying to relax without losing half my weekend.” That is where CBD comes in. It is often used as a non-psychoactive way to manage stress, whether it is post-commute burnout, social anxiety, or winding down after work.

According to CBD Insider, 60.3% of CBD users said they take it for “relaxation and stress relief.”

Sleep & Balance

CBD is also popular among people struggling with sleep. A study published in The Permanente Journal found that 66% of patients who took CBD reported better sleep within the first month. That is why it is showing up in evening teas, bedtime gummies, and wind-down rituals.

Holistic Wellness

Let’s not forget the “plant-based everything” movement. From meatless burgers to turmeric lattes, natural products are also having a moment. CBD checks that box too. It is hemp-derived, plant-based, and perceived as a gentler option than pharmaceutical alternatives.

Little Rick’s CBD drinks are built for this exact lifestyle. One can = 32mg full-spectrum CBD, no artificial nasties, and zero sugar option (depending on the flavour). That is what we call functional fizz.

The Variety of CBD Products

There is now a product for nearly every lifestyle, mood, and skincare routine.

Edibles & Drinks

Edibles (like gummies) and drinks are among the fastest-growing categories in the UK CBD market. They are fun, discreet, and easy to integrate into your routine.

CBD drinks, in particular, are booming. They are refreshing, tasty, and offer a social, alcohol-free alternative to wine or beer. You can crack open a Little Rick at a picnic, a work event, or even at your nan’s, without raising eyebrows.

Curious how they work? We explain what a CBD drink is and how it works in more detail on the blog.

Oils & Capsules

CBD oils and capsules are still popular, especially among people who want consistent dosing. A few drops under the tongue or a daily capsule with your vitamins, easy.

But they can feel a bit clinical. You will not find many people cracking open a CBD tincture at a BBQ. Drinks, on the other hand? Much more approachable.

Skincare & Topicals

CBD in skincare is another rising trend. It is showing up in serums, lotions, and bath bombs, marketed for its potential anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

While topicals do not enter your bloodstream the way drinks do, they are popular for localised relief and pampering.

Why CBD Drinks Are Leading the Trend

Let’s be honest. Oils and capsules are great for consistency, but CBD drinks? That is where things get exciting.

We are talking about something you can actually enjoy drinking. Something you can bring to a picnic, a house party, or a slow Sunday without explaining why you are dropping oil under your tongue like a lab experiment.

They Mix Wellness With Lifestyle

CBD drinks sit at the intersection of function and fun. You get your daily chill, but it is wrapped up in a soda-style can with a proper flavour profile. No bitter aftertaste. No forced wellness aesthetic.

At Little Rick, we take that seriously. Our drinks contain 32mg of full-spectrum CBD, with a precise balance of minor cannabinoids and natural terpenes for the full entourage effect. We do not mess around with isolate or low-dose formulas. This is real, functional plant-based relaxation.

And it is not just about the CBD. Flavours matter too. Ours are inspired by real cocktails and sodas, not a sad seltzer in sight. You will find Mint & Lime (hello, mojito energy), Piña, Raspberry Coconut, and Raspberry Lemonade.

They Are a Low-Stigma Entry Point

Trying CBD for the first time? A drink is much easier than vaping or explaining what that dropper bottle is on your desk.

CBD drinks are casual, approachable, and do not scream “alternative health.” For people who are curious but cautious, they offer a super simple way to explore the benefits.

And because Little Rick drinks are non-psychoactive, alcohol-free, and fully legal in the UK, there is no weirdness. Just fizz, flavour, and calm in a can.

They Fit Into the Alcohol-Free Movement

You have probably seen the stats: Gen Z and millennials are drinking less alcohol than previous generations. More people are looking for alternatives that still help them unwind or socialise, without the hangover, drama, or regret.

CBD drinks feel like a treat. They take the edge off. But they leave your head clear, your liver untouched, and your Monday morning intact.

Is CBD Just a Fad or Here to Stay?

We hear this one a lot. “Is CBD just another turmeric latte trend?”

Fair question. But all signs point to longevity, not hype.

It Follows the Wellness Product Adoption Curve

Think back to protein shakes, collagen powder, or probiotics. All started niche. Now? You can find them at Tesco.

CBD is following a similar path. What started as a boutique wellness thing has expanded into beauty, food, and mainstream retail..

Regulation and Research Are Growing

CBD is now governed by the FSA’s Novel Foods framework, which requires products to undergo safety checks and transparency. This is a good thing. It weeds out dodgy products and ensures consumers know what they are buying.

At the same time, research is catching up. Studies on CBD’s role in anxiety reduction, sleep support, and anti-inflammatory effects are ongoing and growing in credibility.

Even the NHS has acknowledged CBD as part of prescribed medical cannabis treatments in some cases.

This regulation + research combo supports long-term consumer confidence.

The Little Rick Takeaway

So, why are CBD products so popular in the UK?

They meet people exactly where they are: stressed out, looking for balance, and tired of the usual options.

CBD offers a non-psychoactive, plant-based, and legal way to relax. It is versatile, approachable, and slides smoothly into everyday life, especially in drink form.

Little Rick fits right into this wellness trend, but we do it with flavour, attitude, and zero fluff. We are not here to talk about aligning chakras. We are here to offer you a drink that tastes good and actually works.

One can = 32mg full-spectrum CBD.

No hangover. No clouded head. No weird side effects. Just you, your chill, and your drink of choice.

Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Try a Little Rick today and feel the difference for yourself.