Common Myths and Little-Known Facts About CBD

By  //  December 28, 2021

cannabis oil cbd

The cannabis industry has changed quite a bit since its inception. From the smoke-filled dorms of college kids to the rap shows of the early aughts, the industry has been witness to a huge growth with the growing research and legalization of cannabis throughout the country.

With the increasing acceptance of the plant, one of its many by-products, cannabidiol, or CBD, has become a health trend that is taking the nation by storm. But the purported health benefits associated with CBD have also been met with opposition and, of course, a healthy amount of myths. 

Who better to discuss CBD than those who work in the industry? We reached out to cannabis company owners and executives to explain away the myths with some little-known facts.

Myth: CBD Gets You High

“This is a common misconception. Maybe the most common. I am here to tell you that CBD does not get you high. Period,” says Brandon Sunny, CEO of Royal Moon.

CBD is a medical compound that is derived from the same plant as the recreational and psychoactive THC. Interestingly enough, however, THC isn’t exactly devoid of healing properties. Some studies suggest that THC can actually help reduce the onset of Alzheimer’s, though studies are still being done to further validify the results.

Despite the difference in the effects of THC and CBD on the mind, both continue to have a Schedule I drug classification in the eyes of the federal government.

Myth: CBD Lacks Research as a Treatment

“People will tell you that there are no claims to back up the efficacy of CBD to treat or manage certain ailments. Those people are wrong and misled. There have been hundreds of thousands of studies done on CBD. While most research has been done in rodents, there is a wealth of studies that have been done on children who suffer from epilepsy that back up the chemical’s benefits,” says Jason Reposa, Founder and CEO of Good Feels.

A growing number of studies have been conducted to learn more about the effectiveness of the chemical, but the jury is still out on many of the claims. Most researchers at least agree that there are benefits of using CBD and the side effects are much lower than those of prescription drugs. 

Myth: CBD is Addictive

“CBD is about as addictive as any object food you eat. There is nothing in CBD that would affect your dopamine receptors and cause addiction. In fact, it can actually help reduce addiction,” says Sarah Pirrie, Brand Director of Healist Naturals.

Substances that cause addiction release dopamine and generate a “high” feeling. Even foods like sugar and coffee can release dopamine and cause addiction. CBD, however, has been proven by the World Health Organization to have “no effects of any abuse or dependence potential. 

A little-known fact that Pirrie touched on is that there has been preliminary research done into CBD as a treatment for addiction and the results are promising.

Myth: CBD Has No Side Effects

“CBD, while lacking many of the more severe side effects one might have when taking other drugs, does have some mild side effects that users should be aware of. We make sure that our users know that CBD use can cause nausea, fatigue, and irritability in some people and can also interact with certain drugs,” says Chris Vaugh, CEO of Emjay.

Like any medication you would use to treat an ailment, you should always check with your doctor to make sure that it is safe to try CBD before you start using it. That being said, CBD is a relatively non-toxic solution for those who are looking to treat chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. 

Still, the dosing of CBD remains unclear and since it is currently only sold as an unregulated supplement, users may not know exactly what they are getting from distributors.

Myth: It Works Right Away

“Some people are of the belief that CBD is a magical cure-all that will instantly fix any ailment they have as soon as they take it, but that is not true. To really feel the effects of CBD, you need to take it consistently and in super-high doses,” says Jesse Richardson, CEO of The Brothers Apothecary.

Richardson touches on another little-known fact about CBD while dispelling this myth. The fact is that to feel any effects of CBD, you need to take a dose in the range of 10 to 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight a day. This equates to a huge amount of CBD and one that most people are not going to be able to obtain. 

Instead, try to aim for 20 to 50 milligrams of CBD a day and stay consistent. If after a few weeks you are still not seeing any positive results, it is possible that CBD may not be for you. Also, keep in mind that full-spectrum CBD extracts work differently and can be consumed in lower doses, around 2.5 mg, and still prove effective. 

Myth: CBD is a Scam

“ ’It’s snake oil’ is something that I have heard people say. And that is fine. You can write off any wellness compound by saying that, but that doesn’t make it true. There is plenty of research that shows the positive effects of CBD and proves that it is not a scam. But that’s not to say that some products that have CBD in them aren’t scams…” says Jorge Vivar, Creative Director of mode.

Vivar is probably referring to certain products that boast the inclusion of CBD in their formula. For instance, some might claim that their lotion or make-up has CBD in it because people are interested in trying CBD and it has become a selling point. This can make CBD seem like a way to charge extra for a product that uses it in its ingredients and thus lessen the validity of CBD’s positive benefits.

But this doesn’t change the fact that CBD has been proven to treat childhood epilepsy. The point is, you shouldn’t let the use of CBD in other products diminish its positive applications.

Myth: CBD Can Convert to THC if Digested

“That’s an urban legend. CBD cannot change its chemical properties while in your stomach and make you high once you digest it. The opposite is true, actually,” says Ari Sherman, Co-Founder of evo hemp.

CBD has actually been shown to neutralize the high that is caused by THC, the compound in the marijuana plant that causes the well-known psychoactive effects. The WHO weighed in on this very topic, saying that gastric fluid does not cause spontaneous conversation of CBD to THC. So don’t worry about getting high from consuming CBD orally, even at high doses. 

Myth: All CBD is Made the Same

“Not all CBD is created equally! Make sure you are doing your research when you buy and that you only make purchases from reputable vendors. There are many products out there that are mislabeled. Choose wisely,” says Ubaldo Perez, CEO of Hush.

You should be on the lookout for third-party tested brands that are licensed and have a verified reputation. CBD-rich products that are made using only organic, whole-plant extract that is high in CBD have the safest profile and the best medical benefits, according to researchers.

Some studies have shown that many online CBD products were mislabeled and an alarming amount was devoid of any CBD at all. Be sure that you do your homework before you settle on a CBD brand. All of the ones on this list are safe and trusted, so start here!