Frequently Asked Questions About CBD (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions About CBD

What Is CBD?
Is CBD Legal?
Will CBD Cause Me To Fail A Drug Test?
What Are CBD Isolates?
What Are The Potential Benefits Of CBD?
What Is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
Will CBD Get Me High?
How Much CBD Should I Take?
What Are the Different Ways To Take CBD?
What Is The Entourage Effect?
What Is the Difference Between Hemp Seed Oil and CBD Oil?
Are CBD Products Safe?
Do I Need a Medical Marijuana Card To Buy CBD?
What Are Terpenes?
What Is CO2 Extraction?
What Is the Difference Between Hemp and Cannabis CBD?
What Does “Full-Spectrum” Mean?
What Are the Possible Side Effects, Allergic Reactions?
Can I Overdose On CBD?
What Is the Difference Between CBD Oil and a CBD Tincture?
Can You Get a DUI/DWI On CDB?
How Do I Recognize a Quality CBD Product?
Can I Give CBD To My Infant/Child?
Sources

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, shortened to CBD, is a natural component in cannabis plants, including both marijuana and hemp plants. The primary difference between marijuana and hemp is marijuana has a much higher concentration of the cannabinoid THC than hemp. CBD from either plant is harvested primarily from plant resin, flowering tops, and even the leaves.

According to Consumer Reports, regardless of which type of plant the CBD comes from, the chemical structure of the CBD is essentially the same and has the same effects on the body. Even though most products that have THC in them that are harvested from a marijuana plant also hold some level of CBD, CBD is most often marketed and used as a standalone product. Additionally, CBD should not be confused with hemp oil, which contains trace amounts of CBD, but comes most often from the seed of the hemp plant.

Is CBD Legal?

According to the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, products made from the cannabis plant that do not meet the definition of marijuana, such as seeds, oils, and mature stalks, are not controlled under the CSA. These products can be legally sold and distributed throughout the country without restriction.

Will CBD Cause Me To Fail A Drug Test?

CBD alone will not cause you to fail a drug test because CBD is not the component being tested for. However, there are some CBD products that contain THC, but this should be clearly shown on the label of the product. As long as your product is listed to have 0.00 percent THC and comes from a reliable source with a Certificate of Authenticity, there should be no concern.

The recommended testing cutoff level for THC, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is 50 ng/mL. Even at 2,000 mg of CBD per day, it would be unlikely to fail a drug test. Something to keep in mind, however, is CBD can interact with the metabolism process of some compounds. Therefore, if you use THC products and CBD, the THC may be detectable in your system for slightly longer than usual.

What Are CBD Isolates?

Isolates are cannabinoids that have been stripped down and "isolated" to their purest form. To obtain a CBD isolate, any other cannabinoids, such as THC, or terpenes and hemp components are removed. The final CBD isolate is typically about 99.9% cannabidiol.

What Are The Potential Benefits Of CBD?

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to provide a whole list of potential benefits. CBD is thought to help with psychological problems like anxiety, depression, and some other diseases. It is also proposed as a treatment for chronic pain and inflammation, neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, immune disorders, and a full list of other conditions.

Clinical studies on CBD to date have had good results, and there are many more in progress studies and planned studies on the use of CBD for different conditions. Some of the most promising published studies include:

1. CBD was found as a safe and effective treatment for reducing anxiety and improving sleep. The study published was associated with a young girl who was suffering from PTSD.

2. CBD was shown in a series of studies to reduce anxiety in public speakers, in studies where anxiety was experimentally induced, and also for patients who have been diagnosed with SAD or PTSD.

3. A review of the neurological benefits of phytocannabinoids, including CBD, has shown:

"... phytocannabinoids have a powerful therapeutic potential in a variety of ailments primarily through their interaction with the ECS."

During this scientific review, it was noted that CBD could potentially be effective for many ailments, both psychological and physiological. But the concrete proof of its effectiveness for many specific conditions is available in the review as well. It was also reported in this review that CBD aids in the reduction of neuronal hyperactivity in epilepsy to lower the instances of seizures. Additionally, the review covered information about CBD being proven to reduce the growth of some tumors and how CBD has been shown to affect the brain in similar ways as antidepressants and some antipsychotic medications without the side effects.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?/

The ECS is basically a network of lipids, which are like fat-like substances found in the bloodstream, that comprise the endogenous ligands of the body as well as their cannabinoid receptors. In general terms, the ECS system grabs onto cannabinoids that are introduced into the body and acts as a system of neurotransmitters to regulate different systems functions inside of cells.

Will CBD Get Me High?

The psychoactive component of the marijuana or hemp plant is THC. CBD does not create those same effects in the body. Because CBD is an isolated cannabinoid, it does not contain THC that causes the euphoric "high."

How Much CBD Should I Take?

There are multiple factors to be considered when trying to provide proper dosage instructions for CBD. Firstly, CBD products can vary in strength. You may find CBD that is 250 mg. or 1,000 mg. Plus, not every body type as far as weight and BMI will metabolize CBD at the same rate, which can also mean different dosage recommendations.

Most manufacturers will clearly label how much of a product you should consume, and this is a baseline recommendation most of the time. For absolute surety, it is best to talk to your medical provider to get a dosage recommendation. It is also always a good idea to start with small doses of CBD, keep notes of how much you took and what you experienced, and adjust your dosage as you feel you need to with the guidance of your doctor, but do so only in small increments.

What Are the Different Ways To Take CBD?

There are multiple ways that CBD can be integrated into different consumable forms, but there are basically four ways to take CBD and get it into your body, including:

Inhalation - Inhalation is done with CBD oil vape products. With this delivery method, the CBD is absorbed in the lungs and gets into the system quickly.

Topical Application - Topically applied CBD products don't enter the bloodstream; they work on the upper layers of your skin. CBD salves, lotions, and creams are all examples, and they are commonly applied to certain points for some level of pain or inflammation relief.

Sublingual - Sublingual means under the tongue, and several products fit into this category, such as pure CBD oil, CBD concentrates, and tinctures. When taken sublingually, the CBD gets absorbed into your system through the mucous membranes under your tongue. The benefit of this delivery method is the CBD is in your system within a few minutes.

Ingestion - Ingestion is probably the simplest way to get CBD into your system and can be in the form of CBD edibles, beverages, capsules, or just CBD oil. When taken orally and swallowed, CBD goes through your digestive system, which is how most vitamins and supplements enter your body.

What Is The Entourage Effect?

The Entourage Effect, in laymen's terms, is the description of cannabinoids working in concert in the system almost like a whole instead of like individual components. According to Wikipedia, the developer of the term said, the Entourage Effect is:

"the sum of all the parts that leads to the magic or power of cannabis.”

This is one of the reasons why it is important to source whole-plant CBD, as these products contain small parts of terpenes, flavonoids, and other constituents to support the Entourage Effect.

What Is the Difference Between Hemp Seed Oil and CBD Oil?

Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are extracted from different parts of the hemp plant. Hemp seed oil is extracted by pressing the seeds of the hemp plant and have low levels of cannabinoids. While nutritional, hemp seed oil does not interact with the endocannabinoid system in the same way as CBD oil does. CBD is extracted from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. In other words, hemp seed oil is more like a nutritional supplement and CBD oil is not so much about nutrition, but more about promoting well-being.

Are CBD Products Safe?

CBD products are considered safe, especially when compared to prescription drugs. The National Institute On Health says that CBD has a better side effect profile, with only mild symptoms associated like changes of appetite or weight, tiredness, or diarrhea. The World Health Organization also states that it finds no public health risks or abuse potential with CBD.

Do I Need a Medical Marijuana Card To Buy CBD?

You do not need a medical marijuana card to buy CBD products as long as the CBD is hemp-based. In states where medical marijuana is legal on some level, cannabis-based CBD products are available that do contain higher amounts of THC, which means you may have to have a card or license as the state requires.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are a class of aromatic hydrocarbons that give cannabis its trademark aroma. All cannabis strains have specific terpenes, which is why cannabis connoisseurs look for dried cannabis that has a certain aroma they prefer. These terpenes are associated with many different types of plants, fruits, and herbs that also produce these compounds.

The interesting thing about terpenes is, these have no psychoactive effect like THC and could potentially provide medicinal benefits like other cannabinoids. They function like serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, according to Jane Street. Plus, certain terpenes may be able to help with managing inflammation and pain relief or helping with insomnia.

What Is CO2 Extraction?

CO2 extraction is one of the methods used to extract CBD from hemp and cannabis plants. This extraction method is preferred because it is efficient, clean, and versatile for use in different applications. Essentially, CO2 utilizes temperature and pressure to force certain compounds to drop out of the plant because of varied weights. The CO2 extraction method doesn't leave chemical residue on plant components as they are separated, which means the CBD that is extracted is more pure and safe.

What Is the Difference Between Hemp and Cannabis CBD?

CBD extracted from hemp is legal in all 50 states, whereas cannabis CBD is not. This is because CBD extracted from typical cannabis can have a higher THC content than that derived from hemp. Even though both CBDs are the same molecularly and chemically speaking, it is the other cannabinoids that can come through during the extraction process that make the two different.

Because cannabis CBD does tend to have that higher THC content, it would come along with some of those psychoactive side effects like increased heart rate or slight euphoria. On the other hand, CBD from hemp would not cause psychoactive effects.

What Does “Full-Spectrum” Mean?

CBD can either be full-spectrum or isolate. Full-spectrum means that the CBD comes with other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, such as Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabicyclol (CBL), Cannabichromevarinic Acid (CBVA), and trace amounts of THC in some cases or specific products. Full-spectrum CBD is capable of providing greater results compared to CBD in isolated form, according to a study from the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem. The Entourage Effect is an example of why full-spectrum CBD could be more beneficial than isolate CBD.

What Are the Possible Side Effects, Allergic Reactions?

CBD is possibly safe when taken appropriately in doses up to 300 mg. a day, even over long periods. A few of the side effects some may experience include things like dry mouth, drowsiness, feeling lightheaded, and low blood pressure.

Can I Overdose On CBD?

In a write-up on medical marijuana by Harvard Health Publishing, it was stated that marijuana itself is impossible to overdose on. Since CBD is a component of either marijuana or hemp, it also has that same safety attribute. In other words, it would be practically impossible to overdose on CBD.

Cannabinoid receptors function differently and are in different locations than say opiate receptors, for example. Cannabinoids are not capable of affecting receptors that control serious bodily functions like breathing or your heartbeat. The National Cancer Institute stated:

"Because cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur."

What Is the Difference Between CBD Oil and a CBD Tincture?

In basic terms, CBD oil contains cannabidiol in an oil solution. CBD tincture is a form of CBD designed for use as an additive in other things, such as food or drinks. A few other differences between the two include:

CBD oil can be used in a vaporizer pen for inhalation; CBD tincture cannot.
CBD oil can be rubbed on your skin, swallowed, or mixed with food or drink.
CBD tincture usually comes with a dropper to allow precision dosing; CBD oil doesn't always come with a dropper.

Can You Get a DUI/DWI On CDB?

You can get a DUI/DWI for any drug that compromises your ability to drive in a responsible, logical manner, but CBD would not impair your driving abilities, according to Lawyers.com. Therefore, you would not be charged with a DUI/DWI for having CBD in your system.

How Do I Recognize a Quality CBD Product?

There are pretty much five things to check to ensure you get a quality CBD oil product.

1. Find a good source. Look for a CBD company that gives you the exact source of the CBD in their products, and look for the companies that use only quality farmed hemp.

2. Know how the CBD was extracted from the plant. This may sound like no big deal, but chemical-free or cold CO2 extraction methods use safer solvents without petroleum. Therefore, the end CBD product is more clean and pure.

3. Look for a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Make sure this COA comes from a third-party testing institution. The best CBD manufacturers keep quality in check by having their CBD products tested by an outside lab, who is unaffiliated with their company so results are not biased, to obtain a COA. Lab tests will involve testing for purity, chemicals, heavy metals, and contaminants.

4. Make sure the product is less than .03% THC. CBD is legal; THC is not, but the best CBD products will contain such a minuscule amount of THC that it will do you no harm. Relatively, think about how eating a handful of poppy seeds would not be the same as using heroin, even though both come from one plant.

5. Look for whole-plant extracts. The secondary compounds in the hemp plant help support the natural proposed benefits of CBD, so whole-plant extraction means you get some of the good stuff that should be included.

Can I Give CBD To My Infant/Child?

There have been numerous studies done on CBD for children with epilepsy that have been published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. These studies have shown that CBD is an effective treatment with little side effects for children. However, further scientific research on other conditions with younger children is lacking. There are some hemp CBD oil products out there specifically formulated for young toddlers and infants, but most of these are in the form of topical applications that can be used for skin irritations. In Israel, there have been infants and children benefiting from CBD oil who are sick or have epilepsy.

Frequently Asked Questions About CBD (FAQ)