CBD, scientifically known as cannabidiol has recently been under the microscope of researchers for its much-debated health benefits. However, while researchers have concrete proof to base their opinions on, laymen are still oblivious to this evidence and have deep-rooted misconceptions regarding CBD. First of all, it’s important to know why people make mistakes with this compound.
CBD comes from cannabis, which is quite popular among people and is associated with marijuana. Marijuana has psychoactive properties, which people have been using for recreational purposes for quite a long time. Since CBD is also a part of the same plant, people think of it as yet another compound that is used for recreational purposes. While this is a very common misconception, there are plenty of other fallacies that even people who know a bit about CBD have in their head. Here, we address all the myths about CBD and debunk them.
MYTH #1- CBD HAS PSYCHOACTIVE PROPERTIES
They say birds of a feather flock together. However, the saying doesn’t always prove to be true. Yes, both CBD and THC come from cannabis or hemp and both share almost similar properties and molecular structure. However, CBD and THC have their differences- while THC has psychoactive properties, CBD does not exhibit any psychoactive properties. In fact, CBD is also known to cancel the psychoactive effects of THC under certain circumstances.
MYTH #2- CBD OIL ILLEGAL
The legality of CBD oil and other products is quite controversial. States and countries are still working on making CBD legal in many places. With that being said, the good news is that CBD is legal across most of the states in the United States and we can expect CBD to be legal in other parts of the world in the near future. This is because CBD is not legal in many places, but there is an increasing awareness of the benefits that it can provide. Currently, there’s ongoing research, and there will be more research done to shed light on the usefulness of CBD.
However, since there are states and countries that are still thinking about making CBD legal, make it a point to check if it’s legal in your state or country before you buy a CBD product. To conclude, while CBD oil is not legal in all places, it would be wrong to say CBD oil is completely illegal.
MYTH #3- CBD OIL CAN BE ADDICTIVE
As already mentioned, CBD oil and THC are two cannabinoids; however, with different properties. CBD has an effect on certain neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. This imparts a good feeling to the person who takes a CBD product. However, the addictive property comes under the psychoactive properties, which CBD does not exhibit. So, this means if a person starts taking CBD oil for pain or any other reason, the person can choose to stop the doses whenever they please without encountering any withdrawal symptoms. It’s safe to say that while a product that contains THC can be addictive, a CBD product that contains less than 0.3% of THC does not cause any addiction.
MYTH #4- ONE DOSE FITS ALL
One of the most common questions that people who use CBD oil for pain, inflammation, depression, and anxiety ask about is the doses of CBD that are appropriate. People look for a definite dose, and that is quite natural since most medical products come with clear instructions about the dosage and administration. The thing with CBD is- every individual has varying degrees of sensitivity for CBD.
While some people may need low doses of CBD oil to witness its effects, some may require a higher dose. So, if you’re taking CBD oil for pain or any other reason, the right thing to do is to start off with a low dose and see how it works for you. Keep increasing the doses until you witness the right effects.
MYTH #5- CBD OIL IS JUST A PAINKILLER
It’s true that CBD oil is used to treat pain. In fact, the majority of people who use CBD use it for its painkilling properties. However, to call CBD oil a painkiller and nothing more than that would be wrong. CBD oil for pain is effective, but its usefulness extends well beyond that.
Various research has shown that CBD is a great solution for people who experience anxiety, depression, and stress. CBD has neuroprotective properties, and it also destroys harmful toxins and free radicals in the cells; making the brain cells healthy.
The most significant use of CBD is its ability to reduce the frequency of seizures or spasms associated with epilepsy. Epilepsy has been viewed as a health condition with no proper treatment for a long time. However, research strongly suggests that CBD can be extremely beneficial for epileptic patients. In fact, there is an FDA approved medically prescribed drug called Epidiolex that contains a formulation of CBD. So, it would definitely be an understatement to call CBD just a painkiller.
MYTH #6- CBD OIL IS ALWAYS SAFE
CBD is a natural compound, which means it generally has no side-effects and is safe to consume when taken in the right doses. However, the biggest problem with CBD oil for pain or any other product for that matter is that it’s a new industry and there are high chances of sellers providing adulterated CBD products. Moreover, when you buy an adulterated CBD product, it might not be safe to consume and can cause health issues.
When CBD is extracted using solvents, the residue of certain harmful solvents may make it to the CBD product and raise quality concerns. This is why it’s suggested only to use a CBD product that has passed all the lab tests and comes from a trusted brand. As for other quality concerns, make sure the CBD in your product has been extracted using the CO2 extraction method- a procedure that is considered the best and safest of them all. Furthermore, the soil in which the hemp is grown should also be chemical free.
Since there are so many quality-related aspects for CBD, it’s important to conduct a good amount of research and only buy a CBD product from a seller who has authentic lab results and does not shy away from providing you with proof. When you use the right CBD product, you can avail the amazing benefits from it.