You’ve seen it as an add-on to your latte, infused in a gummy to cap off a long day, even as an ingredient in your regular spa mani/pedi. But Cannabidiol (CBD) can be a bit more complicated than just an add-on to something special in your day. Where the CBD comes from, how you consume it, and how it interacts with other compounds are all a factor. To help you understand more about CBD and the role it plays, we clarified five common CBD misconceptions.
Myth #1: All CBD is the same
You may see CBD everywhere you look, but not all CBD is created equal. There’s quite a difference in quality, potency, and formulation between these brands, and where you buy your CBD products can make all the difference.
Why is that? It comes down to a legal distinction and regulatory compliance.
Industrial hemp vs. high-THC cannabis
CBD sourced from industrial hemp and high-THC cannabis is the same chemically, but how they’re processed and tested can make a big difference in product quality and safety.
Industrial hemp is cannabis bred to contain less than 0.3% THC. These plants are generally considered federally legal in the United States, and those products fall under the regulation of federal authorities. If you see CBD sold at a convenience store or a gas station, that’s sourced from industrial hemp. Cannabis bred to contain more than that threshold of THC is considered federally illegal and can only be grown in state-legal cannabis programs. CBD can be extracted from these plants and used in high-CBD cannabis products sold at the dispensary.
Because the FDA hasn’t officially established a regulatory framework for other CBD products, like the ones you see in health food stores and gas stations, it’s important that consumers shop at licensed, regulated dispensaries instead. The only way to guarantee that any cannabis product has been tested in line with state regulations and meets quality standards is to purchase from a licensed dispensary.
How do I know CBD is safe?
Any cannabis derived product will come with a certificate of analysis (CoA), which is the detailed test results licensed cannabis operators are required to secure before selling their products. A CoA proves that the product was tested by a third-party lab and meets safety regulations and quality standards. Some products in the dispensary may even have QR codes on the packaging linked directly to a CoA, but you can always ask the dispensary associate for help or more information.
Myth #2: CBD doesn’t “do” anything
CBD doesn’t have an intoxicating effect like THC does. That means you won’t “feel” CBD shortly after taking it like you would with a THC-dominant product.
By no means does that mean CBD isn’t effective! CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a series of receptors and cannabinoids produced by your body, called endocannabinoids, that govern a whole range of functions in your body. While THC fits into these receptors, CBD is believed to change the receptor’s shape by binding indirectly the outside of the CB1 receptor in particular.
Importantly, too, CBD is just one part of the equation. It contributes to what’s called the entourage effect, when CBD works together alongside other phytocannabinoids like THC and terpenes like linalool to have certain effects on your body. All these compounds work together to help achieve the desired effects you’re looking for.
Research shows that CBD may have several therapeutic applications, including:
Pain
Research suggests that CBD may help address pain related to inflammatory conditions. A 2016 animal study found that topical gel products were able to reduce inflammation and overall pain in rodents with arthritis1. More studies are needed to assess the potential of CBD for pain management in humans.
Anxiety
According to a Forbes Health survey2 of 2,000 U.S. adults, 51% of U.S. adults who consume CBD-dominant products do so to alleviate their anxiety. More studies and clinical trials are exploring CBD’s role in reducing anxiety. For example, a 2019 article published in Frontiers in Psychology found that high levels of orally ingested CBD “significantly decreased” anxiety in participants with a social anxiety disorder (SAD)3.
Addiction
In several states, including Pennsylvania, Opiate Use Disorder resides on the list of qualifying conditions for obtaining a medical cannabis card. One 2019 study found that acute CBD administration significantly reduced cravings and anxiety in drug-abstinent people living with heroin use disorder4.
Sleep
CBD is commonly used by those who have insomnia to reduce symptoms and improve sleep. While more research is needed, a small study involving 72 adults5 with anxiety and poor sleep found that 66% of participants showed improved sleep scores after a month of CBD consumption.
Neuroprotection
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CBD have driven research into its effectiveness as a neuroprotectant. It is thought that through activation of certain receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD plays an important role in neuroprotection, hinting at applications in the treatment of conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease6. More research is needed to determine CBD’s potential for managing associated symptoms.
Brain activity
In particular, neuroimaging studies have shown that CBD alters brain activity and connectivity7 in ways that might prove effective at treating psychosis and anxiety. However, more knowledge about exactly how CBD modulates neural activity remains elusive and must be subject to additional research.
Myth #3: CBD shows up on a drug test
No, pure CBD will not show up on a drug test. However, if there is THC in your CBD product, it could cause a failed drug test. That’s because drug tests look for the presence of THC in particular, and not for CBD. Even if you’re purchasing a high CBD product from the dispensary and you don’t “feel” the THC in them, there’s a chance that THC could come up on a test you have to take for work or another reason.
If you’re concerned about drug tests, it’s best to opt for CBD isolate from a licensed dispensary that provides third-party lab testing results to validate their product is indeed 100% CBD.
Myth #4: CBD is only available in a handful of product types
When you see CBD products in the grocery store or the corner shop, you likely see gummies and tinctures on the shelf and not much else. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg of the types of CBD products you can actually get. There are many ways to consume CBD products, including:
CBD tinctures
CBD tinctures are potent concentrates in a plant- or nut-based carrier oil (MCT oil is a common choice) that can be taken sublingually and ingested orally. CBD tinctures are known as biphasic. This is because some of the tincture absorbs through tissue in your mouth, going into effect quickly, while the remainder is swallowed and digested for a slow onset and long duration of effects.
CBD ingestibles
CBD ingestibles include capsules, foods, and beverages that are infused with CBD and other cannabinoids. Which cannabinoids – and how much CBD and other cannabinoids per serving – depends on the product. Ingestibles generally have a slow onset of effects but provide relief over long periods.
CBD topicals
Topicals include creams, gels, and patches. These offer a way to directly apply CBD to the affected area, providing localized relief without introducing cannabinoids to your circulation. In the dispensary, you’ll most often find CBD topicals in a ratio of CBD to THC, whether higher CBD, higher THC, or an even balance of the two.
CBD vapes
CBD vapes offer a fast-acting method that provides near-instant relief but with a shorter duration of effects. Some CBD vapes contain a phytocannabinoid profile that mimics the source cultivar, while others are formulated with different cannabinoids and terpenes added back in to create the product. When shopping for CBD vapes in the dispensary, be on the lookout for products with elevated levels of CBD, which could be as low as 5% CBD or as high as 27% CBD. You’re not likely to find a vape containing only CBD in the dispensary.
High CBD flower
These cannabis cultivars are bred to have elevated levels of CBD. This could mean a few things, depending on the cultivar in question. In some cases, CBD levels are higher than THC, the CBD and THC levels are roughly equal, or THC is still higher than CBD, but the CBD levels are elevated. For example, the cultivar AC/DC contains around 1% CBD and slightly less THC, whereas a high THC cultivar can contain 20% or more THC content. If you’re in search of high CBD flower, select “high CBD” on the Ethos menu to see what’s in stock.
Myth #5: You can take too much CBD
The consensus from the World Health Organization is that CBD, even in large amounts, is unlikely to cause any severe effects. However, it’s always advisable to “start low and go slow” with any cannabis product. Begin with the smallest recommended serving size and see how it affects you before increasing the amount you consume.
The amount of CBD you need will vary depending on your goals and needs. One 2020 review of studies found that participants with anxiety felt relief after single doses of CBD ranging from 300 to 600 mg. On the other hand, a bowel disease study found just 10 mg per day to be effective9.
In addition, it’s important to understand the type of product you are consuming and how that method of consumption affects you. For example, vaping CBD will cause it to take effect rapidly and then taper off over time, while consuming a CBD ingestible will slowly take effect over a long period of time. This can be particularly difficult to observe with CBD since it doesn’t prompt any intoxicating effects.
Shopping smart for CBD and cannabis products
CBD may be found in seemingly any kind of store, but that doesn’t mean all sources are of quality or verified to contain what they say they contain. That’s why it’s important to ask questions, read testing reports, and purchase your CBD containing products from a licensed dispensary.
If you have questions about CBD or any other cannabis products, your local Ethos associates and pharmacists are ready to help. Whether you’re new to cannabis or exploring it as an option for the first time, we’re dedicated to providing the education you need to make the best choice for you. For more information, visit our learning portal or stop by an Ethos dispensary location.
SOURCES:
- https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
- https://forbes.com/health/body/2022-cbd-survey/
- https://frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02466/full
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31109198/
- https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
- https://frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.595635/full
- https://frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.618184/full#:~:text=In%20conclusion%2C%20neuroimaging%20studies%20have,possibly%20reflecting%20CBD%27s%20therapeutic%20effects
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
- https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/phar.1780
