The Effects of CBD Oil

Where Did CBD Oil Originate?

The history of CBD (cannabidiol) oil is closely intertwined with the history of the cannabis plant.

The medicinal properties of cannabis were first documented by the Chinese around 5,000 years ago. Later, many countries used it for healing purposes, but by the early 1900s in the United States, its recreational use was already widespread.

Its subsequent prohibition was driven by the economic interests of influential industrialists. Historians believe that in the early 20th century, forestry businesses involved in the paper industry pressured the US government to criminalize cannabis because they feared hemp could become a cheap and efficient raw material competitor. This approach was then adopted by many countries worldwide, where cannabis was declared a banned substance.

CBD was first extracted from the plant in 1940 by American organic chemist Dr. Roger Adams. However, due to cannabis prohibition, most research on the plant’s components halted or never started. In the 1960s, scientists renewed their interest in cannabinoids, and in 1963, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli researcher, was the first to isolate CBD, followed a year later by THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the most well-known psychoactive compound of cannabis.

True progress only began in the last decade when the medical use of cannabis became increasingly popular, and several countries legalized its medical applications. CBD played a significant role in this shift because it doesn’t have psychoactive effects but can offer undeniable health benefits.

Since the early 2000s, an increasing number of studies have emerged on the effects of CBD and other beneficial compounds found in cannabis, confirming their potential therapeutic uses.

CBD Oil or Cannabis Oil?

In everyday language, the term CBD Oil is most commonly used, although many also refer to it as cannabis oil. CBD or cannabis oil is a product made by extracting from the flowering buds of the cannabis plant and diluting the raw, thick, honey-like extract with some kind of vegetable oil.

The term cannabis oil is actually more accurate than CBD oil because these products ideally contain not only CBD but also other beneficial plant compounds (CBDA, CBDV, CBG, CBN, CBC) and terpenes. In this article, we will use “CBD oil” and “cannabis oil” interchangeably, meaning the same thing by both terms.

The Many Potential Benefits of Using CBD Oil:

Based on available user reports and research findings, CBD oil may offer numerous positive effects.

Pain Relief: Cannabis oil may help alleviate various types of pain, including pain caused by arthritis, headaches, and chronic pain.
Reduction of Stress and Anxiety: CBD oil may reduce stress and anxiety and help relieve general anxiety, social anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Neuroprotective Effects: Cannabis oil has neuroprotective properties, meaning it can protect the nervous system from damage and improve brain health and function.
Acne Prevention: CBD oil might help reduce acne development due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Cardiovascular Health: Cannabis oil may have many positive effects on heart and vascular health, including lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Additionally, CBD may have anticancer, anti-nausea, anti-diarrheal, bone formation stimulating, antispasmodic, antibacterial effects, and it stimulates the activity of the endocannabinoid called anandamide.

The Importance of Cannabis Oil’s Effect on Anandamide

Anandamide is a natural compound produced by the human body. The word “ananda” derives from Sanskrit, meaning happiness or joy, and it’s no coincidence the compound is named this way: anandamide plays an essential role in regulating mood, the sense of happiness, and emotional balance.

Its role is multi-faceted: it also contributes to reducing pain sensation, increasing feelings of pleasure, regulating appetite, and influencing memory and learning processes. It’s like the body’s own “molecule of joy,” helping to relieve stress and maintain wellbeing.

How Does CBD Oil Exert Its Effects?

CBD oil acts through the endocannabinoid system, a complex network that plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis – the body’s internal balance. This system extends to the brain, immune system, and central nervous system, influencing the regulation of pain, inflammation, digestion, sleep, appetite, and mood.

CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system is complex and remains an active subject of research, but what is known is:

Interaction with Cannabinoid Receptors: CBD indirectly affects the two main receptors of the endocannabinoid system, CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found throughout the body and regulate many physiological processes.

Enzyme Inhibition: CBD inhibits enzymes that break down anandamide, thereby increasing anandamide levels in the body. This property can help improve the body’s overall balance and wellbeing.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects: CBD’s effects include reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidative stress, both of which may help in treating many diseases and improving overall health.

Influence on Serotonin Receptors: CBD also affects 5-HT1A serotonin receptors, which play a key role in biological and neurological processes such as anxiety, sleep, pain sensation, and nausea regulation.

When we talk about CBD oil, it’s important to mention other key ingredients found in the cannabis plant that enhance CBD’s effectiveness. These are called phytocannabinoids, which are present in measurable amounts in broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oils and carry significant therapeutic properties.

Examples of such phytocannabinoids:

CBDA
anti-inflammatory, inhibits cell division with anticancer effects, anti-nausea

CBDV
bone formation stimulus

CBC
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bone formation stimulator, anticancer

CBN
anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sleep aid

CBG
cell division inhibitor with anticancer and antibacterial effects

THC
anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anti-anxiety, analgesic, anti-nausea, neuroprotective, sleep aid

THCA
anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, neuroprotective, antispasmodic, anticancer cell division inhibitor, promotes joy and wellbeing

THCV
appetite suppressant, bone formation stimulator, antidiabetic, anti-nausea

The Role of Terpenes in CBD Oil

Terpenes are natural aromatic compounds responsible not only for the scent and flavor of cannabis but also many other plants, such as lavender, citrus fruits, or pine. Terpenes in CBD oil play a key role in shaping its effects.

Scientific Background – the “Entourage Effect”

Research suggests that cannabinoids (such as CBD) and terpenes work synergistically to enhance each other's effects. This is known as the entourage effect.
This means that high-quality full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils containing terpenes can often be more effective than pure CBD isolate, as terpenes contribute significantly to the therapeutic effect.

What Effects Can Terpenes Have?

Based on scientific studies, terpenes can among other things:

support calming and stress-reducing effects,
contribute to reducing inflammation,
influence mood and sleep,
help regulate pain sensation.

The Key Terpenes in CBD Oil

Myrcene

The most common terpene in the cannabis plant
Associated with calming and relaxing effects
Also found in mango and hops

Limonene

Has a citrus scent
Mood-enhancing, stress-relieving effects
Present in lemons and oranges as well

Pinene (α-pinene)

Pine scent
Refreshing, concentration-supporting effects
May also have antioxidant properties

Linalool

A lavender-like aroma
Calming, anxiety-reducing effects
The main terpene in lavender

Caryophyllene (β-caryophyllene)

Spicy, peppery scent
Unique because it directly targets the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system
May have anti-inflammatory potential

The First Cannabis-Based Medications:

Sativex and Epidiolex are two medications that use cannabis plant extracts for therapeutic purposes. Both represent significant milestones in the development and regulation of cannabis-based medicines and the acceptance of CBD-containing products.

Sativex

Sativex is a cannabis-based oral spray containing equal parts CBD and THC. The drug was developed by GW Pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom.
Sativex was first approved in 2005 in Canada as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Since then, it has been authorized in over 25 countries, including the UK and several European Union member states.
It is the first medication made from cannabis extract that has received official approval in multiple countries. Its significance lies in scientifically validating the therapeutic use of cannabis.

Epidiolex

Epidiolex is a purely CBD-based liquid solution, also developed by GW Pharmaceuticals. It received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 for the treatment of two rare and severe epilepsies: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, in patients aged 2 years and older. Since then, it has been approved in several countries, including the UK and the European Union.
Epidiolex is the first approved medication containing only CBD. FDA approval marks an important milestone in the legitimization of cannabis-based medications and recognition of the therapeutic potential of CBD.

Both medications support the growing acceptance of cannabis’s therapeutic potential and the advancement of cannabis-based medicine development in modern healthcare.

It is important to note that the effects of CBD oil may vary between individuals and that the perception of effects and their intensity can differ among people and circumstances. Before starting any new treatment, always consult your doctor or healthcare professional to ensure it is suitable for you. What to Watch for When Ordering CBD Oil?