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FEATURE - February 2020
Debunking Common Myths About CBD
by Crystal Rae Prew
Cannabidiol (CBD) is quickly growing to become one of the most popular products
in the health and wellness industry. In fact, a Forbes report reveals that the collective market is expected to exceed $20 billion in sales by 2024.
Despite this, there are still many misconceptions about this herbal remedy, as it is a relatively new product.
So, let's take a closer look at the facts underneath these common CBD myths.
Myth 1: CBD Will Cause You to Hallucinate
One of the biggest reasons behind the craze around CBD is that it is a naturally
occurring compound found in the Cannabis plant, otherwise known as marijuana.
In popular culture, people associate marijuana with getting high — a mental state
wherein one is not lucid. The property that produces this effect is called
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is one of the 113 cannabinoids in the source
plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not carry any psychoactive properties that cause
people to hallucinate. However, it is vital to double-check if a product is full-spectrum
or broad-spectrum, as Jill Dutton's fascinating article on the CBD hype notes that
the former contains THC while the latter does not.
Myth 2: There's No Science Behind CBD
Due to the source plantʼs prohibition throughout the years, research on CBD and
other marijuana products is still a nascent field, but it is there. Though a universal
consensus has yet to be reached on CBD use as a whole, the growing body of
research does offer up a lot of insight into what the compound can do. In fact, Dr. Tiffany Lester has collated some key findings from CBD research in her article on Parsley Health, explaining that not only has CBD been proven to alleviate social
anxiety and improve mood disorders, but it has also been observed to decrease
chronic pain, lower inflammation, and promote gut health. When taken correctly,
CBD helps regulate metabolism, mitochondrial activity, and neurotransmitter
functions. Further, since CBD is becoming increasingly popular, more scientific
evidence about the product is underway.
Myth 3: People Get Addicted to CBD
Another common misconception about CBD is that it is addictive, since some
connect it with recreational marijuana use. Contrary to this belief, however, CBD
not only assists those recovering from addiction, but a study published in the
Neuropsychopharmacology journal shares that it can help prevent relapses from
happening to recovering addicts as well.
Moreover, CBD has health benefits that can help decrease the symptoms of anxiety, which plays a big role in the development of addiction. Indeed, US News' contributor
Alissa Rumsey points out that CBD stimulates a serotonin receptor in the brain that counters anxiety, thanks to its calming and mood-boosting effects.
Myth 4: Buying CBD is Illegal
Since the presence of CBD in the health and wellness industry is fairly new, there
tends to be a lot of confusion on whether or not buying it is legal, especially due to
its close relationship with marijuana. But, it's important to clarify that the majority
of commercially available CBD items are stemmed from industrial hemp, which
means that they are legal to purchase. This is because the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 or 'The Farm Bill' states that CBD derived from hemp, and doesn't
comprise more than 0.3% of THC, is legal. However, if a CBD product is derived
from marijuana, it is crucial to check your state's legal stand on this plant. States
like California, Oregon, and Vermont allow the use of marijuana, whether for
medical or recreational purposes, while states like Arizona, New Jersey, and Texas
only permit it for medical treatment.
Evolving Magazine
