CBD Oil in Australia – Beginners Guide to Cannabidiol

How Does CBD Work?

When many people hear CBD, their perspective automatically turn towards marijuana and then make an association to the negative stigmas that follow the subject. What they don’t realize is that CBD, although developed from the cannabis/hemp plant, is not psychoactive which means that their chances of becoming “high” is low to non-existent, depending on the product.

There are hundreds of cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most famous cannabinoids, next to Tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC). CBD is not a ychoactive and does not product the same kind of euphoric effects that THC does, meaning that it makes it ideal for people to use it consistently for to potentially treat health issues without the worry of becoming addicted to a “high”.

The human body has an Endocannabinoid system that assists in regulating inflammation, mood, sleep and our immune system. CBD allows our bodies to optimise our own natural cannabinoids produced by our body. We have two main receptors: CB1 (brain and nervous system), and CB2 (immune system). THC causes the body to become high by attaching itself to the brain’s receptors. CBD doesn’t attach itself directly. Instead, it influences the body’s supply to utilise itself more effectively - potentially assisting in pain management, inflammation and the nervous system.

What is CBD Used For?

For the public to eliminate negative ideas about CBD, its uses and benefits need to be examined. CBD may have health benefits towards the body but it has to be remembered that certain effects depend on a specific person’s body.

Here are the areas that CBD has been witnessed to help with:

•      Sleep Support

CBD may help as an effective aid by reducing sleep issues, fighting insomnia, and even improving sleep quality. That means that people may get that deep sleep they were never able to achieve just by using CBD. CBD may potentially provide more energy during the day, leading people to become tired during evenings and develop better sleeping habits at night.

•      Pain Management

CBD may help with pain and inflammation by activating CB2 receptors in the immune system, allowing them to put direct focus right on areas of pain. It has also been seen to to potentially help with headaches, muscle soreness, and joint injuries.

•      Skin Care

CBD may help reduce symptoms associated with acne, eczema, and other skin conditions. It may work as a moisturiser and may reduce lines and wrinkles. 

•      Other Medical Issues

CBD may also possibly help with gastrointestinal issues, neurological problems, and even with mood/behaviour management.

Australian Clinical Trials

Currently in Australia, medical cannabis clinical trials are being monitored for the following:

•   Chronic Pain Syndromes
•   Neurological Conditions
•   Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Diseases
•   Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
•   Crohns Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
•   Chronic Cancer Pain & Malaise
•   Chemotherapy induced Nausea & Vomiting
•   Dementia
•   Rheumatoid Arthritis
•   Inflammatory Conditions including SLE(Lupus), Systemic Sclerosis, Scleroderma, Sjogren’s Syndrome
•   Psoriatic Arthritis
•   Fibromyalgia
•   Inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis
•   idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
•   Many spasticity syndromes
•   Epilepsy
•   And more…

How Do I Choose Which CBD To Buy?

With the possibility of CBD becoming fully legalised and more publicly accessible without prescription in Australia within the next few years, it’s important for people to know what they are buying, where it is coming from, the effects they are after, and whether a company is trustworthy or not. CBD can be daunting at first because there are many factors that can affect the product itself, which can lead to leaving users with bad experience and low quality products. By following the list below, people can make a more educated approach when considering using medical cannabis as a treatment.

•      Concentration

CBD isn’t cheap and that means that you should be able to know how much of it is actually in the product that you’re buying so you get your money’s worth. When trying to determine concentration, look at the total milligrams stated on the product label. Knowing the total milligrams can help you better determine what products to buy and whether you are getting the full effects for the amount you’re paying. The higher the mg per ml content, the better.

•      Simplicity

CBD usage can either be very difficult or simple, depending on if the user knows what to look for and what they want. Some products take more effort tor the body to consume than others (eg. vaporisers, etc.) and that means a person should test out a few different products to really determine what works for them.

•      Length of Effects

Two important questions to consider is how long a CBD product takes to work and how long do the effects last. Depending on what is bought, the effects can last just a few hours to almost an entire night. More about the length and effects will be discussed with the types of products below.

•      Taste

Taste is one of those things that may or may not be important to people but for others, can severely affect how they perceive their CBD product. Some products, such as concentrates, have a very distinct hemp flavour. Others can have more realistic but artificial flavouring including vanilla, chocolate, cherry, and many others. This is all a matter of preference and takes some trial and error before finding a product that truly fits you. Majority of CBD products available in Australia via prescription are not artificially flavoured.

•      Price

Because CBD products haven’t been available on the mainstream market, it will be hard for people to determine what is worth their money and what isn’t. More about this subject will also be talked about below.

Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum or Isolate CBD - which do I choose?

Before buying CBD products, it is crucial to know the 3 classifications of CBD Products:

Full Spectrum CBD Oil

• Contains all natural compounds of the Cannabis plant
• Contains trace amounts of THC
• Not recommended for users who want to avoid THC (can test positive in drug tests)
• Ideal for those with a specific prescription with a THC to CBD ratio

Broad Spectrum CBD Oil

• Contains all natural compounds of the Cannabis plant
• Contains zero THC
• Ideal for first-time users of CBD Products

CBD Isolate

• Contains all only one compound: Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Contains zero THC
• Ideal for those who require specific high doses of CBD only

What CBD Products are There?

There are many types and variations of products containing CBD, one not being better than the other. Preference for a specific product all depends on what the user wants. When CBD becomes fully accessible to the public without prescription, it won’t be surprising to discover people debating about the different products on the market, but for now, you can get a first look at what is available below.

Tinctures

CBD tinctures are a form that can be taken orally. It has gained popularity from users due to its versatility. This type of CBD usually comes with a dropper or spray bottle, making it simple for user to put the product on their tongue and let is be absorbed into their mouth and system. Tinctures come in many flavours and are very straightforward with usage. The only issues with tinctures are that many of them aren’t as strong as other CBD products (they are ideal for novices) and correct dosages can be difficult to determine with droppers.

Concentrates and Pastes

Concentrates and pastes are for the people that want the strongest CBD value they can get. These products are comprised mostly of CBD oil, meaning that the CBD concentration will always be high and that you will get your money’s worth. This type acts fast, absorbing into the system in about 15 minutes, and then lasts in the body up to 12 hours. This might not be the best choice for a novice as it takes a high tolerance to handle this and there is also a strong hemp taste.

Vape Oil

For the people that would prefer to vape, there are now vape oils infused with CBD. This product is also ideal because it allows users to safely inhale the product and absorb the CBD through the lungs. The effects can be felt almost immediately and can last up to six hours. By inhaling the CBD into your lungs, the product goes right into your body instead of having to travel through different passageways (tongue, skin, etc.). This method requires some more investment than the others because CBD vape oil can be difficult to use and a person will also have to buy an e-pen or vaporiser. Before spending the extra money, it’s important to determine if you truly prefer this method over the others.

Topicals

There are now lotions, oils, and balms that are infused with CBD oil. They are rubbed onto the skin and absorbed to provide relief with joint pain, inflammation, and muscle soreness. This is the easiest form of using CBD but it also is the slowest. Once applied, it takes one to two hours to be fully absorbed into the system and depending on strength, it can last six to 12 hours. It is a simple approach to target specific areas, this is ideal for many people who want an easy investment with not much difficulty.

Capsules

CBD capsules and pills are straightforward and simple to use. The CBD is absorbed into the stomach and can last between six to 12 hours. Since the capsules are digested in the gut, it can take a little longer (one to two hours) for the effects to happen. These pills usually come with a high concentration, meaning that while people are also getting their money’s worth here, it can be difficult for others to pinpoint how much CBD works for them. They also cost quite a bit, which can turn people off, especially with the other options already stated. This type would better serve people that already know what their daily intake of CBD is so they can take their dose quickly without having to worry about anything else.

Edibles

Edibles are extremely popular within the cannabis industry already and now, CBD is being infused into them. This is a great alternative for the people that don’t want to take tinctures or use vape oil, as CBD edibles come in a huge variety of flavours and provide the users with something that actually tastes good. With edibles, it takes about one to two hours for the effects to kick in and they can last six to 12 hours, depending on the strength. While edibles are simple, fast acting, and usually have high concentrations, there are a few downsides to them. Because they taste good, it can be easy for the user to overeat and indulge in too much CBD. 

How Much Does CBD Cost?

Firstly, all CBD products are created equal. For example, topicals are completely different than edibles, which is why the latter is going to cost much more than the former. In this case, you’re paying for the quality of the product. With products such as CBD vape oils, much of your money will probably be spent on the actual vaporisers themselves and experimenting with the different oils available. In this case, the amount of money spent depends on what you prefer with CBD.

Secondly, CBD users need to realise that there are good products and also bad ones. There are companies out there not following quality standards, and charging the same amounts as premium brands. To avoid getting scammed from one of these lower-end companies, it is important to research a company’s lab reports (if possible), how much CBD is in the product, what ingredients are used, where was the hemp sourced/cultivated from, and how the CBD was extracted.

If you’re able to find the lab reports, you can easily see whether or not they are accredited in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization. This means that the company you are interested in has met the standards and guidelines that were approved by their government. You should also check the reports to make sure the CBD product is free of any contaminants.

Checking the amount of CBD in a product is extremely important. By checking this, you are ensuring that the product is safe and does not contain a higher amount of THC that could cause psychoactive effects as well as result in a positive drug test if tested for THC (very common on New South Wales roads with Mobile Drug Testing). On a different note, companies could also not be entirely honest about the amount of CBD they are putting in their products, meaning that you aren’t receiving the full potential of the product. You will be paying more for quantity instead of quality, which is them just taking advantage of an industry that was meant to help people.

With CBD products, one would think that the ingredients are simple; CBD and that’s all. That is actually not the case at all because some companies distributing CBD products could be putting a large quantity of different ingredients into their products that aren’t the safest to consume. When researching different products, Google the different names on the ingredients list to see if there are any negative effects from them. This is a crucial step that many people miss because it is tedious and they would rather just enjoy their CBD product. You should also be checking to see the good ingredients that companies are using to exemplify the CBD’s effects just to know how your product is affecting your body.

With Australians rapidly warming up to the CBD market, it’s important for them to also consider pricing with how their products’ hemp is sourced and cultivated. The best hemp used has been found to have been developed through proper pH-balanced soil, grown from hemp seeds from reliable sources, and having been abstained from GMOs, pesticides, and other unnatural products. This information is difficult to get but some companies have been known to disclose this information, proving that they can be held credible. Some companies even own their own farms, meaning that the consumer can trace the hemp used from the beginning of its growth to when it was included into their product.

While there are many extraction methods for CBD, CO2 extraction is preferred, especially for the people that want the best product possible for their money. CO2 extraction provides a safe way for CBD to be extracted from the plant through pressurisation. Once the CBD is compressed, it turns into a cold liquid that has its nutrient-rich terpenes and trichomes preserved for clean use. Purity is essential for CBD and this should be researched by consumers to make sure they are getting the quality product that matches its price.

Important Information For Beginners

Since CBD is currently only legal for medical use in Australia with a special prescription, a very small amount of people have been able to experience its potential health benefits and the wide range of products that there are. While these people can vouch for everything CBD has done for them through anecdotal evidence, the only way to really learn about it is by educating yourself and legally accessing CBD products through the government approved schemes. In the meantime, here are some important points for novices to take into consideration when trying to determine if CBD would be ideal for them or not.

Not all oils are made the same

Once it becomes more accessible, people will start to notice that CBD can be bought anywhere that there are cannabis products, making it very simple for consumers to attain anything that was mentioned in this article. The important part for them to remember is that not all CBD oils are made the same and that they will probably have to try out different stores and products before finding something they really like. A product to think about is a CBD tincture. Tinctures are ideal for beginners because they come with simple packaging, are discreet, and have very light concentrations (although stronger concoctions are in the works for the future).

Analyse the concentration amounts

Concentration amounts can be daunting for beginners, especially when there are many options to choose from. A novice will have to determine through different usages and products what works for them and what makes them feel the best. This idea should also be taken into account with how long it takes someone’s body to react to the effects and how long they last for. It takes the body a while to adjust to the effects and different concentrations of CBD so a person shouldn’t start out too strong and should expect a few weeks spent on experimentation and allowing their bodies to become used to CBD overall. 

CBD vs Marijuana

There is a big question of why someone should choose CBD over marijuana. For some people, they swear that marijuana provides better effects than any other cannabis product but what they are forgetting is that not everyone wants that high. CBD is an alternative for the people that want to get the full effects of cannabis without the psychoactive consequences. Since Australia still carries strict laws against marijuana, and it is expected that beginners will try out CBD first because it’s an" easy-on-the-body-and-mind" alternative.

Once Australians start educating themselves on what CBD is and the undeniable health benefits, the negative stigma should start fading away. CBD wmay provide a big market that will become a portion of the country’s economic success while just being another alternative to marijuana and other cannabis products that many people aren’t comfortable with.

Where Can I Buy CBD Oil in Australia?

The Australian Federal government introduced legislation to decriminalise the use and sale of medical cannabis in 2016.

There are multiple ways to access CBD Oil in Australia:

Government Approved Pathways

1. Through your doctor - to obtain a referral
2. Through Specialist Clinics - GP referral required
3. Through the Extemporaneous Compounding Pathway - GP referral required
4. Through low-dose products - GP referral not required [NEW]

Buying CBD Oil Online Illegally

5. Buying illegally from online stores and international sellers that do not have TGA approval of products, and without a valid prescription and referral from a doctor

Visit our page on Where To Buy CBD Oil in Australia for more information.