By no means do I follow or stay in the loop with health trends. So it’s safe to say that I am truly late to the CBD oil party, and to assume I’m preaching to many of the converted.
For ages I’d been hearing it touted as a miracle remedy for just about everything: anxiety, pain, insomnia, arthritis and skin problems – to name just a few from a list of ailments as long as Celine Dion’s face. Having not really researched it and knowing the health benefits of many wanky wellness trends are often over-hyped or unproven, natch I was skeptical. Side note: if you haven’t seen the documentary (un)well on Netflix, it’s an interesting watch that explores and debunks many of the claims associated with various health trends (no offence to the vaj-steaming Gwyneth fans out there).
It wasn’t until a snooze-deprived friend told me they’d bought some claiming it helped their sleep that I really took notice. I’ve had insomnia on and off for years. It can be debilitating and make you feel like a complete zombie. So when someone tells me about any kind of sleeping remedy, I’m always willing to give it a whirl. CBD oil was no exception.
What is CBD oil?
For those not in the know or anyone like me who’s been living under a rock for the last few years, CBD is a type of cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It’s extracted from the flowers, the leaves and the stems and mixed with another oil – such as hemp or coconut – which you then take in liquid format. Unlike THC, which gives the ‘high’ sensation, CBD oil contains no psychoactive compounds. Research confirms that it does not alter psychomotor or psychological functions.
I’d mainly heard it talked about in the context of pain relief. Indeed, maraijuana has been used as such since as early as 2900 BC. Recently, however, CBD – along with certain other marajuana components – has also been found to have pain-relieving effects.
How does CBD oil work?
CBD oil interacts with what’s called the endocannabinoid system in our bodies – a system responsible for functions such as sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response.
The body produces endocannabinoids – neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in our nervous systems. CBD oil apparently works by altering endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.
Research into CBD oil
There’s a considerable body of research examining the potential health benefits of CBD oil. Studies (in animals) found it to have antidepressant-like and anxiety relieving effects; others have found it may help to reduce acne, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its role in limiting sebum production; while its blood pressure-lowering properties are thought to be positive for heart health.
Does CBD oil actually work?
I was in it for the sleep, but found it to have a much more tranquillising effect than I was expecting. After a few drops on the tongue, a feeling of calmness hit me after about ten minutes. It’s kind of like being stoned but without the foggy, drowsy feeling. Rather than getting you high, it just mellows you out and makes your body feel heavy. I ordered this one from Hemp Farmacy – it comes in strengths ranging from 500 to 3,000mg. The 1,000mg option seems to do the trick for me, though I have noticed that the more I use it, the less I feel its effects.
The true test for me was managing to get a full and fairly restful night’s sleep, even after consuming a bath of Prosecco. That never happens, since alcohol always ruins my sleep. One thing I noticed is that while on a sleepless night I tend to toss and turn loads, CBD oil made me really still.
I guess it’s not a miracle cure in that I don’t always have a perfect night’s sleep. But it definitely seems to play a role in helping me to relax before beddies and stay asleep. Go wild – give it a wiz. You can get CBD in loads of forms – the oil is good but can be quite pricey.
Edgy Satsuma 