CBD oil or cannabidiol oil is a plant-based oil that is extracted from medical cannabis. It has diverse properties like anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, stress-reducing, anxiety-reducing, immune-protection, neuro-protection, etc. Because of these properties, CBD oil is growing in popularity, with more users trying to find out how to use CBD oil.
This guide gives tips and tricks on how to use CBD oil effectively and safely.
What is Full Spectrum CBD Oil?
Medical cannabis, also known as Vijaya, is used to prepare extracts from their leaves which contain compounds called cannabinoids. There are two main classes of cannabinoids: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD oil is prepared in various formulations and sold in CBD stores across India.
The Ministry of Health and Family approved the use of medical cannabis for medical purposes, which led to the legalisation of full-spectrum CBD oil in 2018. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985) however banned the use of flowering tops of cannabis, but AYUSH allowed and approved the use of its leaves and seeds.
Therefore, light has to be thrown on how to use CBD oil since an incorrect dosage can cause unfavourable side effects.
Benefits of CBD Oil
Based on data from numerous animal studies and clinical trials, CBD oil offers numerous benefits like:
Decreased inflammation and pain: CBD oil improve quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses like asthma and arthritis. It relieves inflammation and pain by activating the endocannabinoid system (ECS). A 2018 meta-analysis by Vučković et al. of over 1270 studies was conducted, which revealed that CBD is a promising molecule for pain management in various conditions like arthritis and cancer.
Decreased stress and anxiety: Clinical trials have shown that CBD oil decreases stress and anxiety in anxiety patients by interacting with ECS and the 5HT1A receptors of the nervous system. A phase 2 trial by Dahlgren et al. (2022) showed that patients experienced at least a 15% reduction in anxiety-related symptoms upon treatment with CBD oil.
Improved sleep pattern: Studies found that CBD oil improves the quality and time of sleep. In a randomised crossover study by Ried et al. (2022), 60% of previously diagnosed insomniacs were no longer diagnosed with insomnia after treatment with CBD oil.
Choosing the Right CBD Oil
Understanding how to use CBD oil involves choosing the right formulation of CBD oil. There are various types of CBD products including:
Full-spectrum: consists of CBD, THC and other compounds present in Vijaya.
Broad-spectrum: contains all other compounds except THC.
Isolate: contains only CBD.
Another useful tip on how to use CBD oil is to read every label. Start with the name of the product, then whether is THC or CBD dominant, the relative composition of THC and CBD, the ingredient list, licence number, warning sign and of course the expiration date.
Using reputed brands is important, too. Brands like GW Pharmaceuticals offer high-quality CBD products, along with Indian brands like Cannazo India, which is the only Indian medical cannabis brand to be featured on Shark Tank India S3.
Once you have finally selected a product, the final step in understanding how to use CBD oil is checking the quality of the product. Third-party testing is the gold standard for quality checks and many reputed brands like Cannazo India undergo that process to ensure the best quality, effectiveness and safety of their products.
How to Use CBD Oil
CBD oil can be administered in different ways: sublingual, topical, edibles and vaping. Sublingual administration involves placing a correct dosage under your tongue, holding it there for 45-50 seconds, followed by swallowing any remaining oil.
Apart from the route of administration, the right dosage is important to balance maximum efficacy with minimum side effects. Low, medium and high doses are available from various brands.
The right dose depends on metabolism, body weight and severity of the condition. To start with, a low dose is recommended, and then the dose can be increased based on its efficacy and any side effects observed.
When it comes to the actual ‘how’ to use CBD oil, CBD products come with a dropper that is marked with volumes using lines and the quantity of the oil up to that line.
Safety and Side Effects
CBD oil causes very few mild side effects like changes in appetite, drowsiness and dry mouth which are very common. However, to ensure minimum side effects, CBD oil must not be taken with other medications since it can interact with them. Foods with high sugar, alcohol and smoking are also to be avoided.
CBD oil should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Thus, all CBD products should be taken under the consultation of a healthcare professional with strict monitoring of any side effects.
Tips for Effective Use
Follow these tips when using CBD oil for best effectiveness:
CBD journal: track doses and any side effects in a journal.
Consistency checks: use CBD oil regularly instead of in situations when needed.
Lifestyle changes: CBD shows better efficacy when patients exercise and follow a healthy diet.
Myths and Misconceptions
Although CBD oil is extracted from a type of cannabis, it is not addictive and won’t get you high since it is prepared from the leaves, which are non-psychoactive.
Reputed brands also responsibly understand the difference between hyped-up marketing claims and true scientific claims. Thus, their products are safe and effective.
Conclusion
To summarise how to use CBD oil, choose a reputed brand like Cannazo India, choose a formulation, read its label, consult a healthcare professional and take the right dosage.
It is best to start your journey with CBD oil with enough information and a positive mindset since that will help you understand the benefits that CBD oil offers for your body.
References and Further Reading
References have been cited below. Moreover, hyperlinks to scientific studies have been added wherever necessary for in-depth information.
- Dahlgren, M. K., Lambros, A. M., Smith, R. T., Sagar, K. A., El-Abboud, C., & Gruber, S. A. (2022). Clinical and cognitive improvement following full-spectrum, high-cannabidiol treatment for anxiety: open-label data from a two-stage, phase 2 clinical trial. Communications Medicine, 2(1), 139.
- García-Gutiérrez, M. S., Navarrete, F., Gasparyan, A., Austrich-Olivares, A., Sala, F., & Manzanares, J. (2020). Cannabidiol: a potential new alternative for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders. Biomolecules, 10(11), 1575.
- Habib, G., Khazin, F., & Artul, S. (2021). The effect of medical cannabis on pain level and quality of sleep among rheumatology clinic outpatients. Pain Research and Management, 2021.
- Ried, K., Tamanna, T., Matthews, S., & Sali, A. (2023). Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study. Journal of sleep research, 32(3), e13793.
- Vučković, S., Srebro, D., Vujović, K. S., Vučetić, Č., & Prostran, M. (2018). Cannabinoids and pain: new insights from old molecules. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 416167.
