With so much information on the internet involving CBD, it can be challenging to determine what is fact and what is a myth.
We have compiled 13 CBD fun facts and 5 myths to guide you in the right direction and give you a better understanding of what CBD is and what it may or may not do for you.
Note: This content has been verified with extensive research using highly accredited medical sites, scientific studies, certified medical marijuana physicians, and respected health journals.
What is CBD?
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its THC counterpart, it is not psychoactive, and therefore does not create the notable euphoric high.
CBD oils come in a variety of forms, including isolates, full spectrum and broad spectrum, with the latter two having benefits of additional plant compounds.
Read more: CBD 101 – What You Need to Know
CBD Fun Facts
With so much information out there, we’ve narrowed it down to our favorite 13 CBD facts that you may not know!
- The CBD Market is expected to reach $20 billion in sales by 2024.
With the different ways of using CBD and the ways in which to use it (food, drinks, tinctures, skincare, vaping, topicals, capsules, gummies and more!) CBD is rising in popularity.
More and more studies are showing the benefits of CBD, and as consumers, we are learning more each day about its medical uses.
- Hemp was first used medicinally in 2700 B.C.
Hemp and its seeds and oils have been used to treat different illnesses for over 10,000 years. In Egypt, Pharaoh Ramses II recommended the use of cannabis and its cannabinoid components to alleviate pain caused by inflammation. The medical uses were recorded on scrolls as early as 2000 B.C. - Queen Victoria used CBD.
The Queen, who ruled England from 1837 to 1901, was a proponent of using CBD to ease her menstrual cramps. - CBD can negate the negative effects of THC.
THC is well-known to cause paranoia and anxiety in some users. CBD can actually negate these effects and create a more pleasant experience while using THC. For medical marijuana users, it’s often best to look for CBD-rich products in order to get the anti-inflammatory benefits without the notorious high. - CBD is great for calming nerves for public speaking.
In a 2011 study, scientists found that a small dose of CBD taken before public speaking helped to reduce anxiety in patients suffering from social anxiety disorders. - CBD oil that is derived from hemp is legal.
While each state and territory may differ in their laws and regulations on marijuana-derived CBD, all 50 states allow CBD oils to be produced from industrial hemp. The reason being, industrial hemp will always contain very trace amounts of THC.
Read more: Are CBD Vape Oils Legal? - A documentary may have contributed to the popularity of CBD.
In 2013, CNN released a documentary called “Weed”, where the series followed Dr. Sanjay Gupta in his exploration of various CBD ailment remedies, including seizures. - CBD products are not regulated by the FDA
As of current, the only cannabis-derived CBD product to be approved by the FDA is Epidiolex, a drug for easing symptoms of seizures. For this reason, it’s important to know and understand where your CBD comes from, and if the product contains any additional chemical fillers. For pure, trustworthy CBD products without the potentially toxic “extras”, visit TribeTokes.
Read more: What’s in Your Vape? - CBD was first discovered in 1940
Though evidence of its use dates back many years in history, the isolation of the particular cannabinoid didn’t occur until 1940. - CBD is becoming increasingly popular for pet use.
While researchers are still studying the effects of CBD on all animals, including humans, initial studies show the cannabinoid may help our cats and dogs in many of the same ways it’s believed to help humans.
Since many mammals may suffer from the same emotional issues and medical ailments as humans, it’s interesting to note that CBD may be a powerful antidote for their issues. - CBD Oil and Hemp Seed Oil are not the same.
While often mistakenly used interchangeably, these are not the same thing. Many people confuse hemp seed oil with CBD oil. CBD oil is processed from the leaves, buds, stalks, and flowers of the cannabis plant and may contain THC. Hemp seed oil is made strictly from the seeds and will not contain THC or CBD.
Hemp seed is generally used for other nutritional benefits, like its high omega-3 and omega-6 content, as well as being an antioxidant. - CBD Oil is generally safe
While it’s always recommended to consult with a physician before changing anything you consume in hopes to treat an ailment, clinicians refer to CBD as having a “favorable safety profile”. Like with anything, it can have side effects, but CBD doesn’t affect the major body functions and wellness stats, like blood pressure, temperature and heart rate.
Your body contains a special system to process CBD and other cannabinoids.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is naturally occurring in the body of mammals. Made up of receptors and enzymes, the ECS processes your body’s own endocannabinoids, as well as external cannabinoids from consumption.
CBD Myths
With so much research being done that gets mixed in with consumers’ personal experiences and opinions, it can be difficult to separate the facts from the myths. Here are five myths, debunked:
- Myth: CBD cures cancer
This can be a misleading statement. You’ll often see the word “cancer” when it comes to studies regarding cannabinoid use. While many studies have been done on the medical benefits of CBD, this is where the health benefits come in – in helping to relieve symptoms and side effects associated with cancer (such as pain and inflammation, and side effects of treatment) – not cure the disease.
While some studies have shown that CBD can reduce tumor growth in certain animals, there isn’t enough exploration of the topic to confirm any hypothesis. So – we don’t know what the future holds, but for now, it’s a myth to claim CBD will actually cure cancer. - Myth: CBD has not been proven to be of medicinal relevance.
This is certainly a myth. As we mentioned above, the FDA approved a CBD-based medication for treating seizures, and that’s likely just the beginning as more research is done. - Myth: CBD is a scam
Sometimes trends catch on so quickly, that there is barely any time for your own medical research before word-of-mouth sends you rushing to the store.
Your friend brags how great it is, you hear that your child’s teacher benefited from it, and then your neighbors mom had miraculous results – and before you know it, you see it as an ingredient in everything. Sometimes, in places you didn’t think would have any benefit (is this caffeine in my nail polish really necessary?). Before we know it, it starts to appear as a scam.
The truth is, CBD seems to have a great deal of benefits – even in cosmetics and skincare. - Myth: CBD is sketchy
As you read in #3, CBD became a key ingredient in many things very quickly. With no FDA regulation, it leads to everyone and anyone being able to create products that contain CBD, but may contain other fillers and toxins as additives. So while there are some sketchy CBD distributors, CBD itself is not sketchy.
Always make sure your CBD is coming from a pure, natural source where there are no concerning additives. - Myth: CBD Isolate is pure CBD, so it’s the best way to go.
We’ve explained that you don’t want other additives and toxins in your CBD oil, but that doesn’t mean a CBD isolate is the best way to go. The most benefits come from full-spectrum CBD oils that contain other cannabinoids like CBC and CBG as well as other terpenes. These cannabinoids and terpenes work together to create the entourage effect, which is often more beneficial than pure CBD isolates.
As more and more products come to market, it’s becoming more crucial to select CBD products that are from trustworthy sources and don’t contain extra ingredients.
Many vapes include Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), which can cause lung infections and harmful byproducts when heated. Some also include vegetable glycerin to produce big vapor clouds and make the taste sweeter. The heating of glycerol can generate other harmful compounds, like formaldehyde.
For CBD oil vape products that are free from these toxic additives and are pure and natural, visit the TribeTokes store.
