What is CBD oil?
CBD oil—also known as cannabis oil—is the term given to a specific chemical extract from a cannabis (hemp) plant. The extract is cannabidiol or CBD for short. It is CBD that’s been credited with much of the therapeutic properties of ‘medical cannabis’.
Is it legal?
CBD can be extracted from hemp (cannabis sativa L) a close cousin of the better-known medical cannabis plants. According to EU and UK laws, hemp and its derivatives are 100 percent legal to grow, process, trade and consume. There are a number of strict guidelines companies must follow. For example, there are only 68 EU-approved hemp strains that can be legally cultivated.
The most important legal guidelines all CBD products and producers must comply with is ‘no-medical-claims’. As CBD is sold as a food supplement, there can be no medical advice or claims made on the effectiveness, treatment or potential to cure.
What can it treat?
CBD works alongside the body’s central nervous system, specifically the endo-cannabinoid system which itself is one of the very few receptor systems that traverse the entire body. CBD can reach anywhere and has the potential to impact anything.
Without sufficient clinical trials it is not possible to make medical claims. However, there is a growing body of anecdotal evidence available online that CBD can be an effective compound to help with many health issues.
Why should I consider getting it?
In 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released its long-awaited report on CBD. They concluded there are no negative effects for humans to consume any amount of CBD.
Also, in 2017 the World Anti-Doping Authority removed CBD from their list of banned substances, paving the way for athletes to use CBD for both injury prevention and as part of a recovery programme.
CBD is therefore safe, impossible to overdose and can help build and maintain a healthy body and mind. Everyone can consider using CBD to help with a specific health concern, or simply as a general health and wellness supplement.
What are its health properties?
CBD has been proven to act as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. The medical profession acknowledges that many human diseases begin with or manifest as inflammation. CBD can also act as an anti-psychotic, anxiolytic, antioxidant and neuroprotection. There is a significant amount of research still to be completed to enable doctors to prescribe CBD as part of a pharmaceutical treatment programme.
What are the medical applications of cannabis?
Many scientists and medical professionals agree that every man, woman and child could benefit from a small daily dose of CBD (5 milligrams). This regular dose serves to regulate and strengthen the endo-cannabinoid system. In the future, many believe healthcare systems will move from an ideology of treatment to one of prevention, and CBD could be the star player in this regime.
What evidence is there to back this up?
In Israel, scientists have been continuously and consistently researching and revealing incredible therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant. Today, there is significant laboratory proven evidence of how any why cannabis works the way it does.
Today’s challenges are more about identifying specific compounds in cannabis (e.g. CBD) and innovating the most effective ways to deliver those compounds to the right part of the body at the right time.
How do I use CBD oil?
CBD oil is often produced as the CBD extract in carrier oil such as hemp seed oil, coconut oil or olive oil. One of the most efficient methods to get any substance into the blood stream fast is through the thin mucous membrane in the mouth. Therefore, the standard application is a few drops held for 30 seconds under the tongue.
CBD oil is also often formulated into balms and creams for topical application. Many companies produce CBD products designed for vaporization and inhalation, another fast and efficient method of absorbing the compound.
Where is CBD oil produced?
CBD is produced legally all over the world. Wherever the hemp plant thrives we can see CBD industry infrastructure growing alongside. Each company selling CBD should have their own R&D and formulation departments to ensure an effective and safe product.
How do I know the right and safe dose?
Many medical cannabis advocates believe this industry has the potential to move mankind forward towards a true personalized medicine. The days of pharmaceutical companies producing one size fits all drugs could be a thing of the past. Without physician intervention it’s the consumer that has the power to safely test different product types and dosage.
One of the advantages of CBD being marketed safely as a food supplement is that it puts the power of dosing in the hands of the user, with complete peace of mind. Generally, when experimenting with CBD products we always recommend starting low and going slow. In short, begin with one or two drops once a day, then build up the dose and frequency as needed.
As many people report instant benefits as those who report a week or two before effects are felt. This is a true personal journey of discovery to see how CBD can work for you.
The important thing is to remember CBD might not work for everyone, though everyone should have the freedom to check if and how it will.
This Q&A was brought to you by CiiTech, CBD therapeutics inspired by science.
Find out more, here: http://www.ciitech.co.uk/
