Orthomolecular therapist Sonja Grandia dives into the world of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, an interesting commodity with now proven efficacy, but still surrounded by question marks.
WHAT IS CBD-OIL EXACTLY?
In order to answer that question properly, we first need to look at where it comes from: namely, from the hemp plant. To begin with, there are already several names for the oil from this plant: hemp oil, CBD oil, hemp oil, THC oil and herb oil. Cannabinoids are the basic substances of this plant of which CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two best known.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CBD AND THC
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical that causes the psychological effects of CBD, the so-called “high. Therefore, this substance is also called – like alcohol – mind-altering. The oil made from CBD plants that contain a lot of this substance is called THC oil or CBD oil. We are talking about the plants that are basically “illegal”. CBD oil, on the other hand, is extracted from the industrial hemp plant, which contains less than 0.2% THC. The percentage of THC is then so low that you cannot get high from it and its production is legal.
WHAT DOES CBD OIL ACTUALLY DO?
It can have a beneficial effect on a variety of complaints and ailments and can be used to relieve chronic pains, anxiety, nausea, inflammation, sleep problems, acne, migraines, phybromyalgia, stress and more. CBD oil is offered as a dietary supplement at drugstores, health stores, pharmacies and online shops. It is a safe product, there are no known side effects but you must continue to pay attention yourself.
For example, look at the percentage of CBD oil you buy and what the corresponding dosage is. A standard CBD content for humans is 4 or 5%, but every person reacts differently. One person has enough with a few drops of CBD oil of 2.5% per day, while another needs 3 drops 3 times a day of a CBD oil of 10% or even higher. Choose the certified brands with a quality mark (e.g. Skal), avoid vague Internet sites and be well informed about the differences (e.g. raw or organic).
Another point to consider is the combination with any medications you use. Like regular medication, CBD is also broken down in your liver at some point and can affect liver enzymes. This causes the effect of other medications, or the rate at which they are broken down, to change or decrease. So always discuss with your doctor first if you can use the drugs together. Check out more information on the top cbd oil in this link.
MEDICINAL
There is also medicinal CBD on the market, usually made from combinations of CBD and THC and falling under the Opium Act. The only legal producer in the Netherlands (since May 2015) is the Transvaal Pharmacy in The Hague. They have a dedicated CBD department and provide the oil only on doctor’s prescription. This oil was specially developed for patients with epilepsy and cancer, but is also used for insomnia, fatigue, stress, Parkinson’s and other conditions. With medicinal CBD oil, unlike CBD oil, you know exactly what it contains per drop, so you can dose properly. And it contains no pesticides, heavy metals, fungi or bacteria.
PROMISES FOR THE FUTURE
So CBD has many medicinal possibilities that will undoubtedly be used in all kinds of new drugs to be developed in the future. There are specific disease conditions for which there are no good synthetic drugs such as epilepsy, but where excellent results can be achieved precisely with CBD. The use of CBD in chronic conditions is also promising. The positive effects in Crohn’s disease have now been demonstrated, patients experience relief from symptoms. Research has shown that CBD can reduce the need for nicotine by 40%. And the analgesic effects of CBD have also been extensively studied. But much more research is needed to explain the exact action of these cannabinoids.
CBD OIL SUMMARY:
- contains high levels of CBD (no THC)
- Is mainly derived from hemp plants
- Certified for composition and quality
- is legal in many countries
- has no psychoactive effect
- Does not have an addictive effect
- Is also suitable for children and animals
- Is also used medicinally
- Can be dosed without problems
- Is not sleep-inducing
- and has no influence on the driving ability