With the recent attention and coverage that the CBD industry has been receiving, you would be forgiven for thinking that you know everything there is to know about this wonder product. However, this is far from the truth, as much information about CBD is yet to be uncovered. This is because the industry is still young, and the effects and benefits of the product are yet to be fully understood by researchers. Although a lot of basic information regarding CBD is available online, you would still be better off doing some independent research before purchasing CBD products. And to aid you in your research and shed more light on the CBD industry, we have prepared a list of ten interesting facts you might not know about CBD.
1. CBD is non-psychotic
With all the hype surrounding CBD, there is no doubt that some myths and misconceptions have been developed about it. And chief among them is that CBD can get you stoned. Well, this isn’t true as CBD (Cannabidiol), unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is a non-psychoactive compound. This means that consuming CBD products won’t get you high. The misconception that CBD can get you high sprouts from the fact that some CBD products tend to contain traces of THC. However, the THC content is usually not more than 0.2%, which is incapable of intoxicating you.
2.CBD was first discovered in the 1940s
The history of cannabis goes back 2500 years when humans started using it for its recreational and purported health benefits. However, due to its intoxicating and addictive nature, the plant was widely illegalised in the mid-20th century. And it wasn’t until 1940 that researchers identified CBD, a compound that paved the way for a better understanding and safe use of cannabis. And about two decades later, researchers managed to isolate CBD, which then started making its way into the market as an independent product.
3.CBD can be extracted from both hemp and marijuana
Both industrial hemp and medicinal marijuana are strains of the Cannabis Sativa plant. They contain a decent cannabinoid profile, and CBD can be extracted from their flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems. However, it is worth noting that only CBD extracted from industrial hemp is legal in the UK. This is because industrial hemp contains a significant CBD profile and only trace amounts of THC. On the other hand, marijuana is illegal due to its high THC content (THC is a controlled substance in the UK). As such, the CBD you purchase in the UK is usually extracted from industrial hemp plants.
4.You don’t need a prescription to purchase CBD products
CBD products are readily available, and you don’t need a prescription from a doctor to buy them. You can, therefore, order them online without any written prescriptions, provided you meet the legal age requirement. However, it is still advisable to consult with a medical expert if you intend to start consuming CBD for medical reasons.
5.CBD is one of many cannabinoids being studied
There is no doubt that the most prominent cannabinoids that many people are aware of are CBD and THC. But did you know that the cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids? In fact, at the moment, researchers have identified 120+ cannabinoids that naturally occur in the cannabis plant. Other significant cannabinoids besides CBD and THC include CBC (Cannabichromene), CBG (Cannabigerol), and CBN (Cannabinol).
6.Hemp and CBD are not the same
Although people tend two use the terms CBD and hemp interchangeably, they refer to different things. For instance, CBD refers to a particular cannabinoid, whereas hemp refers to the plant from which CBD is derived. As a result, there is a considerable difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, despite the two being extracted from the same plant. This is because hemp oil is extracted from the hemp seeds, while CBD oil is extracted from the flowers of the hemp plant.
7.CBD works better with other cannabinoids
As CBD is a natural compound extracted from the cannabis plant, its effects further increase when consumed with other cannabis compounds. The synergistic working of CBD and other cannabinoids such as THC gives rise to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. And the entourage effect results in intensified and longer-lasting effects of CBD.
8.The form in which you take CBD matters
There are currently several kinds of CBD products on the market and various forms of taking them. The effects of each CBD product vary depending on the type of product and its method of consumption. All the CBD products in the market fall into one of the following three categories:
- Full-spectrum: These products contain CBD terpenes and various other cannabinoids, including THC (usually less than 0.2%). The different components work together to produce the entourage effect, which magnifies the effectiveness of CBD.
- Broad-spectrum: They contain CBD and other cannabinoids, excluding THC, meaning they are incapable of inducing the entourage effect.
- Isolate: These products contain pure CBD without any other cannabinoids.
When consuming CBD products, the sublingual method provides the fastest results. On the other hand, ingestion offers a slower but extended release of the CBD compounds, leading to longer-lasting effects. Lastly, topicals applied on the skin provide targeted relief for muscle pains and discomfort.
9.There is no established effective dose of CBD
Despite being in the market for quite some time, researchers are yet to establish an effective dose of CBD for relieving various symptoms. This is because the severity of conditions varies from one individual to another, making it challenging to develop a standardised dose. It, therefore, means that you will have to employ the trial and error method to determine the correct CBD dose for treating your symptoms.
10.CBD can make you both sleepy and alert
CBD has the potential to make you both sleepy and active. The difference in effects stems from the quantity of CBD consumed. For instance, when consumed in small doses, CBD can make you alert and active while executing your daily routines. However, a higher dosage administered at the end of the day will induce a relaxing effect which can easily see you getting drowsy.
Monika Wassermann is a doctor and a freelance writer based in the UK who lives with her cat Buddy. She writes across several verticals, including life, health, sex and love, relationships and fitness. Her three great loves are Victorian novels, Lebanese cuisine, and vintage markets. When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to meditate more, weightlifting, or wandering around in town.
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