We asked what some of your CBD concerns were, and received a number of questions asking whether CBD is safe to use in the office.
There are two parts to this answer. The first part is yes - CBD helps with relaxation and the calming of the body & brain, but it is not a psychostimulant. That is, it does not increase activity in the central nervous system, which means that your mental clarity will in no way be impaired and you will be able to perform your work as usual.
A recent study published in The Permanente Journal was conducted on participants that suffered from anxiety.
The researchers found that CBD reduced the anxiety of the participants within the first month of consumption, thus highlighting the potential benefits for office use by inducing a sense of calm in stressful situations and environments such as the office.
Additionally, the stress-relieving effects of CBD can be further increased by flavonoids combined with CBD resulting in what is known as the “Entourage Effect”. This happens when the two work synergistically to amplify the benefits that CBD already has.
Flavonoids such as lavender and cinnamon also have calming and relaxing properties, while flavonoids such as green apple, lemon and grapefruit are great for revitalising and awakening the mind - all of which could be helpful in the office environment.
The second part of this answer depends on a few other factors, including what your company’s policy is when it comes to employee drug use. Because full and broad-spectrum CBD oil still contains a minimal percentage of THC, there is a chance that this will reflect on a drug test.
Another significant thing to consider is that CBD affects everyone’s body differently. It is important to start low and go slow - the South African legal recommended daily dosage is 20mg, but you will need to experiment with this and asses the correct dose for your individual biochemistry based on your body's reaction.
As always when it comes to CBD, there is a general answer to be found but ultimately the decision is entirely personal and will have to be based on your own needs and experience of the cannabis plant.