By now you’ve probably heard that cannabis oil in Australia is legal with a doctor’s prescription. That became a reality in 2016, and since then over 285,000 Aussies have benefited from using this alternative treatment.
But what exactly is cannabis oil and how is it made? What is it used for and who does it help?
What Is Cannabis Oil?
Prior to the cannabis boom that’s swept the globe over the last two decades, most people who consumed marijuana did so by smoking cannabis flower. But, more recently, concentrated cannabis oil has also become widely available and is especially useful from a therapeutic standpoint.
Cannabis oil is created by extracting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive compound found in cannabis – and its therapeutic counterpart, cannabidiol (CBD), from marijuana flower. These compounds are then blended into a carrier oil, such as hemp seed or MCT oil.
Depending on the extraction process, some oils will have one or both of these compounds, along with other cannabinoids and terpenes.
Which specific oil is best for you is something you can determine with your doctor.
What's the Best Way to Take Cannabis Oil?
Cannabis oil in Australia is available in several different forms, including tinctures, liquids, oral solutions, topical applications, capsules, and more, per the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Your specific diagnosis will determine whether you would benefit from THC, CBD, or a combination of both. As your doctor will explain, the ratio of THC to CBD in cannabis oil is important to consider because each has different benefits and effects, and they work hand-in-hand in your body.
Currently, oral liquid is the most popular cannabis oil on the market in Australia, with many options containing only CBD, or CBD with trace amounts of THC. This means they won’t create a ‘high’ like you might experience with stronger THC products.
What Are the Effects of Cannabis Oil?
Now that we know what cannabis oil is and how it’s made, what happens when you ingest it?
For one, cannabis oil is a concentrated substance, so it’s almost always more potent than you’d find marijuana flower. Something which your doctor will take into consideration when prescribing.
Cannabis oil (and other products you take by mouth) will take longer to deliver results than inhalation. The flip side is that the benefits are prolonged as well.
Does cannabis oil have any intoxicating effects? If you take a CBD-only product, there won’t be a psychoactive experience. Although you may feel a sense of peace and relaxation (as noted by Neurotherapeutics).
CBD is also prescribed to relieve pain and ease symptoms of anxiety and depression (per the Journal of Cannabis Research). Some studies support the use of CBD for sleep as well.
If your prescription of cannabis oil has THC, you may feel a change in mood and perception. People commonly describe it as a ‘high.” THC because it binds to your endocannabinoid system and causes your brain to release feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin.
Additionally, THC can stimulate your appetite and make eating food more pleasurable – this effect is widely known as the “munchies.” Finally, THC can make you sleepy, per Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.
How To Access Cannabis Oil in Australia
If you’re curious about cannabis oil in Australia, one great way to find out more is to set up a consultation with alternaleaf.
We are a judgment free consultation option, providing at-home telehealth services to medical cannabis patients across Australia. We can answer any questions you may have, and our doctors can write medical marijuana prescriptions for patients who qualify – all from the comfort of your home.