It's not trending anymore, but Ayurvedic doctors think you should try CBD oil

I tried it for three weeks, and here’s what happened

“Should we get her some CBD oil to calm down?” my sister commented in jest, referring to my cat’s late-night/early morning zoomies. I didn’t know if it would work or if CBD oil (popular shorthand for cannabidiol oil) existed in India then, and how you get it for pets. Moreover, it didn’t occur to me that someone else could benefit from its proclaimed benefits: me.

For a long time, the most committed and stable relationship in my life was with melatonin. With two puffs of a melatonin mouth spray, I’d slowly drift into a slumber. It came with a side effect that I got myself used to – vivid dreams that are often indistinguishable from reality. But it was the price I had to pay to counter the effects of a cocktail of medications that would keep me up at night. But lately, the relationship had become complicated and I found myself stirring again, anxious and irritable by the time my alarm went off. Then I heard about Awshad.

Awshad’s journey began similarly, thanks to their furry companion. Richa Jaggi co-founded the company alongside Shivam Singhee in 2021, taking on the role of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The pet line was launched in honour of her beloved dog, Champ. Jaggi explains, “During Champ’s illness, I discovered the potential benefits of CBD, and its role in alleviating pain and improving the well-being of humans and pets. While searching for CBD oil all over India, I realised that there’s no concept of it in our country and, in fact, people consider it a taboo. Tired and disappointed, I had to source the oil from other countries through friends.” With their documentation sorted, they extended their product range to include us, the bipeds.

With Awshad’s full spectrum Vijaya oil in hand, I was ready to put it to the test. Hoping to get a restful night’s sleep, calm some anxiety and alleviate the back pain plaguing me for weeks. But like most people, I had my apprehensions and began to investigate.

What the experts say about CBD oil

I jumped on a call with Dr Kapil Saini, B.A.M.S, Doctor of Ayurveda, Awshad, to understand how to use the oil and what to expect. He selected a dosage and explained that I needed to start slowly. One drop under my tongue the first night, two the next, and so on until I was comfortable with four drops.

The properties of CBD would help with chronic pain, inflammation, migraines, anxiety and sleeplessness. Without the narcotic THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) aspect of the plant, the CBD oil was safe to use. I needed to wait an hour after taking my nightly medication before administering my dose. He does recommend speaking to an expert before opting for CBD yourself, especially if you have underlying conditions and are on medication, to ensure that there are no potential negative interactions, because not all CBD oils are the same.

THC and CBD are two of the compounds found in cannabis plants. “The process of manufacturing CBD oils involves extracting CBD from the plant and then diluting it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil,” explains Jaggi.

“In Ayurveda, hemp, historically known as ‘Vijaya’, has been esteemed since the Atharva Veda era (2000-1400 BCE) for its varied therapeutic uses. It was traditionally utilised to harmonise the body’s three fundamental doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. In the context of modern Ayurvedic practice, the focus has shifted towards CBD, a non-intoxicating component of hemp,” says Ayurveda, beauty and wellness expert, Dr Ipsita Chatterjee.

Concurring with the benefits explained to me by Saini, Chatterjee adds that it also aids in digestive health, where it can help in regulating “digestion and alleviating issues like constipation, aligning with Ayurveda’s emphasis on gut health as a cornerstone of overall wellness.”

Let’s talk legal

Paranoia was the first thing to hit me when speaking to Jaggi. Was this some kind of sting operation for a drug bust? But Jaggi explains that, contrary to popular belief, CBD and medical cannabis are Schedule-E1 drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act of 1940, and are regulated by the AYUSH Ministry and the Indian Excise Department. “CBD and cannabis are often used interchangeably, but that’s incorrect. CBD is just one of over 100 compounds found in this plant.”

CBD oil isn’t prescribed easily nor can it be casually bought. If you’re interested in starting consults with an Ayurvedic doctor, then it’s to their discretion and expertise whether or not they prescribe it. CBD oil can and should only be purchased from companies which are licensed under the Ministry of AYUSH.

Trial experience

Week 1

Enter CBD oil, stage left. I eyed the bottle, trying to decode its content like a multi-tasking serum promising glass skin – was it a gift from the universe or a placebo in disguise? The first drop hit my tongue (my mistake; it should have been under), and I braced for something between herbal elixir and petrol. Surprisingly, it tasted more like a cousin of coconut oil and peppermint (Awshad has different flavours) with an earthy twist.

Day, or should I say night one, and I felt nothing. In fact, those first three or four nights went by without any change. Like applying for a new job – expectations high, results TBD. No transformation into a Zen master; just me, going about my chaotic routine, tossing and turning through the night, getting up and wandering about to deal with a restless leg while muttering, “why isn’t this working?” as the background score.

Week 2

Around night six or seven, I picked up on the change – small but noticeable. The CBD magic is definitely not an overnight extravaganza, and it was tough not to expect the same. It’s more like planting seeds and waiting for a garden to bloom. The circus in my head was still performing every night as I tried to fall asleep, but the jugglers seemed to be taking a few more nap breaks.

Psychotherapist Nisha Khanna says that when it comes to things like CBD oil for anxiety, it can be a hit or a miss. She’s not against it, per se, believing that people react differently to pharmaceuticals, and a ‘natural’ method may work better for some. “Something like CBD oil could also have an additional placebo effect for people who are afraid of pharmaceuticals. It can be a stepping stone, or sufficient to ease anxiety by itself. As long as you’re getting a proper consultation beforehand and checking off any possible negative interactions with other medications or ailments you may have, I see no harm in trying it alongside talk therapy.”

Going into week two, every night felt like someone had turned down the volume from a rock concert to an acoustic jam. Even if I didn’t get a straight six hours of sleep, I found myself pausing before reacting, like my brain had suddenly gained a diplomatic button. It wasn’t transcendence, but it was progress. I got my period at the end of week two and, with endometriosis, CBD oil’s pain management abilities would be tested to the max.

Week 3

By week three, CBD and I felt like pals. It became a daily ritual, like morning chai or, yet again, attempting to do chaturanga dandasana without face-planting into the yoga mat. The mental chaos had transformed from a rave to a manageable Diwali fête.

The once-tangled thoughts racing through my mind, as I lay in the dark, felt more like a synchronised swimming duo with a clear end in sight. It wasn’t a complete rewrite of my brain’s script, but more like a revised edition.

Conclusion

I’m now four weeks in and CBD oil hasn’t transformed me into a serene, all-knowing sage. Going by preconceived notions and pop culture, I imagined something more enlightening and third-eye-related growth. But after four drops at night, it’s like slowly turning on the dimmers, allowing for some quiet in the pandemonium of adult life.

Pain management hasn’t been a huge success, but experts say these things can take time. Physiotherapist Avni Rana Jog has clients who use CBD pain relief oil and rave about it. “Topically, I don’t see any harm. If it works for you, then it works. But when it comes to muscular pain, the best thing you can do for the long-run is strengthening. Everything else is temporary management.” Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much of a difference when it came to endometriosis pain when I got my period. It still very much felt like I was slowly getting disembowelled and needed a traditional painkiller, but I can say that my restless leg has calmed down. I don’t know if that’s a result of stopping melatonin (some believe it can be a side effect) or the incorporation of CBD. But it’s working, and I’m sticking to it.

There is a noticeable calmness in me that I feel throughout the day and, I don’t know how else to say it… friendliness… towards other people that my introverted and asocial self isn’t accustomed to. I guess when you aren’t completely overwhelmed by anxiety, stress and poor sleep, it makes you less of a khadoos (it’s mostly my resting face), and a more amicable person.

My journey with CBD oil will go on, and I’m excited to continue to reap the benefits heading my way, if we stay on track. From my experience, I believe that if you want to try it for yourself for symptoms similar to mine, think of it like training a puppy – you need patience and consistency, as the experts suggested, and, with time, you’ll have a somewhat chilled-out companion.

A note of caution: This article includes expert inputs and the writer’s personal experiences. Please consult your healthcare provider to find the best treatment plan for your needs.