With so much coverage on CBD, it seems to be the topic on everyone’s minds lately. From personal blogs to huge media publications, there are thousands of “facts” and opinions circulating about cannabidiol.
Before consuming anything, it’s important to do your research – but it can be hard to decipher CBD myths from the truth. Let’s clear up 5 common misconceptions about CBD:
Will CBD get you “high”? No, consuming CBD won’t make you melt in to the couch or get uncontrollable giggles, but to say that CBD is not psychoactive wouldn’t be correct either. In order to be classified as “psychoactive,” a substance simply needs to have some effect on a person’s mental state. This means everything from caffeine to alcohol fits the bill.
With CBD, many studies are currently being conducted. Some of them suggest that CBD operates through more than 60 different molecular pathways. When it enters the brain, CBD attaches itself to several different receptors, causing a mild effect on various parts. In the same way that coffee keeps you clear-headed, while decidedly having an effect on how you act, think, and feel, CBD is psychoactive in its own way.
Another common misconception about CBD is that it acts as a sedative.
How did this myth surface, exactly?
It’s believed that because many high-CBD cannabis strains contain myrcene, a common terpene that is thought to be sedating, it’s been confused with CBD’s effect. Although CBD has been used by some as a sleep aid, there is no evidence that it’ll leave you feeling groggy or knock you out in the same way as myrcene.
The biggest worry for CBD-skeptics is that taking CBD will lead to a dependency. We understand where you’re coming from… it’s always good to do solid research before consuming anything new. Rest assured though, according to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Is CBD oil the new snake oil?! Another CBD myth is that it’s completely unregulated by the FDA and that sales can flow freely as if it were olive oil made in the basement.
Actually, for a long time now (since CBD has been explored by the medical community), the FDA has taken a significant interest in the compound. The FDA acknowledges that many shady companies have surfaced and started making wild claims about their products’ curative properties and has therefore put forward a lot of regulations to help with consumer protection.
If you’re interested in learning more, the FDA website has a whole section of resources on cannabidiol and cannabis-derived products.
Back in the day, it was believed that the hydrochloric acid in your stomach had the power to change CBD to THC inside the stomach. The worry was that as it metabolizes, the CBD-turned-THC would start to produce a different effect on the consumer.
Since then, this idea has been shut down, with no evidence that CBD becomes THC in the gastric system. Even after high doses of CBD were administered, no THC was found in the system.
How did this belief re-surface after so many years? Interestingly enough, in 2016, there was a huge scandal where a scientific paper was exposed as fraudulent, after a CBD non-for-profit discovered that the study was funded by a corporation with a vested interest against oral CBD.
These are just 5 of the thousands of rumors floating around CBD at the moment. Before jumping on board, always make sure you double-check the facts and take the time to figure out where these CBD myths started. As you dodge and dive shady information, keep in mind that there’s still lots to learn about CBD, and we’re only just getting started!
Stay informed, my friends.
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