Understanding CBD (The Basics)
By: Christian Ray
Tags: Cbd Oils, Cbd, Hemp, Cannabis, Science

Photo by Kimzy Nanney on Unsplash

It’s in oils, gummies, pills, bath bombs, lotions, suppositories, and mouth sprays. People are vaping it, smoking it, drinking it, bathing in it, and even shaving with it. So it begs the question… what the heck IS it? Is it the same stuff that sketchy guy outside Walgreens offered me in middle school? Is it safe? Why are people feeding it to their pets? Read on to find out.

What is it?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid, which is a fancy word that means it’s a compound found in cannabis. It is the most prevalent active ingredient in marijuana, second only to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana; weed; bud; pot; ganja; sticky icky; that good good; the devil’s lettuce — you get the point. CBD can be derived from either the hemp plant OR the marijuana plant.

Where does it come from?

Hemp is a cousin of marijuana: they both produce tons of cannabinoids including CBD and THC, but in very different amounts. For example, marijuana can produce upwards of a whopping 30% THC in its flowers, however hemp produces less than 0.3% THC, which is NOT enough to intoxicate you. A report from the World Health Organization says, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

What’s it for?

Pure CBD can be found in a number of forms, but the most prevalent is as an oil. CBD oil has been said to have benefits ranging from anxiety and pain relief to cancer treatment. However, the strongest evidence of its ability to treat childhood epilepsy syndromes like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, says Peter Grinspoon of Harvard Health Publishing. The European Union indicates the use of cannabidiol in the form of Epidyolex to treat these syndromes, in conjunction with clobazam, for persons aged two or older.

In addition to its uses in treating seizures, an experiment in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found it reduced nervousness and cognitive impairment for participants with social anxiety in a simulated public speaking task. Another double blind study found that the use of CBD reduced cue-induced craving and anxiety in recovering heroin users. So while putting cannabinoids into mascara might be crossing lines of logic, its uses are only becoming more and more documented. This also means more and more people are using it. Does that come with risks?

What are the risks/side effects?

While pure CBD is generally considered to be quite safe, side effects have been reported. This list includes symptoms such as diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue, says the FDA. Additionally, Marcel Bonn-Miller, an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine says, “If you take pure CBD, it’s pretty safe.”

That’s the catch though: pure CBD can be hard to come by these days. Some 2017 research found fewer than a third of 84 products studied contained the amount of CBD on their labels. THAT’S MORE THAN A FEW, and accuracy should be a concern when deciding to purchase something like this. Especially with reports of higher-than-advertised THC levels, or even inclusion of DXM, an active ingredient in cough syrup, found to be addictive, in vape liquid advertised as 100% CBD(A thing that has happened!). So be safe and smart with your purchases! As a consumer of CBD, my personal preference is CBD American Shaman. They publish their lab reports and press, and they seem to know a lot more than most about what they’re selling you. I’ve had great experiences in-store, as well, and had all my questions answered. Whether you go out to buy some CBD or not, have a great day, and shop safe!