CBD, or its formal name Cannabidiol, has attracted a lot of attention lately — both good and bad. Educating the public on its benefits, safety, and therapeutic uses allows individuals to feel more empowered and become better informed about CBD and how it can be used. Here, we debunk the 10 common myths of CBD to set the record straight about this substance.
Myth 1 – CBD can get you high.
CBD is a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant and does not have any psychotropic effects. Research has demonstrated significant effects on addressing concerns including anxiety, seizures, and inflammation while promoting overall health support.
Myth 2 – You will test positive in a drug test if using CBD.
CBD is not currently tested in routine drug tests. Typical drug tests are screening for THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. You will not test positive in a routine drug test by using CBD products that contain no THC. However, consumers should pay close attention to making sure the CBD they are using is free from THC. If THC is present in the CBD product, a test result could show positive for THC. The maximum amount of THC allowed by our government to be considered THC free is 0.3 percent.
Myth 3 – CBD is snake oil.
CBD may appear to some as snake oil because it seems to respond like a panacea or cure-all. The reality is that CBD aids in bringing the body’s system into balance. The endocannabinoid system is a regulatory system that is present in all of our organs, the brain, and the immune system. CBD supports this regulatory system to address a targeted concern or to support natural balance and overall health.
Myth 4 – CBD in the isolate form is better than whole-plant CBD.
CBD derived from full-plant extraction typically contains other cannabinoids that work synergistically with the CBD in what is known as the entourage effect. This effect adds to the efficacy of the CBD by working together to make positive effects on our endo-cannabinoid systems. Because of the entourage effect, whole-plant CBD is more effective than CBD isolate in aiding health conditions.
Myth 5 – CBD cures ailments.
CBD is not a cure, but rather a treatment and it can be effective at helping people get relief from certain physical conditions. It has been known to aid in conditions like fibromyalgia, pain, and inflammation. It can also help alleviate nervous conditions like anxiety and sleep disorders. Until recently, CBD was scheduled as a Level 1 Controlled Substance. Because of this, there was not much research to determine the exact benefits of using the product. More research is currently underway, much of which has come from other countries.
Myth 6 – CBD is always sedating.
Everyone’s body and their metabolisms have some variability, so CBD can affect us all somewhat differently. In some individuals, CBD can be more energizing while it can have a sedative effect for others. CBD can also help a person focus and stay alert in the daytime while simultaneously improving their quality of sleep at night.
How can CBD treat both anxiety/insomnia and focus for the same person? This can occur because CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system of the stress response, which is often related to the root cause of both anxiety and insomnia. It is best to experiment with CBD at night first, usually a few hours prior to going to sleep. By initially dosing this way, you will learn how the CBD will interact with your body as either energizing or sedating.
Myth 7 – CBD comes from the cannabis plant and not the hemp plant.
Scientifically, CBD is one of the many chemical compounds present in the cannabis sativa plant, which includes both marijuana and hemp. However, according to current federal law, cannabis is considered hemp – not marijuana – as long as no part of the plant (including the leaves and flowers) exceeds a THC concentration of “more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”
The passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (otherwise known as the Farm Bill) defined “industrial hemp” for the first time in U.S. history and legally distinguished it legally from marijuana.
Myth 8 – High doses of CBD work the best.
In some cases this is true, however, CBD has a dosing curve. If you stay within the dosing curve, CBD can have a profound effect. If you step outside of the dosing curve either by taking too much or not enough, CBD may not be effective. Each individual is unique in the dosing of CBD.
Myth 9 – All CBD contains levels of THC.
Some CBD oil in the raw form is extracted to contain small amounts of THC. The government standard for zero THC is 0.3 percent or less as mentioned above. Most CBD products available to the general public will be below this standard. It is always good to be proactive and request a copy of the test report on the product to know for yourself that there is no THC or the product is below the government standard. CBD in the isolate form contains no THC and many broad-spectrum oils are extracted to contain no THC as well.
Myth 10 – CBD must be taken orally.
CBD extends far beyond the CBD tinctures and capsules one can take as a supplement. Other ways to get a regular dose of CBD include vaping, edibles, and topicals. Vaping CBD is known to offer the quickest effects while edibles take the longest to take effect. Topicals are CBD-infused lotions, balms, and oils that are absorbed through the skin for localized relief of pain, soreness, and inflammation. Because they’re non-intoxicating, CBD topicals are often chosen by those who want the therapeutic benefits to localized areas. Other transdermal innovations are fast arriving in the CBD market including long-lasting patches, which often deliver cannabinoids to the bloodstream as well as to localized areas.
CBD has numerous applications as an herbal medicine and it has aided in supporting a variety of conditions. More education and research will continue to boost CBD awareness into the mainstream public so that more can be understood about its various uses and benefits. To learn more about CBD visit the Harvard Health blog.
Want to try CBD? Come in to the club to buy some from the spa or get one of our treatments with CBD! Through August, you can receive our CBD series in our Summer of Spa Special.
