You've probably come across CBD products and the many claims they make about what they can cure. We talked to the director of one of Europe's leading companies (Cannabis Pharma, sro) about what to realistically expect from such products and how a high-quality CBD extract can help our digestion and metabolism.

František, ste družinski človek, oče treh majhnih otrok. Ali je tudi v vaši domači lekarni najti pripravke s CBD?

Yes, of course. CBD is quite commonly used to support the immune system and prevent common health problems like headaches. My mother-in-law uses CBDEX to relieve arthritis symptoms and protect the nervous system. With the help of CBDEX and organic hemp oil (made from industrial hemp seeds), I was able to lower my blood cholesterol from 9 to 4.2. It also improved my sleep and relieved my back pain.

Trg preplavljajo trditve, da je CBD zdravilo za vse težave. Koliko je v tem resnice, v kolikšni meri pa gre za pričakovanja brez trdne osnove?

Sodobno življenje je precej zahtevnejše in bolj stresno, kot je bilo nekoč. Ne želim zavajati in govoriti, da bo CBD odpravil vse vaše težave. Če si zaradi neustreznega življenjskega sloga pridelate zdravstveno težavo, je prav, da odpravite tudi vzroke za njen nastanek. CBD bo v tem procesu dobra pomoč. Uporabite ga lahko za umirjanje in sproščanje v primeru stresa, kot podporo imunskemu sistemu, za izboljšanje spanja … Vseeno pa menim, da ima CBD velike potenciale tudi pri preprečevanju številnih drugih težav, ki nastanejo kot posledica sodobnega življenjskega sloga.

There's a lot of talk about CBD products these days. Some explain that it's an important active ingredient in cannabis that's actually medicinal, while others claim that CBD is just a good support for a number of problems. What's true?

Both. Isolated CBD concentrate from a natural extract and also synthesized CBD (when the preparation contains 98 to 99 % CBD) are the subject of pharmaceutical research and are an integral part of medicines. CBD in such a percentage or purity should not be used in food supplements according to European legislation. In the production of CBDEX food supplements, we use a natural extract (resin) from industrial hemp flowers (Cannabis sativa). This means that we first obtain an extract that, in addition to other ingredients, contains a lot of the cannabinoid CBD (from 30 to 75 %, depending on the type of hemp). Such a proportion of CBD is permitted for use in food supplements, which can be used without medical supervision. Part of such an extract is then mixed with high-quality coconut oil to obtain the appropriate percentage (from 1 to 5 %) of CBD for each individual preparation.

Kaj je dobro vedeti, ko se prvič srečamo s CBD?

Above all, choose from proven and high-quality products from reliable manufacturers. Illegal preparations are usually of poor quality, often not containing enough CBD, sometimes containing too much THC or traces of heavy metals, pesticides, etc.

How to choose a quality CBD product when choosing between legal providers of CBD products?

It is difficult to briefly summarize the issues in this area, so I will talk more about it in a lecture that I prepared for my appearance at the Altermed fair. In any case, pay attention to whether the preparation contains isolated CBD, synthetic or laboratory-produced CBD, or a natural extract from industrial hemp. The latter is a multi-component natural extract that, in addition to CBD, also contains other cannabinoids and terpenes. It is known that natural CBD extracts are more effective than isolated CBD thanks to other naturally occurring components. Many providers of CBD preparations state that it is an organic product, but this is legally impossible. As soon as organic industrial hemp is processed into an extract, it can no longer be organic. Producers of quality CBD preparations face another problem. It is good to know that just because hemp is grown organically is not the highest quality standard. Although industrial hemp may be organic, it does not necessarily meet the demanding criteria set by manufacturers of CBD preparations. The CBD content in the extract from organic industrial hemp flowers is usually very low (less than 1.8 %). In addition, the flowers are full of insects. I will also talk more about this in the lecture.

Nekateri zagovarjajo velike odmerke CBD, drugi manjše. Kaj menite, kako naj odmerjamo CBD, zlasti če gre za prvo uporabo?

It is important to start taking CBD gradually, or gradually increase the dose until you achieve the desired effect. When it comes to CBDEX tinctures, we recommend gradually working up to a dose of twelve drops per day. This means starting with one to two drops per day and then gradually increasing the dose until you reach the recommended twelve drops over a few days or weeks. This will allow you to find the most suitable dose of CBD for you, as the body's response varies from person to person.

In general, CBD is a safe substance, and if you use quality preparations and follow the manufacturer's instructions, there should be no problems.

Pripravki CBDEX so torej prehranski dodatki, ki jih ponujate v različnih funkcionalnih različicah. Zakaj različni odstotki CBD in dodatek različnih vitaminov?

Yes, one of the interesting properties of CBD is that it stimulates in low doses and calms in higher doses. It is easier for the user if the method of taking and dosing is the same - and the effects are provided by the appropriate formula and functional additives. Different percentages of CBD and different vitamins in individual products therefore ensure the optimal effect. This way we get products that are already adapted to the different needs of users. For example, those with nervous problems can support the basic therapy prescribed by their doctor by taking Neuro CBDEX, and those with digestive problems with Gastrovit CBDEX.

There are many stories of people getting rid of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis with the help of CBD, and some even report that they achieved this with preparations containing THC. What do you think, is this possible?

Of course. CBD not only soothes mild but also more severe digestive problems. It shows great potential for managing inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated for both cannabidiol (CBD) and the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, CBD does not have psychoactive effects. For this reason, and also due to the results of previous studies that reveal that CBD reduces excessive gastrointestinal movement and inflammation and tissue damage, it may be important in the future in managing inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. For a long time, its mechanism of action in such problems was unknown, but now we know that

CBD achieves these effects by affecting the receptors of the endocannabinoid system (EC), which are also located along the digestive tract. Why is this important? The body tries to control inflammation by increasing the number of EC receptors at the site of inflammation. The body's cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) usually bind to these receptors, of course, if we have enough of them - and the inflammation subsides. However, when the body's cannabinoids are lacking, they can be replaced with cannabis cannabinoids. CBD has been shown to affect these receptors.

Ali lahko CBD pomaga premagovati prebavne težave pri onkoloških pacientih? Znano je namreč, da nimajo pravega teka, da jih mučita slabost in bruhanje …

Čeprav o sebi lahko rečem, da sem po rednem uživanju CBD pripravkov vedno lačen, CBD na povečanje teka ne vpliva neposredno, pač pa posredno. Neposredno tek povečujeta kanabinoida THC in CBN. CBD pa deluje tako, da spodbuja presnovo, in to na več načinov. Južnokorejska raziskava iz leta 2016 je pokazala, da CBD spodbuja izgorevanje oziroma porabo maščobnih zalog. Poleg tega so ugotovili, da povečuje število in dejavnost celičnih elektrarn (mitohondriji), kar pomeni, da se proizvodnja telesne energije poveča. Ker imamo več energije, smo dejavnejši, posledično pa postanemo bolj lačni. Za onkološke paciente je morda še pomembnejši drug vidik delovanja CBD. Ti pacienti izgubijo tek predvsem zaradi slabosti in bruhanja. Ker CBD umirja tako slabost kot bruhanje, se posledično izboljša tudi njihov tek.

Diabetes is becoming more common due to poor diet and stress. Does CBD help with this disease as well?

Yes, CBD can help with this too. Since CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to calm all inflammation. Since chronic inflammation plays an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes, CBD helps to manage this disease by calming inflammation. As a result, glucose metabolism also improves. However, since CBD also acts as an antioxidant and protects and regenerates the nervous system, it additionally protects the body against the consequences of diabetes (damage to eye vessels and blindness, cardiovascular diseases, etc.).

Text: Rajko Škarič in Adriana Dolinar, dr. vet. med., predsednica Associations for the Awakening of the Whole Man and external collaborator of the project Together for the Health of Man and Nature.

More about CBD: HERE