Busting 12 Popular Myths About CBD

Myths have long been a part of human history. They have existed since man began to question his own existence.

The inquisitive nature of man gives birth to myths, and anything gaining traction inevitably attracts false stories and misconceptions. 

The scenario isn’t any different with CBD. 

Though CBD enthusiasts research well about the product, many are still in the dark about what the compound is and what it does.

What’s the deal with CBD? The compound is seen at grocery stores, dispensaries, gas stations, and massage parlors. Is it a legal substance?

Does CBD have any benefits? Why is there a craze around this product anyway? 

Man is curious by nature, and a product becoming the talk of the town naturally taps his curiosity. 

The result? People come up with a list of myths to understand the unexplainable. 

Unsurprisingly, with CBD becoming the center of attention, people are coming up with rather odd myths.

Some even believe that it is simply a celebrity-praised, overhyped compound with no apparent use. 

We’re here to bust all CBD myths before you get caught up and swayed into believing nonsensical myths about the compound. 

1) CBD Gets You High

We’ll begin with the most common one, “CBD gets you high.” 

People believe that CBD is psychoactive because CBD and marijuana come from the same – Cannabis Sativa – plant. 

THC and CBD indeed come from the same plant, but both have distinct chemical structures and properties. 

The THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) gives the “high” effect. On the other hand, CBD does not cause any psychoactive effects.

So as long as you’re buying CBD products with 0.3 or less THC, it won’t cause any weird effects the same way when smoking weeds.

CBD’s only uplifting effect on our body is altering how our brain reacts to the serotonin already present in our bodies. 

Studies indicate that CBD interacts with serotonin – the “feel-good” hormone – and affects how our brain responds to the hormone already in our system. 

Perhaps this explains why people ingest CBD to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. So, CBD intake might uplift your mood but won’t get you high in any way.  

2) There’s No Scientific Research Around CBD

People often mention that CBD health benefits are not backed up by any research, and so, the product is a fad for the most part. 

Such statements are vague because researchers have studied the compound and its benefits.

Yes, the research is limited, but it would be wrong to say, “There’s no research on the compound.” 

A piece of evidence enough to bust this myth is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex – a CBD-infused drug – to treat two forms of epilepsy. 

It is the first CBD-based FDA-approved drug to hit the market. 

This approval indicates that CBD trials were convincing enough to compel FDA to approve the drug. 

Today, Epidiolex is used by seizure patients across the globe. 

Nonetheless, if you have epilepsy, it’s better to consult your doctor and incorporate the medicine only after their advice. 

3) CBD Is Not Safe 

People are naturally dubious about compounds derived directly from plants, and CBD is in the same boat. 

These doubts gave rise to myths like, “CBD is not safe at all.” Even worse, a few people think it might “worsen existing health conditions.”

First off, a CBD drug approved by the FDA speaks volumes about the compound’s safety. 

Secondly, MayoClinic mentions, “CBD is often well-tolerated.” Though the website explains it may have a few side effects if taken carelessly, all over-the-counter medications follow up with side effects. So, it is not something alarming. 

Besides, the World Health Organization declares that CBD is safe and well-tolerated in humans. 

The website mentions, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.” 

Furthermore, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from the list of restricted substances back in 2017. 

This removal of restriction indicates that CBD is safe for the most part. 

4) CBD And Hemp Seed Oil Are The Same 

CBD and hemp seed oil both come from hemp. That, by no means, indicates they are the same. 

Here’s why. 

Hemp seed oil comes from the seed of the hemp plant. It contains several beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids, but almost no CBD. 

On the flip side, CBD oil comes from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of hemp –  parts of the plant rich in CBD. 

5) CBD Is Illegal 

The notion that CBD is illegal is a somewhat confusing myth. It would be wrong to declare it entirely false, but it isn’t downright true either. 

CBD is legal at the federal level. 

In 2018, the Farm Bill legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp in the US, which made CBD legal, too. 

Nonetheless, the legalization comes with a few restrictions: 

• CBD products containing 0.3% or less THC are legal.
• Farmers must cultivate hemp in conformity with the federal regulations, the Farm Bill, and state laws. 

So, CBD appears to be legal at the federal level, only if it follows the federal rules and laws. The legalization status, however, differs per state. 

For instance, a few states only allow CBD for medical purposes; others, however, permit all types of CBD as long as THC concentration is below 0.3%. 

A state like Idaho only allows CBD with 0% THC. 

So, it’s best to do homework to figure out what your state permits. 

6) There Are No Side Effects of CBD 

CBD is generally well-tolerated, but that doesn’t indicate it has no side effects.

If you consume CBD when:

• Pregnant
• Nursing, or
• taking other over-the-counter medications

You might experience a few side effects, including:

• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Fatigue 
• Loss of appetite 

Therefore, it’s best to consult your physician before ingesting CBD. Besides, if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking other prescription medications, it’s best to avoid CBD. 

As stated above, the compound can interact with other medications and lead to a few side effects. 

7) The Compound Works the Same for Everyone

Each one of us is different. Our genetics influences our body to a great extent, so how can CBD work the same for everyone?

How CBD works for your body depends on your genetics, current health, and how your endocannabinoid system interacts with CBD. 

Besides, why exactly are you using CBD, and what purpose counts in, too.

For instance, a few people use CBD to feel light and alleviate stress. Others might use it to ease discomfort or as a skincare product. 

Therefore, the effect won’t be the same for everyone. 

Besides, the endocannabinoid system of a few people needs more support than others, and hence, they might benefit from more doses of CBD. 

All in all, it is entirely wrong to say that CBD works the same for everyone.

It might work wonders for some or not for others – precisely healthy people who do not need it anyway. 

8) “I Took CBD for a Week; It Doesn’t Work.”

In all honesty, such statements typically come from social media influencers. 

When a new product comes to the market, admirers look up to their favorite celebrities to review it.

Because influencers do not want to leave their followers waiting, they are often quick to conclude about a product. 

I’ve come across several blog posts where authors try CBD for a week and conclude that it doesn’t work. 

The question is, what exactly are they using it for?

Was seven days long enough to deduce that a product failed to keep the promise? 

It is like taking ibuprofen for a week when you do not feel pain. How can someone evaluate the ultimate truth from such an ambiguous experiment? 

Simply put, it is another way to mislead the crowd who has tied its hopes to a natural compound like CBD. 

So, we agree, too, that CBD might not work within a week. 

As stated earlier, everybody has different body needs, and the way a compound interacts in your body is pretty different from how it does in someone else’s.

So how long it takes to work depends on what you’re using it for, the frequency you’re using it and how your body reacts to the compound.

So, because your friend didn’t benefit from something – apparently for a week – doesn’t conclude you won’t either. 

It’s best to speak to your doctor if you have a particular condition.

Your health practitioner knows your body’s needs and can guide you better about the CBD type and the dose required to achieve a positive outcome.  

9) CBD Is More Effective Without THC 

So while we’ve been praising CBD for being-non psychoactive, it is wrong that CBD is more effective without THC. 

Keeping our guide entirely unbiased, we agree that CBD is more beneficial when combined with THC. 

Studies indicate that CBD and THC act synergistically and may exert additional therapeutic effects. 

However, it doesn’t mean that CBD alone has no benefits. 

Several human and animal studies indicate that CBD may help ease discomfort, helps you get better sleep, and helps with symptoms of anxiety.  

Overall, CBD is a beneficial compound. But might work better in combination with a small amount of THC or other terpenes. 

10) Taking CBD On High Doses Works Better 

No evidence suggests that high doses of CBD work better than low doses.

Most physicians recommend beginning with a low CBD dose and increasing the quantity gradually. 

Besides, the amount of CBD also depends on the condition being treated.

An epileptic patient might require a high dose of CBD than someone taking CBD to ease discomfort or help with symptoms of depression. 

Additionally, someone with more weight may need a higher CBD dose than an average weight. 

Therefore, it is wrong to say that high CBD doses work better. Yes, it may work better for a few people, but not all. 

Moreover, high CBD doses often lead to side effects like drowsiness, diarrhea, constipation, and dizziness. 

Therefore, it’s best to start with a low dose to be on the safe side. If you want to do otherwise, talk to your doctor. 

11) All CBD Products Are the Same 

Of all the weird CBD takes, this is by far the most annoying one. Luckily, there’s not much to explain here either. 

All CBD products can never be the same. We have oils, tinctures, gummies, shampoos, salves, balms, lotions, creams, and the list goes on. 

The type of CBD product you consume affects CBD bioavailability.

Besides, CBD products also differ as different brands may offer CBD isolates, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum CBD.

Here’s a quick look into how they differ. 

• CBD broad-spectrum products contain traces of THC and additional hemp plant compounds. 
  
  
• Full-spectrum CBD products contain all hemp plant compounds. However, the THC concentration is less than 0.3%.
  
  
• Isolate: If you want your CBD product THC-free, this one is for you. CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD and is suitable for those who plan to use CBD for the first time. Besides, it contains no THC at all. 

12) There’s No Way to Determine the Authenticity of a CBD Brand

People readily use this compound to reap its health benefits; perhaps they do not buy from inauthentic, fraudulent companies. 

Simply put, there are a lot of ways to know about an authentic CBD brand, and you can quickly tell credible and bogus companies apart.

Here are a few things you can look into to calculate the authenticity of a CBD brand:

• Online reviews. The best way to know about a brand is to read the reviews on its website. Every credible company has its website.
  
  You need to go online and check what consumers have to say about the brand’s product. 
  
  
• Ingredients. Read the label to know about the ingredients. If you come across a list of synthetic ingredients, ditch the product right away.
  
  A quality CBD brand contains little to no chemical substances.
  
  
• Third-Party Tests. An authentic CBD company always includes third-party tests that back the quality and purity of their CBD product. 
  
  
• THC concentration should comply with FDA regulations. Avoid buying from there if a brand sells more THC in a CBD product.

We published a complete CBD buying guide with everything you should know when purchasing CBD products.

Final Words

Limited data support the benefits of CBD, giving people the freedom to come up with tons of false stories. 

We discussed a few popular CBD myths and used facts to debunk those.

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