Bernard O'Shea: I tried CBD oil to help me sleep — here's what happened

Amidst the buzz about CBD oil and its therapeutic potential lies a personal tale of an explosive transformation

CBD oil has had one massive explosive effect on my body, one that I’m incredibly embarrassed to express, but here goes …

CBD oil has captivated the attention of individuals seeking alternative remedies for various health concerns.

So, what exactly is CBD oil? Cannabidiol (CBD) is found in cannabis sativa and has emerged as a prominent player in the world of holistic wellness.

Unlike its psychoactive counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD will not get you “high”. So don’t buy it if you think it will give you the munchies. Also, CBD oil does not induce a psychoactive “high”.

Instead, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, influencing various physiological processes. (OK, what’s in God’s name is the “endocannabinoid system” when it’s at home?)

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is like a built-in harmony regulator in our bodies. It uses messengers called endocannabinoids and special receivers known as cannabinoid receptors to keep things balanced.

This system significantly affects our wellbeing, pain, mood, and sleep. When we hear about CBD and THC, they’re substances that can chat with the ECS and potentially help with different health stuff. The ECS is your body’s conductor, ensuring everything works just right.

Then there’s THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is found in the cannabis plant, particularly in marijuana. It’s renowned for its psychoactive properties, responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana use.

This intoxicating effect occurs when THC interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, altering mood, perception, and cognition. Again (especially for my mother if she’s reading this), I’ve been using CBD oil, not THC.

To create CBD oil, manufacturers extract it from the cannabis plant and blend it with an oil. The one I have used for the last six weeks is blended with peppermint, enhancing its bioavailability (Christ on a bike, what’s bioavailability?).

I promise this is the last one. Bioavailability is how well our bodies can use substances like medicine or nutrients. It determines how efficiently our bodies absorb and use what we consume.

Bernard O'Shea: 'I eventually replaced my evening gallon of tea with a few drops of CBD under my tongue.' Picture: Moya Nolan

Like all new health products, CBD has been espoused to aid in diverse health issues like chronic pain, acne, and epilepsy. Still, it has garnered the most attention for its ability to help anxiety and depression. But I wanted to see if it could help with food cravings.

I recently went through weeks of quite literally gulping down gallons of caffeine-based drinks along with my usual two to three cups of Joe a day.

I’d then wake at 2am and stare at the ceiling for hours. I tried the usual array of techniques to help me get off to Blanket St. I’d turn off all screens two hours before bedtime. I upped my exercise during the day. I even snuck in a few hot baths.

It took me a week before I realised I was pumping myself with caffeine, and thus, my adrenaline and anxiety shot through the roof. I hoped the CBD oil could help curb some of the cravings.

It didn’t do anything for the first two weeks except get me used to the grassy taste. Albeit the oil was mixed with peppermint, keeping it under my tongue for two minutes was hard.

I eventually replaced my evening gallon of tea with a few drops of CBD under my tongue, and for a few days, I did find that I was nodding off a lot more easily than before. I knew I was conscious of drinking too many caffeine sodas and was hedging my bets that the CBD oil was merely acting as a placebo. Unfortunately, I didn’t find that the CBD oil affected my sleep or general mood.

But it has had one massive explosive effect on my body, one that I’m incredibly embarrassed to express, but here goes …

I’ve stopped farting so much. I’ve always suffered from wind-related issues, especially at night. I have IBS, and I’m lactose intolerant. I tracked my food on my phone and noticed I hadn’t changed my diet dramatically.

The CBD oil has significantly reduced my bodily trumpeting for some reason (and I’ve tried to find out). Even so, the safety of CBD oil remains a topic of ongoing research. While moderate CBD consumption has not raised serious safety concerns, individuals are advised to consult healthcare professionals before use (when my GP reads this, he might have a word or two to say to me).

Still, at least the next time we meet, he won’t have to open the window.