CBD Facts

Interesting CBD Information

Cannabidiol is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis. It is derived directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana, or manufactured in a laboratory.  One of the hundreds of components in cannabis, CBD does not cause a "high" by itself. 

CBD is readily obtainable in most parts of the United States.  All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. In December 2015, the FDA eased the regulatory requirements to allow researchers to conduct CBD trials. In 2018, the Farm Bill made hemp legal in the United States.

The Farm Bill removed all hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes the possession of drugs. In essence, this means that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp, but not if it comes from cannabis (marijuana) – even though it is the exact same molecule.

CBD has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and, in some cases, stop them altogether. Epidiolex, which contains CBD, is the first cannabis-derived medicine approved by the FDA for these conditions.

CBD may also help with:

Anxiety: Studies and clinical trials are exploring the common report that CBD can reduce anxiety.

Insomnia: Studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.

Chronic pain: Further human studies are needed to substantiate claims that CBD helps control pain. One animal study from the European Journal of Pain suggests CBD could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis when applied to skin. Other research identifies how CBD may inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain, which are difficult treat.

Addiction: CBD can help lower cravings for tobacco and heroin under certain conditions, according to some research in humans. Animal models of addiction suggest it may also help lessen cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and stimulants.

Is CBD safe?

Side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD can increase the level of blood thinning and other medicines in your blood by competing for the liver enzymes that break down these drugs. Grapefruit has a similar effect with certain medicines.  

People taking very high doses of CBD (over 50mg per kg of body weight) may show abnormalities in liver-related blood tests. Many non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have this same effect. The lower doses of cannabidiol found typically in over-the-counter CBD products are generally well tolerated without evidence of liver injury. We recommend you let your doctor know if you are regularly using CBD.

How can CBD be taken?

CBD comes in many forms, including flower, oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical preparations for use on skin. If you’re hoping to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle and joint pain, a topical CBD-infused oil, lotion or cream – or even a bath bomb -- may be the best option. Alternatively, a CBC patch or a tincture or spray designed to be placed under the tongue allows CBD to directly enter the bloodstream. You may find one method works better for you than another - thankfully, you have many options.