CBD has become very popular in Europe and the US, and the market is full of all kinds of CBD products. In recent years, the CBD craze has also swept Hong Kong, welcomed by many people seeking natural and healthy options. However, many still don’t fully understand it and often ask: “Is CBD a drug? Is it legal?”
1. What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a chemical compound with the formula C21H30O2. It is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in hemp and other cannabis plants. Hemp has actually been recorded in ancient Chinese medicine texts for centuries. CBD is a natural plant compound that is non-toxic and can provide a calming effect to help soothe the nerves gently.
2. What are the benefits of CBD for the body?
CBD can help relax your mind, making it easier to fall asleep and sleep longer, improving overall sleep quality. It can also help calm your mood and better manage daily stress. CBD has strong anti-inflammatory effects that reduce inflammation in the body, such as helping muscles and joints recover faster after exercise. It also relieves pain effectively, with fewer harmful side effects compared to common painkillers.
3. Are there any side effects from using CBD?
CBD is considered a very safe natural health supplement. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2018 that there is no evidence of CBD causing abuse or addiction, and no public health problems linked to its use.
4. What types of CBD products are available?
Since CBD is fat-soluble, most products use oil as the carrier, with CBD oil being the most common. CBD is also added to skincare products, foods and drinks, and even pet products.
5. How does CBD make you feel?
CBD usually takes effect within 20 to 30 minutes. Most users report feeling relaxed and calm, helping with sleep and improving insomnia. Fitness and yoga enthusiasts say CBD boosts focus and concentration before workouts and speeds up recovery from muscle soreness afterward.
6. Can everyone use CBD?
Although CBD is a safe natural supplement, it is recommended that people under 16, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those on long-term medications like blood pressure drugs consult a doctor before using it.
Scientists have found that certain compounds in cannabis (including CBD) are the main ingredients that relieve pain. The human body has a special system called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that helps regulate many functions like sleep, appetite, pain, and immune response. The body produces endocannabinoids, which bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. Studies show that CBD helps reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain by affecting these receptors and interacting with neurotransmitters.
Multiple human studies have found that combinations of cannabinoids and THC effectively treat pain related to multiple sclerosis and arthritis. A drug called Sativex, which combines THC and cannabinoids in an oral spray, has been approved in some countries to treat pain linked to multiple sclerosis.
A recent study on 47 multiple sclerosis patients who used Sativex for one month showed improvements in pain, walking, and muscle spasms. Although this study had no control group and placebo effects couldn’t be ruled out, another study found Sativex significantly eased movement pain, resting pain, and improved sleep quality in 58 rheumatoid arthritis patients.
