Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is being used more frequently as a treatment for a variety of conditions. CBD use has been around forever but the research in its medical applications have been hampered in the past by legal restrictions.
This changed in 2018, when the 2018 Farm Bill lifted legal restrictions on certain cannabis products, including some forms of CBD. This change in federal regulations, along with additional lifted restrictions at the state level, has caused rapid growth of a multi-billion dollar industry making CBD so widely available.
GLIM often hears from clients that navigating CBD purchase is difficult with questions surrounding things such its safety, testing positive on a drug test, which product to buy, what form to take, and what dose for relief of their symptoms. GLIM is here to provide you with the current facts on CBD use to help you decide if it is right for you!
What is CBD?
CBD is a phytocannabinoid plant derivative that is derived from the cannabis / marijuana plant.
There are over 100 known phytocannabinoids with the most research available on CBD1 and CBD2 and emerging research on CBDa.
CBD talks with almost every major organ system in the body to help maintain a balance or homeostasis via the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
While sometimes used interchangeably, CBD, THC and cannabis are NOT the same. CBD and THC are both compounds or components of cannabis. THC is the part of cannabis which makes users feel a sense of euphoria or intoxication and commonly associated with being “high”. It is also the component that leads to positive drug tests.
Different types of CBD contain different levels of THC, with some CBD, referred to as “broad-spectrum” CBD, containing absolutely no THC!
CBD may be “hemp-derived” or “marijuana-derived”. Hemp is a class of cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC by weight, while marijuana contains over 0.3% THC.
As stated previously, broad-spectrum CBD contains no THC. However, hemp-derived CBD may have up to 0.3% THC and marijuana-derived CBD may include higher amounts. Regardless of the percentage, CBD containing any amount of THC is referred to as “full-spectrum” CBD.
CBD comes in avariety of strengths and forms such as oils, capsules, edibles, and balms.
What are potential benefits of using CBD?
Users are reporting improvements in anxiety, pain (especially joint and muscle pain), sleep disorders, cognitive decline, and overall wellness.
Many people find benefits in relieving anxiety because in addition to activating the ECS, preliminary studies have shown CBD may also interact with serotonin receptors.
The ECS has, in some studies, been shown to promote a healthier gut microbiome which may indicate that CBD may be useful in various other conditions including digestion issues.
There are a wide variety of other uses being studied but ultimately no definite results have been determined.
Is CBD use safe and legal?
Ultimately, there is no consensus on if CBD is safe, but there have been very few harmful side effects found up to this point. However, it is currently being studied how the lingering presence of CBD in the body may react with other medications. Talk to GLIM to learn more about if CBD will be safe to try with your existing medications.
Dosing of CBD varies by product and needs to be individualized. GLIM will work with you to find the dose that is appropriate for you!
The 2018 Farm Bill made sales of hemp-derived CBD (CBD containing up to 0.3% THC) legal at a federal level. States can still individually choose to prohibit the sale of hemp-derived CBD, but very few have put restrictions in place.
Additionally, while marijuana-derived CBD is not legal at a federal level, several states, including Illinois, have made sales and use of marijuana-derived CBD legal for both medical and recreational use. Click here to see your state's regulations!
Broad-spectrum CBD should not lead to positive drug tests as it contains no THC.
As far as full-spectrum CBD goes, it is very unlikely that hemp-derived CBD would cause a positive drug test due to the low amounts of THC. Marijuana-derived CBD may cause a positive drug test depending on the levels of THC included. If you are worried about a drug test, it is important to make sure you are getting CBD from a reliable manufacturer.
While there are a lot of questions left open right now about the effectiveness of CBD, anecdotally GLIM has seen many clients respond positively with the addition of a daily CBD supplement. GLIM wants to be sure you get answers to get you feeling back to your best self with safe and healthy methods! To talk to a healthcare professional and get more personalized information on if CBD is right for you, schedule a free intro call with GLIM today!