When she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, Hayley Millbank was prescribed anti-depressants, psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and pharmaceutical drugs to tackle her panic attacks and severe migraines.

The cocktail of medicines made the 36-year-old feel like a shell of her former self, left her struggling with her energy levels, and her entire body in pain.

But after discovering Cannabidiol (CBD) and its benefits, Hayley began researching alternative methods to pharmaceuticals as a way of healing her condition, leading to her creating her own brand, which has now been shortlisted for two prestigious ASOS Beauty Awards.

"The drugs for depression made me feel numb," explains Hayley, who was diagnosed when she returned to her full-time corporate career not long after the birth of her daughter, Boo.

"I was not Hayley any more. The lights were on, but no one was home. I felt dependant on the drugs, which made me more anxious. The migraines were brutal and it wasn't long before those drugs stopped working for me."

Desperate to find an alternative treatment, Hayley, who lives in Bournemouth with Boo and husband Daniel, discovered a lower strength CBD oil (1000mg) and quickly discovered its transforming properties. She started to feel her mood lift and was soon swapping out her prescribed medication for her little bottle of CBD.

Bournemouth Echo: CANNADOX founder Hayley Millbank with husband Daniel and their daughter, BooCANNADOX founder Hayley Millbank with husband Daniel and their daughter, Boo

However, Hayley found she needed to double her dose of the CBD she was using as it simply wasn’t doing the job well enough. Recognising a gap in the UK market, Hayley started her own high-strength CBD brand, CANNADOX.

Traceable from seed to shelf – CANNADOX CBD is sourced from European Approved Cannabis Sativa L. and is grown organically by licensed, natural and sustainable farming practices. The brand offers three varying premium strength oils, starting at 2000mg, then up to 3000mg and then to the highest, 4000mg, using organic hemp seed oil as the carrier. The oils are ingested by placing 2-4 drops under the tongue on the sublingual gland, allowing the CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream immediately.

CBD is a cannabinoid that works with the body – the neurotransmitters bind to cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body. Stimulating the body's endocannabinoid system – which is involved in a wide variety of processes including pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproductive function – CBD promotes homeostasis, reduces pain sensation, and decreases inflammation.

The body does create its own cannabinoids, but due to lifestyles, demands, and stress the body doesn’t always produce enough of these cannabinoids naturally, so supplementing with cannabinoids can help.

CANNADOX launched its first three clinically tested oils in April 2019 and, in June last year, its success led to the launch of a CBD cream, clinically proven to repair, restore, and relieve the skin.

Bournemouth Echo: CANNADOX productsCANNADOX products

Users can apply this topically to targeted areas of the skin, aiding in the healing of skin conditions such as, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Direct application of the cream also works as a natural anti-inflammatory, aiding the healing of joint and muscular aches and pains such as arthritis; the cream contains the Cannabis Sativa plant’s natural waxes and fatty acids, encouraging the skin to repair, restore and get instant relief.

“CBD was a miracle worker for me, I came back from a very dark place and I am now a completely new person," says Hayley.

"I am so pleased CBD and my brand CANNADOX is helping so many people across the UK, I’m excited to see how this industry grows and proud that we are leaders in the field.”

The CBD Cream has been nominated for the New Holistic Wellness Hero Award in the ASOS Beauty Awards, and the 30 per cent CBD Oil has been nominated in the Body Care category for Best in Class 2020. The awards take place on February 24, and the public can vote in the awards at asos.com/discover/beauty-awards/#/vote/body-care cannadoxshop.com

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