4 Common Misconceptions About CBD
You’ve heard it all before, whether from uninformed family members or ignorant coworkers or snooty friends - CBD will get you high, CBD will make you fail a drug test, CBD is a placebo, CBD is illegal. We could go on all day with what people assume of this medicinal plant.
But anyone who’s tried authentic CBD can tell you how it’s helped them. This cannabinoid can soothe stress, increase focus, boost energy, and even alleviate pain.
With all the confusing literature and false information out there, we at Medsana decided to debunk four of the most common misconceptions about CBD. Before we dive in, a little disclaimer: unlike other CBD companies, we aren’t in the industry to make false promises. CBD isn’t a cure-all, and your mileage may vary.
However, if you’re ready to see how CBD works for you, consider Medsana your new go-to CBD brand. All of our products are tested by an ISO17025-accredited third-party lab to ensure quality and consistency.
Too many CBD companies make unrealistic guarantees. They take advantage of peoples’ trust in medicine-esque products and sell items full of unnecessary or even dangerous ingredients. Their money-making schemes have created suspicion and distrust. That’s unfortunate, but education can help.
Misconception #1: CBD is illegal.
In December 2018, Congress signed the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the Farm Bill, into law. Part of the Act removed hemp from the definition of marijuana found in the Controlled Substances Act.
In other words, as of late 2018, hemp and hemp-derived products (including CBD) are no longer considered controlled substances. Cultivators don’t need to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to grow the plant. That means this cannabinoid is legal if it’s derived from hemp.
Although this amendment was a clear milestone in the effort to normalize and legitimize CBD, several obstacles remain in the production and sale of hemp-derived CBD products.
Violating the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) remains the sole player in the regulation of products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds. That includes CBD, THC, and any of the other 60-plus discovered cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
Marketing CBD as a Dietary Supplement
The FDA made a statement the same day that the 2018 Farm Bill passed in Congress. In the statement, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb expressed the agency’s concern over many unregulated CBD companies’ unsupported claims - what we call false promises.
Not only is Medsana approved and regulated under federal law, but all our products are tested by an unbiased third party. Medsana was created to fill what had been missing in the CBD industry - legitimate, high-quality products that genuinely improve people’s lives.
That being said, we will never ask that customers use our products in lieu of doctors’ guidance for serious health conditions and chronic illnesses. Some CBD companies claim that their products can cure or prevent cancer, arthritis, and other serious conditions, but these are largely unsubstantiated and misleading claims.
CBD may be used in conjunction with other treatments, but only after you’ve seen a medical professional to ensure CBD is safe for you to take.
State Variation in Regulations
Everyone knows that federal and state governments don’t always see eye to eye. Take California - The Golden State legalized medical marijuana in 1996, but it took 22 years for the federal government to stop classifying hemp as a controlled substance.
This is where legality becomes an issue. Even though Congress removed hemp and its byproducts from the definition of marijuana in 2018, some states have their own drug schedules and follow the pre-Farm Bill classification of marijuana. That means they treat hemp with the same legal severity as marijuana and can prosecute for manufacturing or distribution.
You can see that almost all states allow for some form of hemp production, whether for industrial research or commercial purposes. Idaho, Mississippi, and South Dakota do not allow the cultivation of hemp.
Misconception #2: CBD Gets you high and makes you fail drug tests.
Sorry, teenagers: we hate to break it to you, but CBD won’t get you high. If you’re one of the millions of people who believe that CBD and THC are the same because they come from the same plant, think again.
There are definitely similarities between the two compounds, but don’t be mistaken - one produces intoxicating effects and the other does not. It’s important to understand the similarities and differences between these compounds. What better way to explain to your grandmother that your lavender CBD tincture won’t get you high?
Here are some similarities between CBD and THC:
Pharmacology
Your ECS uses CB1 and CB2 receptors to interact with CBD and THC. THC tells those receptors to produce a “high”, but CBD does not. Instead, CBD changes the way our receptors will bind to cannabinoids, including THC.
Medical Benefits of THC and CBD
Plenty of people use either CBD, THC, or both to mitigate the effects of pain and certain troubling mental states, including stress, sadness, and psychosis. Medical marijuana is fully legal in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Only use marijuana if it is legal in your state. As always, speak with your doctor before using a new product.
Always Choose a 0% THC Product
Unfortunately, some CBD users have failed drug tests because they test positive for THC. This is because many CBD companies do not filter their products properly and include a limited amount of THC in their tinctures and gel caps.
A positive result may be due to the type of drug test since different tests have different thresholds for detecting drugs. To be safe, you should choose a certified CBD product containing 0% THC.
All of Medsana’s products are made of 99% pure CBD Isolate and 0% THC. That means you can drive, go on a job interview, or engage in any other activity where you shouldn’t be impaired. Other products may have up to 0.3% THC; even that marginal amount can show up on a drug test. But Medsana CBD is a life-altering, not mind-altering, experience.
Misconception #3: CBD takes a long time to work.
This misconception may come from people using CBD as a treatment for mental health and expecting it to work like psychiatric medications. This cannabinoid does not function like antidepressants or other medications for mental disorders. Traditional psychiatric medications, like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), can take 4-6 weeks before users notice an improvement in their mood and energy levels.
Generally, the body absorbs CBD between 20 minutes and two hours after ingesting. But that's a general estimate - several factors affect how long it’ll take before you feel the calming, relaxing effects of CBD.
Method of Consumption
One of the quickest ways to ingest CBD is by placing a few drops directly into your mouth. This may be the fastest way to take it, but you won’t feel the effects until one to six hours later. That’s because the cannabinoid doesn’t immediately enter your bloodstream; instead, it goes through the digestive tract and liver, where it is finally broken down and enters the bloodstream.
CBD gummies or other edibles will take the same amount of time. These are all perfectly viable options for consuming CBD, but for quick absorption, look for sublingual (under the tongue) or inhalation options.
Body Weight and Metabolism
People who weigh more tend to have a greater number of fat cells, so they require a greater amount of CBD to feel an effect. This is because their bodies can absorb and store more of the substance, so they also feel the effects of the cannabinoid longer than people who weigh less.
Each person’s unique metabolism also affects how long it will take to feel relief. Your metabolism determines how long it will take to break down and process a compound. Therefore, if you have a slow metabolism, it’ll take longer to feel the effects of CBD.
Product Quality
If you’ve ever tried a CBD product that made you feel, well, not yourself, this is why. Not all CBD is created equal. Contamination, impurities, and additives can all affect how the cannabinoid is absorbed, processed, and metabolized by your body.
That means you’ll have spent upwards of $100 on something that not only won’t help you but might harm you. At Medsana, our team of cultivators and manufacturers ensure the safety and reliability of every product through tightly controlled third-party testing.
Misconception #4: CBD has no side effects.
Part of our philosophy at Medsana is to be transparent in everything we do and publish. Other CBD companies might tell you their products have no side effects, but you shouldn’t trust them.
Technically, anything you put in your body has the potential to cause an effect. You should learn about the potential side effects of CBD and speak with your doctor about how you can safely fit CBD products into your wellness routine.
Some of the side effects of CBD include:
- Dry mouth - Similar to other cannabis and hemp-derived products, CBD can cause dry mouth because the CB1 and CB2 receptors bring about a significant drop in saliva production.
- Diarrhea - Low-quality CBD products can create gastrointestinal distress and leave you feeling sick to your stomach. If your CBD came from a plant that grew in poor soil or underwent a harsh extraction process with heavy chemicals, your body may react by trying to flush it out of your system.
- Changes in appetite - Research suggests that CBD may boost your metabolism and make you less hungry, potentially leading to weight loss. This cannabinoid interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and lymphoid tissue, which play a role in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
- Fatigue - CBD binds to the 5-HT1a serotonin receptors in the brain and blocks certain molecules, causing sleepiness in some users. That’s why it’s important to purchase the highest-quality product you possibly can.
Check Out Medsana for Your CBD Needs
Many people have the wrong idea about CBD. It doesn’t cause psychosis or take forever to work, and it’s definitely not the same thing as marijuana. Medsana is here to set the record straight and help people understand the amazing things that this cannabinoid can do.
Medsana’s philosophy is to be transparent and share our knowledge with all customers. We don’t hide behind false promises or lofty claims. CBD isn’t for everyone, but it may improve your life. Give one of our products a try and get 20% off your order. We’re here to make the biggest difference possible, and it starts with you.