For a few years it has been on everyone’s lips, lungs, on the skin, and there are even tampons with it on the market: CBD. But after the big hype about CBD oil & Co. in drugstores, things have calmed down a bit around cannabis products. What is the situation, what is allowed and what can CBD actually do?
CBD is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in hemp plants, but unlike THC has no intoxicating effects. CBD hasn’t had it easy legally in recent years, and research hasn’t gotten off the ground for a long time either. But a lot is happening now, and that’s why in this article we clarify the most important facts about the perfectly legal cannabinoid.
The CBD industry is booming
Even if it was not initially foreseeable how many CBD shops would survive the legal and legislative turbulence: the industry is booming. The corona pandemic has led to cannabis generally becoming more of a focus of research. In Great Britain, for example, a study is currently being carried out on the effect of CBD against Long Covid, and the cannabinoid is also becoming increasingly popular elsewhere.
While the range of products in the drugstores has become somewhat more subtle due to the legal situation, which is still not entirely clear – there is now, for example, colorfully packaged hemp chamomile tea instead of medicinal chewing gum with CBD content – many shops are focusing on diversity. Vaporizing CBD liquids is just as common among fans as buying CBD flowers in one of the online shops or even in the Späti. Those in the know report that many people who previously smoked cannabis containing THC are now switching to intoxicating relaxation with CBD.
CBD oils, which are used by most people as health or lifestyle products, are still particularly in demand. In the meantime, regionally produced organic oils such as those from Hempamed or Cannamigo are also commercially available, which can be ordered easily and comparatively cheaply on the Internet. The oils are usually available in strengths of 5% to 20%, whereby the optimal dose varies greatly from person to person. Anyone who takes a low dose of CBD or tries it out for the first time should be careful to buy weaker oil, for high-dose consumers the potency is relatively irrelevant.
CBD: The Effect
Various effects are attributed to CBD. These are currently being examined in more and more scientific studies. However, not all the claimed effects have been sufficiently researched and the study results are not always clear.
Currently, CBD is considered:
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relaxing:
Various experts attribute an antispasmodic effect to CBD. Research suggests it could even help treat serious conditions like multiple sclerosis or epilepsy, but more research is needed. A CBD-containing preparation for the treatment of a special form of epilepsy is currently approved in the USA. Possibly people with arthritis could also benefit from CBD. -
Relaxing:
CBD may have a sleep-inducing effect, but only in relatively high doses. On the contrary, low doses may even have a stimulating effect. -
Anxiolytic:
Studies show that CBD can help reduce stress. Under certain circumstances, it could even be helpful against serious mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorders. However, in order to achieve this anxiolytic effect, high doses seem necessary. Since 1000 milligrams of CBD cost around 50 euros in the online shop (even more in stores) and the single dose for an anxiolytic effect is between 300 and 600 milligrams, hardly anyone can afford this possible relief at the moment. CBD cannot yet be prescribed for such complaints.
Read more: De-stress: 7 tips to slow down your life
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Anti-inflammatory:
One of the main properties of CBD is its anti-inflammatory effects. Since the cannabinoid receptors are not only found in the brain (CB1) but throughout the body (CB2), CBD has the potential to fight different types of inflammation. The application could be adapted to the problem – for example with CBD-containing creams for skin problems. If you want to use CBD internally, you should opt for the sublingual route, ie drip CBD oil under the tongue. You shouldn’t just swallow it right away, as it only has a bioavailability of about 8 percent. -
Effective against nausea:
There is evidence that CBD can help against nausea. According to a survey, some pregnant women in the USA swear by CBD for their morning sickness, and cancer patients and people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome may also be able to use CBD to help their nausea.
Read more: These home remedies help with nausea and vomiting
Beware of interactions
Except for low blood pressure and loss of appetite, CBD is considered to be largely free of side effects. However, interactions can occur, especially with hormone preparations, but also with other medications. For example, CBD slows the breakdown of many drugs in the liver, so the dose of the drug may need to be adjusted to prevent overdoses.
Lack of advice
So far, German law has still not been able to decide how to regulate CBD. This has resulted in legal gray areas, which mean that almost everyone can sell and buy CBD without advice. There are now many high-quality shops with competent advice, organic products and a wealth of experience.
But certain questions about the effect, especially about interactions with other medications, should be clarified by a doctor before consumption. The problem: Most doctors know too little about CBD themselves, as it can only be prescribed for a few serious diseases.
The legal situation: drug or novel food?
After years of back and forth about the intoxicating cannabinoid, legalization was approved in Germany. The only criterion imposed was that the limit of 0.2% THC in the product must not be exceeded.
The problem, however, is that although CBD is legal, it is not controlled by any authority and is therefore in a gray area. If it were classified as a “novel food”, i.e. a new type of food, the European Food Safety Authority EFSA would be responsible; if classified as a drug, it would be the Federal Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bfarm). In the past, for example, CBD shop operators were arrested because it was not quite clear whether and as what the substance could be sold – while drugstores were unmolestedly offering comparable goods at the same time.
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Hype product CBD: just try it out?
It is therefore generally permitted to sell, buy and use CBD in various forms. Since there is no classification so far and you are not allowed to make any promises of healing for non-drugs, you will not get adequate health advice on your product anywhere may.
If you take medication regularly, it is not advisable to try CBD for the time being. All other adults are allowed to just try it out. But you shouldn’t be completely careless about it – especially when it comes to specific symptoms for which you’re hoping to get relief. Important: In the event of acute, persistent or recurring symptoms, it is essential to seek medical advice. A pure CBD self-medication quasi “on suspicion” is not advisable.
If you are interested in CBD products, you should definitely make sure to buy from reputable shops or stores with sufficient advice. You can only find out for yourself whether and which of the many CBD products is suitable for you personally. CBD oils are particularly popular and easy to get. Better for the environment than products imported from the USA or China are organic CBD oils obtained regionally or at least in Europe.
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