If you’re a CBD user, you know that there is a lot of information about what it does and how to use it. This article will go into some common misconceptions about CBD and give you some insight into real CBD facts to make informed decisions before you go out and buy CBD.
There’s tons of misinformation floating around on the internet, as well as some false facts that have been published or spoken about by people who don’t really understand it. If you’re not careful, this could lead to negative consequences, or you may end up with fake CBD oil.
Getting your CBD facts straight will ensure you get a high-quality product, every time.
CBD comes from both hemp and marijuana
One of the biggest misconceptions about CBD is that it comes from marijuana.
CBD actually comes from cannabis, which includes both hemp and marijuana. Hemp plants are low in THC and high in CBD, making them an ideal source for CBD oil.
Marijuana plants are high in THC and have much less CBD, so it isn’t ideal to use in most cases for CBD oil due to the psychoactive effects that come along with THC.
The majority of the CBD oil you’ll find online in Canada or a dispensary will have 0.3% THC or less and be derived from hemp.
CBD is psychoactive, despite claims that it’s not
One of the most commonly claimed CBD facts is that CBD is not psychoactive, but this isn’t the case; it’s actually non-intoxicating. CBD affects the body through a series of pathways that have been shown to alter both mood and perception, though it isn’t exactly like the high you get from THC.
Because of the way that CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, it does not have the same effects as THC. In fact, CBD actually blocks THC from accessing receptors found throughout the nervous system. This reduces some of the psychoactive effects that would happen if THC interacted with those receptors alone.
CBD is psychoactive in the sense that it affects our brains and how we feel; for example, it may help people feel calmer and relieve stress.
CBD does not make you high, though, because it is not intoxicating like THC; it doesn’t impair motor skills or interfere with daily functions like working or driving.
CBD is not addictive
CBD is a non-addictive cannabinoid that is considered safe to take without the risk of addiction. It doesn’t cause a high in users, nor does it cause any withdrawal symptoms when stopped.
While it may make you feel good, CBD doesn’t cause the same intense psychoactive effects that THC does, which means it is safe for regular recreational use and can be used at any point of the day.
Research shows that CBD may actually relieve some of the symptoms that make people crave drugs like alcohol and opiates by increasing endocannabinoid levels in the brain. It’s also believed to possibly reduce withdrawal severity when someone stops drinking or using other addictive substances after long periods of time.
CBD actually works better with other cannabinoids
Think that you need CBD and nothing else to get the most benefits out of it? Not so fast. CBD actually works better in the presence of other cannabinoids due to the Entourage Effect. This is where CBD interacts with other terpenes and cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBC to produce a more beneficial effect for your body.
When cannabinoids work together, they provide a synergistic effect and provide greater relief than just CBD alone. The terpenes, cannabinoids, and other nutrients in a whole plant extract work together to provide the most benefit.
The Entourage Effect makes whole plant CBD oils much more effective than Broad Spectrum or CBD Isolate products. This way, all of the cannabinoids work together in harmony and produce an overall healing effect.
CBD affects many systems in your body
The potential benefits of CBD are astounding. One reason for this is because it interacts so subtly with our bodies, particularly by way of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
This internal network consists primarily of receptors that cannabinoids like CBD and other plant-produced compounds called phytocannabinoids bind to.
These connections elicit a wide range of effects depending on which receptor they activate in different parts of your body; from affecting how cells communicate with each other to influencing mood or pain perception, these potent chemical interactions have many different effects.
Research suggests that CBD may reduce the absorption of the body’s own natural endocannabinoid, anandamide; this could potentially relieve chronic and acute pain.
It has also been shown to potentially treat seizures by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters in a non-ECS receptor pathway.
Furthermore, research conducted on rodents shows how CBD might be therapeutically helpful for depression and anxiety, as well as chronic pain and inflammation due to its activation with serotonin receptors 5HT1A or through suppression of alpha 3 glycine receptors.
Not all CBD is created equal
With more CBD companies in Canada popping up every day, it can be overwhelming for a beginner to know where to start. It’s important to realize the differences between them before you buy CBD, as they don’t all work in the same way.
There are 3 main types of CBD to be aware of, and you want to choose the one that’s going to be right for your needs.
Full Spectrum CBD contains all the plant cannabinoids and terpenes from hemp. Full Spectrum CBD is made by extracting all of the compounds found in cannabis from the flowers, stems and stalks. This means that you get a wide range of benefits from your oil.
Broad Spectrum CBD contains various cannabinoids and terpenes but has the THC removed from the final product, bringing it down to non-detectable levels.
CBD Isolate contains just one thing: pure CBD crystals. It does not contain any other cannabinoids, terpenes, or THC.
There’s a lot of different CBD oils out there, and some are better than others. Some companies take extra steps to ensure their products meet certain standards (accurate labelling, lab testing, etc.). In contrast, others hide behind terms like pure, organic, or natural without anything else to back it up.
What you should be looking for:
- Lab testing/COA’s
- Transparency
- Proper labelling, CBD concentration listed
- Whether it is Full, Broad, or Isolate
- Suggested use
- Comprehensive information on site about product
- Amount of CBD per serving
You can fail a drug test using CBD
While the hemp plant is naturally very low in THC, and Full Spectrum CBD oils only have (legally) 0.3% or less in them, it is possible to fail a drug test while using it.
THC builds up in the body over time and is stored in your fat cells. Even though the levels may be minimal, regular use may result in a positive test.
You can minimize your risk by taking a Broad Spectrum or CBD Isolate product, both of which contain non-detectable levels of THC. Keep in mind, though, that there is always some risk of failing a test when using any CBD product.
CBD may work better depending on how you take it
Some methods of taking CBD work better than others. This is due to the bio-availability of a product. Bio-availability means how easily your body can absorb and use a substance.
Some CBD products are more bio-available than others, meaning that some CBD products will be absorbed more quickly into your body than other CBD products.
For example, sublingual tinctures enter the bloodstream through the blood vessels and sublingual glands underneath your tongue; meanwhile, capsules or other edibles must first undergo digestion before your body can process them.
The digestion process ends up destroying some of the CBD, leaving your body with less of it actually to use in the end.
There is no “right” dose for CBD
Achieving the desired CBD dosage is a matter of trial and error. The reason for this is that every person varies in their Endocannabinoid System and health concerns. This means that some people need a lower CBD dose, while others may require a higher one.
The best way to go about this is by starting with low doses, gradually increasing until you find what works for your purposes – an effective dose that provides relief while not inducing any unwanted side effects.
You can overdose on CBD, but it’s not very likely
One common misconception about CBD is that you can’t overdose on it, and for the most part, this is correct. The limit that scientists and researchers have put to overdose on CBD is absurdly high – 20,000mg.
This would equal out to drinking 20 bottles of 1000mg CBD oil all in one go; it’s safe to say that this will never actually happen.
CBD is safe to use…for the most part
CBD is considered by researchers to be non-toxic and generally safe to use, so you won’t find many adverse effects from taking too much of the compound.
It hasn’t been shown to affect major factors like heart rate or blood pressure and will not make you high; doses of up to 1500mg daily in adults have shown to be well tolerated, even when taken for a lengthy amount of time.
However, CBD isn’t without some side effects, which can include headache, nausea, appetite changes, and drowsiness. It also has some medication interactions, so if you’re taking any other medications, it’s important to speak with your doctor first.
Hemp seed oil contains absolutely no CBD
CBD extract comes from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of cannabis. Hemp seed oil also has other things that can have benefits like nutrients, fatty acids, and useful bioactive compounds, but it doesn’t contain any CBD. It is made by cold pressing only the seeds of the hemp plant.
You may see hemp seed oil as a component of CBD oil, as it is one of the most popular carrier oils for CBD, but be wary of companies that label their products only as hemp oil or hemp seed oil. Ensure you are reading the COA’s on the products to know if there is actually CBD in them.
Final thoughts on CBD facts and misconceptions
CBD has become very popular in Canada over the past few years and is being widely used by many Canadians to treat a variety of disorders. Understanding exactly what CBD is all about and having all the facts laid out can help you make informed choices when buying CBD online or in store.
Remember to ask questions if you’re not sure about something, and steer clear of companies that make claims that can’t be backed up by real science. As with any supplement you take, it’s important to be safe and only ingest quality products from reputable companies.
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