Confused about CBD? 5 Most Common Asked Questions, Answered by Experts

Right this second, someone somewhere is struggling to get to the bottom of the CBD trend. Perhaps that someone is you. Or maybe it’s your friend, parent, or grandparent.

CBD seemingly swept onto the scene overnight, and now, plenty of intrigued potential customers are impatiently waiting to learn more. If you’re confused about CBD, here are the top 5 most commonly asked questions, answered by experts.

1. What is CBD, Anyway?

CBD is short for Cannabidiol, one of approximately 115 cannabinoids naturally occurring in the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabinoids are active chemical compounds that usually occur in plants but are also made by our bodies. We call these endocannabinoids, and they’re part of our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Scientists reason that CBD is effective when consumed by humans because its chemical structure reacts with cannabinoid receptors in the ECS.

2. Will CBD Make Me Feel High?

No, consuming CBD will not make you feel high. Most people confuse CBD with THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the first cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa. THC is the primary psychoactive compound found within cannabis and is responsible for causing the high associated with consuming marijuana.

CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It will not affect the cognitive function or give you the giggles. However, CBD can be used as a sleep aid or for anxiety relief, and many users of CBD report a subtle feeling of relaxation, alertness, or mental clarity.

3. What Is CBD Used For?

Scientists believe that once consumed, CBD attaches to receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is thought to regulate a variety of functions, including memory, sleep, energy balance, and mood, to keep the body in a state of homeostasis. Once CBD is introduced, it can catalyze a series of reactions that can reduce pain levels, decrease stress and anxiety, and fight inflammation.

While the list of ailments CBD can help treat grows every day, common conditions CBD is used for include:

• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Inflammation
• Insomnia
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Parkinson’s disease

4. What Types of Products Does CBD Come In?

The type of CBD product you choose depends entirely on what condition you’re aiming to treat, as well as your personal preferences. Currently, CBD is available as:

• Lotions and balms
• Vape oil, which is smoked
• Edibles, like gummies, and chocolates
• Tinctures, which are dropped under the tongue

5. Is CBD Legal?

The question of legality is where many become confused about CBD. The answer is, it depends.

CBD can be extracted from multiple variations of the cannabis sativa plant, but most commonly is extracted from hemp and marijuana. A 2018 bill legalized the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity, meaning CBD products extracted from hemp are legal agricultural products. To be legal, CBD must contain <0.3% THC and be hemp grown.

For your protection, it is still up to you to know the specific laws for where you live.