CBD has opened a new era in treatment. Never before has such a powerful herbal alternative to conventional medicine, effective against a broad spectrum of diseases and health conditions, been found. The medical community’s growing acceptance of CBD gives us a glimpse of what the future of pain management and epilepsy cures would be like.
In pop culture, however, there exist myths and misconceptions about CBD’s effectiveness. It’s time we bust those myths and make our readers more informed so that they are able to tell the facts from the fiction.
Here are some common myths that need to be debunked:
CBD is psychoactive
Nothing can be further from the truth. CBD is 100% non-psychoactive. True, there are hybrid strains with a high percentage of THC; such strains induce ecstasy and a bit of a high, too. But CBD, as a cannabinoid, is not psychoactive. Period.
Where did this misconception come from? Shoddy brands that aim at quick sales often promote their products with the promise of the “high” that is atypical of pot. Such brands don’t expect niche buyers; that their products are getting sold is the only thing that matters to them. They don’t care who buys it—whether it’s someone who wants relief from their chronic pain or a lowlife weed smoker who can’t get pot out of fear of the law.
CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects and is safe to use.
All CBDs are the same.
They are not. CBD coming from a high-Indica strain and CBD coming from a Sativa-heavy strain are different. As we’ve discussed in one of the previous articles, Indica-dominant strains produce mildly psychotic CBD because of a high amount of THC in them.
Sativa-heavy strains, on the other hand, have very low THC. As a result, CBD obtained from such strains has almost zero psychoactive effect. In the eyes of the law, cannabis-derived CBD is starkly different from hemp-derived CBD. Most US states only allow hemp-derived CBD. To sell cannabis-derived CBD, the seller needs a special license.
Hence, not all CBDs are the same. There are differences, chemical as well as legal.
CBD is medical marijuana
CBD is used to heal chronic health conditions, but equating it with medical marijuana is a bit of a stretch. For one, the medical community acknowledges the benefits of marijuana, but its full-fledged use is under consideration at this moment. Professionals in the medical field don’t think of CBD or marijuana in general as a panacea—something that can replace mainstream treatment.
What this means is that painkillers and NSAID drugs will continue to be used, and marijuana will continue to be regarded as a supplement. When CBD products are marketed, brands use punchlines like “medical marijuana” for better marketing. In reality, though, CBD is not medical marijuana.
CBD is not addictive
It’s actually a bit tricky. By definition, CBD is not addictive at all. In fact, CBD cures addiction. Crystal meth addicts have been given CBD, and after a few weeks, there was a marked improvement in their addiction level. Their craving for meth decreased.
However, CBD could be addictive in the sense that consumers may find it hard to stay without it once they are too deeply into it. CBD doesn’t have any addictive chemical elements to it. It’s just the level of dependence that makes people yearn for it, over and over again.
I know you are tempted to ask what’s wrong with it as long as there’s no harmful side effect. Granted, CBD is safe to use. But the elevation of serum anandamide level and a dopamine rush make for such a blissful experience that ordinary day-to-day experiences seem too mundane afterwards.
So yes, CBD is not technically addictive, but continuous use of it could make you dependent on it, which is not a good thing, so to speak.
CBD replaces other medicines
CBD treats a laundry list of diseases. It is effective against cancer, immune-system disorders, chronic pain, neurological, and even hematological ailments. But the claim that CBD can replace other treatment regimens is far-fetched. At least for now.
CBD, for example, is not very effective against bacterial and viral diseases, although some researchers claim CBD contains antibiotic properties. It’s currently being investigated. CBD is ineffective against anthelmintic diseases.
Relying on CBD is a good thing, but dismissing mainstream medicine completely is not wise.
Summing up
The sooner the five myths described here get debunked, the better…for everyone involved, the consumers, the growers, and large CBD brands.