Cannabidiol (CBD): What We Know and What We Don’t
CBD, present in cannabis along with THC, doesn’t cause a high. It may help manage certain health conditions, improve mood, and reduce pain. Side effects and drug interactions are possible. Go slow and start low when it comes to dosage.
By now, you may’ve heard someone mention CBD, especially if you live with a chronic condition like pain or anxiety.
In fact, according to a 2023 Healthline survey, 25% of adults in the United States have tried or are interested in trying CBD products.
If you’re curious but unsure where to start, this guide can help answer your questions and clarify some common misconceptions surrounding CBD and its uses.
CBD is one of many active compounds in cannabis. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is nonpsychoactive. Nonpsychoactive means that CBD doesn’t cause a “high.”
Cannabis-derived CBD products may be more effective than those from hemp, but industrial hemp-derived CBD still provides many health benefits.
If you live in a state that hasn’t yet legalized medical cannabis or these products are unavailable, you can still benefit from products containing industrial hemp-derived CBD.
We suggest checking your state’s laws regarding CBD.
It’s not quite clear how CBD works, but it may activateTrusted Source or block cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.
These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system and regulate many processes, such as sleep, mood, and appetite.
CBD may also interact with specific serotonin and opioid receptors, stimulating a process that can decrease cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
It may also affect peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors’ gamma activity. This activity affectsTrusted Source intracellular calcium release, which is responsible for processes such as muscle contraction, hormone secretion, and cell growth.
There’s not a lot of research on CBD, but the results on topics experts have studied are promising. Some studies have found CBD may be effective in providing relief from various mental health and physical conditions.
One 2015 studyTrusted Source on rats found that CBD oil may help treat pain associated with arthritis, while a 2014 studyTrusted Source on human cells found that CBD cream was an effective anti-inflammatory.
Likewise, CBD may help treat childhood epilepsy and other seizure disorders. The American Cancer SocietyTrusted Source says that some evidence points to CBD’s anticancer properties and benefits in managing cancer treatment side effects.
More research is needed to truly understand the potential benefits of using CBD as a complementary treatment for emotional and physical health conditions.
Many people generally tolerate CBD well. However, some may experience mild side effects such as:
- dry mouth
- diarrhea
- decreased appetite
- drowsiness
- fatigue
CBD may also interact with other over-the-counter and prescription drugs, including blood thinners.
Your individual risk of adverse effects can depend on the:
- product’s strength and purity
- amount used
- consumption type
- potential for interaction with other drugs
Before you buy or use a CBD product, carefully review the label and check out the manufacturer’s website. Opting for lab-tested, high quality CBD products can help reduce your risk of unwanted effects.
Reputable manufacturers usually post a record of all lab results — also known as a certificate of analysis (COA) — online. COAs confirm the product’s contents, including the CBD type and amount.
Ideally, the most recent COA should be less than 1 year old.
CBD is available in several forms, allowing you to tailor your use method to your specific needs.
There are four main types of consumption:
- topical and transdermal skin application
- sublingually absorbing liquids placed under your tongue
- orally ingesting capsules and edibles
- smoke or vapor inhalation
Topical and transdermal
You can apply countless CBD products directly to your skin. These include CBD-infused:
- balms
- creams
- lotions
- oils
- ointments
- patches
- salves
You can use topical CBD for targeted pain relief caused by muscle and joint pain. It may also soothe the symptoms of certain skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis.
Unlike topical CBD, transdermal CBD penetrates your skin barrier to reach your bloodstream. This penetration can promote more widespread or systemic relief.
Sublingual
You can place some CBD oils under your tongue with a dropper. Same with tinctures, which are alcohol-based extracts.
The oral mucosa is full of tiny capillaries that absorb the compounds quickly.
Oral
Oral consumption refers to anything you can swallow, including:
CBD drinks are usually absorbable more quickly than edibles. However, the effects of CBD drinks are generally short-lived. It may take 1 to 2 hours to feel the effects of CBD edibles, but they typically last for several hours.
CBD gummies and other edibles are the most popular way to take CBD, according to a 2023 Healthline survey of 1,044 U.S. adults who currently use, have used, or would be interested in trying CBD products.
Inhalation
Your body can absorb inhaled compounds directly from your lungs into your bloodstream. As such, smoking CBD-dominant strains of cannabis or vaping CBD oil is the fastest way to experience the effects.
However, these methods of use link to more severe side effects and long-term complications, including lung injury. Proceed with caution.
According to a 2020 research review, the maximum dose people can tolerate orally is 3,500 milligramsTrusted Source per day.
“It’s important to start with a low dose until you know how your body will react to CBD,” said Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD. “A wide range of CBD dosages has been tested in clinical studies, but more evidence is needed before safe and effective dose recommendations can be made for specific uses.
“For now, use the product’s recommended dose unless your doctor gives you the go-ahead to take larger doses,” she explained. “People with certain health conditions, such as liver disease, may need lower doses to avoid serious side effects.”
Exactly how much CBD enters your system when you apply a product externally depends on whether it’s topical or transdermal and can vary greatly.
For this reason, you may want to test out a topical on a small area first. Monitor your skin for any irritation or changes. Follow a similar principle when trying out a patch. Remove it if any allergy symptoms develop.
Is CBD the same as cannabis?
CBD and THC are substances in the cannabis plant. They’re both cannabinoids, but they affect your body differently. CBD doesn’t have the psychoactive effects of THC.
Is CBD considered a drug?
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed CBD from its list of controlled substances.
While it no longer considers CBD a drug on its own, CBD can be in the drug Epidiolex, which the FDA approvedTrusted Source to treat seizure disorders.
Is CBD bad for you?
CBD is relatively new to the market and not well regulated, so there’s always a risk that a CBD product may contain more CBD or THC than the product label shows. Unnamed flavors, preservatives, and other additives may also be present.
That’s why it’s crucial to get lab-tested products sold by reputable manufacturers. A COA clearly states the ingredients and amounts of each to ensure consumer safety and transparency.
What is the difference between hemp and cannabis CBD?
Hemp and cannabis are two varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp contains higher CBD levels and little THC, which is why manufacturers make most CBD from hemp crops.
What is the difference between CBD and CBN?
Cannabinol (CBN) is another type of cannabinoid, although not much of it is in the cannabis plant. CBN derives from CBD’s exposure to heat and light.
Like CBD, CBN doesn’t produce a high. It has similar effects on your brain as CBD, though more research is needed to understand it.
CBD is a cannabinoid substance in the cannabis plant along with THC. Both cannabinoids affect your brain, but CBD doesn’t cause a high.
Research shows that CBD can help improve mood and reduce pain. It may also help children with seizure disorders and help people undergoing cancer treatment manage their symptoms.
That said, some potential side effects of taking CBD exist, and the risks aren’t fully known.
Be aware of the medications you take so they don’t interact with CBD. Always start with a small dose to see how your body reacts to it.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.