According to the CDC data, patients hospitalized with the coronavirus in America had chronic lung diseases, such as asthma, COPD, and emphysema. Thus, consuming cannabis through smoking and vaping may not be safe. However, 420 doctors say that eating CBD-infused edibles is one of the safest ways to ease anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and insomnia.
When it comes to CBD, people have various myths. For example, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, but it works the same way as THC.
Read on to learn about the common myths & misconceptions associated with cannabidiol.
CBD is Medical While THC is Recreational
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that doesn’t change the consciousness of the consumers. However, it has shown anti-anxiety, mood-boosting, and antipsychotic properties in various medical studies.
It’s true that cannabidiol impacts the psyche in a positive manner. Even if you take high doses, the cannabinoid doesn’t cause negative effects to the bodily functions. In other words, CBD can be psychoactive, but with non-intoxicating effects.
Most people believe that CBD is the medical part of the cannabis plant while THC is the recreational part. This is wrong. There’s a wide range of studies that say THC has amazing health benefits.
THC can be medical or recreational, but it’s not true in the case of CBD. CBD use can help you feel relaxed and focused. But, it doesn’t provide strong pleasurable effects as THC does.
A Little Dose of CBD Can Provide You Great Effects
It’s clear that taking low doses of cannabis can help you manage various medical conditions. Marijuana works by stimulating the endocannabinoid system, thus changing various bodily functions. However, when using CBD for achieving the same effects, you need to take high doses.
For example, patients relieving anxiety with 3-5 mg THC may need relatively higher doses of CBD (usually 30-200 mg). Yes, it’s true. Medical studies for evaluating the effects of CBD for treating anxiety, seizures, and other conditions use higher CBD doses.
Now, the question is—are you able to manage your symptoms with low CBD doses? Well, it depends. Because everyone has a different condition, and the CBD effects may vary from consumer to consumer. Most patients may be able to feel focused and less anxious by taking only 5-20 mg of CBD.
CBD Obtained From Cannabis & Hemp Plants Has The Same Strength
While the CBD molecule obtained from both hemp and cannabis plants is the same, CBD products with different origins may deliver different effects.
CBD provides amazing health benefits, but it works best when used with other cannabinoids such as THC. It can help enhance the THC’s therapeutic effects while controlling the negative effects. However, if you use low THC levels with CBD and other compounds, you can be able to manage pain and inflammation.
So, which CBD products should you purchase? Well, you should go for locally grown, laboratory-tested products. CBD obtained from cannabis plants contain high amounts of THC, and you require a medical marijuana card to use them legally. On the other hand, hemp-derived CBD products (that contain less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal as per the Farm Bill of 2018.
So, when buying CBD products online, make sure you carefully check the label, ask more questions about quality, origins, etc.
CBD Doesn’t Cause Any Side-Effects
While CBD is non-psychoactive, many think that it has no side-effects. But, the reality is—it may not suit every patient. And, CBD may lead to side-effects, especially when taken at high doses.
Clinical research shows that CBD can lead to anxiety, mood swings, diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and dry mouth. Patients with liver disease should be careful when using CBD because it increases liver enzymes, which cause liver inflammation.
Women should avoid CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that marijuana use during pregnancy may lead to potential risks to baby’s development. However, it’s unclear how CBD affects.
Some clinical trials evaluated the effects of consuming high CBD doses in children. The participants were given high doses of cannabidiol for three months, and they reported side-effects, such as lack of appetite, tiredness, etc. However, after halving the doses, the side-effects nearly disappeared.
CBD is Legal Across The United States
CBD products are available on the CBD Store, does that mean that CBD is legal?
Well, the US Food & Drug Administration says that marketing CBD by adding it to foods or labeling it as a dietary supplement is illegal.
However, according to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334 (the 2018 Farm Bill), production and marketing of hemp-derived CBD products is legal. The new changes have removed CBD from the Controlled Substance Act. That means, cannabis plants & derivatives that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight are legal under the federal law.
In 2018, the FDA has approved Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD, for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients aged 2 years or older.
According to the FDA, there’s no other CBD product approved by them. However, they are aware that some companies are selling CBD products for treating certain diseases, they have issued them warning letters.
CBD Activates Cannabinoid Receptors
The endocannabinoid system is an important system that is responsible for responding to an illness or condition. It helps in controlling different bodily functions and maintains wellness. Herbs, drugs, and lifestyle changes target this system to bring positive changes. Marijuana provides pain relief, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety and other medicinal effects by stimulating the endocannabinoid system.
Also Read- For Anxiety Sufferers – Here’s How Can Medical Marijuana Help?
Both THC and CBD seem to work similarly, but it’s not right. CBD doesn’t stimulate CB1 and CB2 receptors directly. It changes their activity levels instead, thus reducing the effects of THC and endocannabinoid signaling.
In addition to this, CBD also can inhibit the breakdown of the natural chemical anandamide. A clinical study reported that schizophrenia patients who were given 800 mg CBD reported a significant increase in the anandamide levels after 28 days.
Seems confusing? Whether CBD inhibits or stimulates the ECS? Well, it depends on the amount of substance you consume and your condition.
The Takeaway
So, these were some common misconceptions related to cannabidiol. Hope you get the right information.
CBD is an amazing cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. It is effective in reducing pain, inflammation, relieving anxiety, boosting mood and relaxation. When used in combination with THC, it can help enhance THC’s therapeutic benefits by turning down the activity levels of CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS. Additionally, it can inhibit the breakdown of anandamide.
As per federal guidelines, hemp-derived CBD products that contain less than 0.3 percent THC are legal. So, when buying CBD products online, make sure you check the label carefully. Talk to 420 doctors to discuss your condition, and seek professional advice for choosing the right CBD products for managing your condition.