Studies show that almost two-thirds of the United States have heard about cannabidiol (CBD) products, and just under one-third have tried them. With more and more CBD products becoming available, more misconceptions around the chemical are arising.
Below are nine common CBD misconceptions and why they are not true.
1. CBD Gets You High
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While CBD is very closely related to its psychoactive cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD itself is not psychoactive. Some studies have shown that CBD suppresses THC making it impossible for CBD to give you a euphoria effect.
2. CBD Comes From the Marijuana Plant
While not entirely false, it is not true either. The CBD compound is found naturally occurring in the marijuana plant, but it is extracted from the Hemp plant when it is manufactured as a legal supplement.
The hemp and marijuana plants are very closely related and can be compared to lemons and limes. They are related but do have differences.
Don’t worry; hemp is not a man-made variation of the marijuana plant. It is a naturally occurring plant that has been used for thousands of years for various health benefits.
3. It Is Sedating
CBD is not a sedative. This misconception more than likely arose from some marijuana-derived CBD which contained THC. This kind of CBD can be sedating but is not legal without a prescription.
Another possible origin is that CBD is often advertised for its anxiety benefits; however, reduced anxiety and sedation are very different.
4. CBD Is Only Taken When You Are Ill
CBD is excellent for everyone to use every day. There is no reason to only use CBD products when you are ill. It provides fantastic health benefits day in and day out.
This misconception more than likely arose from people viewing CBD as a medication. While it is a supplement, it is not a medication designed or developed to treat or cure any disease.
5. CBD Only Comes in Oil Form
While this is the most common form of CBD, it comes in almost endless ways, such as coffee, roll-on, vapes, and more.
6. Large Amounts Are Required
CBD is commonly sold in three different amounts: 250mg, 500mg, and 1000mg. Many people immediately think they need the 1000mg to get the “full” effect. This is not true.
Many times it only takes around 50mg to fully bind to the CBD receptors in your brain while the other is filtered by the liver.
Why is it sold in high amounts then? Because everyone is different. Some people will never need more than 250mg, while a select few will require 1000mg.
7. CBD Breaks Down Into THC
A common misconception is when your body breaks down the CBD compound, it turns into THC. There have been many various medical and scientific studies, all concluding that this does NOT occur in humans. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) weighed in on this matter in 2017, saying it had not been observed in humans.
8. CBD Shows up on Drug Tests
Well, yes and no. Almost all drug tests check for THC, the psychoactive element of marijuana. CBD isolate products contain zero THC and, therefore, will not test positive on drug tests.
However, the more natural full-spectrum CBD can legally contain up to 0.3% THC. This means there is about a 1-2% chance it would show up on a drug test.
This is where it is essential to trust your CBD provider and believe that it is indeed manufactured in the way it says.
9. All CBD Is Manufactured Equally
Just because one CBD product worked great for you does not mean another will. As the industry has grown, more and more businesses are starting to “hop on the trend” and manufacture poor-quality products. You can sniff out some of these businesses by doing the following:
- Check for online reviews
- Ask for a COA (Certificate of Analysis)
- Make sure the company is headed by an expert in the industry
- Ensure the product has industry certifications including: GMP Certified, and produced in an FDA registered facility.
By doing these things, you can help to establish some level of authenticity. Another good thing to do is simply ask questions. If they seem knowledgeable and explain it well, that’s a good sign they sell quality products.
Conclusion
As the industry grows, I think some misconceptions will fade; however, I believe skepticism will stay with CBD for a while. In conclusion, the CBD industry has seen extreme growth, and it’s not stopping anytime soon.
