You've probably seen products containing cannabidiol (also known as CBD) by now. They're in everything from drinks and pet products to lotions and chewable gummies. Even major drugstore chains have announced they'll start carrying CBD products in certain states.
But many people still don't quite know what CBD is. Is it marijuana? Is it legal? Does it actually work? What conditions does it treat? Is it safe?
The answers to these questions aren’t necessarily simple. What’s clear at this point is that marketing and hype far outweigh the science when it comes to CBD products.
That said, CBD is considered a safe and effective option for certain conditions. Below, we'll sort out the confusion by answering some of the most common questions about CBD.
Is CBD marijuana?
Yes and no. Cannabidiol is one of the two best-known active compounds extracted from the marijuana plant, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance that produces the high from marijuana.
CBD will not get you high or cause any significant impairment, but it is a misconception that it is non-psychoactive. CBD alters your consciousness. You may feel calmer, sleepy, less pain, or more comfortable. Also, some CBD products contain traces of THC, which may affect your mood.
CBD can be extracted from marijuana, but it can also be extracted from hemp. Hemp is the same plant as marijuana, but it contains less than 0.3% THC. Hemp has been used to make fabric and rope for thousands of years. As of 2018, Congress has legalized hemp (not marijuana) in all 50 states. So, while CBD extracted from hemp is legal at the federal level, there are a few states that still discourage its use.
Is Marijuana-Derived CBD Legal?
Again, yes and no, depending on where you live. In some states, marijuana is legal for both recreational and medical purposes. In other states, it's only legal for medical purposes. And in some places, it's not legal at all. At the federal level, CBD produced from hemp is considered legal, but CBD extracted from marijuana is not, even though it's the exact same molecule (this just goes to show how arbitrary some drug laws can be).
When it comes to CBD products, the FDA is still working on resolving this issue. Currently, CBD products are considered supplements and are not regulated by the FDA, so they can be of poor quality. It is illegal for companies to make unsubstantiated health or therapeutic claims about their products in their marketing.
The FDA has announced efforts to regulate CBD marketing, signaling it will crack down on CBD companies making “grossly unsubstantiated claims” to promote their products to “vulnerable populations.” For example, some companies falsely claimed that CBD cures COVID (it doesn't). The FDA shot this down pretty quickly.
Currently, there is only one CBD product approved by the FDA: a prescription drug called Epidiolex, which is used effectively to treat a rare and severe seizure disorder in children. To find out if CBD is legal in your area, you'll need to consult your state health department website or a local expert.
Does CBD work?
There is evidence that CBD is highly effective for some conditions, but not all of the conditions it is advertised for. For example, there is no evidence that CBD cures cancer, as some proponents claim. There is moderate evidence that CBD can improve sleep disorders, fibromyalgia pain, muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis, and anxiety. There is growing data that CBD may help people overcome various addictions.
Oral CBD is often touted for its ability to relieve anxiety, pain, and improve sleep quality. CBD can be taken as pills, gummies, tinctures, or smoked (not a healthy way to consume). A major problem is that lab tests have found that many products don't contain the ingredients listed on the label. For example, they may contain less CBD than advertised. So, buyer beware.
Where can I buy CBD products?
If you want to try CBD products, your best bet is to look for them through a dispensary, a facility legally licensed by the state to sell cannabis products (if there are such dispensaries in your state).
Dispensaries' products will be labeled so you can see exactly how much CBD the product contains and whether it also contains THC. Small amounts of THC in a CBD product are usually not a problem. However, taking larger amounts can get you high, which could pose a risk, especially if you're not expecting it or if you plan on driving.
Also, keep in mind that CBD products are not standardized and vary widely. It can be helpful to keep a diary of the types of CBD products you take, the amounts you take, and your reactions to them. This will allow you to track what works for your symptoms and what doesn't.
Is CBD safe?
The safest way to take CBD is orally as a tablet, chewable gummy, or tincture (a concentrated liquid usually administered with a dropper under the tongue). Stay away from illegally sold synthetic cannabis and CBD products (sometimes called “spice” or “bath salts”). These products can cause psychotic reactions in some people and pose significant health risks.
For most adults, CBD appears to be a very safe product. CBD can cause side effects in some people, such as nausea, fatigue, and irritability. Also, because CBD acts on the liver in the same way as grapefruit juice, it may also interact with certain medications, so be sure to check with your doctor before use if you are taking other medications.
And despite an increasing number of parents using CBD to treat their children with autism spectrum disorder (though there is no conclusive evidence that it is beneficial), it's not clear whether CBD is appropriate for children in any dosage.
The evidence on CBD is still accumulating. With many states now legalizing the recreational and medical use of marijuana products, including CBD, scientists are finding it easier to conduct studies. Over the next 5 to 10 years, we'll likely learn a lot more, including whether there are any undiscovered problems associated with long-term use and how to most effectively use CBD to improve health and wellness.
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