Ever since the Farm Bill legalized the production and sale of hemp, CBD (cannabidiol) has gained immense limelight. There is a lot of news and information doing rounds on the internet about CBD, suggesting how it can help users in every facet of life, from muscle recovery to skincare and insomnia.
Most research materials reveal that CBD possesses therapeutic benefits and can promote overall physical and psychological wellbeing by treating various health conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, etc. Because of its efficiency in treating muscle pain, depression, epilepsy, acne, etc., several manufacturing companies have jumped on the bandwagon, creating some of the finest CBD supplements in a wide range of forms.
From delicious gummies to oils, you can find CBD infused supplements in almost all sectors of wellness and lifestyle products. While most of the information online is appropriate, there are several misconceptions around CBD, the naturally occurring chemical cannabinoid. So, let’s clear the eight common misconceptions circling CBD, to help you decide whether to use it as an alternative medication to alleviate any of the health conditions mentioned above.
All CBD products are the same.
Here’s the primary misconception most people have about CBD – nearly all products by manufacturers are of the same standards. While there are industry standards set for all CBD manufacturers to attain, not all CBD products are of the same quality. One of the reasons for that is the cheap extraction methods that some manufacturers follow, resulting in low-quality CBD products with high THC percentages.
That said, many other manufacturers like Lazarus Naturals extract CBD from organic hemp using high-quality solvents like cryogenic ethanol and focus on providing better quality for affordable prices. Therefore, make sure to buy CBD products from a reputed manufacturer that offers quality CBD products.
CBD causes high
Most people associate CBD with psychoactive effects because it is a chemical compound present in cannabis plants. Even if CBD is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids, it does not cause any ‘high.’ CBD is a mood-altering chemical compound with antipsychotic, anti-depressant, and anxiolytic properties. That means it can alleviate the effects of depression, anxiety, psychosis and do not cause any euphoria and psychoactive effects. Most people assume that the THC present in CBD causes psychoactive effects. However, the THC percentage present in CBD is almost negligible, which cannot cause psychoactive effects.
CBD shows up on drug test
Here’s another myth about CBD that bothers many users, mainly the novice ones. Most drug tests screen for psychoactive substances like THC. Since CBD has an entirely different chemical structure than THC, you do not have to worry if you have been consuming quality CBD products. However, if you consume full-spectrum CBD products that contain all the chemical compounds, such as terpenes, THC, and fatty acids, the test results may vary. Therefore, it’s better to stick to CBD products with low THC content.
CBD is most efficient only without THC or other cannabinoids
Most people think that CBD is the only beneficial cannabinoid, and it’s better to use CBD isolate products that obtain nothing but CBD. However, an animal study performed in 2015 proved that full-spectrum CBD is more efficient than CBD isolate. The other cannabinoids present in lower quantities offer therapeutic benefits. You can decide whether CBD isolate or full-spectrum CBD is best for you, based on your needs.
CBD makes you drowsy
CBD can calm the mind and promote relaxation to alleviate stress, depression, and anxiety. However, it is not a sedative and does not make the user feel sleepy when consumed in moderate doses. Small and moderate amounts of CBD have energizing effects on the users that can improve focus. However, very high doses of CBD may cause sleep-inducing effects for some users.
CBD is a hoax
It’s essential to understand that the effects of CBD vary from person to person. Because of inadequate research and information about the appropriate dosage levels for specific health conditions, it’s challenging to analyze an ideal dosage. Therefore, consuming small doses or low-quality CBD products may be why some people do not experience its effects. So if you’ve heard a friend tell you that they haven’t achieved the desired results using CBD.
Higher doses of CBD are more efficient than lower doses.
Both THC and CBD possess biphasic properties, which means that lower and higher doses of the same compound may have adverse effects. For instance, THC may help reduce anxiety when consumed in smaller amounts. However, the same compound may cause paranoia and anxiety when consumed in large doses. CBD is efficient even when consumed in smaller amounts. In fact, CBD may be more effective when consumed in smaller doses. However, knowing the ideal dosage is crucial as the effects of CBD vary from one individual to another, and large doses may cause drowsiness or other side effects.
CBD extracted from marijuana is better than hemp
People believe that CBD extracted from marijuana plants is more potent than hemp plants. That’s not true. The only difference between hemp and marijuana plants is the amount of THC present. The THC level in hemp plants is 0.03%, whereas it is higher in marijuana plants.
Final Thoughts
The wide range of therapeutic benefits offered by CBD and several studies prove its efficiency in alleviating several health conditions. However, it’s crucial to buy and use high-quality CBD products that are organic and have proper certification. An ideal dosage also plays a significant role in its efficiency. So, start by taking lower doses and find the dosage that works for you.
