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In a new study, researchers used a random sample of adult participants and collected sociodemographic and behavioural data. They merged response modalities to identify correlates of having heard of CBD, using CBD and perceived harms from CBD use.
According to a recent judgement, products containing CBD do not qualify as tobacco for indirect tax purposes in Switzerland. This is good news for consumers.
Legality
Switzerland is a country famous for many things: pristine nature, efficiency, punctuality and chocolate. But it’s not often that people think of the Swiss as pioneers in CBD and cannabis. In fact, the country is one of the most progressive in Europe when it comes to legalizing this new market.
In Switzerland, it is not a criminal offense to possess or sell cannabis products that contain less than 1% THC. These products include tinctures, edibles and other products that can be used as an aid to sleep or pain relief. However, it is still illegal to grow or cultivate weed for recreational purposes.
Nevertheless, in the future, it is expected that the country will further soften its national cannabis laws. This is because the new industry has been a success and it has grown to be very popular with customers. As such, the country is now looking into introducing a legal cultivation market. This could be very good news for the industry.
Safety
All CBD-based products that are marketed as medicines have to be labelled with the product name and dosage, and the results of all chemical analyses. Detailed information on the composition and purity of the product is also required, as well as proof that the products have been manufactured in accordance with GMP standards.
EFSA’s current assessment is that the risk of using CBD for health purposes is low. However, the toxicity of CBD and its potential impact on liver, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine and nervous systems is yet to be fully understood.
Nevertheless, in the study by Zobel et al., 29 CBD was found to be potentially harmful, at least in those who had been using it for a prolonged period of time. This suggests the need for clearer European CBD regulations that are comparable to those of other food substances.
Side Effects
The side effects of cbd suisse are usually related to its pharmacokinetic properties. For example, it is lipophilic and will bind to fat tissue. This can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea. These symptoms are usually not serious, but they can be irritating for some people. Fortunately, these symptoms can be reduced by taking the right amount of CBD.
Studies on animals indicate that CBD has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. However, these effects might depend on the animal model used for testing. Another caveat of preclinical studies is that they often use supraphysiological concentrations of the compound being tested.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 23 patients with therapy-resistant epilepsy. They received oral D9-THC, CBD, or placebo in three consecutive sessions at one-month intervals. The doses of each treatment were chosen to evoke neurocognitive effects without producing significant toxic, physical or psychiatric side effects. Among the patients in the CBD group, a reduction of seizures was observed.
Precautions
CBD can interact with several medications, especially those metabolized by the liver. These interactions can have additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects depending on the drugs involved and a person’s individual physiology. For example, CBD can decrease the absorption of certain drugs by competing for the same liver enzymes. This can affect the levels of other medications in the body, causing unwanted side effects.
It can also interfere with the way some anti-epileptic drugs are metabolized by the liver, resulting in an increase in the blood concentrations of these drugs and potentially causing serious adverse events. It may also interfere with fertility medicines. In a study of sea urchins, CBD reduced in vitro fertilization success by reducing acrosome reaction.
CBD can cause drowsiness, so taking it with OTC or prescription sleep aids, sedatives, or alcohol can lead to excessive drowsiness or fatigue. It can also interfere with the normal synthesis of melatonin and other sleep-regulating chemicals in the brain.