The CBD-hype train is steaming forward full speed. Yet, there are so many people with so many confusions regarding CBD’s usage, legal status, safety, and a whole host of FAQs about CBD.
In this article, we’ll try to answer some of these FAQs on CBD to help you make educated decisions before butting your head into CBD’s vast and flourishing world.
#1 What is the “Entourage Effect”?
The entourage effect is a synergetic relationship between different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. FAQs about CBD that has gain hype recently
One of the most shining examples of the entourage effect is the THC and CBD partnership — two of the most popular cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant.
Individually, THC is psychoactive, i.e., causes a “high” feeling. It is also known to aggravate certain mental conditions, such as schizophrenia. Therefore, it is banned in many states beyond the legally permitted amount of .3%.
However, when THC is coupled with CBD, CBD counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC. This synergistic partnership also amounts to better and more potent therapeutic effects on the human body.
#2 Is CBD Legal?
CBD is predominantly legal, under some terms and conditions. After the Farm bill was passed in 2018, several states allowed for CBD’s widespread production and commercialization.
However, legalization at the federal level has stalled. You’ll have to check with individual state laws to confirm whether CBD use is legal in your locality or not.
Moreover, keep in mind that even in states where CBD is legal, you can only use those CBD products with THC amounts below the legally assigned limit (.3%).
#3 Will I Fail a Drug Test if I Take CBD?
If you’ve consumed pure CBD, you have nothing to worry about.
Most standard drug tests only check for THC in your system. As long as you’re purchasing CBD products from reputable sources and that don’t contain more than .3% of THC, you’re in the clear. You can fail a drug test if you consume unusually high doses of CBD in some rare cases. But that’s extremely rare.
#4 Is CBD Addictive?
The cannabis plant gets a bad rep because of its widespread recreational use. This misconception has led many to believe that cannabis and everything associated with it is addictive.
Although CBD is often related to the cannabis plant, it is hemp-based — a cannabis plant different from marijuana.
Last year, The World Health Organization published a critical review, verifying that CBD is generally safe and non-addictive. The WHO added that CBD exhibits no potential for substance abuse.
Bottom line: CBD is not addictive. It mainly contains trace amounts of THC, leading to cannabis addiction in some vulnerable individuals in unrecommended concentrations.
#5 Can Children Take CBD?
CBD has an excellent safety profile. So, if you administer CBD in any form to your children, considering it is, in fact, “pure CBD,” it won’t pose any harm. Your children will not feel high, saving you from unneeded worry.
However, one thing you need to take into account before giving your children CBD is body mass. You’ll have to consult a doctor before figuring this and other technicalities, such as dosage, to ensure safe usage.
#6 What Is the Difference Between Broad- And Full-Spectrum CBD?
Full-spectrum CBD contains all naturally occurring phytochemicals indigenous to the cannabis plant. These phytochemicals cover a diverse range of compounds, including terpenes, essential oils, and CBD.
Hemp-based full-spectrum extracts also have legal amounts of THC (less than .3%). Naturally, full-spectrum CBD shouldn’t cause you to fail a drug test. However, in some cases, you might get a false positive if you overdose on it regularly.
Broad-spectrum CBD differs from the full spectrum in composition. Like full-spectrum CBD, it contains several cannabis derivative molecules; however, it’s entirely free of THC. That said, some broad-spectrum products may contain trace amounts of THC due to inefficient extraction protocols used in their manufacturing.
#7 Who Shouldn’t Take CBD Products?
- Pregnant or Breastfeeding: Research hasn’t given CBD the green light for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Some studies suggest that cannabinoids can cross the placental membrane and interfere with healthy fetus development.
- Parkinson’s disease: Cannabidiol is thought to aggravate Parkinson’s disease’s underlying symptoms, specifically tremors, and muscle mobility. Therefore, people who have Parkinson’s should steer clear from CBD products.
- Prescription Medication: If you’re on conventional meds, you should practice caution. Little is known about CBD’s interaction with other drugs. It’s best to ensure that the combined effects don’t result in immune suppression, enzyme imbalance, and other complications.
#8 Does CBD Have Any Potential Side Effects?
The most comprehensive study focusing on CBD’s risks and concerns suggested the following common side effects from CBD usage:
- a heightened state of euphoria
- dry mouth
- hunger
- drowsiness
This shows that CBD has a relatively safe physiological profile. No major emergencies have resulted due to CBD as of now.
In some minor instances, patients have experienced some concerning side effects from CBD. It’s best to consult your healthcare provider before using CBD, CBG, or any other cannabinoid.
Some sensitive people who have underlying allergies to wheat and peanuts should especially exercise caution.
Although out of the many people that have tried CBD, none have experienced any side effects akin to a severe peanut allergy, it’s always best to stay on the safe side and prefer the word of your physician over self-medication.
#9 How Do I Choose a CBD Product?
First of all, you need to make sure the manufacturer you’re getting the CBD product from supports third-party lab testing. This will give you a detailed analysis of your CBD product’s potency, purity, and contamination. If third-party testing isn’t available on the manufacturer’s website, consider it a red flag.
Unfortunately, most CBD labels are either misleading or inaccurate, and therefore paint an unreliable picture for consumers.
A JAMA 2017 revealed that around 70% of all CBD products sold through e-commerce and sourced from marijuana plants didn’t contain the amount of CBD as advertised on the product packaging.
CBD products should be free of pesticides and other dangerous contaminants.
It’s best to steer clear from products containing toxic ingredients, such as hexane, propane, and heavy metals to ensure safety. Look for products extracted from superior methods like CO2 extraction.
