CBD: Cannabis oil – placebo hype or all-round solution against many diseases?
Cannabis in beer, gin, chocolate & Co – why do more and more people swear by the properties of the hemp plant and is it even legal?
More and more often lately you hear about a very special trend oil that is supposed to positively influence health: Cannabidiol (CBD for short). We have looked into what CBD is, what it can do and of course tested it ourselves.
Hemp is one of the oldest useful and medicinal plants of mankind and has been used for thousands of years as a raw and building material, medicine or for other purposes. Currently, there is a lot of hype about cannabidoids, which are considered valuable ingredients of hemp. CBD oil in particular is credited with many positive and health-promoting applications.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol. This is a substance obtained from the hemp plant. The cannabis plant contains more than 120 different compounds known as cannabinoids. These can act with the receptors in the body, which triggers different effects in our brain and nervous system. There are still persistent prejudices against CBD products – but they do not trigger psychoactive effects, as is possible with the substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In the seventies, scientists have already successfully researched the structure of tetrahydrocannabinol. In the 20th century, they increasingly devoted themselves to cannabidiol and its positive mode of action.
Why CBD?
CBD can be a good alternative to traditional medicine for many people. As a natural product without artificial additives.
Today, many people are already convinced of the effect of cannabidiol, which is shown by various testimonials from the Internet. Like some other supplements, CBD works differently for each person.
There are testimonials from patients and doctors, which confirm positive properties on the treatment of headaches, back pain, anxiety, depression, neurodermatitis, acne, stress, sleep disorders and much more.
Even cancer patients (also from our personal environment in consultation with a doctor) have attributed to the oil a positive effect on the relief of their symptoms.
We don't want to make any promises, but we recommend you to look for experience reports at the search engine of your trust or just test it yourself.
Is CBD legal?
The main question that everyone asks directly on the subject: Can this be legal? What if I get caught driving with it?
Unfortunately, the legislature does not have a 100% clear answer and regulations even vary by state. But since there are now very many products with CBD and also large drugstore chains carry CBD products & oils, you can assume that there are no problems here.
CBD does not make you high and it is not intoxicating. THC is the molecule that binds to receptors in our brain and is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana.
In fact, CBD counteracts the marijuana high. Some research shows that it is possible to prevent THC molecules from binding to brain receptors (which is why it is often used to suppress the “paranoia” effects of THC strains).
CBD is considered non-psychoactive before the lawmakers and thus no longer falls under the Narcotics Act. Rather, the cannabinoid is considered a dietary supplement. With the help of this classification, CBD oil can be legally purchased. This also applies to CBD, which is sold as cosmetics.
These classifications are essential to consider when buying CBD. In fact, if the product is sold as a cure or medicine with a reference to special effects, this is to be classified as illegal.
In Germany, it is generally prohibited to cultivate cannabis or to extract consumable THC from it. Furthermore, the possession and, of course, the trade are prohibited (§29 Law on the circulation of narcotics – Narcotics Act). Only through the advice of a practicing medical professional and an appropriate prescription is the use of THC-containing products legal.
However, since cannabidiol is a component of the cannabis plant, all CBD products may contain traces of THC. Therefore, in Germany, CBD product must not contain more than 0.2% THC.
Currently, there are some cases regarding searches of CBD stores. For example, in Hamburg. The reasoning: “About 5 to 10 milligrams of THC are necessary to produce a state of intoxication. With an active ingredient content of 0.2 percent THC, 2.5 to 10 grams of CBD are sufficient to produce a state of intoxication,” says Hamburg's senior public prosecutor Nana Frombach. Frombach concludes, “Therefore, even the sale of CBD with a very low active ingredient content can constitute a criminal offense.”
“If you ingest ten grams of nutmeg, you will also get high,” counters CBD store operator Bardia Hatefi, addressing a problem in the reasoning of prosecutors across Germany. Similar to other herbal products that can induce intoxication in high doses, CBD is not sold for smoking. The market ranges from ointments, creams and drops to pasta sauces and smoothies, Hatefi said. His theory: “They do it because, in practice, police officers can't tell the difference between legal CBD and illegal marijuana.”
Why is CBD so expensive?
It's easy to look at a pipette bottle of CBD oil and think it costs a lot of money relative to size. However, there is a plausible reason why the prices of CBD products are high. The process behind the production of CBD is very labor intensive. First you need to plant the seedlings, and only 4 months later the harvest takes place. Afterwards, the CBD must be extracted, distilled and bottled. Added to this are costs for analysis, certificates, laboratories, filling, employees and marketing. A process that should not be underestimated.
In addition, CBD products are not yet very widespread. Over time, the range becomes larger and larger, and the efficiency of production is increased. As a result, prices will then also fall.
The test: How does CBD oil really work?
We have tested the CBD oil from MĀLAMA for you over several weeks.
The special feature of this oil: the manufacturer produces its products only at certified companies in Switzerland. For the highest possible quality, the cultivation, extraction and bottling are carefully monitored. Each batch is tested for CBD, CBDA, THC, THCA, CBG, CBGA and CBN content both in our in-house analytical laboratory and by external laboratories. A particularly innovative formula with MCT oil (coconut oil) guarantees on top an excellent source of valuable unsaturated omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E.
In our test, we had only positive results: When taken before sleeping, we were able to fall asleep and sleep through the night better, as well as get through the next day more relaxed.
After intensive workouts we had the feeling to enjoy a better regeneration and thus to be able to train intensively again faster.
When using it in everyday life, usual moments of stress were absent and we were able to do our daily tasks more calmly, concentrated and quickly.
Why combine CBD and MCT oil?
MCT is a good way to achieve the synergistic entourage effect that comes from the cannabinoids and terpenes of the hemp plant. CBD in combination with MCT oil is perfect for those who prefer to take their daily dose in the morning and feel the positive effects throughout the day. Because MCT oil must be processed by the liver before it enters the bloodstream, it takes longer than other methods of ingestion to feel the effects. Once it enters your bloodstream, the cannabinoids transferred through MCT oil remain active and effective throughout the day. Compared to other carrier oils, MCT and the CBD it contains is more easily absorbed by the body. This is because full-spectrum CBD is fat-soluble, dissolves in fatty medium-chain triglycerides, and is absorbed by the body once it passes through the digestive tract. These essential fatty acids are quickly processed in the body, while you get the full benefits and bioavailability of CBD, as well as the added benefits of the MCTs themselves.
Conclusion
At this point in time, medicine is not yet in agreement on how far CBD helps or can help with various ailments, which is due to the fact that there are still very few long-term studies on it. We will continue to use CBD oil, as the positive properties outweigh the negative ones in our test.
When buying, you should make sure to take the organic variety to you and only buy from companies that can show a laboratory-tested quality. This may also be evidenced by a wide variety of certificates, which provide additional proof of the exact concentration data and quality. Make sure that the limit of 0.2% THC is not exceeded under any circumstances, otherwise you may be liable to prosecution.
Special: 20% discount on high quality CBD oil
Disclaimer: We never make health promises! All statements mentioned are personal experience or the results of scientific studies. The article was created in collaboration with MĀLAMA. Since the legal situation fluctuates daily, we do not guarantee 100% legal certainty, but only quote the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked
FAQ - What readers ask
What is CBD oil?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol. This is a substance obtained from the hemp plant. The cannabis plant contains more than 120 different compounds known as cannabinoids. These can act with the receptors in the body, which triggers different effects in our brain and nervous system.
Is CBD legal?
The main question that everyone asks directly on the subject: Can this be legal? What if I get caught driving with it? Unfortunately, the legislature does not have a 100% clear answer and regulations even vary by state. But since there are now very many products with CBD and also large drugstore chains carry CBD products & oils, you can assume that there are no problems here.
Why is CBD so expensive?
It's easy to look at a pipette bottle of CBD oil and think it costs a lot of money relative to size. However, there is a plausible reason why the prices of CBD products are high. The process behind the production of CBD is very labor intensive. First you need to plant the seedlings, and only 4 months later the harvest takes place.
The test: How does CBD oil really work?
We have tested the CBD oil from MĀLAMA for you over several weeks. The special feature of this oil: the manufacturer produces its products only at certified companies in Switzerland. For the highest possible quality, the cultivation, extraction and bottling are carefully monitored.
Why combine CBD and MCT oil?
MCT is a good way to achieve the synergistic entourage effect that comes from the cannabinoids and terpenes of the hemp plant. CBD in combination with MCT oil is perfect for those who prefer to take their daily dose in the morning and feel the positive effects throughout the day.
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