Cannabidiol oil, also referred to CBD oil, is a derivative of the cannabis plant that has grown in popularity in recent years, With an array of potential therapeutic health benefits, and an ever-growing availability of CBD-infused products in Australia, understanding the effects of CBD oil is essential – whether you’re just starting your natural therapy journey, or are an existing medicinal cannabis patient.
Let’s get started.
What is CBD?
CBD (or cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant among terpenes – the compounds responsible for giving cannabis its unique aroma and flavour, flavonoids, fatty acids, and more.
Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, meaning it does not provide patients with the “high” that is commonly associated with THC. Many people describe CBD as also being a non-psychoactive treatment, however, this can be misleading as CBD has still been shown to carry some psychoactive properties, just different to THC.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is created when cannabidiol is extracted from the cannabis or hemp plants. This results in an oil that contains high levels of CBD and varying levels of THC and other plant compounds.
With countless CBD oil products now available on the Australian market, it’s important to identify and establish your needs with your doctor, to ensure that your prescribed medication can adequately help you manage your symptoms and condition.
There are three different types of CBD oil, including:
- CBD Isolate
- Broad Spectrum CBD
- Full Spectrum CBD
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate does not contain any other cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant, such as terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Because of this, it is considered to be the purest form of CBD.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD is created by using the entire plant extract, and as such, contains all naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. While this can include trace amounts of THC, is is unlikely to produce any psychoactive effects.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Similar to full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD also contains cannabinoids other than just CBD. Unlike full-spectrum CBD however, broad-spectrum CBD has all trace amounts of THC removed. This means that patients who are prescribed this type of CBD oil can reap the benefits of a range of cannabinoids and terpenes, without experiencing the psychotropic effects of THC.
To determine which type of CBD Oil is best suited to you and your lifestyle, we recommend speaking to an expert in medicinal cannabis and natural therapies.
What Are the Potential Therapeutic Benefits of CBD Oil?
As a result of its many potential therapeutic benefits and its non-psychotropic properties, CBD may be beneficial for some patients who are seeking to reap the benefits of medicinal cannabis without the euphoric effects or “high” that are associated with THC-based treatments.
CBD is considered to be non-impairing because it works with the body’s dopamine, opioid, and serotonin receptors, instead of binding with the body’s CB1 receptor – which is responsible for creating the sensation of feeling high.
While research has shown that CBD may assist some patients in reducing depression, vomiting, and nausea, it is more commonly prescribed to patients who are seeking relief from inflammation and pain. CBD oil may also help some patients who experience difficulties with sleep, are experiencing symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, mood swings or a lack of appetite
What Are the Side Effects of CBD Oil?
While CBD oil is considered to be generally safe, as always, it’s important to weigh up any potential risks and side effects in consultation with your prescribing doctor.
Some of the adverse reactions and side effects that some patients may experience when using a CBD oil treatment may include:
- Weight fluctuations
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Pneumonia
- Changes to appetite
- Nausea
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Irritability
One clinical trial conducted in 2017 to review the effects of CBD oil for drug-resistant seizures found that participants experienced:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Abnormal results on liver-function test
If you’re taking any other prescribed medications, it’s important to note that CBD oil has the potential to react with other medications. For this reason, we recommend speaking with your prescribing doctor, or a doctor who specialises in the prescription of medicinal cannabis, to discuss the right dosage for you and to appropriately gauge your risk-level for experiencing potential side effects.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Just like any other medicinal cannabis product, as of 2016 CBD oil is legal to access in Australia with a valid prescription from a healthcare professional.
Because of the growing popularity of CBD oil, it has quickly become one of the most sought-after medicinal cannabis products in Australia. However, as the interest in CBD oil continues to grow, unfortunately so does the rise of unregulated products.
With the lack of clarity surrounding the laws and journeys to purchasing legal, regulated CBD oil in Australia, many individuals seeking to reap the potential therapeutic benefits of this non-psychotropic compound have turned to other avenues to access their medication.
With an array of unregulated CBD oil products now circulating the internet and claiming to assist with and cure a plethora of illnesses and diseases, many Australians are choosing to access their medication this way. Whether you’re aware of the legal implications or not, at the time of writing, buying any product that contains CBD without a prescription is illegal in Australia.
At the time of writing, it is legal to purchase low-dose CBD products (containing less than 150 mg of CBD per day) over the counter. This is a result of the TGA down-scheduling CBD from a Schedule 4 prescription-only medication to now a Schedule 3 pharmacist-only medication.
Despite this change, so far no products containing CBD have been approved by the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) – which is required before pharmacists can sell the product.
As with any treatment option, the only way to ensure you are receiving what you need in terms of quality and effectiveness is to speak with a medical professional who has extensive experience in natural therapies and the prescription of medicinal cannabis.
The only legal way to purchase and consume medicinal cannabis treatment in the form of CBD oil in Australia is with a valid prescription. For more information on the legal and illegal cannabis landscape in Australia, read our article here.
How is CBD Oil Consumed?
How an individual consumes CBD oil will depend largely on what the medication is being used to treat, and what consumption method you’re most comfortable with.
The most effective way to consume CBD oil is via the sublingual method. This allows the oil to absorb faster into the bloodstream via the sublingual glands found under the tongue. This method differs from purely ingesting CBD oil, where the medication travels through your gastrointestinal system, resulting in a much longer onset of effects.
Before commencing any treatment, we recommend having a discussion with your doctor surrounding the various consumption methods to ensure that your chosen method aligns with your needs, experiences, and lifestyle.
For more information on the various ways you can consume CBD oil, head over to our article on how medicinal cannabis can be consumed.
The Wrap-Up
CBD oil can be consumed in many different methods and may help to ease the symptoms of anxiety, pain and inflammation in some patients. Familiarising yourself with both the potential therapeutic benefits and possible side effects is crucial before beginning any medication.
If you’re considering exploring CBD oil, we recommend always speaking to a trusted doctor who specialises in the prescription of medicinal cannabis to ensure that you receive the correct type and dosage for you and your lifestyle.
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The information on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and not intended for use as medical advice. Polln is not promoting the use of medicinal cannabis. Medicinal cannabis in Australia is scheduled medication and regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Details about medicinal cannabis as a scheduled drug can be found on their website. If you would like to explore medicinal cannabis for your chronic condition, please consult with a doctor.
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