CBD in the form of drops or oil is said to be able to help with some ailments – whether it’s problems falling asleep or menstrual pain. But is that really true? dr medical Franjo Grotenhermen explains that starwhat the effect of CBD is actually all about.
If you believe influencers or advertising promises, CBD products such as drops or oils can be real miracle cures: they are said to help with sleeping problems, menstrual pain, restlessness or stress. But is the substance, which is also freely available in various forms, really so universally applicable? What is the effect of cannabidiol, i.e. CBD?
First of all: cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from the female hemp and not a narcotic – unlike THC, tetrahydrocannabinol. The “Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung” writes: “Oils or tinctures containing cannabidiol, which are also sold outside of pharmacies as food, dietary supplements or cosmetics, have a THC content of less than 0.2 percent and may not be advertised with health-related claims ‘Hemp oils’ containing cannabidiol should not be confused with illegal ‘cannabis oil’ (‘hash oil’).” Over-the-counter CBD products so don’t get “high”, but are also not allowed to make any promises that relate to health. But what is actually the effect of CBD?
dr medical Franjo Grotenhermen is a general practitioner and from May 1st he will be the head of the Center for Cannabis Medicine in Steinheim, NRW. The focus of his work is therapy with cannabis and cannabinoids. He also has one Book about the use and effects of CBD and written cannabis. Grotenhermen explains that starwhat effect CBD really has and what you should do above all when buying products such as oils or drops should be noted.
Grotenhermen: “The effect of CBD is extensive”
Regarding the effects of CBD, Dr. Franjo Grotenhermen: Cannabidiol is no panacea. But: “The number of pharmacological effects is surprisingly extensive. CBD has anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipsychotic and antiepileptic properties, to name the most important ones.” It can also reduce the withdrawal symptoms associated with addictions to drugs such as THC, alcohol and sleeping pills, the expert said. “In some people, CBD promotes sleep, while in others it has a waking effect. As with other medications, the effectiveness is not the same for every patient.”
In general, it is important to distinguish between over-the-counter and medically prescribed or prescription-only CBD products. The latter have significantly higher doses. So far, the trade in over-the-counter CBD products has moved in one direction gray area. From being classified as a narcotic, the EU Commission however, since CBD has no psychotropic effect. The EU therefore announced in 2020 that CBD could be considered a food. Loud Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety However, CBD-containing products are not approved as food. As a result, CBD products are now also being sold as aromatic oils. These are not suitable for consumption, according to the consumer advice center.
Stiftung Warentest recently tested 16 products containing CBD and looks at many of them critically, since there are often no clear statements about what the products really contain. Some contain less CBD than promised, others more TCH than stated – which again can be of concern. After the test, Stiftung Warentest found that there was no adequate scientific evidence for any of the products – neither for the advertised properties nor for the effects on well-being that many suppliers indicate on their websites. In the end, above all, be one Certificate from a recognized laboratory important about the composition and as a consumer you should find out exactly what you are buying and taking orally.
Is the effect of CBD just imagination?
But that is not the only criticism of the products: Because of their low dose of CBD, some experts assume that the over-the-counter products have a placebo effect. Grotenhermen says: “The decisive point is the dose. This also applies to other substances. Vitamin preparations that can be sold as food supplements in supermarkets contain smaller quantities than those that are sold as medicines in pharmacies.” The transitions from normal healthy foods, dietary supplements and medicines are fluid.
And further: “The dose determines the effect, including medically desirable and undesirable effects. Low doses of CBD are not dangerous.” At high doses, however, can side effects occur, such as headaches. The “Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung” explains: “As a positive aspect of previous studies on cannabidiol, the predominantly good tolerability is generally emphasized. In fact, rather mild side effects such as fatigue and gastrointestinal complaints are observed.” The latter mean, for example, an irritable bowel, irritable stomach and overall stomach and intestinal problems.
The effect of CBD products is controversial and has not yet been extensively proven
Taking low doses of over-the-counter CBD products is therefore not dangerous, says the doctor and author, summing up: “CBD can be a drug in high doses and a drug in low doses dietary supplements.” But what does low mean? Grotenhermen refers to this that Department of Health in Australia: “CBD at a dose of up to one milligram per kilogram of body weight is considered a low dose.” With a body weight of 70 kilograms, all doses below 70 milligrams correspond to a low dose. These can be taken without hesitation, says the expert.
But he also says: “Anyone who is healthy, feels good, gets enough exercise and eats healthily does not need any dietary supplements.” Still, over-the-counter can drops or oils have positive effects on some consumers. “But that is little researched so far and is based almost exclusively on surveys of the experiences of people who take CBD in low amounts,” says the expert. Especially with products that contain CBD in combination with calming herbs or vitamins and nutrients, it cannot be ruled out that one can really feel more relaxed or more concentrated or more positive overall.
So far, there have only been a few studies and scientific evidence on the effects of CBD, as Dr. medical Franjo Grotenhermen explains. But he says: “Studies have shown that CBD could work well in certain forms of epilepsy or in anxiety disorders and schizophrenic psychoses, among other things.” The active ingredient can help to relieve symptoms. “The CBD extract Epidiolex is indicated for the treatment of two rare forms of childhood epilepsy in several European countries, including Germany,” the expert continues. Since the disease is serious, the therapy should not be started on your own and should only be started after consultation with the doctor treating you.
Higher doses are required for such effects anyway: “In the case of a serious illness that is to be alleviated by CBD, high doses of several hundred milligrams are required.” Of course, such effects cannot be achieved with over-the-counter CBD products.
Cosmetics also take advantage of the possible effects of CBD
But anyone who still decides to try out products to create inner peace, for example, now has the choice between different forms: “The preferred dosage forms are flowers that can be inhaled, as well as drops, capsules and tinctures that can be taken by mouth be taken in. There are also Creams containing CBD or gelsthat are applied to the skin, for example reduce skin inflammation or to affect skin aging,” says Grotenhermen. “The preferred form of administration of CBD products is certainly the oral administration of drops, tinctures and pastes.”
When buying, you should consider the following things, according to the expert: “It would be desirable to have a Certificate from a recognized laboratory about the composition of the products. Tests in the USA had shown that the real CBD concentrations often deviated significantly from the declared ones. In Germany, the Stiftung Warentest recently carried out a comparable study. In some cases, CBD extracts with concentrations of ten percent or more are declared as ‘natural’. However, such high concentrations can only be achieved with isolated CBD, which has then been dissolved in an oil. Whether this CBD was synthetically produced or extracted from the hemp plant cannot generally be judged. Natural CBD extracts contain no more than five percent CBD,” explains the doctor.
Swell: VAAY / “German pharmacist newspaper” / Verbraucherzentrale.de
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