Q: What is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation of cannabidiol extracted from the plant Cannabis Sativa, an herb indigenous to central land western Asia.
Cannabis is the ancient Greek name for hemp, and selective breeding of cannabis plants over the centuries has produced two main genetic types:a drug type, marijuana, and a hemp type. Hempis cultivated for its stalk, prized for making strong fiber and rope, while marijuana isselectively bred to be rich in Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This psychoactive compound produces a euphoric effect when smoked or ingested.
The 2018 Farm Bill distinguished between the hemp strains of cannabis with minimal amounts of THC and THC-rich strains called marijuana, allowing farmers to grow hemp legally if the content of THC is less than 0.3% by dry weight.
Q: What’s the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil?
The seeds of both strains of cannabis contain commercially valuable protein and oils, but no naturally occurring THC or CBD. The FDA allows hemp seeds, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil to be sold as human foods. Still, CBDs extracted from the rest of the plant are not allowed to be sold as foods or food supplements, despite the proliferation of CBD-containing products and claims of benefits.
Q: How does CBD work?
While THC activates cannabinoid receptors in the brain to cause a “high,” CBDs don’t produce euphoria. CBDs seem to have anti-inflammatory actions and can help reduce the need for other medicines for chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
Why doesn’t the FDA allow research into the benefits of CBD?
The FDA is treating medicinal use of cannabis with the same rigorous standards that it demands of other newly discovered medications. There is a lot of research currently going on for the therapeutic application of THC and CBD. The FDA has recently approved Epidiolex®, which contains a purified form of CBD for the treatment of certain types of seizures in patients 2 years of age and older.
Q: Is CBD safe?
Probably, but be careful. CBDs are being sold to consumers as if they were food supplements, but according to the FDA, CBD isNOT considered a food supplement. CBD products are not subject to anyFDA regulations. Unlike medications or food supplements, they are not subject to manufacturing standards like Good Manufacturing Practices and do not have to prove that they are either safe or effective.
Although the FDA is working hard to establish standards for CBDs and expect that CBD products will eventually have regulations and rules that apply to them, anyone buying a CBD product today should be very cautious.
Q: Is CBD legal?
Yes, but only as a prescription medication. CBD isn’t restricted in the same way as THC, but since it isn’t a food, food supplement, or medicine, buying it without a prescription is not “officially” legal.
CBD is allowed to be added to cosmetics, but it’s against the law to sell food or animal feed with THC or CBD added to it.
Q: What potential benefits does CBD have?
CBD may help with chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and muscle spasms. It may also reduce the side effects of sedation or paranoia when used together with a product containing THC.
Q: Does CBD have side effects?
The most common complaint I hear about from my patients taking CBDs is “brain fog” or stomach upset. CBDs may cause stomach upset, decreased appetite and weight loss, dizziness, fatigue, and sedation.
Here are 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a CBD:
- Read the label carefully.
Make sure the amount of CBD per serving or application is listed.Companies that use laboratories that make testing results available are more reliable.
- Watch out for contaminants.
Cannabis plants can easily absorb toxic chemicals like heavy metals and pesticides. Review the label and company website for information on growing conditions and testing for contaminants.
- How fast it works.
The formulation affects speed. Inhaled or sublingual of CBD are the fastest, liquid, or edibles take 30 minutes or longer, and topical varies from person to person, from 30 minutes to several hours.
- Avoid inhaled CBD products.
Additives that dissolve or dilute the CBD may cause lung injury. Sublingual CBD is nearly as fast-acting as inhaled products and much safer.
- Hemp seed is different than CBD.
Hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil are perfectly safe and legal as foods, as they only trace amounts of THC or CBD.
