If you’re keen to know exactly what the craze is around CBD Oil in Australia, look no further. This article has been designed to tell you everything you need to know about this buzzingly popular (yet often misunderstood) product.
Generally, CBD oil in Australia seems to be the new rave of the moment – a fresh topic everyone is suddenly discussing, among both young and old. Everybody’s talking about this strange, weird yet wonderful compound, yet surprisingly extraordinarily little know what it is. This has also led to different speculations about its positive and negative effects.
While narratives surrounding CBD (and its by-product, CBD Oil) have suddenly grown in popularity, studies on this compound began as early as the 1970s, (when scientists also studied THC, its notorious sister compound that can get you high – we’ll discuss that more below).
Discussions around CBD have then since become mainstream, and it’s now common to hear doctors, lawyers, and even politicians talk about the potential and the risks.
CBD Oil Australia – What is Cannabidiol Oil?
CBD Oil is oil made from cannabidiol, also known as CBD, which is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally and is found in hemp plants.
It’s widely known that CBD is a cannabinoid like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – which causes a “high” when consumed – but the effects been proven to be much healthier since it doesn’t produce that high.
But there is little to absolutely no THC in CBD Oil, which is precisely why it’s so distinctive.
Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has argued that CBD may be beneficial for certain medical conditions. They’ve found that CBD Oil is relatively safe and has no apparent public health risk.
CBD is present in the flowers and buds of hemp plants.
After extraction, CBD can be converted into CBD oil for different purposes. Today, the compound has been infused into numerous products, including balms, vapes, capsules, creams, and even drinks.
CBD in Mainstream Health
Seriously, drinks, you’ll be surprised with some of the pretty incredible cocktails you can make with CBD.
CBD oil has also done amazingly well in terms of treatment and prevention of several medical issues, such as treating:
- Pain
- Depression
- General anxiety disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes
CBD may also help to reduce certain symptoms when they are manifested in certain health conditions, with preliminary researching finding that CBD binds to cannabinoid receptors to impact the mood, mental function, and pain.
CBD in the USA
Even in the United States, a prescription drug known as Epidiolex has been approved for the treatment of some forms of epilepsy. It is also currently undergoing different studies to ascertain if it will work for other conditions.
This has promoted the molecule’s popularity and hence, many regions are lessening the severity of the laws surrounding its usage. Read more below on the legality of CBD in Australia (basically, it’s legal if its THC content is less than 0.3%).
The New York Times has predicted that the CBD industry growth may go as high as $16 billion in the United States. Around similar potentials can be expected for CBD oil in Australia.
But so far, there is surprisingly truly little known about the benefits and side effects of CBD Oil.
Unfortunately, while CBD has been reported to have helped patients recover from some of a range of conditions, there still isn’t much known about how it works and how it interacts with other drugs.
Another cause of confusion is dosage. How much does dosage do CBD Oil have? How pure are some of the various CBD oil products we’re seeing on the market these days? There have been reports of incorrect CBD product labelling and contamination with THC, all of which pose problems to CBD oil’s reliability.
So below, we’ll set the record straight and outline the precise benefits of CBD oil, including its dosage, side effects and pretty much everything you’ll need to know.
What are the benefits of CBD Oil?
There are so many astounding benefits of CBD Oil – but only a handful of them has backing from scientific evidence.
These incredible CBD oil benefits that have been confirmed by studies include:
- Anxiety and depression relief
- Pain relief
- Help with neurological issues
- Acne reduction
- Treatment of substance use
- Improved heart health
- Cancer-related symptoms relief
- Sleep improvement
- Skincare
- PTSD treatment
- And more!
Yeah, we know it’s a lot. That’s why we absolute love CBD Oil!
Below, we’ll outline a list of all these benefits in detail, so you can get the information you need to become a CBD Oil whiz.
Anxiety and Depression Relief
CBD Oil has been known to provide excellent treatment for anxiety and depression, something which affects a million Australians every year on average.
In fact, and sadly, anxiety and depression are two of the most common disorders that affect people’s mental health.
These conditions are devastating and can pose great problems for general wellbeing. The World Health Organization also ranks depression as the main cause of disability, with anxiety coming at number #6.
Several side effects, such as headache, sleeplessness, and agitation have been reported from treating these conditions with pharmaceutical medications.
Some of these drugs may even be addictive and can cause abuse.
And that is exactly why more people are looking into more natural treatment options like CBD.
CBD hooks to receptors in your brain, reducing anxiety levels and stress. It also helps to release chemicals in your brain designed to boost your mood.
It won’t get you high, but it will certainly claim you down and help the destructive effects of depression and anxiety.
Cannabidiol may be the lasting solution people seek for anxiety and depression according to the studies, including some Brazilian research where the effects of CBD were studied in 57 men.
The effects reported were a result of CBD’s activity on serotonin receptors in the brain – Serotonin being that neurotransmitter that regulates people’s moods.
You can read a complete explanation on how CBD Oil treats anxiety and depression right here.
Pain Relief
Marijuana has been utilized for the treatment of pain for many years, but recent studies are revealing that some of its components, such as CBD also provide that relief from pain that is plaguing so many people around the world.
CBD relieves pain by acting on the endocannabinoid receptors to reduce inflammation.
Endo-what?
The endocannabinoid system. That’s the system in your body responsible for various functions, including pain, sleep, and appetite.
CBD works deeply with this system (pretty much mimicking the natural cannabinoids produced by the body’s nervous system) and thereby making it possible to give relief from chronic pain.
You’ll be surprised to learn that studies in rats have found different ways through which CBD reduces pain and human studies have also revealed the same. You can read such studies right here and also here.
However, the studies in humans completed so far have looked at THC, and a drug combining the two compounds known as Sativex is in use in many countries for the treatment of pain because of multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
You can read our complete guide on how CBD oil relieves pain here.
Epileptic Seizures Reduction
Research into the effects of CBD on seizures is some of the most advanced research we have for CBD.
The research showed promise in 2018 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a pharmaceutical medication made with CBD known as Epidiolex.
Epidiolex is effective for treating seizures that result from some forms of epilepsy.
When administered, Epidiolex helps patients encounter fewer seizures than when they use other medications.
The two forms of epilepsy where this is confirmed are:
- Lennox-Gastaut (where studies have concluded that purified CBD resulted in a substantial reduction in the frequency of drop seizures); and
- Dravet syndromes (where studies have also found evidence of CBD’s anticonvulsant effects).
Although, it isn’t yet confirmed if CBD could treat other types of epilepsy.
Help with Neurological Issues
Scientists have predicted that people suffering from neurological disorders may benefit from the ability of CBD to affect the endocannabinoid system.
CBD oil in Australia has been widely studied for treating neurological issues, such as epilepsy. The findings are still few, but it is believed that favourable results may not be too far off.
Some forms of pain, including chronic pain that are resistant to other drugs, have also been treated with a combination of CBD and THC.
Other disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease have also responded to treatment with CBD.
- This 2014 study found four patients treated with CBD suffered a lower frequency of REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) events without side effects
- This 2018 study found that CBD could possibly improve the quality-of-life measures in Parkinson’s disease patients
- This 2017 study found “proof in principle” that CBD are valid candidates for new therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease
- This 2014 study also found that evidence that CBD has the potential to act as a preventative treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (especially for symptoms like social withdrawal and recognising faces)
However, some of these studies were carried out in animals while some human studies showed side effects.
Hence, more research is still needed to fully understand how CBD can help with neurological conditions.
Acne Reduction
Acne is a common condition that many people suffer from. Reports say that around one in every ten people is affected by this condition.
Acne is caused by excess sebum production, that is, when the skin’s sebaceous glands secrete too much oil.
The good news is that CBD oil may be effective in the treatment of acne according to scientific findings.
Just check out this 2014 study which found that CBD is a “promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris”.
This may be due to the ability of CBD to eliminate inflammations and reduce the production of sebum.
In a test-tube study, scientists discovered that CBD oil acts on the sebaceous glands and prevents them from oversecreting sebum.
The same studysays CBD oil prevented acne-causing agents from activating and produced anti-inflammatory actions.
Other studies have reported similar results, and these may be crucial for further findings on the effects.
Treatment of Substance Use
Addiction influences the brain and causes people to abuse substances and medications.
In a study carried out in 2015, it was revealed that CBD may influence addiction-triggering brain regions, thereby helping to regulate stress response.
Studies in humans and animals have shown that CBD could be useful in eliminating dependence on cannabis or tobacco too.
Hence, it can help those suffering from opioids addiction.
A decrease in physiological activities was also discovered in this study, suggesting that the effects may be long-lasting.
Improved Heart Health
Research shows that CBD also has effects on the blood circulatory system and can contribute to improved heart health.
These effects show some great benefits for your heart’s wellbeing – such as the ability to lower the risk of high blood pressure (which of course links to several other heart conditions like heart attack and stroke).
In one of the trials, a 600 mg dose of CBD oil was administered to nine men and they observed reduced blood pressure.
It was also discovered that those who took CBD did not show significant signs of blood pressure compared with those who did not take CBD.
The suggestions are that CBD could manifest those effects because of its ability to reduce stress and anxiety.
Furthermore, CBD’s antioxidant properties and its ability to reduce stress have been linked with the reduction of inflammation and cell death that results from different sorts of heart diseases.
This all requires more human trials, but CBD may be touted for lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of a heart problem.
Cancer-Related Symptoms Relief
Cannabidiol may even help people with symptoms that arise from cancer treatment, such as pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Researchcarried out on more than 150 people experiencing pains related to cancer use a combination of CBD and THC. Those involved in the study could not get relief from other medications.
The result of the study showed that those who combined CBD in their treatment experienced better pain relief than others who used only THC. CBD is also effective against nausea and vomiting that arise from chemotherapy.
There are also minor results that indicate that CBD may be able to kill cancer cells (check out this 2007 study and this 2011 study on CBD and breast cancer).
But more research would be needed to confirm this. Also, these were seen in animal studies, and there are of course chances of a different result in humans.
For a more comprehensive outline on how CBD oil can achieve relief for symptoms associated with cancer, check out our CBD oil and cancer blog post here.
Sleep Improvement
CBD is becoming increasingly used during the bedtime routine of many people.
They may have gotten a clue from a study conducted in 2019, which discovered that CBD had sleep improvement properties.
The study recorded an improvement in the sleep routine of 67% of its participants after a month.
However, when the study proceeded, fluctuations were recorded for more than three months which rendered the study inconclusive.
Another piece of interesting research, this time in 2017, recorded improvements in REM sleep and a decrease in sleepiness during the day.
For a much more comprehensive outline on this subject, check out our post on CBD oil and sleep.
Skincare
Skincare is another area where CBD seems to be making waves.
As a result, many skincare products have resorted to including CBD in their formulations. Others have found ways of infusing CBD into personal homemade formulations with claims that CBD makes their skin glow.
Research on the effects of CBD on skin health revealed that the compound may help people with psoriasis.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects come into play here and can be of great benefit to the skin.
Although note that CBD in topical creams is also believed to be safe with no side effects discovered yet.
PTSD Treatment
Studies have also shown that CBD may be effective for the reduction of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
This study noted that participants who used CBD experienced reduced nightmares and other sleeping challenges.
No side effect was noted in this study which is a good sign.
But we await other studies to show us the full effect of CBD on PTSD.
Other Benefits
Other studies have seen CBD tested for effectiveness against a wide range of other issues.
Most of the results showed promise, but conclusions cannot be drawn yet until more evidence surfaces from more studies.
Some of the cases where we can expect more findings include the prevention of diabetes and treatment of psychosis.
Make sure to read the list of benefits in our post right here.
What is the normal dosage of CBD Oil in Australia?
There is no general CBD oil dosage. While some specialists have pegged CBD oil’s normal dose between 20 – 40mg, patients have gotten recoveries from CBD at lower dosages, even 1mg.
Others have also needed to take as much as 100mg or more before any traces of effects could be seen.
It may be may safe to conclude that the exact dosage depends on several factors (which you can read more about below).
What dosage of CBD Oil should I take?
The required dosage everyone needs vary. What CBD oil dosage you should take depends on several factors including:
- The strength of the brand you use
- How you consume the oil
- body mass index (BMI)
- Your body’s chemistry
- Tolerance to CBD
- How serious your condition being treated is?
- The CBD oil’s potency
As we’ll discuss below, CBD oil side effects may also be a function of these factors.
Specialists suggest that each person pays attention to the factors above and how they affect their CBD usage.
That’s accomplished by starting with lower dosages around 1-2mg before trying something higher.
This could make it easy to find out what your ideal dosage is, but you should always ask a specialist to determine what’s right for you.
Despite the amount of research that has been carried out on CBD oil dosage, nobody has managed to pinpoint a general dose for everybody and all conditions.
- Scientists have used between 5 and 100mg for the treatment of anxiety, while psychosis required 600mg per day.
- Poor sleep and bowel diseases did not require dosages as high as that with only 25mg and 50mg respectively per day
- The treatment of cancer-related pain required more variations for patients with the dosage being between 50 and 600mg per day.
The case is similar for Parkinson’s disease where scientists used between 75 and 300mg each day.
What are the side effects of CBD Oil?
While CBD oil is renowned for its benefits and treatments of many conditions, some risks are also in the picture. Cannabidiol is usually tolerated by many, but it is also believed to be the cause of several side effects, such as:
- Drowsiness,
- Tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Appetite changes
- Diarrhea,
- Liver enzyme changes
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Weight changes
- Interaction with blood thinners or other medications
- And possibly more.
One of the implications of insufficient clinical studies of CBD in humans is the lack of definite CBD oil side effects.
This may be concluded rather hastily to mean there are no serious side effects, but that may likely not be the case.
The known side effects (some of which we’ve outlined above) were identified from the clinical trials for the United States FDA-approved drug, Epidiolex.
While testing the effects of cannabidiol on childhood epilepsy, some of the side effects recorded include drowsiness, tiredness, appetite changes, weight changes, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, liver enzyme changes, and gastrointestinal problems.
These side effects occurred in patients during the early weeks while dosage was doubled.
There was a striking reduction in the side effects as the dosages were stabilized.
Therefore, it’s safe to conclude that CBD oil side effects can be reduced with lowered doses.
As a result, it is advised that you lower your dosage, go some time without usage, or use another CBD oil product when you experience unfavourable symptoms.
Is CBD Oil legal in Australia?
Yes. CBD Oil is currently legal in Australia and has been legal since 2016 (if its THC content is less than 0.3%).
It is currently classified as a “Schedule 4” medication by the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Poison Standard.
This means you’re only able to buy CBD Oil in Australia if you have a medical prescription from a doctor.
At the end of 2020, certain low-dose CBD oil was amended from a “Schedule 4” to a “Schedule 3” drug.
This means certain cannabis products only require a pharmacist consult, as opposed to a medical prescription.
However, no Schedule 3 approved products have been released yet. You’ll still need a prescription if you want to buy CBD oil.
CBD Oil Australia: Is it Worth it? (Our Honest Answer)
Yes. More thorough research is needed to fully understand its effects, but studies demonstrate that CBD oil is a promising alternative to treat a wide range of medical conditions.
There have been numerous studies carried out on CBD oil to find out how it functions in alleviating various health issues and symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, neurological diseases, heart diseases, acne, and so on. It also functions in reducing the pain associated with cancer. We’ve outlined it in quite a lot of detail in the post above.
But since research into CBD oil’s nature, dosage and effects is ongoing, we expect newer discoveries of the healing properties and information of usage to be released as the years press on.
Although historical and more recent studies have shown substantial promise already and proven to a great extent that CBD oil can be a viable natural solution to a lot of health challenges, more studies are still required to fully understand it.
If you’re interested in buying CBD oil in Australia, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly specialists at the Little Health Company by filling out our contact form!
