Cannabidiol Frequently Asked Questions
Cannabidiol (CBD) is fast becoming very popular because of its many benefits. For those who are just getting to know about it, and want a quick primer about it, the following are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the compound and its effects.
Please understand that this is just to help address some of those questions that all those who are new to the compound have. There’s a lot more to Cannabidiol than these questions.
Table of Contents
1. What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
This is a non-intoxicating compound that’s found in the cannabis plant that has recently generated a lot of interest among food and medical researchers for its potential.
It is quite different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is another potentially therapeutic compound found in the same plant. Essentially, CBD and THC co-exist in cannabis, but seem to have varying effects on people.
There are schools of thought who believe they complement each other in their functions, and there are others who claim that they can both work effectively independent of each other.
While we do not have concrete proof of these claims yet, what we know is that Cannabidiol is useful and known for its neuro-protective, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.
2. Can I Legally Obtain And Use CBD In The US?
This is a particularly important question, seeing as we all want to avoid any run-ins with the law. The reality is that legislation is often confusing in the United States.
The laws vary from state to state, and are often specific about the amount of allowed CBD and THC percentage in their products. Most high-CBD products often have very low THC percentages –usually in the 0.3 to 5 percent range.
Officially –this is according to federal and state laws- Cannabidiol usage is legal in about 42 states as long as it’s used for medical and well-being purposes. CBD oil – a Cannabidiol product- is legal in all 51 states when sold as a dietary supplement.
If you’re in doubt though, you might need to check with your states’ CBD/cannabis laws to see what the rules say about CBD’s legality.
3. Which Is Better – CBD or THC?
Honestly, it depends on your goal. CBD contains no psychoactive agents –doesn’t make you high, while THC when present in levels higher than 0.3% are likely to induce psychoactive responses –could make you high, depending on your tolerance levels.
The most important thing however, is that CBD is more widely accepted and is being actively researched. If you never want to worry about being high whilst taking cannabis derived products for your health conditions, high-CBD, and very low THC products are best.
4. Is CBD Approved by the FDA?
While there have been widespread and verifiable individual claims of the effectiveness of CBD derived products, there is no official approval by the FDA.
If anything, the FDA recently issued warning letters against four companies that were selling CBD based products as cures for chronic diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. The FDA has directed that all CBD and cannabis related products should be sold either as dietary or nutritional supplements.
5. Is There a Clear Difference Between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil?
CBD oils are simply oils with high Cannabidiol concentration. It’s very easy to confuse them with hemp oil which is obtained from hempseed.
Hemp oils are extracted by the process of cold pressing hempseeds. Unlike CBD oils that are used for the treatment and relief of several health conditions, hemp oils are used as fuel, moisturizers and cooking oils.
CBD oils on the other hand, are extracted using carbon dioxide based extraction processes, and are commonly found in or sold as CBD candy, oils, tincture, concentrates, capsules, syrups and extracts.
CBD oils have high absorption rates, with almost 100 percent being absorbed directly into the bloodstream within minutes of consumption. The best way to get the result is by placing drops of oil under your tongue and holding it in place with the tongue for a couple of minutes.
Some folks also vape CBD oils, although that’s somewhat risky and unrecommended. This is because CBD vape oils tend to contain thinning agents that dilute the concentration of the oil.
And when the vape pen contains propylene glycol, you should give it a wide berth as it breaks down under heat, producing formaldehyde in the process. Formaldehyde is a chemical agent typically used in the preservation of dead tissue and bodies, as well as a known carcinogenic agent.
So, inhaling it in significant quantities, increases your risk of developing lung cancer or other respiratory problems.
6. Where Can I Legally Buy CBD Products?
Because CBD based products are sold as nutritional supplements, you can actually buy them from dispensaries or online stores. But before purchasing, make sure to ascertain the quality and purity of the CBD product you’re purchasing.
Some unscrupulous individuals are taking advantage of the lack of regulation and market determined standards by producing subpar Cannabidiol products. So, keep your eyes open for impure CBD products and only buy from reputable stores.
7. What Conditions Does CBD Work For?
While the research is still ongoing, there are claims that CBD products are effective for a good number of health problems, including severe pain, cancer, specific types of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, specific types of epilepsy, arthritis, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohn’s disease, depression, multiple sclerosis, stubborn infections, cardiovascular disease and anxiety among other conditions.
Most of these are mere speculations though, as it’s only been proven in the case of two specific types of epilepsies –Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Other proven claims include pain relief, elimination of mental fog –serves as a good nootropic, anxiety and stress relief, and mood elevation. CBD seems to be an adaptogen of sorts, seeking out ailments, and modifying the body to combat and eliminate them.
It’s not as simple, but that seems to the general consensus. Studies and research are still in the works, and only time will tell its full capability.
8. Will CBD Make Me High or Show Up on a Drug Test?
As stated earlier, CBD based products with low or absent THC percentages will not get you high. As for drug tests, all those tests look for are THC compounds and others that CBD doesn’t have.
So, you will not test positive unless you take CBD products with high THC percentages –the safest range is between 0.3% and 5%- or take unusually high quantities in the 1000mg to 2000mg per day range.
And even then, it would only show up in trace quantities, which may be classified as a false positive. Anything more, and you could test positive. This is why we recommend that you vet your CDB vendors and ensure they sell the real low-THC CBD products to you.
9. Are There Any Side Effects of Using CBD Products?
CBD based products with little or THC have zero side effects. So, you never have to worry about addiction. Only high THC CBD products will get you hooked and become addictive. CBD oils for instance are just like regular soothing oils, only 1000% more effective.
