The United States of America has legalized hemp only a couple of years ago, so naturally, there are many myths about the plant derivative. Some of those cannabidiol misconceptions are going away now that industrial hemp is legalized, but there are others that have shown their staying power. Here are some of these misconceptions to have lasted longer than one might imagine.
It Gives You A High
A very common misconception is that hemp CBD has a psychoactive effect. There may not be much research done on cannabidiol, but it is proven that the substance has no mind-altering effects. It might have an effect when you consume too much, but even this is a remote possibility.
Some feel that cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol have similar effects because both compounds are from cannabis sativa. This is not true at all. CBD tends to be preferred by individuals who need marijuana’s health benefits sans the mind-changing effect. It is shown to act against tetrahydrocannabinol to reduce its effects.
It Is A ‘Cure-All’
The term ‘cure-all’ refers to something that is thought to solve any health issue. You might come across CBD news describing cannabidiol as a ‘cure-all’ drug, but nothing could be further from the truth. Cannabidiol is shown to be an anti-inflammatory substance, have soothing effects, and be good for pain, but it cannot treat every health condition.
It is just a ‘complementary treatment’ option for health issues such as cancer. This means it can reduce chemotherapy’s side effects, but cannot be the standard treatment for cancer.
It Is A ‘Snake Oil’
A ‘snake oil’ refers to something that is thought to solve any health condition, but that lacks healing properties. Neither is cannabidiol a ‘cure-all’ nor is it a ‘snake oil’. There is scientific evidence that cannabidiol can be beneficial for several health issues. Furthermore, Epidolex® is an FDA-approved cannabidiol product for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome seizures.
The claim that cannabidiol is only snake oil comes from individuals knowing nothing about what this substance does.
It Is Not Legal
Another misconception we encounter much is that consuming cannabidiol is not legal. In that case, one wonders why the Food and Drug Administration even approved it for seizures in the two forms of epilepsy mentioned above. Growing and cultivating the industrial hemp plant is legal as long as it will have just 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol.