What’s the deal with CBD? Here’s what we know so far

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to escape the CBD craze these days. Even if you’ve never manifested an interest in cannabis and its derivatives, the CBD phenomenon that has been taking the world by storm in the past few years is not something that you can easily ignore. 

It’s not just the sheer amount of products that have been flooding the market but also the staggering support that CBD has been getting lately, correlated with a relaxation of laws surrounding the cultivation and commercialization of cannabis and cannabis-derived products that have led to the rise of the CBD industry. In addition to the growing popularity of CBD, the cannabis industry has seen a rise in cannabis software for dispensaries, which has contributed to the expansion and regulation of CBD products in the market.

However, the fact that CBD is an immensely popular ingredient at the moment in the health and wellness world doesn’t mean that people are properly educated on the subject. If you’ve been asking yourself what is this green rush all about and why are all these people suddenly interested in consuming CBD products, but you still haven’t been able to get a clear answer to your questions, we understand your frustration. The truth is that the CBD landscape can be quite confusing, with a lot of myths and misinformation being spread around and plenty of resources that offer very little clarification on the matter. 

So, is it all smoke and mirrors, or is there something deeper that’s pushing the CBD industry forward? Since this is a bit more complicated than giving a simple yes or no answer, we’re going to hit you with the facts so you can decide for yourself if CBD is really worth all the attention it’s been receiving or not. 

CBD legality remains in a gray area 

CBD legality is one of the most discussed topics, and for good reason – no one wants to get in trouble with the law for smoking a joint or chewing a gummy. Since CBD seems to be everywhere these days, a lot of people assume it’s perfectly legal to purchase it and consume it as one sees fit. While this is partially true, it’s not as black and white as some make it to be. 

The 2018 Farm Bill only legalized CBD that is derived from hemp, the cannabis variety containing less than 0.3% THC. CBD derived from a cannabis plant that exceeds this concertation is considered illegal at the federal level, but it’s legal in states where medical marijuana consumption is allowed. Regulations on cannabis vary from state to state, so as expertsexplain, even though hemp is federally legal, there are still some states that have banned CBD products, regardless of how much THC they contain. If you want to make sure you’re not engaging in any illegal activities, it’s best to consult with your local authorities before purchasing CBD products. 

CBD has psychoactive properties  

CBD’s psychoactive properties is another subject that has caused a lot of controversies. The general belief is that CBD is non-psychoactive, which technically speaking, is not correct. A more accurate way of describing CBD is non-intoxicating. Wondering what’s the difference between the two? The term non-psychoactive implies that CBD does not interact with the body’s nervous system in any way but research has demonstrated this to be untrue. CBD does influence cognition and mood. In fact, that’s a major selling point for CBD – it can have a relaxing and calming effect on the body and may act as a mood booster. 

CBD can however be categorized as non-intoxicating – that means you won’t experience the high sensation you get when consuming THC. The misperception probably stems from the fact that CBD brands probably wanted to highlight the difference between THC and CBD and eliminate any concern related to potential intoxication but in doing so they only contributed to the confusion. 

CBD may provide several health benefits 

CBD has been marketed as a cure-all, leading people to believe that it can be used for any and every condition under the sun. Unfortunately, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Even if you haven’t studied all the research on CBD, it’s common sense to realize that there’s no way one single ingredient can magically cure a wide variety of conditions. 

That’s not to say that CBD doesn’t have any health benefits, far from it. There have been numerous studies over the years documenting the potential health benefits of CBD. There is evidence suggesting that CBD can help with the treatment of sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain. Also, in 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex – a drug used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome that contains purified cannabidiol. So, there are various uses for CBD in the health and wellness scene, which somehow justifies why people have such strong faith in its properties. But there are also limitations to take into consideration before purchasing CBD as an alternative treatment. If you want to use CBD search for delta 8 products available near you because the number of providers is constantly growing and most likely you’ll find a reliable source.

There’s something called the entourage effect that you should know about 

Speaking of studies, while researching CBD you may have come across articles talking about the entourage effect. It appears that CBD’s effects enhance when it’s consumed in combination with other cannabis compounds. 

There are over 120 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, each of them having unique properties that we still don’t know much about. But what we do know, or what a study conducted at The Hebrew University of Israel in 2015 suggests, is that CBD and THC are more effective when taken together or along with other phytocannabinoids. That’s something to keep in mind when choosing your products, as not all CBD is created equal, and you might not get the desired effects if you don’t do a bit of research beforehand.  

The bottom line is that CBD is a very promising ingredient with multiple health and wellness uses, but at the same time, it’s a compound that remains wrapped in mystery until further studies and research can provide more accurate data on its characteristics and benefits. 

Read Also: How Does Cannabis Affect Your Health?