What is CBD (Cannabidiol)?

CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is a product that’s derived from cannabis. It’s a type of cannabinoid, which are the chemicals naturally found in cannabis plants. Even though it comes from cannabis plants, CBD doesn’t create a “high” effect or any form of intoxication — that’s caused by another cannabinoid, known as THC.

There’s some controversy around cannabis products like CBD oil because of recreational cannabis use. But there’s growing awareness about the possible health benefits of CBD.

CBD oil has potentially natural anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial for mental health, heart health, and more!

Will I Get “High” Using CBD?

In short no, CBD cannot get you “high.” While cannabis plants contain hundreds of compounds (called phytocannabinoids), there are two main players: CBD and THC.

“CBD is the non-psychoactive portion of the plant, so what that means is you won’t have any effects like euphoria,” Junella Chin, DO, an osteopathic physician and a medical cannabis expert for cannabisMD, told Health. However, you never know how your body will react to any new supplement, so when taking CBD for the first time, do so safely with medical supervision.

Is (CBD) Cannabidiol legal?

CBD is readily obtainable in most parts of the United States, though its exact legal status has been in flux. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. In December 2015, the FDA eased the regulatory requirements to allow researchers to conduct CBD trials. In 2018, the Farm Bill made hemp legal in the United States, making it virtually impossible to keep CBD illegal — that would be like making oranges legal, but keeping orange juice illegal.

The Farm Bill removed all hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes the possession of drugs. In essence, this means that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp, but not if it comes from cannabis (marijuana) — even though it is the exact same molecule. Currently, many people obtain CBD online without a medical marijuana license, which is legal in most states.

Is CBD safe?

Side effects of CBD could include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD can increase the level of blood thinning and other medicines in your blood by competing for the liver enzymes that break down these drugs. Grapefruit has a similar effect with certain medicines. This interaction is particularly important if you are taking a blood thinner, an anti-epileptic, or an immunosuppressant medication, all of which need to have stable levels in your blood.

People taking high doses of CBD may show abnormalities in liver-related blood tests. Many nonprescription drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have this same effect. You should let your doctor know if you are regularly using CBD so that he or she can check your liver enzymes periodically.

A significant safety concern with CBD is that it is primarily marketed and sold as a supplement, not a medication. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the safety and purity of dietary supplements, and no one, really, is regulating the CBD market. So you cannot be sure that the product you buy has active ingredients at the dose listed on the label. While the FDA does not regulate CBD products, it will issue warning letters to companies who violate certain laws, such as those producing products containing THC or making false medical claims on their labels.

How can CBD be taken?

CBD comes in many forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical preparations for use on skin. If you’re hoping to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle and joint pain, a topical CBD-infused oil, lotion or cream — or even a bath bomb — may be the best option. Alternatively, a CBC patch or a tincture or spray designed to be placed under the tongue allows CBD to directly enter the bloodstream. Dcotors don’t recommend smoking anything, including CBD.

Outside of the US, the prescription drug Sativex, which uses CBD as an active ingredient, is approved for muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and for cancer pain. Within the US, Epidiolex is approved for certain types of epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis.

The bottom line on CBD

Some CBD manufacturers have come under government scrutiny for wild, indefensible claims, such that CBD is a cure-all for cancer or COVID-19, which it is not. We need more research, but CBD is proving to be a helpful, relatively non-toxic option for managing anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. Without sufficient high-quality evidence in human studies, we can’t pinpoint effective doses, and because CBD currently is typically available as an unregulated supplement, it can be difficult to know exactly what you are getting, or to conduct studies.

If you decide to try CBD, make sure you are getting it from a reputable source. Again, please discuss your use of CBD or any other supplements with your doctor to make sure that it won’t affect any other medicines you take.