Whenever someone mentions the term “cannabis,” the belief is that the person is talking about an intoxicating substance. However, the Cannabis sativa L. plant doesn’t necessarily cause a high.
There’s a misconception that marijuana and hemp are different plant species. In reality, they are merely different names for cannabis, a plant in the Cannabaceae family. The difference between hemp and marijuana is more legal than scientific. Across the world, the plants are differentiated by their THC content. THC is a cannabinoid associated with an intoxicating high.
Perhaps the best-known law comes from the United States, where hemp is classified as Cannabis sativa with a maximum THC content of 0.3%. Versions of the plant with a higher THC content are known as marijuana.
In Australia, companies can sell CBD oil if the cannabinoid is extracted from ‘hemp.’ Therefore, while someone might think that they can’t buy cannabis oil legally, they actually can! That is, as long as the ‘cannabis’ is hemp! Only products with a cannabidiol content of at least 98% are allowed on sale in Australia.
Whether you want to call it hemp oil, cannabis oil, or CBD oil, it is a substance with numerous benefits. We’ll explore just three of them in this article.
1 – Potential Analgesic Qualities
There’s evidence that cannabis oil has been used to help with back pain for almost 5,000 years! The human body has a remarkable system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It is involved in a staggering array of functions, including pain sensation, sleep, appetite, and immune system response.
The body produces endocannabinoids, neurotransmitters that bind to the nervous system’s cannabinoid receptors. Research indicates that CBD affects the activity of endocannabinoid receptors, decreasing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters. Furthermore, CBD can help reduce back and nerve pain by itself.
However, there is evidence that combining it with THC is even more effective. This is why you should look for full-spectrum cannabis oil. With a high level of CBD and a little THC, such products might prove more effective for pain relief than broad-spectrum products, which contain no THC whatsoever.
2 – Mental Health Benefits
Mental health disorders such as extreme anxiety can seriously affect our well-being and general health. Typically, someone with a condition such as depression receives potent prescription medication. While such drugs may prove effective in the short term, they can result in side effects such as insomnia, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction.
Interestingly, high CBD cannabis oil could prove beneficial for anxiety disorders. A Brazilian study, published in 2019, involved giving men a placebo or oral CBD about 90 minutes before a simulated public speaking test. Ultimately, those who consumed a 300mg dose of cannabidiol exhibited significantly reduced anxiety during the test.
One possible issue here is that 300mg is an exceedingly high dose. There is less research available on the effects of small, regular doses for anxiety.
3 – Could Help Heart Health
There is a suggestion that CBD could have numerous benefits for the heart, such as the capacity to reduce high blood pressure. Individuals with high blood pressure are at heightened risk of a major cardiac event, such as a heart attack or stroke.
A study published in 2017 involved giving nine healthy men a 600mg dose of CBD oil. The researchers found that when the men took the cannabidiol, they experienced a reduction in blood pressure compared to when they consumed a placebo.
The volunteers also participated in stress tests designed to increase blood pressure. What’s fascinating is that the men experienced a smaller increase in blood pressure than what’s standard in these tests.
Again, the high CBD dosage consumed in the tests is not representative of what people normally use. Furthermore, the volunteers were healthy. It will be interesting to see what high CBD cannabis oil would do in individuals with hypertension.
Final Thoughts on Why Cannabis Is More Than a Plant
Don’t automatically assume that cannabis refers to high THC marijuana that causes intoxication. CBD oil comes from low THC Cannabis sativa plants, otherwise known as hemp.
It is estimated that hemp has at least 25,000 uses, and research indicates that it has a substantial array of potential health benefits. If you’re looking for something to add to your health and wellness routine, give high CBD cannabis oil a try.
