Medicinal Cannabis: Beyond CBD Oil

What is cannabis?¹²

Cannabis is a plant found 12000 years ago in Asia. The seeds have been transported alongside the migration of population and commercial exchanges.

Cannabis has a long history of utilisation in Ayurvedic medicine to help with pain, nausea, anxiety, muscle relaxation, sleep and even to make people feel happy.

Cannabis is the name given to a group of flowering plants that belong to the Cannabaceae family. There are a bunch of different types of cannabis which contain cannabinoids. The cannabinoids are natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, which can make you feel high or help with the pain.

Cannabis plant¹

It is a plant that has loads of different compounds known as cannabinoids. The main one is THS (tetrahydrocannabinol), but there are also other cannabinoids like CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol), and CBN (cannabinol).

Depending on the type of the plant, the leaves can be small or large and usually pretty long. The leaves are spread out all the branches that come off the main steam.

The cannabis stem is thick and hardy, allowing the plant to grow straight up, has knots and branches, and branches grow laterally. 

The branches have a supporting role, providing water and nutrients for leaves and flowers. The branches contain a small number of cannabinoids and have a texture similar to the stems. They can be used just like stems, to produce teas, extracts, or even fertiliser.

The leaves have the same role as the branches. After harvesting the flowers, the leaves can be used to make teas, tinctures, hashish, and smoothies, because they contain a small amount of cannabinoids. Depending on the concentration of these cannabinoids, plants can have different effects when consumed.

After fertilisation, cannabis flowers are wrapped in pollen and are full of seeds.

Is cannabis the same as marijuana?²³

People usually refer to cannabis and marijuana as the same thing. However, they do not have exactly identical meanings.

The term "cannabis" is used to describe all substances derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of these substances and is not psychoactive. Psychoactive means to impact the mind or behaviour.

The term “marijuana” is used to describe parts of the Cannabis plant that have an increased amount of THC.  THC is the main major psychoactive substance (cannabinoid) that makes you feel good.

Marijuana is also known by other names such as grass, tea, pot and weed.

Based on the Department of Health and Human Services, the products containing THC and CBD are not allowed to be sold legally as dietary products. Similarly, foods with added THC and CBD cannot be sold legally across state lines. The legality of selling these products within a state is subject to the specific laws and regulations of that state.

Medicinal cannabis^4,5

Based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), cannabidiol is recommended to treat severe conditions that don't respond to other treatments.

Doctors can now prescribe cannabis-based medications for certain conditions where clinically appropriate and in the best interest of patients, due to a new Government policy from the United Kingdom.

There are lots of cannabis products found online. Some of them might not be legal and could be risky. It is hard to know if they are good quality or what is actually in them. Also, some products like CBD oil or hemp oil can be found in health stores and can be bought legally as food supplements.

Based on NHS UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed for certain conditions:

• Occasional severe forms of epilepsy in paediatric and adult populations. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that impacts the brain. The treatment contains CBD, which has medical benefits and does not have the effect of making people feel high. Can be prescribed by a specialised doctor.⁶
• People with multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple Sclerosis is a condition that affects the central nervous system, causing various symptoms like fatigue, muscle stiffness, and vision problems, and has no cure. Medical cannabis used for MS is a mouth spray used to treat the common MS symptoms of muscle stiffness and spasms. Contains two chemicals from the cannabis plant, in an equal mix of THC and CBD.⁸
• Adults with vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a type of treatment for cancer, that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs to kill fast-growing cells in the body. The most common side effects of Chemotherapy are nausea and vomiting. Specialist doctors can prescribe treatment that contains cannabis. The name is Nabilone and is a pill that works in the same way as THC (the substance from cannabis that makes you feel high).⁷
• Long-term pain and inflammation. Right now, there is not enough solid evidence to fully support the use of cannabis-based products for treating pain. Some people may feel like it helps, but further research is still needed.⁵

CBD oil^5,10

CBD oil is a product derived from cannabis, available to buy legally without needing a prescription. It's made by extracting liquid from hemp and mixing it with oils like olive or coconut to make the final product.

Many studies have shown that CBD oil can help with anxiety, pain relief, reduce inflammation, and alleviate feelings of nausea.

The most optimal method for administering CBD oil is oil drops or spray under the tongue. If using CBD oil for the management of chronic pain or inflammation, it is better to apply topical CBD oil directly onto the affected area. This method allows for the oil to be absorbed directly into the skin without entering the bloodstream.

CBD oil has some side effects and the most common are tiredness, changes in appetite and diarrhoea.

What is the primary advantage of CBD oil?⁵

CBD could potentially help with symptoms like chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia.

From where to buy CBD oil?

CBD oil can be found in health or food stores and is also available online without a prescription.

How can I use CBD oil?⁹

CBD oil tincture drops are the most commonly used method. It can be used under the tongue, 1-2 drops, hold for 2 minutes and swallow.

CBD oil can be used as a massage in any area where you experience aches and pain.

Numerous people have reported that the use of CBD oil, CBD tincture, or other oral CBD preparations, as well as the administration of topical remedies such as CBD cream or CBD spray to a site of discomfort, help them in controlling the pain that has proven resistant to alternative methods of treatment.

What are the side effects of CBD oil?⁵

Some possible side effects are dizziness, low blood pressure, hallucinations, depression, tiredness, mood changes, and diarrhoea.

Can CBD make you feel high?⁹

Reports showed that CBD used alone does not make you feel high, nor induce side effects like paranoia or psychosis. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that CBD may mitigate the adverse effects of THC.

What is the potential risk of THC cannabis products?¹⁰

Dependency on the medication- even if the medication is used in a controlled and monitored manner by a specialised doctor.

Psychosis- researchers said there is evidence to suggest that regular cannabis use in certain individuals may elevate the likelihood of developing a psychotic disorder such as Schizophrenia.

Summary

Cannabis, a plant with various cannabinoids like THC and CBD, has a long history in medicine. CBD oil, derived from cannabis and legally available without prescription, is used widely for anxiety, pain relief, and nausea. Medical cannabis, prescribed in some countries, aids conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea. However, THC-based products can lead to dependency and psychosis in susceptible individuals, necessitating careful medical supervision.

Key points:

• Cannabis includes cannabinoids such as THC and CBD; CBD oil is legal and aids in anxiety and pain relief.
• Medical cannabis is prescribed for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea.
• THC products carry risks of dependency and psychosis.
• Legal and quality concerns surround non-prescription cannabis products available online.