01 Apr CBD myths: 6 common misconceptions about cannabidiol
Since it was legalised in 2018, CBD (cannabidiol) has become widely available as a food supplement. But despite its growing popularity, countless misconceptions still exist about what it is and how it affects the body. We’ve addressed six of the most common CBD myths to set the record straight. Let’s get started!
Myth #1: “CBD is illegal”
Wrong. CBD is legal.
Consumer CBD (as distinct from medically-prescribed CBD) is legal in the UK and many other countries worldwide, provided it is derived from approved industrial hemp containing less than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). British CBD companies must also have applied for a UK Government Novel Foods Licence by 31.03.21 in order to legally sell their products in the UK.
Myth #2: “CBD makes you high”
False. CBD doesn’t make you high.
Unlike THC, which is the controlled cannabinoid in the Cannabis sativa plant, CBD is non-intoxicating, which means it does not cause a cerebral high. The term “non-intoxicating” is not to be confused with “psychoactive”; while CBD is non-intoxicating, it may be called psychoactive as it does affect the mind, as evidenced in many studies investigating its influence on anxiety.
All Naturecan CBD products are made with a pure broad-spectrum distillate containing non-detectable THC (0.01%), so they are legally compliant and will not cause a high.
Myth #3: “CBD is addictive”
Incorrect. CBD is not addictive.
In a 2018 Critical Review Report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that “CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.”
Moreover, there is evidence that CBD may even help in the treatment of drug addiction; in one double-blind study conducted in 2019, CBD was administered to drug-abstinent individuals with heroin use disorder and found to reduce cue-induced craving and anxiety, two key features of addiction that can contribute to relapse and continued drug use.
Myth #4: “CBD isn’t safe”
Wrong. CBD is completely safe to consume, provided that you use high quality products and do not take more than 70mg per day, as recommended by the FSA (UK Food Standards Agency). The WHO has also verified CBD’s safety, saying: “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”
While CBD may have side effects for some users, these are rare and mild, and usually the result of exceeding the recommended dosage.
Myth #5: “Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are the same”
False. CBD oil and hemp seed oil both come from the hemp plant, but they are not the same. One major difference is their CBD content. Hemp seed oil (often called “hemp oil”) is derived from hemp seeds, which don’t contain any CBD, whereas CBD oil is made from other parts of the plant that are rich in CBD. This means that hemp seed oil may not offer the same potential health benefits as CBD oil.
Myth #6: “All CBD is the same”
Incorrect. All CBD is not the same. There is an ever-growing range of products on the market, including CBD oils, CBD capsules, CBD edibles, CBD balms and CBD beauty products. Not only do these products differ from each other in terms of potency, speed of effect and administration method, they can also vary from brand to brand in terms of their quality and safety.
Takeaway
The CBD market is still in its infancy, and as a result, it remains vastly under-regulated. This can make it very hard for consumers to be sure of what they are actually buying. Here are some key things to look out for when choosing CBD products:
- A trusted, reputable brand
- Plant-based CBD
- Safe THC content
- Proof of regular third-party testing (e.g. a certificate of analysis)
- CBD that has been extracted from approved hemp (ideally organic, US-grown)
By deepening public understanding of CBD, and dispelling harmful misconceptions, we hope we can help make its potential benefits more accessible to everyone – particularly to those who need them most.
References
- Is CBD addictive? - December 3, 2022
- How many drops of CBD oil should I take? - November 12, 2022
- Does CBD show up on a drug test? - October 28, 2022