7 Common Misconceptions About CBD

Are there misconceptions about CBD? Yes.

As CBD soars in popularity, cropping up in products from muscle rubs and teas to mascaras and lubes, misconceptions about the cannabidiol are also skyrocketing.

So what are people getting wrong?

1. “CBD still gets you high.”

True, CBD comes from the same plant as THC, but it does not get you high or make you feel intoxicated. In fact, some experts argue that CBD helps counteract the anxious, paranoid, “scary high” feelings of THC and can work as an anti-psychotic.* If you’re having a bad time after ingesting too much THC, CBD may actually help calm you down.

2. “CBD shows up on your drug test.”

It’s a little more complicated that that. Drug tests screen for THC, the psychoactive intoxicant agent in cannabis. CBD is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating, but more importantly, has a different chemical structure than THC.

That said, using products with isolated CBD (vs. full spectrum) will not produce THC positive test results. Using full spectrum products means that your CBD source has 0.3% THC or less content, meaning it may show up on a drug test. For that reason, when using hemp products, practice caution and look for test results with LOQ or as low as THC as possible. Generally, sipping on a nice CBD tea will transmit very little (if any) THC into the body.*

 3. “CBD is medical, THC is recreational.”

While many people think of CBD as the “medical part” of the marijuana plant and THC as the “fun, recreational part,” THC has awesome therapeutic properties beyond making you high. To list a few, THC is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, helps reduce nausea and boosts appetite.

On the flip side, CBD can also be used recreationally. Sure, it isn’t a “high” but even if you don’t use CBD to treat a specific ailment, you can incorporate CBD into your day to day. From B12 and CBD vape pens to CBD caramel, CBD is just plain good to consume whenever!*

4. “CBD converts to THC in your stomach”

Ingestible CBD is exceptionally well-tolerated by humans and many animals, with few side effects. CBD converting to THC in the stomach is definitely not one of those side effects.

There have been extensive clinical trials demonstrating that ingested CBD – even doses above 600 mg – do not cause THC-like psychoactive effects. The World Health Organization even weighed in on the issue, reporting in 2017 that “spontaneous conversation of CBD to delta-9-THC has not been demonstrated in humans undergoing CBD treatment.”*

5. “CBD will make me sleepy.”

While many enjoy CBD for its relaxing and pain-relieving properties (especially when mixed with other soothing botanicals and herbs such as in CBD Tea), moderate doses of CBD are actually mildly energizing. Most people feel alert and focused after taking CBD, rather than buzzed or jittery (like after drinking coffee or consuming too much caffeine). Very high doses of CBD can be sleep-promoting, but CBD is not a sedative.*

6. “High doses of CBD work better than low doses”

Low doses of CBD are just as effective – and sometimes more effective – than very high doses. Both CBD and THC have biphasic properties, meaning that low and high doses can product opposite effects. (For example, a low dose of THC is mildly energizing while a very high dose can promote sleep). Depending on your needs, a large dose of CBD could actually be less effective than a moderate dose!*

7. “CBD derived from hemp isn’t as good as CBD derived from marijuana.”

Many people think CBD should be sourced form marijuana plants rather than hemp. This just isn’t true, and we’re here to squish this myth. CBD is just as powerful if sourced from a hemp plant versus a THC-heavy marijuana plant, if the hemp plant used is female. Forget that picture you have in your mind that “hemp” is only stalky male plants that takes 1000s of pounds to produce any CBD. That’s not modern hemp farming.

Here’s why: The primary difference between “hemp” and marijuana isn’t in the amount of all cannabinoids in a plant. It’s the amount of THC in the plant (the federal limit is 0.3% THC). Hemp can produce the exact same amount of cannabinoids as a “marijuana” plant, with modern sources producing female flowers with 25%+ CBD. Comparing that to the considered high-THC Chemdog strain, some hemp plants very likely produce more cannabinoids that marijuana. The thought that, without high THC in the plant material, a CBD source is somehow not as good for you means you’re ignoring all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other properties that make cannabis a powerful healer.

The Brothers Apothecary uses only high-quality, locally grown lab-tested hemp derived from female plants that are naturally high in CBD. Paired with organic teas and herbs and blended with natural ingredients, The Brothers Apothecary brings you the purest small-batch hemp-derived CBD so you can feel good about what you’re sipping.*

*The Apothecary LLC are not doctors and we do not provide medical advice. None of the information on this site, including information in any press release or blog post, constitutes legal or medical advice by us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.