FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are Cannabinoids and Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabis (Latin: hemp) is a collective term for substances from the female hemp plant of the genus Cannabis sativa. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found naturally in the resin of cannabis plants. Scientists have so far identified over 100 plant cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids. The two most abundant phytocannabinoids include cannabidiol (CBD) and psychotropic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

CBD is an essential component of “medical marijuana”. Hemp, a cousin of the marijuana plant, naturally contains only trace levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical component that gives marijuana its euphoric qualities. 

What are the benefits of taking CBD?

CBD works by mimicking the natural endocannabinoids in the body. As a result, when using Broad Spectrum CBD, people have reported an increased sense of calm, decreased stress and, when taken at night, deeper sleep. As terpenes are gastro-protective, it also works to mildly soothe irritated gut conditions.

CBD is also suitable addition for chronic pain management. CBD and the terpenes block pain-conducting nerve impulses, which help to reduce the perception of pain. CBD and other cannabinoids also reduce pain by affecting endorphins, the feel-good chemicals we naturally produce to suppress pain. 

Is CBD addictive?

No. Unlike opioids (heroin, narcotics), which mimic endorphins and suppress natural endorphins, cannabinoids balance and increase natural endorphins.

Instead of causing dependence and addiction like opioids, CBD and cannabinoids do the opposite — so much so that CBD has proven valuable for helping break addictions to opiates.

Please see the many scientific studies linked on our website for the well-established details on these statements. Philip Watkins, INL Director of Education has produced a literature review for our website providing a well-referenced article into the science behind CBD’s click here.

How does CBD work? 

The human body produces certain cannabinoids on its own. It also has two receptors for cannabinoids: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found in high concentrations in the brain and nervous system; CB2 receptors are located throughout the body, but predominantly within the lower body and immune system. These receptors can activate the endocannabinoid system, which oversees or regulates parts of the nervous system, endorphins, immune system functions, hormones, mood and emotions, metabolism, and other chemical messengers in the body. Overall CBD’s tend to gently regulate or normalize these functions. 

CBD binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and body, gently stimulating and blocking them at the same time. It is also believed to trigger the body to create more CB1 and CB2 receptors, a process known as upregulation. When the body experiences an increase in CB receptors, it becomes more sensitive to the natural endocannabinoids like anandamide - a calming neurotransmitter - already present in the body. This can result in an uplifted mood, reduced inflammation and improved pain tolerance.

Is CBD Legal in Hong Kong?

In 2018, the World Health Organization reported “CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

Subsequently, the Hong Kong Department of Health has deregulated CBD products as long as they are 100% free of THC’s.

Are Medlabs CBD products proven to be better absorbed than other CBD products?

Another of Medlab’s Nano CBD-related products available in restricted trials in Australia is called NanaBis. It contains half the CBD of NanoCBD, but also contains THC, making it unavailable in HK at present. 

Interestingly, when NanaBis was compared with Nabiximols, a registered drug and oro-buccal spray with twice the levels of THC and CBD, using ethanol and propoline glycol rather than nano-liposomal delivery, the maximum CBD blood level was more than twice as high (1.02 vs 0.39). 

This is despite the case that the latter had 2x the CBD per dose (Nabiximols had 5mg CBD per done while NanaBis has 2.4mg CBD per dose). 

This indicates NanoCBD has superior absorption, approximately 5 times better than the product that is not using the liposomal NanocelleTM technology.

What are the different forms of CBD?

There are three forms of CBD products. 

Full Spectrum CBD: The most effective form of CBD, this product contains every naturally occurring cannabinoid in the plant. It contains terpenes, which assist the therapeutic activity in the Endocannaboid System and enhance the properties of CBD (known as the entourage effect), but it also contains 0.3% THC, which is illegal in Hong Kong. 

Broad Spectrum CBD: This product contains CBDs and terpenes, but the THC has been removed, which means it is legal in Hong Kong. Because it contains terpenes, it is more effective and a faster form of relief than Isolated CBD. Our Medlab NanoCBD is a Broad Spectrum product.

Isolate CBD: This product is purified CBD that has been extracted from the hemp plant and isolated from all other cannabinoids. At least ten times the dosage is required to achieve an effect similar to Full Spectrum CBD.Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Are their other benefits?

CBD and cannabinoids are significant immune system modulators, producing a balancing effect. They down regulate excess inflammation, which when combined with their ability to ease pain and anxiety, make CBD a consideration for immune dysfunction-related illnesses. Some people use them to help manage Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn’s.

Given its effectiveness for pain management, the benefits associated with cannabis have also garnered interest for use in cancer therapy, and several studies do show validity to this in reducing dosing of opioids.

It is important to note that, while supportive, CBD’s are not a cure for severe pain, sleep disorders, or depression.

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology describes the science, engineering and technology conducted at the nano-scale that deals with particle dimensions of less than 100 nanometres. 

Medlabs NanocelleTM Particle range is 3.8 - 89.31nm. The small particle size is validated by the US reference lab, Particle Technology Labs (PTL). PTL is the independent third party checking Medlabs NanocelleTM products for both size and efficacy, verifying the nanotechnology is achieved.

NanoCBD is the only CBD product with liposomal and nano-particle administration coupled with spray technology to deliver to the oral-buccal membranes, facilitating all the therapeutic qualities of broad spectrum CBD with lower doses.