For consumers, CBD can be a pretty blurry and confusing product category. We dove into the world of CBD in an attempt to debunk the top myths surrounding this newly emerging wellness product.
Myth #1 - Hemp, Marijuana and Cannabis are One and the Same.
Wrong - This myth definitely contributes to the stigmasurrounding CBD. Hemp and marijuana are actually two totally separate plantsthat fall under the same genus, Cannabis.
Marijuana is low in CBD and high in THC. It is used formedicinal and recreational purposes. Hemp, on the other hand, is bred to bevery high in CBD, and very low in THC. Hemp is used for medicine, textiles,nutrition / body care, cooking, and more.
If you’d like to learn more, here’s a great blog that breaks down thedifferences between the three.
Myth #2 - George Washington Grew Hemp
Yep - Hemp is actually known to be the first agriculturalcrop planted by humans.
Washington thought hemp had the potential to be more lucrative than tobacco at one time. It was used for hemp oil, textiles, and fabrics, but Washington specifically harvested it for rope and canvas for his shipping fleet.
Myth #3 - Hemp Oil is the Same Thing as CBD Oil
Nope! Although they are both derived from the hemp plant,hemp oil and CBD oil are two totally different things.
Hemp oil: Hemp oil is great for you.Similar to vegetable oil, coconut oil, or sunflower seed oil, it’s a carrieroil, cold-pressed extracted from its seeds. It has its own set of benefits - it’srich in omega-3 and omega-6, and antioxidants - but does not contain anycannabinoids. This means there is no CBD in hemp oil. Think cooking, soaps, andlotions, not post-workout recovery, anxiety-relieving, and body-balancing.
CBD Oil: CBD is extracted from the leaves, flowers, and stalks ofthe hemp plant. It is a cannabinoid that works with your body’s EndocannabinoidSystem to supplement your natural occurring endocannabinoids to help regulatemany of your internal systems.
Words of Caution: “500mg of hemp oil” is very differentthan “500mg of CBD oil.” While hemp oil may contain CBD and other cannabinoids,it also may contain little to no CBD at all. The bottom line, if a productdoesn’t explicitly say how much CBD is in the product, BE SKEPTICAL. Also, makesure that 3rd party lab results are available to confirm CBD potency.
Myth #4 - “I Took CBD Oil and it Didn’t Work for Me”
This is a tricky one. CBD is not like a beer or sleepingpill. It’s not something you ingest and feel instantaneously - and couldpotentially take several days of consistent use before you start to realize thebenefits you’re looking for.
Think of exercising. In order to see results, consistency is key. You stick to a fitness regime, and after a couple of weeks, you start to see change. CBD works the same way, especially with ingestible products like oils. By taking them consistently, you will actually increase your natural levels of endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that serve as messengers of your nervous system.
“The first time you take CBD oil, you’re probably going to feel very little,” says Michael Tatz, co-founder of Resilience CBD. “So many people crave instant gratification and get frustrated when they don’t get an immediate response, but that’s not how CBD oil works.”
What’s most important is to monitor your energy levels, mood, focus, stamina, and pain closely, and over time you could be blown away by the results you feel.
Myth #5 - There’s No Scientific Proof to Back Up CBD’s Health Benefits
This one is false-ish! We are a society that loves tocompile “big data,” and scientists can use large sample sets to drawconclusions. After looking through the endless amounts of anecdotalevidence that support the miraculous benefits of CBD, we have countless case studiesthat validate the results from CBD usage.
The FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based medication to treat certain seizure disorders. This was the first pharmaceutical grade CBD product that received medial level approval after significant research-based testing. In conclusion, and from a scientific perspective, we have lots of data to draw from.
Let’s take this one step further and talk about our furry friends. Pet CBD has become extremely prevalent over the past couple of years. We will go to any length to keep our pets healthy and out of pain.
With pets, there’s no placebo effect. These animals have no idea they’re taking a hot new health and wellness supplement. Someone simply drops some oil on their food and they scarf it down.
Yet, tons of anecdotal evidence points to the leaps and bounds pets have made in terms of their arthritis, anxiety, or digestive issues when given CBD oil.
So in the end, we hope this clears up some of the grey areas that surround this supplement. The truth is, humans have been using CBD as a health aid for centuries, and it’s here to stay.
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