Cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as a captivating subject of medical exploration, captivating media attention, and a focal point of legal discourse within the realm of cannabis. Its prevalence is soaring, adorning the shelves of health food emporiums and claiming territory on search engine rankings for a multitude of health conditions. Yet, while CBD undeniably offers a safe and therapeutic facet of cannabis, it’s crucial to sift through the myths and misconceptions that often cloud its understanding. Let’s delve into a few of these and shed light on the reality, but first please note if you live in LA and if you are suffering from any medical health condition that can be treated with medical marijuana, you can consult an MMJ doctor in los angeles
Myth #1: CBD is Non-Psychoactive, While THC is Recreational
CBD has frequently been labeled as “non-psychoactive,” a term implying its inability to influence one’s consciousness. However, this assertion stands on shaky ground when considering the breadth of scientific evidence showcasing CBD’s anti-anxiety, antipsychotic, alertness-inducing, and mood-enhancing effects. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, CBD does have a discernible impact on our psyche, albeit often yielding beneficial outcomes. While it may not impair mental or physical function for most users, CBD does possess a psychoactive dimension that can be characterized as “non-impairing” or “non-intoxicating.”
This leads us to discard the misleading binary notion of CBD being purely medical while THC is recreational. In reality, THC possesses noteworthy medicinal attributes, supported by a multitude of clinical studies. On the same line of thought, while CBD indeed boasts medicinal advantages, its consumption for recreational purposes is generally devoid of the pronounced pleasurable effects associated with reward-driven behavior.
Myth #2: CBD Induces Sedation
An early line of study attributed sedating tendencies to CBD-dominant cannabis strains, but in truth, CBD does not induce sedation. In fact, it boasts an alerting influence. Research indicates that CBD can counteract the sedative impact of THC, elongate the time it takes to fall asleep, and even alleviate the “hangover” symptoms associated with THC consumption. Even in robust dosages, such as a single 600 mg administration, CBD has yet to demonstrate a sedating effect in healthy individuals. Curiously, this apparent contradiction might be traced back to the potential presence of sedative terpenes, like myrcene, in certain CBD-rich strains.
Myth #3: Small Doses of CBD Suffice
While advocating for the use of minimal cannabis doses to treat medical conditions is a stance I often uphold, it’s noteworthy that I also advocate for substantial CBD dosages, particularly in isolation from significant levels of THC. This apparent contradiction can be understood by considering the potency differential between CBD and THC in symptom alleviation. Milligram for milligram, CBD’s symptom-relieving capabilities significantly lag behind THC. Consequently, patients who might experience relief with a mere 3 to 5 mg of THC might require a substantial 30 to 200 mg of CBD to achieve comparable outcomes, if at all possible. This underscores the distinct manner in which THC and CBD operate in alleviating symptoms.
Myth #4: CBD Exhibits Uniformity Across Sources
While a CBD molecule remains uniform regardless of its source – be it medical cannabis, hemp, or a lab environment – the effects of various CBD products differ based on their origins. CBD’s optimal efficacy surfaces when it synergizes with its fellow phytochemicals within the cannabis plant, notably THC. The combined application of CBD and THC amplifies the therapeutic impact of both while mitigating adverse effects. Hemp’s potency as a CBD source is markedly lower compared to medical cannabis, necessitating higher quantities of hemp for CBD extraction and raising concerns about contamination. Moreover, the hemp-based CBD market often grapples with mislabeling issues, with studies showcasing a mere 31% accuracy rate in CBD content labeling.
Myth #5: CBD Acts by Activating Cannabinoid Receptors
Our endocannabinoid system is an integral facet of our existence, orchestrating responses to ailments and injuries while maintaining cellular equilibrium. CBD’s therapeutic effects closely mirror those of THC, with both alleviating pain, spasticity, nausea, anxiety, seizures, and inflammation. Yet, the mechanism of action diverges. Contrary to THC, CBD doesn’t directly activate CB1 or CB2 receptors. Instead, it modulates their activity, ushering in a nuanced decrease in THC and endocannabinoid signaling effects. This intricate interplay underlines CBD’s distinctive therapeutic scope.
Myth #6: CBD is Legal in All 50 States
The legality of CBD is a complex matter, often mired in misunderstanding. While CBD products might grace the shelves of health stores and online retailers, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) challenges their universal legality. Per the Controlled Substances Act, CBD sits within the “tetrahydrocannabinols” category. The FDA also denies CBD products the label of “dietary supplement” due to ongoing investigations into its clinical viability. Hence, while CBD’s availability is ubiquitous, its legal status remains a terrain marked by intricate nuances, if you’d like to shop high quality CBD products, you can shop from Online CBD Store.
In a realm fraught with misconceptions, these clarifications illuminate the true nature of CBD. Its potential is indeed profound, yet discernment and education remain the cornerstones to harnessing its therapeutic power effectively.