You may have heard about CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, the alternative plant-based treatment option used to treat symptoms of certain conditions. The chemical compound is extracted and infused with carrier oils, foods, liquids, creams, and more to create a variety of medicinal plant-based products.
Research is few and far between, with years of governmental restrictions preventing reliable controlled studies and clinical trials from taking place. In recent years, several countries worldwide have re-legalised cannabidiol in an effort to safely explore its potential medicinal effects.
CBD serves as one of two primary active ingredients in medicinal plant-based treatment options. THC, otherwise known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the other main active ingredient and holds the psychoactive chemical compound found in plant-based treatments.
CBD is non-psychoactive and therefore produces no mind-altering effects. If you’re taking a CBD-dominant product, you will not feel any sort of high commonly associated with this plant.
The purpose of CBD is to provide relief, but its non-intoxicating effects make it difficult to pinpoint whether it is working. So if you are wondering “what does a CBD high feel like?” you are likely to be disappointed.
So how do you know if the effects have started?
How does CBD make you feel?
As we said above, CBD will not get you high, but it might provide you with some relief. You will know the effects are taking place when there is an absence of the symptoms that were initially bothering you.
Large doses may lead to slight light-headedness in the immediate moments following administration, but the feeling is unlikely to last.
How CBD makes you feel is meant to be a sort of balance to your general mood, which may be manifested in the form of a quiet serenity or perhaps an increase in energy.
Full-spectrum products will contain remnants of THC, but not nearly enough to cause any sort of mental or physical impairment.
If you feel any adverse effects after consuming a plant-based treatment, you should consult with a qualified medical practitioner as soon as possible.
How Does CBD Interact With The Body?
To understand the effects of CBD, we need to look at the relationship between the receptors and the endocannabinoids.
There are two types of receptors in the body, namely:
- CB1 Receptors: Located in the central nervous system, overseeing movement, coordination, appetite, pain, focus, memory, mood, and more.
- CB2 Receptors: Located in the peripheral nervous system, affecting both pain and inflammation.
Unlike its counterpart in THC, CBD does not seem to bind to the receptors. Experts, however, believe that it does have an impact on these receptors in some way, in addition to influencing various non-cannabinoid receptors.
Researchers found that CBD inhibits endocannabinoid signalling in a dose-dependent manner, likely by binding to the CB1 Receptor’s allosteric site and changing the potency of other primary ligands.
To better understand what CBD does to the brain, we need far more controlled studies and large-scale clinical trials to take place in this regard.
Is CBD legal in Australia?
As of 2016, CBD was legalised federally for patients with a prescription from a qualified medical practitioner with approval from the relevant authorities.
A doctor can prescribe CBD to a patient if they believe it clinically appropriate to do so in the patient’s circumstances.
Before trying a plant-based treatment, you should first look into more established medicines as a treatment. If you have tried conventional medicines and found no relief, you may consult with a medical professional about applying for a prescription.
Plant-based medicinal products should not be used as a substitute for conventional prescription medication, and the option should only be explored if your doctor believes it may help.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates access for patients, but as it stands, CBD is considered an unapproved medicine. This means that medical specialists must use the pathways created by the TGA to access medicinal plant-based treatments.
Is CBD Safe?
CBD is generally well-tolerated and poses minimal risks for patients. Research, however, is still in its very early stages, and nothing can be said with complete certainty.
So far, CBD as an alternative treatment option has shown no severe consequences for patients, with most of the side effects being mild in its nature.
Some of the reported side effects are:
- Dizziness
- Reduced appetite
- Dry Mouth
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
Most people are unlikely to experience any noticeable side effects when taking the plant-based treatment, and if you experience any unwanted feelings, you should be able to discontinue usage with little to no issues. CBD has shown no signs of potential for addiction or dependence.
Buying cbd oil in Australia from an unauthorised source is illegal, and there is no guarantee of the product’s safety or quality. Unregulated and untested products may contain harmful toxins, and the risk of severe consequences is far higher than with legal CBD products.
Summary
CBD does not get you high and has no intoxicating effect on patients. The best indication of whether its effects are taking place is if your symptoms are reduced or eradicated.
Since its legalisation in 2016, prescriptions for plant-based treatment options continue to grow at a steady rate.
Early research shows it to be safe for most people, with mild side effects present in some cases. The risk of dependence or addiction to CBD is nominal, and most people are able to discontinue usage with no issues
For more information on CBD oil or if you have any related queries, speak to one of our qualified specialists today.