5 Common Myths About CBD: Debunked

Posted by Hilary Famolare on Aug 5th 2022

Holding cannabis leaves with a blue glove

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Mammals like humans, dogs, and cats have cannabinoid receptors in our brains that allow us to feel the full effects of these compounds.

However, when marijuana was moved to the Schedule I classification of drugs in the US, it effectively outlawed all CBD products at the federal level. Unfortunately, that hindered the research of CBD and its benefits for decades.

Luckily, the tables have turned as many states have voted to legalize CBD products and have moved toward further research. So, finally, we have answers around CBD, so we can start to clear up the myths around it!

1. CBD Is a Sedative

Woman sleeping in bed

This myth exists because CBD is often used to treat conditions like insomnia or help users relax. However, CBD has no sedating properties on its own. It also contains small amounts of myrcene, which is a sedative, but there is no evidence to suggest that the amount will leave you feeling groggy, even in larger doses.

2. CBD Hasn’t Been Proven to Cure Anything

This myth is simply untrue. CBD is widely recognized by the FDA and other health organizations as a viable treatment for seizures and similar disorders. The FDA even approved their first CBD-based treatment for seizure disorders that have been difficult to treat for centuries.

In the federal government, cannabis is considered a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no medicinal value. However, after extensive trials, the FDA was forced to approve this treatment for its overwhelmingly positive results for seizure disorders.

On top of that, extensive research suggests CBD’s effects on inflammation, soreness, anxiety, depression, and other common conditions affecting large sectors of the population. With more states legalizing these products, it’s easier than ever to try or learn more about the benefits of CBD.

3. CBD Can’t Cause You to Fail a Drug Test

While reputable and safe CBD products will never get you high, there is a legal limit of THC that CBD products can carry. In most states, the limit is around 0.3% THC. In some cases, this can cause a failed drug test, but not too often. If you regularly use CBD products and you have a drug test coming up that’s in a state where marijuana is illegal or a job that is subject to federal jurisdiction; we recommend stopping use for a week or two before the test.

With such low potential amounts of THC, your body should flush it out within a week for a urine test. However, for a hair test, the THC could last for 90 days or longer in your system. If you are drug-tested for your job, service, or parole, keep this in mind before using CBD products.

4. CBD Doesn’t Do Anything

Some claim that CBD is a scam, often based on anecdotal evidence. Some people suggest it doesn’t work because they used it for a week and nothing happened. Well, some of us also hear the opposite, that someone used a CBD product for a week, and it’s a “miracle cure.”

The truth lies somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. CBD has been shown to help with many ailments, but there is still a need for further research. CBD does not cure “everything,” but it has shown promising results for a number of conditions.

For example, there are numerous testimonials around CBD’s benefits for sore or stiff muscles, relaxation, anxiety, and insomnia. On top of that, there have been promising smaller-scale studies for rare conditions with no cures. However, more research is still needed to confirm these results.

5. CBD Is Risky

CBD is believed to help with several conditions, which is why it’s so popular for people to try. It also comes with little to no risk if you use products from reputable sources. There has never been a recorded overdose of CBD or even an allergic reaction to the compound itself.

On top of that, it isn’t psychoactive, so there are no psychological risks to trying it. If you’re worried about additional chemicals in your CBD products, ensure you’re purchasing CBD products from a reputable store that uses a CO2 extraction method rather than butane. Ingesting chemicals from butane is never recommended, and that’s the only serious risk with popular CBD products.

Just because the industry has some gray areas does not mean that CBD is risky. With a little research on your products, you will have nothing to worry about!

CBD bottle with cannabis leaves

Try CBD For Yourself

CBD is a low-risk product that shows a lot of potential for different ailments and conditions. If you want to try CBD for yourself, just ensure you’re purchasing your products from a reputable source and that you use the right dose to start!

From there, stay up to date with our latest CBD news, and feel free to contact us with any questions about our products!