(HealthyResearch.com) – Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is a therapeutic and safe component of cannabis and hemp, and it is becoming more and more popular. As it has grown in popularity, so have the misconceptions associated with it. We’ll look at five of the most common myths about CBD.
Myth 1: There’s No Scientific Proof That CBD Can Help with Medical Problems
Many people believe that there is no concrete evidence that CBD can help with health conditions. But this is not true.
In fact, just last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new CBD-based medicine for seizure disorders called Epidiolex. This is only the first time they have given the okay to a cannabis-based medication since 1970 when cannabis became a Schedule 1 drug.
Epidiolex is the first cannabis medication to be approved, but with dozens of clinical trials taking place around the country, it certainly won’t be the last. Time will tell whether or not the medical community will widely adopt CBD health uses.
Myth 2: Because CBD is a Schedule 1 Narcotic, Not Enough Research Has Been Done on It
Contrary to the assumptions of this myth, there has actually been quite a bit of research done on cannabis and CBD. The Schedule 1 classification makes research difficult but not impossible. Some American universities have been given the green light to study the plant.
One study done at Columbia University examined the use of CBD with other treatments for glioblastoma, which is a common type of cancerous brain tumor. Traditional therapies for glioblastoma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Researchers found CBD destroyed the cancer cells but not the healthy normal cells.
And the United States isn’t the only country studying CBD.
The first country to seriously study medical cannabis was Israel. But several other countries have also conducted their own research:
- Brazil conducted a study in 2017 that found people who took CBD were less anxious about public speaking than their counterparts who took a placebo.
- Italy ran a study in 2014 that found CBD stops cancerous cell growth in people with colon cancer.
- The United Kingdom also did a study in 2018, which found some promising results for using CBD to treat ulcerative colitis.
This doesn’t prove CBD can cure anxiety, cancer, or ulcerative colitis. But it does show that many credible studies are going on, and the results are encouraging.
Myth 3: The Patient Population Is Adequately Served By Legalizing CBD Without Legalizing Cannabis
“CBD only” means “low THC” or “no THC.” There are 17 US states that have these types of laws. But for some people, CBD works better when it’s used along with THC. Adding THC to CBD has been shown to help children with epilepsy, for example.
Many patients are better served with broad-spectrum remedies that come from the entire cannabis plant. We’re all different, so what works for one person may not work for another. There is no one-size-fits-all with cannabis therapeutics.
It’s also worth noting that it’s nearly impossible to do accurate research on using CBD and THC together because THC is illegal on the federal level. That leaves research funding and abilities greatly limited.
Myth 4: No Side Effects Are Associated with CBD
This is another misleading statement. The truth is, CBD does come with potential side effects, especially when taken at very high doses.
For one thing, CBD can affect the way we metabolize certain medications. This can be an issue for people taking drugs like antiepileptics, warfarin, chemotherapy, HIV antivirals, and those that you can’t eat grapefruit with.
The research shows that children who took extremely high doses of CBD for longer than three months experienced several side effects. They included digestive changes, reduced appetite, and tiredness. But these are primarily only seen with very high doses. Clinical trials have found that when the CBD was halved to around 500mg (still a very large dose), the side effects disappeared.
All of this means that CBD can have possible side effects. However, they’re unlikely unless the dose is huge. People who experience any side effects should check with their healthcare provider, make sure the CBD is from a reputable source, and consider lowering the dose.
Myth 5: More CBD Is Better
No, more CBD is not necessarily better. Studies have found that pure CBD isolate usually has a peak effective dose. As with other medications, getting the dose right is essential with this drug. Going too low or too high will make the CBD ineffective.
One reason broad-spectrum products could be more beneficial than products with higher levels of CBD is that they contain more terpenes and other cannabinoids. Plus, as we just discussed, extremely high doses (1,000mg a day or more) may bring with them side effects. Simply lowering the dose will typically relieve those effects.
There is no one right dose that will work for everyone. People are different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It may take experimenting to find the proper dosage. But if you’re feeling side effects, then it’s a good indication you need to go lower.
The evidence shows that CBD oil is potentially safe and useful and might be a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s non-intoxicating, and it can help with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and much more.
~Here’s to Your Health & Safety!
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