What is CBD?

The main non-intoxicating ingredient in cannabis is called CBD, or. CBD is also the most studied of all cannabinoids. Because it is non-impairing, CBD is non-addictive and is even anti-addictive for many substances. It is widely-recognized as generally safe and well-tolerated, with few mild to moderate side effects.

Uniquely, CBD stands out as the only natural cannabinoid to earn FDA approval in the form of pharmaceutical Epidiolex®. This is a prescription, isolated form of high-dose CBD proven effective for treating certain rare childhood epilepsies in children ages 1 year and up.

By contrast, the second most-studied is THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is responsible for causing a high that limits its therapeutic window in dosing and narrows its consumer base to adults only.

Here’s what you need to know about the cannabinoid CBD.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, which is most commonly referred to as CBD, is the most prevalent cannabinoid compound found in fiber-type cannabis, also called hemp. CBD actually exists first as its parent, CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), before harvesting and processing. Even though THC might be more widely known, CBD was discovered 20 years before THC, during the 1940s.

Recently, CBD has become widely popular as a natural treatment for a multitude of conditions. CBD can be derived abundantly from hemp and less from drug-type cannabis (more than 0.3% THC).

Hemp-derived CBD is technically legal, and may still contain trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%). CBD that comes from whole-plant cannabis tends to contain more cannabinoids, terpenes, and naturally-occurring, synergistic components.

CBD is a proven safe and potentially beneficial substance that can be consumed with few, if any, serious side effects. These statements are made by The World Health Organization (WHO) about CBD around the time the cannabinoid first started gaining popularity circa 2018, as a result of the Farm Bill. This bill effectively legalized all hemp-derived cannabidiol products, as long as they remain under 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

CBD and the ECS

Contrary to popular belief, CBD indirectly impacts our endocannabinoid system (ECS). Unlike THC, which hits cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. This is why CBD doesn’t get you high, and can even reduce the high and anxiety from THC.

Instead, CBD can increase endocannabinoid and their baseline tone. It also has over 65 other molecular targets in the body to exude its effects. These wide and far-reaching actions are what make us feel better with CBD in so many ways.

The ECS is a system in the human body that plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis. Researchers are still gathering information to help us better understand the ins and outs of the complexities of the ECS. They do know that it is associated with processes including pain, memory, appetite, energy, sleep, mood, and many other aspects of our daily lives.

CBD and FDA approval

England-based GW Pharmaceuticals conducted important and rigorous clinical efficacy studies with specific pediatric epilepsy populations. GW Pharmaceuticals manufactures a pharmaceutical-grade CBD oil that is branded as Epidiolex. This CBD isolate oil is the first cannabis-derived prescription drug to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This may be safely prescribed in children 1 year and older with Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex – all of which cause debilitating seizures that are difficult to treat with traditional medications.

By now, there are several human studies to show clear efficacy of CBD for treating certain pediatric childhood epilepsies. However, it is not yet known how well over-the-counter (OTC) preparations of CBD compare given differences in dosing, quality of manufacturing, and production. Therefore, more clinical studies for CBD and other conditions are still needed, especially using non-pharmaceutical and whole-plant formulations.

Effects of CBD

When people think of the effects of CBD, they often confuse them with THC. THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, and CBD is the main non-impairing cannabinoid. This means that the effects of CBD products will not produce a “high” in typical doses of hemp products.

CBD is attractive for many cannabis consumers because it is thought to deliver many of the potential benefits without the impairment that comes with ingesting THC. Additionally, CBD may help to counteract the psychotropic effects of THC, and works to negate unwanted, negative feelings such as paranoia and increased anxiety.

CBD is best described as “non-impairing”, rather than “non-psychoactive”. A necessary distinction because it still has a subtle influence on your mood and well-being, but without affecting your thinking or memory.

CBD Side Effects

People also wonder about potential side effects, which are most often mild-moderate, dose-dependent, and may include:

• Sleepiness
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

If you are on anticonvulsant medications, then your provider will need to monitor your liver enzymes because CBD may increase them. Particularly when you take clobazam or valproic acid and CBD at the same time; the doses may need adjusting. These possible increases in liver enzymes may be considered serious, but reversible.

Drug interactions with CBD besides anticonvulsants and blood thinners have not yet shown documented serious interactions. However, it is always best to speak to your healthcare provider first before taking CBD or other cannabis products for any reason.

Potential Benefits of CBD

The benefits of CBD and THC are often similar and are used to treat many of the same ailments. They are frequently combined for greater effectiveness in conditions like insomnia, pain, and muscle spasms.

However, what works for one consumer might not work for the other, and the feelings we get from cannabinoids also have much to do with what is going on in our lives on a particular day. The same is true for CBD benefits and CBD effects.

A perhaps underreported CBD benefit is its ability to produce a profoundly healing effect on the consumer. And while the effects of CBD won’t make the consumer feel high, if they are inexperienced with cannabinoids, their sense of relief may feel like nothing they’ve ever experienced.

CBD products are suggested to have many potential therapeutic properties, and often consumed to help alleviate symptoms associated with conditions such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Inflammation
• Muscle Soreness and spasms
• Chronic Pain
• Cancer
• Psychosis
• Epilepsy
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• PTSD
• Autism
• Neurodegenerative conditions
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Seizures

Is CBD Legal?

When deciding which CBD products to consume, from hemp or cannabis, it is also important to consider its legality. Cannabis plants and products with more than 0.3% THC are included in the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, which means that they are currently prohibited under federal law. To get around this, most states have enacted programs that allow medical cannabis and products to be prescribed by a doctor.

Although CBD products from hemp are legal in most states, the specifics of the legality of any THC or CBD product can vary from state to state. Be sure to check the legal status of any CBD products you take before ingesting them. Our Cannabis Industry Guide contains valuable state-based information on CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids.

Will CBD Cause Me to Fail My Drug Test?

This is one of the consumers' most common questions before taking any CBD products. THC will be detected in the urine by most standard drug tests. CBD may be detectable, depending on the drug test you take, but many drug tests are not designed to look for cannabidiol, because it is non-intoxicating.

Be sure to keep in mind that although legal, many CBD products do contain trace amounts of THC. While these amounts are small, they may still be detectable in a drug test, especially if you take CBD products regularly or are ingesting large quantities of CBD.

This can also happen if the products you are consuming contain more THC than the packaging label claims, which is always a possibility. For example, new research has found that up to more than half of CBD products are mislabeled and may contain more THC than the labels claim.

What We Learned: What is CBD?

The future is bright when it comes to cannabinoid research, and CBD is leading the way. All the cannabinoids mentioned in this guide are of importance. But a better understanding of all things CBD could hold the key to further acceptance, normalization, and much-needed unbiased research of cannabis plant medicine.

Here’s what we learned about CBD:

• Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the most prevalent cannabinoid in fiber-type cannabis, also called hemp.
• CBD was discovered 20 years before THC, during the 1940s.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that CBD is mainly harmless and possibly beneficial, even in doses up to 1,500 mg daily.
• The US FDA later approved CBD-based, pharmaceutical Epidiolex for several rare, childhood seizure conditions. This is a first and groundbreaking accomplishment for any cannabinoid.
• CBD first started gaining more popularity circa 2018, as a result of the Farm Bill.
• This bill effectively legalized all hemp-derived cannabidiol products, as long as they remain under 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.
• CBD increases our endocannabinoids and impacts our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a system in the human body that plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis.
• CBD also has over 65 other non-ECS targets in the body to produce therapeutic effects
• Since it is non-impairing, CBD does not get you high.
• The benefits of CBD are potentially vast, including that it may help counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.
• CBD may help treat symptoms of inflammation, chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and more.
• Although hemp-derived CBD is legal to consume in the U.S., doing so may still cause you to fail a drug test.

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