Top 6 Common CBD Myths and Misconceptions
The CBD industry’s relationship to marijuana creates a grey area of legality, causing confusion and disinformation. We decided to resolve the top 6 myths and misconceptions to make buying CBD easy. Being informed about what goes into our bodies is important regardless if it’s a cannabis product or dietary supplement.
1.Claim: CBD is Psychoactive
Truth: CBD alone or CBD isolate is not psychoactive and will not get users high. THC is the only known psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Confusion comes from the different methods of extracting CBD.
Many retailers are selling what is known as ‘full spectrum’ or ‘full plant’ extracts. ‘Full spectrum’ CBD oil can contain up to 0.3% THC. Users taking one of these CBD oils do risk THC getting into their system.
CBD is taken in many different forms. The method of delivery doesn’t affect the type of CBD. When the consumer takes CBD edibles or capsules, the extraction process is what is significant. Make sure you know if your CBD is ‘full spectrum,’ ‘broad spectrum,’ or ‘isolate.’
2.Claim: CBD is Illegal
Truth: In 2018, Donald Trump signed the Farm Bill removing hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. This bill also defines hemp and marijuana. Any part of the cannabis plant containing no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis is now considered hemp. Any part of the plant containing over 0.3% THC is considered marijuana by the FDA.
CBD is not illegal federally in the United States but still remains in a grey area because the Farm Bill doesn’t definitively legalize the chemical compound cannabidiol (CBD), rather it removed hemp from being categorized the same as marijuana.
3.Claim: Science Doesn’t Prove CBD to Have Medical Benefits
Truth: ‘The FDA has approved Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 1 years of age and older’ according to the FDA.
Epidiolex is only prescribed by a doctor and not readily accessible to the public like CBD oil. The misconceptions around the science backing CBD comes from the lack of research and stigma relating to cannabis. For years, CBD and THC were both considered schedule one drugs by the FDA, drugs without any medical benefits are considered schedule one. Now that CBD has been separated from THC, more studies and more money will be allocated to further CBD research.
4.Claim: CBD is a Cure-All Miracle Drug
Truth: This is false, CBD shows promise in providing a number of medicinal benefits but to say it’s a cure-all solution for any ailment thrown its way is simply not true.
The lack of regulation around CBD has opened the flood gates to people attempting to mislead uneducated customers. CBD shows great promise. Cannabis has been used as medicine for thousands of years. We need solid peer reviewed scientific studies done to make claims that could have serious consequences to real people’s lives. Any company making broad claims about CBD as a cure for cancer or any other major medical condition is not reputable and should not be taken seriously.
We try to point to the potential benefits of CBD based on where the science is taking us, site those studies, and let the customer make an educated decision.
5.Claim: Hemp Oil is the Same as CBD Oil
Truth: Hemp oil is not the same as CBD oil. Hemp oil is actually hemp seed oil. Hemp seeds do not contain any cannabinoids when produced correctly. CBD oil is extracted CBD from hemp added to a carrier oil.
The difference in hemp oil and CBD oil is confusing, especially because CBD is extracted from hemp. The only way to know for sure what cannabinoids are in your oil is to look at the lab tests. Every reputable CBD company provides cannabinoid tests to prove their products contain CBD and provide transparency about other cannabinoids such as THC.
6.Claim: CBD Won’t Trigger a Failed Drug Test
Truth: This claim is true if the CBD in question is pure CBD isolate.
Complications occur when taking a ‘full spectrum’ oil. Companies selling hemp derived CBD products have to keep their THC levels under 0.3%. Consumers must be cautious when buying ‘full spectrum’ products if they are concerned about failing a drug test for THC. Testing methods aren’t 100% accurate, this means some oils could contain more THC than they suggest.
These are 6 of the most common myths and misconceptions about CBD we could find online. It is important to be informed, check lab tests, and ask questions if you are unclear about what is going into your body. We hope this list helps educate new CBD users in their journey of experiencing the benefits of CBD.
