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FAQ

Table of Contents:

What is CBD?

CBD is cannabidiol, a widely used cannabinoid compound extracted from resins produced by hemp. As worldwide cannabis legalisation steadily increases, the medical marijuana compound rises in popularity. CBD can be purchased as oils, tinctures, edibles, creams, vapes and more.

Cannabidiol is highly studied, yet our knowledge of it is still lacking. We understand parts of how it works but know little about its potential therapeutic benefits and side effects. Most studies on CBD as a treatment focus on the likes of improving sleep and lessening anxiety, as well as pain and inflammation relief.

CBD is listed as a Schedule 4 drug in Australia and is only available through a doctor’s prescription. The TGA has announced downscaling to Schedule 3 for low-dose isolates, but no products currently meet the established stipulations.

What does CBD mean?

CBD is shorthand for cannabidiol and is a popular plant-based treatment. It’s a compound found in cannabis plants. One of over 100 other cannabinoids, including the psychoactive substance THC. CBD cannot induce any feeling of intoxication, which makes it the preferred cannabinoid for medicinal treatment.

CBD is steadily being legalised as a treatment across the world. In Australia, the only legal way to get it is through a doctor’s prescription. It’s available in the form of oils, tinctures, edibles, sprays, creams, and ointments. It’s important to note that CBD is prescribed to treat symptoms, not conditions.

Over the years, we’ve seen more and more scientific investigations into the potential medical benefits of CBD. Some studies have identified a lot of positives, while others are still unsure. Much of the results contradict, making CBD a difficult topic to discuss and even harder to recommend without any doubt.

Using CBD as a treatment is highly personal. Its efficacy, how much to take and how long it will take to kick in are all dependent on you. They’re affected by your condition, age, weight, height, and other factors.

What does CBD stand for?

CBD is an abbreviation of cannabidiol, perhaps the most popular and well-studied compound of the hemp plant. Cannabidiol is extracted from the leaves, stems and stalks of the plant. It’s added to a carrier oil to produce CBD oil or infused with various edibles, topical creams and vapes.

Every year sees progressively more scientific research into cannabidiol. Studies have pinpointed numerous potential medical benefits. These mostly centre on treating the symptoms of various conditions, rather than the conditions themselves. Unfortunately, there’s a lot we don’t understand about the cannabinoid compound and experts recommend approaching it with caution.

Remember, that cannabidiol is only available through a doctor’s prescription.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the main active compounds found in medicinal cannabis. CBD oil is perhaps the most popular medicinal plant-based product available across the globe. The naturally occurring cannabinoid is a non-psychoactive substance and causes no sort of intoxicating effect on its users.

CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant and infused with a carrier oil. The liquid is stored in a dripper bottle that allows patients to carefully administer the right dosage. Droplets should be placed underneath the tongue and sit for 30-60 seconds before swallowing for best effects.

The purpose of CBD oil is to provide relief for symptoms associated with chronic conditions. Whether it is safe and effective as a treatment is still being researched. So far nothing can be concluded with certainty.

CBD is legal for patients with a prescription from an authorised medical practitioner. In 2016, the Australian Government changed the laws surrounding cannabidiol and categorised it as a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine. CBD is one of the two main active ingredients found in medicinal cannabis. It is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and produces no intoxicating effects on its users.

Researchers are actively exploring the therapeutic potential of CBD as a medicine for symptoms associated with chronic conditions. For now, patients may access the treatment in cases where conventional medicine is failing to provide them with the necessary relief from the symptoms. A doctor will only grant a prescription if there is sufficient evidence to suggest that CBD may prove effective in the patient’s circumstances.

Purchasing CBD from an unauthorised source is still entirely illegal across the country and may result in hefty fines or even prison time. The only way to legally access medicinal cannabis in Australia is with a prescription from an authorised doctor.

What are the benefits of CBD Oil?

Science has identified numerous potential therapeutic uses for cannabidiol (CBD). The caveat is that CBD is generally more effective at treating symptoms, rather than conditions. It does this by engaging a system in the body that we don’t fully understand.

This is the endocannabinoid system. It’s essentially a series of chemical receptors found throughout our nervous systems. The body produces endocannabinoids that attach to these receptors, trigger certain responses and then are broken down by enzymes.

It’s responsible for the likes of learning and memory, motor function, sleep, body temperature, pain management and more. Overall, the endocannabinoid system contributes to body balance or homeostasis. The potential benefits of CBD are produced by interacting with this system. The catch is that our understanding of it, as well as CBD’s role in engaging it, leaves a lot of gaps in our knowledge.

Anyone considering cannabidiol as a treatment needs to know that this trend continues into our overall understanding of the compound. It will take a lot more research before CBD is more commonly prescribed for treating various conditions.

What are the side effects of CBD Oil?

While CBD, or cannabidiol, has a generally favourable safety profile, there are still some potential side effects to be aware of. For the most part, the side effects tend to be mild in nature and have no long-term consequences.

A few of the most commonly reported side effects include changes in appetite, changes in mood, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, drowsiness, and dry mouth. The risks are much higher if purchasing black-market or unregulated products, as there they are not subject to third-party testing. Thus, there is no way of knowing that they do not contain harmful toxins.

Doctors advise against using CBD if you are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or on blood thinners. Experts have emphasised that the lack of evidence-based research means the risks are far too high for such individuals.

Can CBD Oil be used for anxiety?

Reducing anxiety is one of the most common reasons for starting CBD treatment. If you’re looking for a non-clinical alternative to treating anxiety, you should understand that we still don’t quite understand how CBD works.

We also cannot guarantee that it will be an effective choice for everyone. As it stands, there are currently numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications that fare better as a whole.

That said, numerous studies have identified potential benefits of CBD usage for treating anxiety. Conversely, CBD may increase anxiety in some users. This is one of its more notable negative side effects.

If using other CBD products that may contain THC, users should be cautious. THC has been reported by some to heighten the symptoms of anxiety.

Is CBD Oil good for pain relief?

The past few years have bred several studies into CBD, the hemp compound, as an effective pain relief. Many have even identified numerous ways in which CBD can reduce pain in some cases, but there are just as many contradictory studies.

Nevertheless, doctors frequently prescribe medicinal cannabis for treating chronic pain and the like. Naturally, CBD will not be effective for treating every condition. One should also consider the presence or lack of THC in the treatment.

Some believe that CBD and THC enhance each other’s therapeutic benefits, while others state that THC may dull CBD’s efficacy.

How much is prescription CBD oil in Australia?

In Australia, CBD oil is classified as a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine. The cost of CBD oil is not subsidised by the government. Patients will have to bear the full cost of treatment. The cost is dependent on a few different factors, namely the prescribed product type, the condition being treated, the ingredients included, the concentration of CBD, and the frequency of use. Experts suggest that medicinal cannabis may cost between $50 to $1000 per month.

To legally access prescription CBD oil in Australia, patients need to first consult with a qualified medical practitioner. If conventional medicine is failing to provide patients with the necessary relief, a doctor will consider prescribing medicinal cannabis. There must be evidence to suggest that CBD may be beneficial for the patient before a doctor will write a prescription.

If a patient has a valid prescription, they will be able to legally purchase the medicinal plant-based product from an authorised medical practitioner.

What is full spectrum CBD oil?

CBD is one of the primary active ingredients found in medical marijuana. The non-psychoactive chemical compound is a key part of the alternative treatment. CBD oil is one of the most popular plant-based products across the globe. The non-intoxicating nature and lack of notable risks for most make it appealing for many seeking the relief of symptoms associated with chronic conditions.

CBD oil can be divided into three categories: full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, and isolate CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil uses every part of the cannabis plant and may contain traces of THC of up to 0.3%. Broad-spectrum CBD oil uses most of the plant but goes through a process to eliminate the THC. CBD-isolate products contain only cannabidiol and no other cannabinoid compounds found in medicinal cannabis.

None of the above products will cause an intoxicating effect, but traces of THC may still result in a positive drug test in certain circumstances. Always consult with a qualified medical practitioner before using products containing cannabidiol.

THC Vs CBD: What are the differences?

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two primary active ingredients found in medical marijuana. They are naturally occurring cannabinoids that share a similar chemical structure. There are, however, key differences between the two substances.

The most notable difference between the two is that THC is psychoactive, while CBD is not. The former will thus cause an intoxicating effect, known as a “high”. The latter will do no such thing, and ultimately have no impact on the users’ sobriety. In Australia, THC is classified as a Schedule 8 controlled substance, while CBD is classified as a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine. 

As such, patients need a valid prescription from an authorised medical practitioner to legally access all forms of medicinal cannabis. A qualified doctor can provide the best guidance when determining if CBD or THC is a suitable treatment option for you.