As you may (or may not) have noticed, cannabinol (CBD) is trending in the wellness space lately. However, CBD is classified as a controlled substance because cannabis is still illegal in most places. This prevents most clinical research surrounding cannabis and health. Until that changes, we’re relying on anecdotal evidence to understand the healing properties of the plant. But, the anecdotal evidence is strong: many people use CBD products for it’s well known anti-inflammatory properties, to help with pain relief, migraines, crohn's disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia and more.
I have personally been using CBD oil (from the Good Alternatives as recommended by Hemp4Health) for a number of years now and have truly found it helpful for so many different reasons. I know a lot of you are curious to learn more about this mysterious oil, so I have interviewed Matt & Kim, the founders of Hemp 4 Health, to help break down CBD and what we know about it.
Disclaimer; It’s important to note that all of Matt & Kim’s answers below are referring to The Good Alternatives Products only. You can find these products at www.goodalternatives.me . They do not endorse, nor are they affiliated with any other products that may be on the market.
CBD OIL Q&A
What’s The Difference Between Hemp & CBD Oil?
It’s important to understand the different terminology that surrounds these types of products. This is something we’ve been working hard to try and have reflected within the Australian legislation and for the Australian Government to acknowledge as a logical industry standard, as they do in the United States.
CANNABIS - a plant that contains more than the legal limit of 0.3% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
HEMP - a plant that contains less than 0.3% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
So having said that:-
HEMP SEED OIL - is cold pressed hemp seed oil which can now be purchased from your local health food store. It’s usually used as a salad dressing and is rich in the omega acids. Hemp seed oil DOESN’T contain any CBD (Cannabidiol).
HEMP OIL - refers to an oil extract from the hemp plant.
CBD OIL - refers to CBD extract which is then blended in a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil.
CANNABIS OIL - refers to extract from the cannabis plant and would contain almost equal ratios of CBD:THC. This type of oil should be used with GP supervision or advice as the THC component is a psychoactive and if above the 0.3% threshold is considered a controlled substance.
What Are The Health Effects Of CBD Oil?
CBD oil can be used as a natural remedy for a lot of different ailments. Here are some of the amazing uses people (and medical research) report for CBD oil:
Immune balancing effects
Sleep Issues such as insomnia
Mood Disorders such as Depression and Anxiety
Digestive Issues such as Crohn’s Disease & IBD & IBS
Arthritis and more
There are by no means any guarantees as the product is all natural and everyone is different, but it's definitely worth giving it a go if you do suffer from one or some of the above ailments! It's important to note though, that despite the feedback from customers, CBD products are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure and are not intended as medicinal claims. It’s important that you do your own research to feel comfortable with your purchase. The products are intended as a healthy addition to your lifestyle.
Is CBD Oil Beneficial For The Gut Microbiome? Does It Impact Gut Health Positively?
Yes! Evidence is beginning to support the theory that the gut microbiome is interconnected with the body’s endocannabinoid system, suggesting that probiotics and CBD might work together in a complementary way that supports gut health. We know that prolonged stress has a negative influence on our body and the microbiome is no exception to this. CBD oil is utilised in the body via the endocannabinoid system, which has receptors in the gut. Stress can suppress the way the bacteria in the gut function, and can alter the way the intestinal barrier works, leading to bacterial imbalances. CBD oil helps to calm the physical effects of stress and anxiety in the body, and because we have endocannabinoid receptors in the gut, it can also lead to improved gut function.
Using CBD oil to aid in reducing the physical effects of anxiety or stress can lead to faster results and more immediate relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of chronic gut imbalance. CBD also shows promise for encouraging healthy digestion in general. Some studies show that CBD and other cannabinoids seem to reduce temporary gut inflammation, overactive motility, bloating, abdominal discomfort, unsettled tummy, and poor appetite.
Who Should NOT Consume CBD Oil? For Example; Should You Avoid It If You’re Pregnant Or Breastfeeding, If You’re An Athlete Or If You’re An Addict Or Alcoholic In Recovery?
As you will read below, customers who suffer from low blood pressure should be wary of using too much CBD oil too quickly. As always, if in doubt, you should seek GP advice, but having said that, other than low blood pressure, to our knowledge, as long as the CBD product is all natural and not synthetically made with any other additives, no one is truly ruled out of being able to use CBD products.
As a point of interest, breast milk is actually made up of 40% CBD naturally made by our own bodies. CBD is also used for workout recovery and has also been used to help many addicts come off many different substances. There has even been reports of CBD helping with sugar addiction. CBD itself is not addictive.
As We Are All Individuals, Perhaps Not Everyone Can Tolerate CBD Oil. So Are There Any Negative Side Effects To Look Out For?
CBD is known to naturally lower blood pressure, so anyone who has low blood pressure, or is using high blood pressure medications should be aware of this, and if deciding to use a CBD oil product, it’s recommended to start very slowly at low doses and also should talk to their GP about dosage. Some people have reported minor initial effects like headache or fatigue, however this is only temporary and usually dissipates within a few days and in only the result of the CBD being introduced to the body.
We have not been made aware of any other side effects. Common sense is best and starting slowly is the best method when deciding to use CBD Oil.
Can You Offer Any Tips On What You Should Look For When Buying A CBD Oil? How Do You Determine If It’s Pure + High Quality Vs. One That Has Been Diluted And Heavily Processed?
Things to look out for would include;
Company/Businesses that have been around for 4+ years, that there are Lab analysis available for the products, that they have a good following on facebook or the like with positive reviews. The company should also be easy to contact so your questions are answered in a timely manner, and look at the product labels, they should be clear and decisive.
Be aware of how many mL's the product is, as many companies can trick people into thinking their product is a high concentration but neglect to mention the size of the bottle. i.e. The Good Alternatives has a 2000mg in 30ml. In comparison, there are products available that quote 3600mg which would appear to be a stronger concentration but is in 120ml and equates to a 900mg in 30ml.
Also be aware of price, you get what you pay for. Many companies source their CBD from Industrial hemp plants that have been grown for other reasons like fibre and the low quality CBD bi-product is then used in their products. This means they can then sell their products cheaper but also means the quality is affected. A full spectrum oil, CO2 extracted that is rich in terpenes is best, they need to be ultra refined to ensure the majority of any heavy metals are removed.
How Do You Determine What Strength You Need To Buy?
The following is based on the Good Alternatives products and using the feedback given by customers, the 250mg and 500mg is more for children, as adults who have purchased these products, usually have to take around 40-50 drops before they start to feel a benefit.
The 1000mg is a good place to start for adults. There are those who are using the strongest concentration (2000mg) because they need or want a very strong dose of CBD per day and take around 40 drops (1ml) a day for health issues such as Cancer, and then there are those who purchase the 1000mg or 2000mg because it means they only need to take a few drops per day and the bottle can last up to 3-4 months based on 10-14 drops a day dosage.
How Do You Determine The Correct Dosage? And How Often Should You Take CBD Oil?
There is no one right number of drops/ dosage amount, as everyone is different, so as a suggestion, you would need to experiment for the first few weeks, starting at a lower number of drops and increasing slowly until you are feeling the benefits that you are seeking and you getting the most out of the product. The idea is by finding the least amount that works for the individual, so the product is both effective but also cost effective which is also very important. Some customers split their dose and take half in the morning and half in the afternoon or night. However, don’t be afraid to adjust this according to you and your own needs.
Is CBD Oil Detectable On A Drug Test?
CBD Oil products that are refined correctly and made to GMP standards, do not normally contain detectable levels of THC (the psychoactive drug which drug tests are testing for), therefore a drug test cannot detect CBD. There have been many Good Alternatives customers who have been through roadside drug tests and reported back that they received a negative result. There are also many people using the products who work in the mining industry who have to undergo random drug tests for work purposes and have also received a negative result.
Are There Different Ways To Use CBD Oil, Or Is It Best Taken Orally? For Example; Can You Add It To Food If You Don’t Like The Taste Or Smell?
As everyone is different this can vary from topical use to sublingual or even as a Vape juice. If using sublingual, leaving the drops for 20-30 seconds under the tongue will ensure a quick absorption into the bloodstream, which means it’s quicker to take effect. As it is taken under the tongue, you don't generally taste much, however you can absolutely add it a smoothie or to food. There is also CBD body butter you can use topically to absorb into the skin. In America there seems to be a wider variety of CBD products available such as; bath products, skin products, CBD infused honey, coconut oil and even butter/ ghee.
Is CBD Oil Legal In Australia?
As long as products follow and adhere to the legislation and regulation that surrounds CBD, and, are GMP Certified which means the manufacturing process must follow strict safety standards, must be third party tested with a certificate of analysis for each product batch, then yes. The Good Alternatives Products comply with these rules and regulations.
Can I Purchase Australian Made CBD Oil Products?
The Answer to that is No. The reason is because it’s not legal to grow or make CBD here in Australia yet. Anything made in Australia at this point will be made on a small scale (some even at home) and will more than likely contain a detectable level of THC, a low purity / concentration of CBD and will most probably contain heavy metals and potentially pesticides depending on how the product has been refined and where the plants were sourced from. More often than not these types of products are refined using an alcohol extraction which can strip the goodness from the extract and can also result in an inconsistent end product and with unknown quantities of CBD and THC. This means it wouldn’t satisfy any of the safety requirements.
So the only way to purchase it is to have it sent directly to your door. By ordering through The Good Alternatives you will receive a high quality product that has been made to adhere to strict standards ensuring the highest quality product for the consumer to get the most benefit from. The Good Alternative oils are sourced from plants specifically grown for the sole purpose of human and pet interaction, the plants are grown organically and in direct sunlight and the co2 extraction and refining process ensures the end product is of the highest quality.
What Do You Say To People Who Say CBD Is a ‘Trendy’ Scam?
We first found CBD Oil about 5 years ago when my father in law was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. At the time, we knew nothing about CBD, however, after doing much research and investigating many products, we found and tried the Good Alternatives products. After seeing first hand the success and benefits that came from the products, we thought, let’s share what we have learnt with as many people as possible. Knowing it can be a scary and overwhelming industry to navigate and knowing how many products are out there that were not what they said they were, we could not sit back without sharing our experience with others.
Now, 5 years on, after speaking to thousands of people about their experiences with The Good Alternatives products, and having been a part of most of their journeys and seen so many people get back their quality of life, we can safely say, that natural CBD is a wonderful addition to a healthy lifestyle. We are forever indebted to this Natural substance and will continue to fight for our rights to easily access these types of products here in Australia, we want to be able to shout it from the rooftops, give people the opportunity to try it for themselves without the need for hesitation or concern for legalities. And we hope we are making headway, but big pharma certainly haven't made it easy! If you would like to help support our cause, please visit www.hemp4health.com.au to sign and share our petition.
Please be aware that we are not doctors and the above is a culmination of our own experiences and customer feedback of the 5 years of being in the industry.
Disclaimer; this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Kim or Matt or Jordan takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content.
I hope this blog post was able to help answer many of your burning questions surrounding CBD oil. If you do have any other questions that weren’t answered in this blog post, pop them in the comments below.