CBD oil, does it live up to the hype?
CBD or Cannabidiol have sparked so many questions and so many claims that we as the consumer or even retailers have been at a loss for answers. The main reason for this informational vacuum is the absence of empirical scientific data which either supports or disproves the anecdotal claims made by CBD purveyors and users alike.
Then there are the shrouded legal aspects surrounding this plant extract.
Is CBD legal to use, grow and sell? Heck !! What is CBD anyway? What is CBD used for?
To answer these questions efficiently we will need to make a few assumptions.
Assumptions
- We are discussing CBD derived from the HEMP plant only. (Hemp Oil and Hemp CBD)
- We live in South Africa
- We are users not growers
Is CBD legal to use, grow and sell?
Answer
Yes. CBD has been legal in South Africa since May 2019
What is CBD?
Answer
CBD oil or Cannabidiol is extracted from the stalks and leaves of a hemp plant.The CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system which then leads to the physical changes in your body, resulting in improved health. Hemp oil is extracted from the hemp seed, which is mainly used for their nutritional value. One is used for medical purposes and the other is used for its vitamins and Omega content.
What is CBD used for?
Answer
This is where it gets really tricky. By law it cannot be claimed that CBD actually does anything, and this is due to the lack of focused scientific study results. So you will see a lot of “Might ” “Could” ” May” relieve the symptoms of…. Flipside? There is no scientific proof that CBD does not work. So we turn to anecdotal evidence. What are the daily users of CBD saying, and what are they using it for?
Interesting fact – Over and above the fact that the law prohibits statements claiming that CBD is effective in treating any ailments. The abbreviation CBD or images showing CBD on a product label is not allowed to be used in any marketing material on online platforms such as Google, FaceBook and their partner platforms. So it is almost impossible to market CBD products online. This is contradictory to freedom of speech in countries where the substance is legal. The ban of CBD marketing is a blanket ban, and it doesn’t matter where in the world you are. Personally this makes me think that Big Pharma might be feeling threatened.
Some scientific studies have proven a couple of facts though.
CBD is safe
Fortunately, medical investigation has been confirming for a while now that CBD oil is completely safe to use. As a fairly extensive, recent review of the literature concluded:“… the often described favorable safety profile of CBD in humans was confirmed and extended by the reviewed research.” CBD even proved to be better tolerated than many pharmaceutical drugs. So, in most cases, users can now experiment with CBD oil without fear of harm and with impunity.Yet the same authors also stress that a lot more research is needed, especially in areas such as the cannabinoids liver metabolism, drug-drug interaction, and “some important toxicological parameters,” such as its effects on hormones.
CBD is good for anxiety.
The largest body of research material deals with anxiety and related disorders. CBD’s positive pharmacological effect is one of the best studied so far.
A 2015 review of the literature found that existing preliminary study strongly supports CBD’s efficacious use in anxiety disorders, including:
- generalized anxiety disorder,
- panic disorder,
- social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder, and
- post-traumatic stress disorder
Effects were noted in the listed conditions with acute dosing only. The reviewers observed that evidence is lacking for CBD’s chronic use.
CBD is good for depression
So far, not that many clinical (human) studies have been done to test CBD’s antidepressant effects. However, animal studies are conclusively showing that it has functionality in this mood disorder, too.For instance, one study had the objective of observing CBD’s effects on depression in a rat model. The conclusion?
“These results suggest that CBD may be beneficial for the treatment of clinical depression and other states with prominent anhedonia.”
CBD is good for pain
The relationship between depression and pain is not unknown and has been confirmed in numerous preclinical studies. Also, many people suffering from this particular comorbidity don’t respond well to mainstream pharmaceutical therapies. Together with the body’s own endocannabinoids, as well as CBD’s popular but notorious family member—tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinoids are known not only to decrease depression but also to manage pain. This they do via the body’s endocannabinoid system.
As the authors of one review explain in their conclusion: “The endocannabinoid system is involved in eliciting potent effects on neurotransmission, neuroendocrine, and inflammatory processes, which are known to be deranged in depression and chronic pain.”
Pain is also often related to inflammatory conditions.
Anecdotal evidence that CBD works
Below we are listing just some testimonies from users and what ailments they are using CBD for.
Heather’s CBD Success Story – July 19th 2018
Douglas’s CBD Success Story – June 17th 2018
I had a heart attack and as a result some brain issues. I was recommend CBD oil by a doctor, who I recently saw as an alternative to botox. My cousin gave me a bottle of the lemon lime flavor but it was only 250mg it seemed to work so well that I immediately ordered the 500mg oil.
Tiffany’s CBD Success Story – June 11th 2018
I suffer from central vestibular vertigo. I am a single mother of two little girls and of course have to work. My medication has recently stopped helping. I was desperate and saw a Facebook add on CBD oil, so I started researching and found your company. Was in need of THC free, due to my government job.
I got my oil yesterday and within minutes I felt a difference. By the end of the day i felt great, chipper and wonderful mood, yet relaxed In my own skin. We take for granted what it’s like to feel good. But to be honest I felt better than I do without my vertigo spells. This product is truly a blessing and miracle and for those whom help with the process of collecting something natural, THANK YOU!
I already got three other people from work interested in your products and they wanted info for your website…you could see the glimmer of hope in their eyes.
Again THANK YOU!!!!
David’s CBD Success Story – June 3rd 2018
Went to Doctor they kept experimenting with different medications, some had her doing weird things finally I ordered a test to see what was best medication. That took her from 3 pills down to 1 but still having problems in school loosing temper crying over little things so I read everything I could about CBD and decided to try. I have tried many brands and the Koi is the clearest, the orange flavor she likes and I like that it is third party tested which means I get a quality product.
Vladimir’s CBD Success Story – March 13th 2018
I’m 56 yrs old male that had a cerebellum stroke about a year ago. Heavy smoker (not anymore) and while searching the web for knowledge about my stroke and smoking; I came across an article about CBD, so I started to research it. And I liked everything about Koi’s manufacturing and open knowledge of CBD; then I decided to try it and I have been using it for about a 9 months and I’m very happy with the KOI product. I find it relaxes my mind and kills the cravings for a cigarette. Thank you KOI!!!!!!
Conclusion
There are thousands of users all over the world claiming that CBD has in some way alleviated the symptoms of various ailments.
CBD oil has been studied for its potential role in easing symptoms of many common health issues, including anxiety, depression, acne and heart disease. For those with cancer, it may even provide a natural alternative for pain and symptom relief. Research on the potential health benefits of CBD oil is ongoing, so new therapeutic uses for this natural remedy are sure to be discovered.
Though there is much to be learned about the efficacy and safety of CBD, results from recent studies suggest that CBD may provide a safe, powerful natural treatment for many health issues.
If you found this article interesting, then go do your own research regarding the limitless potential CBD could have in treating your specific ailment.
