CBD oil

[Bernadette]

Hi folks!

 

Has anyone tried CBD oil. Apparently it's cannabis-based, but legal, and Holland & Barrett have started selling it.

Seems it might help MS, among other things.

 

https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/cbd-hemp-how-helped/

[Nick]

Possibly a better link on information would be:

https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/cannabis

 

I for one would always discuss these alternative medicines with your neurologist. While it seems likely that you can get benefits from some 'alternatives', it is important to understand that you take into account any possible interactions between the prescription drugs you may be taking and the alternatives.

Its a difficult question to answer and I have never tried CBD Oil.

 

Nick

[Marina]

I use CBD oil, although I can't say it helps me anything like I've heard other MSers say it helps them. For me personally, it helps me stop "ruminating" when trying to get to sleep. It's possible it's very slightly helped some pain, maybe I've not noticed as I've been taking it for so long now. I guess I live in hope it might help a bit, as there's not much else for us with SPMS.

 

I first used it 3 years ago, and did quite a bit of research on it, and tried a few different brands. It can work wonders for many people, or might not work so well for a few, like me. It's really a matter of trial and error. The main thing is to start low and slowly increase the number of drops until you find the right "dose" for you.

 

From what I remember, the Holland & Barrett oil isn't very good as it's too low/weak. I get mine from Holland, from the horse's mouth so to speak, as it's from the company Dutch Natural Healing (DNH) that's the wholesaler for many brands, including some of those sold here in the UK. Even with postage, it's cheaper than buying in the UK. It's also considered by those "in the know" to be one of the best oils available. But, again, it's trial and error, what works for one person might not work for another, and vice versa.

 

The most confusing thing of all with CBD oils, is the % and mg strength. Some companies don't tell you what they are, some make it sound higher than what their product provides. You also want to see (or ask for) lab test results to prove the oil's strength and purity.

 

You might hear some people saying that CBD oil is better from Cannabis Indica than from Sativa, and whatever else. That's not strictly true as CBD is CBD no matter where it comes from. What counts are the "terpenes" and other cannabinoids included in the oil, which make up the "entourage effect".

 

Learn About Terpenes

https://www.sclabs.com/terpenes/

 

Explore Cannabinoids

https://www.sclabs.com/cannabinoids/

 

FAQ about CBD hemp oil

https://synergyextracts.co.uk/education/faq-cbd-hemp-oil/

 

Aside from oil with drops, some people vape it. Some people also use "isolates" which is a crystallised powder form of it, but I'm not up on it nor how to use it. Vaping CBD can have a faster effect, but it's shorter lived than using drops. The isolates tend to be pure CBD, without terpenes, etc. All in all, I believe the oil in drops is considered the most effective.

 

There's also a difference between the CBD we get here and some of the CBD in the US. In the US, they have special licenced CBD "dispensaries", like pharmacies, which offer a possibly more effective CBD as it's legally for medical use.

 

Project CBD: Medical Marijuana & Cannabinoid Science

https://www.projectcbd.org/

 

Regarding interactions, it tends to only apply if you take very large doses with certain types of meds, ie: any med that tells you not to use grapefruit juice with it. If you do take such meds, and a high dose of CBD, it's suggested to leave 2 hours between taking the two.

 

CBD-Drug Interactions: Role of Cytochrome P450

https://www.projectcbd.org/science/cannabis-pharmacology/cbd-drug-interactions-role-cytochrome-p450

 

Cannabidiol: Safety

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1439.html#Safety

 

How Does Cannabis Interact With Other Drugs?

https://www.leafly.com/news/health/cannabis-cannabinoids-drug-interactions

 

Practical Considerations for First Time Medical Marijuana Patients

https://www.sativaisticated.com/practical-considerations-for-first-time-medical-marijuana-patients/

 

16-10-24-Safety-and-Side-Effects-of-CBD - PDF

http://eiha.org/media/2016/10/16-10-24-Safety-and-Side-Effects-of-CBD.pdf

[Bernadette]

Thanks, Nick and Marina. Some useful links there. Such a lot to take in!

[Happymama]

I'm taking this twice a day for a week, then dropping to once a day.  I get mine from Healthspan, I had a voucher.  I'm hoping to sleep better.  

[Catherine]

I tried CBD oil from Healthspan for the first time about 6 weeks ago. I used to suffer badly with leg spasms in bed at night and the CBD oil had an immediate affect. Touching wood, I have not had a leg spasm since. I know it won't work for everyone but I think it's worth a try.

[WobblyGreg]

Catherine that is quite useful to know,  I'm toying with idea but take LDN for spasticity not sure if might be overkill.

Also I've never actually had a definite answer as to whether it's safe to drive when taking cannabis oil ? 

[Gosport Nancy]

I haven't tried the oil but am taking a CBD supplement, which I am doing very well on.

 

The fatigue I had for 30+ years has gone AWOL and I am sleeping better with useful amounts of REM 

[Catherine]

I take the CBD oil at around 8pm each night and as I have read that it doesn't stay in the system, I drive to the station the following morning at around 6.30am. I don't feel it affects my driving but it may affect people differently if they are taking other meds, so it might be best to check. I told my Neuro I have been taking the oil and he told he wasn't surprised that it works for me as it has been known for years that Cannabis is very helpful for people with MS.   

[WobblyGreg]

When I was younger and living in another country I smoked cannabis (quite a bit )I got munchies and could barely walk let alone drive when i smoked it.

 

That's why I'm hesitant to try cbd as never had definite yes or no can or can't drive.

[Marina]

Greg, as far as I know, it's fine to drive when taking CBD oil. Some oils might make you feel more relaxed, though.

 

With (smoking) cannabis, it's the THC that gives you the munchies or makes you hardly able to walk, etc. In CBD oils, there's either no THC or a tiny amount that's within legal limits and it won't affect you in the same way at all.

 

I take CBD oil and have driven without any problem. Different people might react differently, though, and different CBD oil brands might have slightly different effects, depending on the strains used as well as the potency.

 

Perhaps give some CBD oil a try and see how you go?

 

 

[Gosport Nancy]

Thanks Marina for explaining so clearly the difference between usage of CBD oil and THC when smoking cannabis.

 

I smoked Cannabis back in the 70's as a teenager when the Cannabis used was much weaker than what is available now. Thankfully I never smoked it regularly as it just made me throw up...lol

 

I am taking CBD supplements and am sleeping much more soundly and the morning brain fog has gone.