CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. This cannabinoid has generated a lot of enthusiasm in recent years - and for good reason. With an impressive array of therapeutic benefits, cannabis strains and oils rich in
CBD are often touted as "medical marijuana without the effect of feeling drugged."
People have been using it to treat a wide range of ailments:
• Depressionrn• Multiple sclerosisrn• Seizuresrn• Painrn• Arthritisrn• Inflammation
These ailments are only a small fraction of what the CBD can potentially deal with, but there are still a lot of misconceptions around the CBD that we should all keep in mind when discussing this powerful compound.rnThese are some of the important things Martin Lee points out about the current status of the CBD.
1. CBD is not legal in most of the world
Despite what you can be told, the CBD is not legal in much of the world. As it is a relatively new compound, in spite of not being psychoactive it is not legalized, since being part of cannabis is still illegal since no difference is made in the prescribed laws on drugs. The same goes for CBD-rich hemp products.
2. Hemp? Better used for other purposes
Hemp and cannabis are like non-identical twins, says Lee. And while there are CDB products derived from hemp out there that is helping people, industrial hemp is probably more suitable for about 20,000 other uses in addition to products rich in CBD.
One problem is that typical hemp genetics still contains much lower levels of CBD than the more popular CBD-dominant strains of cannabis. In other words, hemp requires much more plant material to obtain high concentrations of CBD.
3. CBD by itself is not a good idea
People hear all these great things about the CBD and do not realize that THC is still part of the equation. Even in small amounts, non-psychoactive, THC acts synergistically with the CBD and the rest of the cannabinoids and trepans present in cannabis.
"People approach CBD thinking that THC is not necessary," says Lee. "But parents [of epileptic children] are beginning to realize that there is more than one option here, that any product alone that promises to be the panacea is really only a small part of the spectrum of what can be done with these things."
4. CBD can potentially interfere with other medications
"In some cases, taking a product rich in CBD could trigger adverse side effects from other medications you may be taking," says Lee. "So using CBD could result in a patient feeling worse than before."
This is undoubtedly a cause for concern and a very complex issue - one more reason to expand our understanding of cannabis as medicine.
5. CBD consumed with the THCA cannabinoid is proving beneficial
While the various levels of THC work very well with the CBD, Lee has heard from people who have also experimented with THCA and CBD.
THCA is the raw, non-psychoactive form of THC, which only becomes THC if heated.
"For a lot of people this is making a difference, and it's exciting that this has been found," says Lee. "And again, it's just one of the many options with this plant."
6. CDB tested in the laboratory may not be as accurate as you think
Quality laboratory testing is essential for understanding the THC and CBD percentages in any product. It is also essential that the laboratory be competent enough to catch molds, fungi, microbes, pesticides and insects.
Unfortunately, the label "laboratory tested" is not an automatic signal of quality and safety in the cannabis industry because many laboratories have yet to do things well.
This is a question in the legal cannabis industry, imagine the quality and the guarantee with which you are dealing in the black market! I've heard horror stories from parents who unknowingly are giving oil to their epileptic children who were actually rich in THC instead of CBD, or oil full of dangerous microbes that really make patients sicker.
7. What happens with a doctor's appointment?
Consulting a credible doctor or expert on cannabis may not be so easy depending on where you live.
The truth is that there are so many nuances of cannabis as medicine that cultivating a relationship with an expert that can guide you to the right choices is paramount.
For some of us, it is easy to experiment with cannabis, but for others there are very real and very difficult health problems at stake. Elderly people, children, post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer patients, insomnia, chronic depression, chronic pain, arthritis, and much more.
8. CBD may not work for everyone
The success rate with CBD therapy is far from perfect. But many of the failed attempts of the CBD could be due to a number of factors, whether it is an inappropriate product or simply the wrong product for a specific case.
It is important to do as much research as possible, to have safe access to high quality medicine and to approach experts who know about cannabis. But at the same time, we have to remember, that even with all the available resources, approaching medicine rich in CBD can still be a bit of trial and error - like most other medications.