Top 5 CBD Myths Exposed

Top 5 CBD Myths Exposed

Because CBD (the cannabinoid known as cannabidiol) and CBD products have skyrocketed in popularity in just a few short years, there’s a lot of misinformation about it that hasn’t been sorted out. But this blog should set straight a few of the more common misconceptions and myths about CBD to help you be an educated consumer.

CBD Myth #1 - CBD makes you “high”

Because CBD is found in the Cannabis sativa plant, which is also known as the marijuana plant, people think it causes a psychoactive “high.” However, CBD does not cause the “high” for which THC (a distinct cannabinoid) is known. In fact, CBD has been used to bring down a “high” for medical cannabis users who have used too much THC. It does this by interrupting THC’s interaction with CB1 receptors in the brain. Furthermore, CBD is derived from the hemp plant. While hemp is a cultivar of the Cannabis sativa plant, it does not produce enough THC to cause a “high.” CBD is extracted from FDA-regulated industrial hemp plants, and to be legally formulated into CBD products, these plants cannot contain more than .3% THC (dry weight), which is not enough to produce a psychoactive “high.” The effects of CBD come from its interaction with the body’s CB2 receptors found in the endocannabinoid system, which regulates homeostasis.

CBD Myth #2 - CBD is addictive

Another widespread CBD myth is that it is addicting. But CBD, in any amount or formulation, is not addictive or habit forming. Once you begin taking CBD, there is no risk that you will become physically or psychologically addicted, and you will have no withdrawal symptoms if you choose to stop taking it. One study has even demonstrated the effectiveness of CBD to eliminate the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal syndrome, which can begin about a week after stopping marijuana use, and includes anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and irritability.

CBD Myth #3 - CBD products are all the same

Because they can vary in their formulations and amounts, CBD products are not created equal. First, there are three CBD forms on the market: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Here’s a breakdown of them:

Full-spectrum products include the plant’s full profile of CBD, other trace cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids, and negligible amounts of THC, which amounts to no more than 0.3% (dry weight). The full-spectrum formulation allows for the entourage effect--the synergistic relationship of the extracted compounds working together to enhance the overall benefits.

Broad-spectrum products contain everything that full-spectrum products do, except for THC, which is separated out during the extraction process for people who don’t want to chance having any THC in their CBD product. Like full-spectrum, broad-spectrum products provide the entourage effect, but without the presence of THC. 

Isolate products are those that contain only a single cannabinoid and none of the other parts of the plant’s profile. Not only CBD, but any of the cannabinoids can be made into isolate products, including CBG, CBN, or CBC. Isolate products contain 99% of the chosen cannabinoid. Because all the other compounds are extracted from the formulation, save for 1%, isolate products will not produce the entourage effect and do not have THC.

Secondly, the amount of CBD in full- and broad-spectrum formulations can vary between products. Each product label should list the CBD loading, that is, the amount of CBD contained in the product and serving. This is usually displayed in milligrams or grams. The higher the loading, the more CBD in the product and the greater its effects and benefits. Incidentally, you may see the same product available in several sizes. For instance, you may find a one-ounce tincture that contains a CBD loading of 250 milligrams as well as a two-ounce or greater amount that contains 500, 1000, 1500, 3000 or more milligram loading. None of these loadings is “better” than the other. The amount of CBD per bottle depends on one’s tolerance and preference.

CBD Myth #4 - CBD affects everyone the same

As explained above, a lot of products that contain different CBD loadings exist because everyone’s body chemistry is different, and what affects one person one way may affect someone else differently. Metabolism, body size, hydration, and more factors explain why dose and effects differ, even for the same person on a different day. Therefore, finding a product that contains the right amount of CBD for you might take a little time. Most people start with a low dose and work their way up from there and may eventually take a daily dose to maintain their CBD levels.  

However, it’s not just about the loading. The delivery of CBD is also a factor in its effect. That is, the time it takes CBD to affect you, the duration of that effect, and the actual effect experienced depends on whether it’s used topically, sublingually (under the tongue), inhaled, or ingested, as with edibles. And again, these delivery methods can affect everyone in different ways.

CBD Myth #5 - CBD is the same wherever you buy it

Currently, CBD products are FDA-regulated, but the FDA does not approve CBD products as safe and effective for therapeutic solutions, as they do with pharmaceutical drugs. Manufacturers self-report the safety and viability of products as they are tested and accurately labeled. This leaves customers on their own to find a seller they trust. That is why it is important to purchase CBD products from a company that stakes their reputation on the purity, quality, safety, and efficacy of their products by offering customers a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on every product. This analysis should be performed by an independent, third-party lab and provide the product’s batch number, test date, potency, compound profile, and more. The company should also prove its trustworthiness and transparency by offering information upfront on its website, using terms such as:

• Organic
• Non-GMO
• CO2-extracted
• 100% U.S. Federal Farm Bill Compliant hemp
• Free of residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticides
• Independently lab tested
• COA available

Final thoughts

Busting these five myths should help you better understand CBD and its different formulations and potencies as well as how to find a reputable seller from which to purchase quality products. Now that you’ve got those things down, all that’s left is to experience the wonderful world of CBD products and find your favorite.