Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in marijuana. CBD is not impairing, meaning it does not cause a “high.”1
CBD can be derived from hemp or from non-hemp plants. Hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering substance in marijuana.
In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed and signed into law the Agriculture Improvement Act. This law removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act, effectively legalizing CBD if it comes from hemp.2 However, a few states have not removed hemp from their state’s controlled substances acts, so legality of CBD products differs across states.
CBD is marketed in many consumer products:
- Foods
- Oils
- Lotions
- Capsules
- Cosmetics
Is CBD a medicine?
Scientists are still learning about how CBD affects the body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a medicine that contains purified CBD from hemp, to help treat rare seizure disorders. The FDA has concluded that this drug is safe and effective for this intended use. However, other marketed products and uses of CBD may not be FDA approved.
Potential harms and side effects
Using CBD products is not risk free. The FDA has limited data on CBD safety. Please consider these possible side effects and risks before using CBD:3
- Liver damage
- Interference with other drugs you are taking, which may lead to injury or serious side effects
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Diarrhea or changes in appetite
- Changes in mood, such as irritability
Using CBD during pregnancy is not recommended.
CBD use during pregnancy is not recommended. The potential health effects of using CBD products during pregnancy are currently unknown. In animals, high doses of CBD have caused negative effects on developing fetuses.4
We do not know if CBD is passed to a baby through breast milk. Since negative effects have been associated with CBD use, people who are breastfeeding are encouraged to avoid CBD.
We do not know the effects of CBD on children’s developing brains. If you use products that contain CBD or THC, keep them in childproof containers and out of the reach of children.
For additional questions, contact your healthcare provider, your health department, or your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if it’s an emergency.
Unknowns
There is a lot we do not know about CBD. Currently, we do not know how CBD use affects a person over time. We also do not know how different modes of CBD use (smoking, vaping, eating, applying to skin, etc.) affect a person.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and will not produce the “high” feeling associated with using marijuana. Both compounds have medicinal benefits, but cannabis derived products with higher dosages of THC are only available in states that allow medical and/or recreational sales of marijuana from a licensed dispensary. Hemp-derived CBD is widely available without a prescription in stores and on the internet.
There are several factors to consider when thinking about the best options for you. When it comes to CBD, your best bet is to start low and increase dose slowly until you experience the desired results. Different formulations will have different effects and are good for different uses.
CBD alone will not make you “high.” CBD that is extracted from the hemp plant is required to contain under .3% THC to be federally legal in the United States. Full Spectrum extracts do have trace amounts under .3% of THC. Since every individual responds differently, it is impossible to predict how each person will react. These levels of THC are extremely low and do not effect the majority, but we suggest starting with Broad Spectrum CBD if you are concerned about THC or any potential psychoactive effects.
CBD extracted from the hemp plant that contains less than .3% THC was removed from Schedule 1 status after the 2018 Farm bill was passed. Hemp was also approved as an agricultural crop and is legal in the eyes of the federal government. That being said, each state has their own individual laws that vary widely regarding CBD. We suggest doing research on your state laws before buying, selling, or using any CBD products.
This is one of the most common questions we hear and there is no right answer. The best advice we can give is to listen to your body. When it comes to CBD topicals, we suggest starting low and increasing dosage slow until your desired results.
CBD has been safely used and tested in much higher dosages than is currently available in products sold over the counter. The short answer is no, there is no known toxicity when it comes to any cannabinoids. However, we do advise consumers to start with low dosages to evaluate how it effects you, as everyone responds differently.
First and foremost, you should always consult your physician when adding CBD to your regimen, especially if you are taking other medications. CBD is known to inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme, which is involved in metabolizing some drugs in the liver. Due to this, CBD can either increase or decrease effects and levels of some drugs. Any medication that advises against use of grapefruit is thought to potentially also interact with CBD. Again, if you are unsure or on additional medications, always consult your physician before taking CBD.
Most likely not. There are, however, many variables that you need to consider before taking CBD. Although Full Spectrum hemp derived products contain less than .3% THC, these types of products can potentially cause some individuals to fail a drug test. Also important is what kind of tox screen is being done and is it checking for THC specifically, or is it testing for cannabinoids? To be on the safe side, the best answer is that if you are concerned about drug tests, you should discuss with the appropriate authorities or your employers HR department before deciding to take any CBD products.
It depends on the company and how they label products. Many are labeled differently, but that doesn’t mean they are good or bad. Some companies disguise hemp seed oil as CBD, particularly those being sold on Amazon. Hemp seed oil can be bought at your local health food store. It is important to do your research before buying products. Always ask for lab results as confirmation of what is in the product you are buying.