The ultimate guide: what it is, what it does, and how you can take it.

It’s been dubbed the oil with higher powers. Others say it’s life changing – a miracle product. At New Leaf, we call it the Earth’s medicine. 

While people have been smoking marijuana since the dawn of time, CBD is a relatively modern discovery, dating back to just 1940.

It’s gaining momentum in the world of health and wellness, with more and more studies showing the positive effect CBD can have on reducing a range of symptoms, including chronic pain and anxiety.

The World Health Organization says that CBD is a promising treatment for a number of medical conditions, has a good safety profile, and doesn’t seem to cause abuse or dependence.

And while pharmaceutical drugs can cause a number of nasty side effects including drowsiness, insomnia and agitation, you can rest assured our CBD products are completely free of harmful chemicals or ingredients.

What actually IS CBD?

Short for Cannabidiol, CBD is one of the non-psychoactive chemical compounds found in the Cannabis plant.

It’s different to it’s sister compound, THC, short for Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is a psychotropic Cannabinoid compound, and is responsible for the euphoric effect which makes people feel ‘high.’

Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. This means it’s a great option for those who are looking for relief from pain and other symptoms without the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, or the mind-altering effects of THC.

What’s it used for?

While human-based long-term studies have a long way to go, preliminary research shows that CBD can have an incredibly positive effect on:

• pain
• sleep
• anxiety and depression
• acne + skin issues

Just to name a few.

Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail.

PAIN

While Marijuana has been used to treat pain as far back as 2900 B.C, scientists are only just realising the impact CBD can have on pain relief in more recent times.

Put simply, the human body has a cell signalling system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is involved in regulating a variety of functions including sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response.

The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system. This response creates an anti-inflammatory effect which helps with pain management.

A 2018 review looked at a number of studies conducted between 1975 and March 2018. Based on these studies, researchers concluded that CBD was effective in overall pain management and didn’t cause negative side effects.

SLEEP

By calming your mind and quieting your anxiety, CBD can serve as a natural sleep aid and is becoming increasingly common around the world to help those who struggle to fall – or stay – asleep.

Harvard Medical School says that more and more studies show that CBD may help with improved patterns, and a study done by the US National Library of Medicine showed that in the first month of taking CBD, sleep scores improved in almost 67% of patients.

It’s thought this is due to the calming effect CBD has on the Central Nervous System, which helps people relax.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Anxiety and depression can have devastating impact on health and wellbeing, and the statistics aren’t short of shocking. Nearly half of all Australian adults will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. In any one year, more than 3 million Australian adults have depression or anxiety at any one time.

Mental health conditions are often treated through prescribed medication – which can come with a range of nasty side effects, including dependence, drowsiness, agitation, sexual dysfunction and headaches. It’s no wonder many people are now turning to CBD for a more natural approach.

When it comes to CBD and anxiety – the research is promising. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), says that CBD has been shown to reduce stress in animals.

In a Brazilian study, a number of men received either oral CBD or a placebo before a public speaking test. Research found that a 300mg dose of CBD was the most effective at significantly reducing anxiety.

Research suggests that these positive effects are a result of the CBD’s ability to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behaviour.

ACNE + SKIN ISSUES

Recent scientific studies have shown that CBD oil may be an effective way to treat acne.

Acne can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, bacteria and underlying inflammation. However, it’s thought the biggest reason for acne is in the overproduction of sebum, an oily substance that lubricates your skin.

Based on recent scientific studies, CBD oil may help treat acne due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production.

How do you take it?

CBD can be taken in many ways. Traditionally, it’s just been taken in an oil. Here at New Leaf, we also offer capsules and gummy bears for those who want a more discreet, fun way of getting their daily dose of CBD. You can also vape and use in skin products and topical lotions, which provide more targeted relief.

What about the side effects?

CBD products have consistently shown to have minimal side effects. While some people have reported dry mouth, low blood pressure, light-headedness, and drowsiness, these are not common.

While long term human studies into the effects of CBD have a long way to go, anecdotal evidence and preliminary research is showing the incredible effect it can have on overall health and happiness.

Our CBD products are powered by plants, meaning they are the natural way to improve your wellbeing.

As we like to say here at New Leaf… It’s the Earth’s medicine.