Here are some fun CBD Facts and Fiction – Which ones did you already know? Thanks to our friends at TribeTokes for much of the information for this article.
There is a huge volume of information about CBD on the Internet. Therefore, it can often be difficult to know what is fact and what is fiction.
Our friends at TribeTokes compiled 13 fun facts about CBD along with 5 fictions to help you know the truth. These facts may help you have a better understanding of what CBD really is and what it can or can’t do for consumers.
Note: This content comes from reputable sources and extensive research. These include highly accredited medical sites, scientific studies, certified medical marijuana physicians, and quality health journals.
WHAT EXACTLY IS CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It is a cannabinoid (molecule) produced by cannabis plants. Different from THC, CBD is not intoxicating. Therefore, CBD doesn’t make users high like THC. THC, of course, is the compound that has made cannabis famous (or infamous).
CBD comes in a wide variety of forms. Including isolates, broad spectrum, and full spectrum. These last two have the benefits of additional plant compounds.
FUN FACTS ABOUT CBD
These are our favorite 13 facts about CBD! How many did you already know?
$20 BILLION IN CBD SALES BY 2024!
CBD is gaining popularity because of its effectiveness and the wide variety of ways to enjoy it. Drinks, tinctures (oils), skincare, vapes, smokable flower, topicals, capsules, candies and gummies, and more are delivery vehicles for CBD! Every day there are new studies that show the benefits of CBD. Scientists and consumers are learning more about its medical uses all the time. Of all the fun CBD Facts and Fiction – this is one of our favorites. As a small business, we hope the growth trend continues as more people discover the benefits of cannabis!
PEOPLE BEGAN USING HEMP MEDICINALLY IN 2700 B.C.
Healers have been using hemp seeds and oils to treat different illnesses for thousands of years. Pharaoh Ramses II of Egypt advised his people to use cannabis to reduce pain caused by inflammation. Scrolls recorded these uses as early as 2000 B.C.
QUEENS HAVE USED CBD.
Queen Victoria, who ruled England from 1837 to 1901, was an advocate of using CBD to ease menstrual cramps.
CBD CAN COUNTER SOME NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THC.
THC is known to cause anxiety and even paranoia in some consumers. CBD can counter these effects and improve the experience of using THC. Many medical marijuana users seek out high CBD products in order to enjoy the pain relief benefits without the infamous high.
CBD CAN HELP WITH THE FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING.
Scientists published a study in 2011, which showed that small doses of CBD taken before public speaking helped to reduce anxious feelings. This is great news for people suffering from social anxiety disorders.
HEMP IS LEGAL AND SO ARE THE COMPOUNDS DERIVED FROM IT.,
All 50 states allow CBD oils that produced from “industrial hemp.” Industrial Hemp is cannabis that has been grown to contain less than 0.3% THC. Most people in the industry refer to this as “Phytocannabinoid-Rich Hemp” or PCR Hemp. This term clarifies the difference between hemp grown for fiber and seeds and that grown for medicinal properties.
THE POPULARITY OF CBD MAY HAVE BEEN HELPED BY A DOCUMENTARY.
CNN released a documentary in 2013 called “Weed.” This series followed Dr. Sanjay Gupta as he explored CBD remedies and the ailments it helps, including seizures.
THE FDA DOES NOT REGULATE CBD PRODUCTS (YET)
The FDA has only approved one cannabis-derived CBD product. This is Epidiolex, which is a drug for treating seizures in children with epilepsy. Because the FDA has not vetted other CBD products, it is critical to understand where your CBD comes from. A third-party lab needs to verify the potency and test for any residual contaminants. Blue Lotus has carefully researched all of the brands we carry and checked all third-party lab resorts.
CBD WAS FIRST ISOLATED IN 1940
Use of cannabis dates back many years in history, but the isolation of the pure cannabinoid occurred in 1940.
CBD IS USEFUL FOR PETS AS WELL AS PEOPLE.
Researchers continue to study the effects of CBD on all animals, including people. Initial research shows that CBD may help cats and dogs in the same ways it helps humans. Many mammals may suffer from similar emotional and medical issues as we do. Therefore, CBD may be a powerful treatment for their ailments.
CBD OIL AND HEMP SEED OIL ARE NOT THE SAME.
The terms “CBD Oil” and “Hemp Oil” are often mistaken for each other. However, CBD and Hemp Oil are different. The aerial parts of cannabis are where CBD is found. The leaves, buds, stalks, and flowers grow above ground. They contain many cannabinoids including THC and CBD. By contrast, Hemp seed oil is made strictly from hemp seeds. The seeds have no cannabinoids in them.
Hemp seed oil can be used for other nutritional benefits. For example, the seeds contain high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Also, it has antioxidant properties. However, it does not contain the medicinal benefits of Hemp extracts from the other parts of the plants.
CBD OIL IS USUALLY SAFE
Clinicians often refer to CBD as having a “favorable safety profile”. However, as with any supplement, CBD can have side effects. Rarely, people experience mild side effects such as dry mouth. Typically, CBD does not affect and major body functions and functional measures like blood pressure, temperature, or heart rate. Despite this, it is always a good idea to speak to your physician if you are considering changing your wellness routine. This is especially true if you are taking prescription medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have an underlying medical condition.
VERTEBRATE BODIES CONTAIN A SPECIFIC SYSTEM TO PROCESS CANNABINOIDS.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is present in the bodies of all mammals. It is a complex cell-signaling network of receptors and enzymes. This network processes the body’s own endocannabinoids. However, when you ingest plant-based cannabinoids, such as CBD, the ECS also uses them. They operate in the same way your body’s own work.
CBD FICTION (MADE UP FACTS)
There are many and varied claims about CBD everywhere. Many of these claims are truthful. However, there are also many false claims as well. Below are a few of the “made up facts”; aka “fiction.”
CBD CAN CURE CANCER
The word “cancer” often appears in articles about cannabinoid use. Certainly, many studies about medical benefits of CBD exist. However, these are most often about the health benefits of CBD. That is, helping to relieve some symptoms and side effects associated with cancer and treatment. This may include pain, inflammation, and nausea. However, there is no evidence (at least not yet) that CBD can cure the disease.
Studies have, indeed, shown that CBD can help reduce the growth of tumors in some animals. Even so, there is not enough research to confirm that it stops cancer growth. Obviously, we cannot know what future research will show. Therefore, for now, it is fiction to state CBD can cure cancer.
CBD HAS NO PROVEN MEDICINAL VALUE
Even if you discount the hundreds of thousands of claims about the effectiveness of CBD for many ailments, this is still fiction. As is noted above, the FDA approved a CBD-based medication for treating severe epilepsy in children. This is likely just the beginning of proven medicinal value as more research is done.
CBD CLAIMS ARE A SCAM
We saw an ad once for “gimmick-free” CBD. This resulted from the onslaught of CBD in everything from breath spray to hand sanitizer. As the CBD market picked up momentum, many companies were searching for ways to stand out in the crowd. The result was a wide range of CBD products that often make outrageous (and sometimes stupid) claims.
In addition, many dishonest companies have produced “CBD” and “Hemp Oil” products that do not even contain any CBD. This has led many people to try products that are designed poorly, have inadequate amounts of CBD, or do not have good usage guidelines. The result is many people thinking “it doesn’t work.”
The truth is, CBD has a great many benefits. Including in cosmetics and skincare. However, it is critical to find a company that has created credible products. Third party verification through lab results is essential. USDA Organic certification is another way to verify quality ingredients.
Read more about Common Mistakes with CBD to give yourself the best chance to solve whatever issue you have.
HEMP EXTRACT IS THE SAME AS CBD
The term “Hemp Extract” is often used to describe CBD. Social media, Amazon, and Google do not allow the advertising of CBD. Therefore, many companies describe their products as Hemp Extract instead. Sometimes, they even create entire secondary websites so they can advertise in these forums. Those websites leave out the term CBD.
The reasons this type of advertising is not allowed is a subject for another blog. For the moment, what is important is that the industry has generally accepted the term “hemp extract” to mean the plant extract from the aerial (above ground) parts of the hemp plant. This means hemp extract contains CBD, THC, CBG, other minor cannabinoids, fatty acids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Crude, full spectrum Hemp extract usually contains about 60% CBD. Therefore, if a product label says “Hemp Extract – 1000mg” it may or may not contain 1000mg of CBD. Future regulations may help clarify labeling. Until then, be sure to look for the actual CBD content before purchasing a product!
CBD ISOLATE – OR PURE CBD IS BEST
It is true that you do not want unhealthy additives or toxins in your CBD oil. However, CBD isolate is often not the best type of CBD. Ingestible CBD offers the most benefits when it is a part of full-spectrum CBD oils. These contain other cannabinoids, fatty acids, flavonoids, and terpenes. The full complement of cannabinoids and terpenes work together to create the entourage effect, which is often more effective than pure CBD isolates.
We hope you have enjoyed this list of some of the more common CBD Facts and Fiction! Visit our Orlando CBD Boutique or give us a call at 407-235-0653 for assistance choosing the correct product for your needs.