CBD, also known as cannabidiol, has a unique position in the market and the minds of the public. Sales of the plant extract have exploded, and with them, misinformation on both sides of the aisle. Advocates and detractors alike can’t seem to stop spreading sensationalized CBD information.

At SuperTrees, we know plants. Our family farms, south of Portland, grow over 150 types of trees. Let us walk you through some CBD oil facts, and we’ll check any hype at the door.

Debunking 5 CBD Fictions

Obviously, the answer to each of the following questions is “no.” But the explanations behind these falsehoods are worth exploring a little more in-depth.

Is CBD Just Marijuana?

• Marijuana is simply one type of cannabis plant, and the other type is hemp. CBD is not either one — it’s one of many natural compounds produced by the plant, which can then be extracted for medicinal purposes.
• Most marijuana has smaller amounts of CBD, and its most active compound is psychoactive THC, although some strains balance the two and lessen or eliminate the high. CBD is not psychoactive in any capacity (coffee, alcohol, and antidepressants are, for some perspective), and 99% of the market’s CBD is derived from hemp cannabis, not marijuana cannabis.
• As a hemp product, CBD was federally legalized by the latest version of agricultural legislation called the Farm Bill. It must have less than 0.3% THC content. Marijuana, meanwhile, is still illegal at the federal level and has a patchwork of legality at the state level. 

Is CBD a Good Fit for Everyone?

It’s very popular right now to recommend everyone give CBD a try. Generally speaking, anyone can. It has very few and mild side effects, such as headaches or slight intestinal distress.

• But a mild allergic reaction to CBD oil is possible as well. It’s not really common, per se, but certainly not unheard of. It could cause watery eyes, hives, itchiness, and the like.
• More pressingly, CBD does have known drug interactions. It can interfere with metabolism in the liver and specific enzymes and slows the metabolization of the common blood thinner Coumadin. Does CBD oil thin your blood then? It may have slight anticoagulant properties (similar to alcohol), plus indirectly and at a high dosage, it can compound Coumadin’s effects.
• Finally, it’s a bit of a wildcard whether full-spectrum CBD can cause trace THC buildup over time and flag a false positive on a drug test. CBD itself will not be tested for or detected, so CBD isolate, like SuperTrees’, shouldn’t be a concern.

Is CBD Addiction a Concern?

• CBD is not mind-altering, so it is not habit-forming and not physically addictive. It does not promote any inherent dependencies.
• So there are no CBD withdrawal symptoms; you could be a bit cranky that a helpful, longtime routine of yours was disrupted, especially if you were now in pain as a result.
• Like anything meant to be consumed habitually or that creates a positive physiological response, some people can be at risk of a compulsive, psychological dependency. But that cannot be brought on by CBD in itself. 

Is CBD a Cure-All?

Realistically, the myriad claims people make about CBD can be pretty misleading. You’ll find anecdotal evidence to support just about everything, but thorough medical research has yet to back it up.

CBD has many possible benefits and legitimate interactions with the body. Initial studies have begun to examine these and look promising. It can absolutely be incorporated into treatment plans for different physical and mental difficulties. Consider:

• CBD oil for neuropathy, arthritis, and other chronic inflammatory pain (discussed here).
• CBD In conjunction with melatonin to help sleep well.
• Using CBD to ease general stress and anxiety, or at least your body and mind’s reaction to them.

But due to the nature of the product, there can be no real promises yet. 

Is All CBD Created Equal?

• Speaking of the nature of the product, CBD is vastly unregulated as of this writing. The strength and purity of active CBD oil are at the sole discretion of the seller, and many products like gummies have such a low dose (think 5 mg) that you wouldn’t find much relief in them anyway.
• But the placebo effect is very real, and just the ritual of taking a CBD gummy every morning is enough to relax body and mind for some.
• Although CBD products are cropping up everywhere, don’t assume you can pick any one of them up and find the same results. Whenever possible, look for a company’s independent lab results — they’ll validate that the product contains what it claims, and show that the company values trust and transparency with their customers.
• And to really see if you notice a difference, try starting with a dosage close to 20 mg. SuperTrees CBD oils contain between 16 and 32 mg per serving.  

Spreading 5 CBD Facts

How Does CBD Oil Make You Feel?

For most people, CBD is a mild pain and stress reliever. They like it because it works for them. It causes no high or euphoria for anyone unless they feel the utmost elation at being able to consume CBD. You may or may not feel calmed or relaxed after a dose, but such feelings could be encouraged by working it into a routine, like with a warm cup of coffee or tea, or before a hot shower.

Some people say they feel nothing when taking CBD. Some people only feel tired or irritable and a little queasy, perhaps at the earthy, slightly bitter taste of unflavored oils. 

Can or Should You Get a Prescription for CBD Oil?

As mentioned above, CBD is currently unregulated and sold as a supplement, not a medication. You will be unable to get a bona fide prescription, but you should still certainly consult your primary physician. They may provide you with a doctor’s recommendation, and at the least, you can talk through concerns and treatment plans.

Is CBD Oil Safe to Try?

By now, we’ve gone through plenty of reasons why CBD may be a good or bad choice for someone. But we can understand any lingering apprehension.

As long as you are participating out of your own curiosity, go for it. Having just one gummy, or just a little oil, will cause no negative impact if you decide never to have any again.

If you’re taking the plunge, start with lower doses before working your way up, but know that you cannot realistically overdose even on purpose. Those mild side effects would probably kick in, and you would be fine once they’d passed. 

What Is CBD Vape Oil?

• Let’s start with a warning: Can you smoke CBD oil if you put it in a vape pen? You absolutely should not do that! CBD oil tinctures are meant to be taken orally (specifically sublingually) and have an oil base like coconut.
• CBD vape oil has been thinned with an agent like vegetable glycerin to make it produce vapor and be suitable for use in disposable or reusable vapes. It’s also called juice or e-liquid.
• The benefits of vaping CBD are that it is more quickly and readily absorbed through the lungs than by the skin or ingestion. It is the most direct method for CBD delivery. There are no exclusive CBD vape benefits medicinally speaking, so if you don’t puff, don’t worry.
• By contrast, topical CBD is just about the hardest for the body to absorb but offers the benefit of targeting specific areas for relief. Products like our SuperTrees CBD Balm have unique natural formulas meant to amplify topical soothing.

What Does CBD Actually Do?

• As a cannabinoid, CBD interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate everything from sleep to mood to appetite, inflammation, and immune response. It is able to modulate cannabinoid receptors, inhibiting, and activating them.
• It is proven that CBD can reduce and/or inhibit inflammation, and thus the effects of it like pain, swelling, and redness.
• Likewise, it is sometimes able to activate a serotonin receptor that can then lessen symptoms of anxiety, increase dopamine, and improve types of cognitive function.
• Overall, because of its many possible interactions with such a critical system, CBD is described as improving general wellness and potentially helpful to balance immune response. 

Takeaway

Are you considering a little CBD therapy after all this?

We hope we’ve been able to dispel a few misconceptions and turn you on to some of the real benefits of CBD. It isn’t the total miracle drug many people make it out to be, but it’s promising, still proving itself, and worth a second look. If you’ve had positive experiences with any supplement, don’t let negative stigma take CBD off your list.