Medical cannabis has received recent attention due to its numerous medical benefits which have been recognised by many countries like India leading to its legalisation in them. Leaves of MC consist of many compounds, out of which two main cannabinoids have been identified: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Studies have shown that medical cannabis is anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, anxiety and stress-reducing, and beneficial for the skin, especially CBD oil. Due to its safety and efficacy, CBD oil is becoming more popular with more people buying CBD oil in India. Many brands offer CBD oil in India like Cannazo India.
Cannazo India is an Ayurvedic nutraceutical brand offering CBD oil in India with the mission to formulate a range of hemp-based products by integrating modern-day science with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda to aid in the holistic treatment of pain, neurological, and autoimmune disorders
What is CBD Oil?
CBD (or cannabidiol) and THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol) are plant-based cannabinoids which are present in leaves of medical cannabis. CBD and THC both have similar properties but have a few differences: CBD has been shown to have better anxiolytic, anti-psychotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure activities than THC. But the greatest difference is that CBD is non-psychoactive, which means that CBD does not cause hallucinations, unlike THC (Rong et al., 2017).
CBD oil is produced in the following steps:
Procurement of medical cannabis leaves: To make CBD oil in India, raw leaves are directly supplied by the government based on legal status.
Extracting CBD oil: Different protocols like CO2 extraction, steam distillation and solvent/cryogenic extraction can be used to extract and isolate CBD from hemp leaves.
Infusing with carrier oil: The isolated CBD is then infused in a carrier oil like vegetable or olive oil to make the final product.
The Benefits of CBD Oil
Many brands offer CBD oil in India due to the numerous health benefits it offers.
Relives pain
A study by Safaksih et al. (2020) investigating the effect of medical cannabis on chronic pain patients found that taking medical cannabis was associated with significant improvements in pain in just one month (Safakish et al., 2020). Another study found that medical cannabis reduced pain in rheumatology outpatients by 57-83% and improved sleep quality by 71-87% depending on the dosage (Habib et al., 2021).
Decreases inflammation
Ribeiro et al. (2015) studied the effect of CBD on a mice model of acute lung injury. They found that administration of CBD leads to the decrease of TNF-α and IL-6 which are pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus indicating a decrease in inflammation (Ribeiro et al., 2015).
This decrease in inflammation may be due to the ability of CBD to bind to cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors which relieves inflammation (and inflammatory pain) (Vučković et al., 2018).
Relieves anxiety and depression
A 2022 study found that treatment with CBD:THC led to at least a 15% alleviation of anxiety-related symptoms (Dahlgren et al., 2022). The relief of anxiety and depression may be owed to the ability of CBD to interact with CB2, CB1 and 5-HT1A (serotonin 1A) receptors which modulate the nervous system and neurotransmitter release (García-Gutiérrez et al., 2020).
Promotes skin health
It was found in a 2014 study that CBD decreases the production of lipids which are found in sebum in sebum-producing cells when they were exposed to pro-acne conditions. Moreover, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1B, IL-6 and TNF-α was significantly lower upon treatment with CBD (Oláh et al., 2014).
CBD also has moisturising (Ikarashi et al., 2021), antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which may contribute to the potential of CBD to treat acne, wrinkles and psoriasis (Kwiecień & Kowalczuk, 2023).
Potential benefits for heart health
CBD has been shown to decrease blood pressure and heart under stressed conditions. Moreover, there is evidence which suggests that CBD can improve hemodynamic parameters like organ perfusion, stiffness of arteries and endothelial function (Kicman & Toczek, 2020).
Uses of CBD Oil
CBD oil can be used for many purposes including chronic pain management, mental health support, sleep aid, skincare routines and even pet care. Cannazo India is the first brand to offer safe and approved CBD oil in India for pets
CBD oil can be administered in various forms:
Sublingual: This involves placing the CBD oil under the tongue and holding it for 45-50 seconds, after which the rest can be swallowed.
Topicals: CBD oil can also be massaged gently on the skin.
Vaping: It can also be vaporised and inhaled for a quick effect.
Edibles: Foods infused with CBD can be ingested.
According to the FDA, the safe starting dosage for a 1:1 CBD:THC tincture is 2.5-40mg per day. The first starting dose should be between 2.5-5mg per day and then titrated up slowly while the side effects are observed (Bhaskar et al., 2021).
Legality of CBD Oil in India
Initially, The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 banned the use of flowering tops of cannabis, but AYUSH allowed and approved the use of its leaves and seeds. Later, the Ministry of Health and Family approved the use of medical cannabis for medical purposes, which led to the legalisation of the usage of full-spectrum CBD oil in India in 2018.
Brands offering products like CBD oil in India have to ensure compliance with regulatory checks. Cannazo India complies with regulations by sourcing hemp leaves only from the government and offering prescription-based medications only to customers who have a signed valid prescription.
How to Choose Quality CBD Oil
Quality is the most important factor when selecting CBD oil in India or anywhere. Some factors which determine the quality of CBD oil are:
- Source of hemp
- Extraction methods
- Concentration and purity
- Third-party lab testing
Cannazo India’s products undergo stringent third-party laboratory testing to ensure that their products are certified, authentic and safe to use.
Cannazo India’s Product Range
Cannazo India has innovated numerous one-of-a-kind products for general wellness and specific medical conditions like asthma, arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Their range includes full-spectrum CBD oil to healthcare supplements:
- Astaxanthin Soft Gel capsules: Containing hemp seed oil and astaxanthin, these capsules have potent antioxidant properties, perfect for general health and wellness.
- Gut Health tablets: A mixture of bael, ginger, coriander and hemp which promotes a healthy gut, decreases bloating, and relieves constipation.
- Intensive Hair Repair oil: Cannazo India is the first brand to offer a hemp-based CBD oil in India which fights off dandruff and promotes blood circulation to the scalp.
- Vijaya Amrit and Revive Roll-On: This CBD oil helps in alleviating pain and inflammation in conditions like arthritis.
- Pet Oil: Cannazo India is the first brand to offer a CBD oil in India for pets to treat conditions like osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are many myths and misconceptions concerning the use of CBD oil. Thus, common FAQs include:
- Can CBD cause hallucinations?
CBD is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, which means it won’t cause hallucinations. However, THC is psychoactive, so its usage a regulated more strictly. - Does CBD cause side effects?
Although suitable for most people, CBD might cause mild side effects like dry mouth and sleepiness. This is similar to how other medications have their benefits and side effects. - Is CBD legal in India?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and AYUSH both approve the use of medical cannabis leaves for medical and nutritional purposes in India.
To clarify these misconceptions and increase awareness about the medical benefits of CBD, Cannazo India actively spreads awareness about it through its blog, keeping the general public and customers well-informed about it. Visit their blog at https://cannazoindia.com/cbd-oil-exploring-cbd-knowledge-problem-solving-blogs/.
Conclusion
Many studies and clinical trials have proved that CBD oil aids in improving inflammation, pain anxiety, depression, sleep, skin health, cardiovascular health and so much more. When purchasing CBD oil in India or elsewhere, choose a reputed brand like Cannazo India whose products are certified by third-party quality checks.
If confused about how to start using CBD oil, it is best to consult a healthcare expert. Book an appointment today at https://cannazoindia.com/doctor-consultation/ to get started.
References and Further Reading
- Bhaskar, A., Bell, A., Boivin, M., Briques, W., Brown, M., Clarke, H., Cyr, C., Eisenberg, E., De Oliveira Silva, R. F., Frohlich, E., Georgius, P., Hogg, M., Horsted, T. I., MacCallum, C. A., Müller-Vahl, K. R., O’Connell, C., Sealey, R., Seibolt, M., Sihota, A., … Moulin, D. E. (2021). Consensus recommendations on dosing and administration of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain: Results of a modified Delphi process. Journal of Cannabis Research, 3(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00073-1
- Dahlgren, M. K., Lambros, A. M., Smith, R. T., Sagar, K. A., El-Abboud, C., & Gruber, S. A. (2022). Clinical and cognitive improvement following full-spectrum, high-cannabidiol treatment for anxiety: Open-label data from a two-stage, phase 2 clinical trial. Communications Medicine, 2(1), 139. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-022-00202-8
- García-Gutiérrez, M. S., Navarrete, F., Gasparyan, A., Austrich-Olivares, A., Sala, F., & Manzanares, J. (2020). Cannabidiol: A Potential New Alternative for the Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Psychotic Disorders. Biomolecules, 10(11), 1575. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10111575
- Habib, G., Khazin, F., & Artul, S. (2021). The Effect of Medical Cannabis on Pain Level and Quality of Sleep among Rheumatology Clinic Outpatients. Pain Research and Management, 2021, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1756588
- Ikarashi, N., Shiseki, M., Yoshida, R., Tabata, K., Kimura, R., Watanabe, T., Kon, R., Sakai, H., & Kamei, J. (2021). Cannabidiol Application Increases Cutaneous Aquaporin-3 and Exerts a Skin Moisturizing Effect. Pharmaceuticals, 14(9), 879. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14090879
- Kicman, A., & Toczek, M. (2020). The Effects of Cannabidiol, a Non-Intoxicating Compound of Cannabis, on the Cardiovascular System in Health and Disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(18), 6740. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186740
- Kwiecień, E., & Kowalczuk, D. (2023). Therapeutic Potential of Minor Cannabinoids in Dermatological Diseases—A Synthetic Review. Molecules, 28(16), 6149. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28166149
- Oláh, A., Tóth, B. I., Borbíró, I., Sugawara, K., Szöllõsi, A. G., Czifra, G., Pál, B., Ambrus, L., Kloepper, J., Camera, E., Ludovici, M., Picardo, M., Voets, T., Zouboulis, C. C., Paus, R., & Bíró, T. (2014). Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 124(9), 3713–3724. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI64628
- Ribeiro, A., Almeida, V. I., Costola-de-Souza, C., Ferraz-de-Paula, V., Pinheiro, M. L., Vitoretti, L. B., Gimenes-Junior, J. A., Akamine, A. T., Crippa, J. A., Tavares-de-Lima, W., & Palermo-Neto, J. (2015). Cannabidiol improves lung function and inflammation in mice submitted to LPS-induced acute lung injury. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 37(1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.3109/08923973.2014.976794
- Rong, C., Lee, Y., Carmona, N. E., Cha, D. S., Ragguett, R.-M., Rosenblat, J. D., Mansur, R. B., Ho, R. C., & McIntyre, R. S. (2017). Cannabidiol in medical marijuana: Research vistas and potential opportunities. Pharmacological Research, 121, 213–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2017.05.005
- Safakish, R., Ko, G., Salimpour, V., Hendin, B., Sohanpal, I., Loheswaran, G., & Yoon, S. Y. R. (2020). Medical Cannabis for the Management of Pain and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients: A Prospective Observational Study. Pain Medicine, 21(11), 3073–3086. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnaa163
- Vučković, S., Srebro, D., Vujović, K. S., Vučetić, Č., & Prostran, M. (2018). Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 1259. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259
