CBD is one of the fastest growing natural treatments for common ailments like anxiety and inflammation. Despite its increasing use there is a lot of fake news about CBD out there.

Does CBD really make you high? Isn’t all CBD the same? Hemp oil and CBD are interchangeable, CBD is illegal—we’ve heard it all. While use of CBD continues to grow and more people seek out natural alternatives  to treat their health issues, more CBD education and research is also available. Based on the most up to date clinical trials and research, it is clear we have only scratched the surface to uncovering all the benefits and uses of CBD. 

To help you navigate through the noise and to separate CBD myths from facts, here are the top 10 most common misconceptions about CBD and the actual facts you should pay attention to. If we missed any, let us know!

CBD myths vs. facts

Myth 1: CBD will get you high

Fact: Not true.

In fact, this is one of the most common—if not the most common—misconception about CBD. CBD will not get you high if derived from hemp. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid (naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant). Hemp and marijuana both belong to the cannabis family of plants, however, the leading compound or cannabinoid in marijuana plants is THC, which does get you high. Therefore even CBD extracts from marijuana can have higher levels of THC and can be psychoactive. Industrial hemp plants, however, contain very low amounts of THC (<0.3%), not nearly enough for any psychoactive or “high” effects. Because hemp contains very high amounts of CBD, hemp-derived CBD offers other benefits such as relief from stress and anxiety, as well as treatment for inflammation and chronic pain without impairment. 

Myth 2: All CBD types are the same

Fact: Not true

There are three common types of CBD extractions that are used in CBD products: full spectrum, isolate and broad spectrum CBD. The biggest difference between the three types is the balance of cannabinoids—the naturally occurring compounds found in hemp and marijuana plants mentioned above. In fact, the hemp and marijuana plants contain at least 113 cannabinoids, of which CBD is the second highest forming, next to THC. Each type of CBD offers different benefits and can make a big difference when selecting the type to treat your health issue.

Full spectrum CBD is a whole plant extract that contains CBD and all 100+ other cannabinoids, amino acids and essential oils found within the plant. These compounds all have various benefits and work together in what is known as the “entourage effect” to increase efficacy. For this reason, full spectrum CBD is often considered the best type and is typically priced higher (and for good reason).

Broad Spectrum CBD is very similar to full spectrum with one key difference: all trace amounts of THC have been removed completely. Although the hemp plant naturally contains very little amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) broad spectrum CBD is devoid of virtually all THC. 

Isolate CBD is 99% pure CBD. In isolate CBD, the whole plant extract has been further refined to isolate the CBD compound, thereby removing all other cannabinoids, essential oils, and amino acids. While this is the purest form of CBD, it lacks other cannabinoids and compounds and thus cannot deliver the “entourage effect”.

Myth 3: CBD Oil is the same as hemp oil

Fact: Not true.

CBD oil and hemp oil come from very different sources. CBD oil is made from the flowers, stalks and leaves from the hemp plant, which are the only parts of the plant where cannabidiol is found. Hemp oil, on the other hand, is made from hemp seeds where there is little to no CBD content at all. CBD Oil is known for its calming effects of the mind and body. Hemp oil also has many health benefits, but is best known for its positive effects on skin health, helping to treat wrinkles and prevent breakouts. It’s essential to know the difference between CBD and hemp oil to ensure you’re choosing the right oil to treat your ailments.

Myth 4: More CBD is better

Fact: Not necessarily true.

The more the merrier isn’t always the case when it comes to CBD. While it is considered safe for most people (and even pets) in high doses, CBD is bi-phasic, which means while there is an optimal dose range for each individual, there is no universal dosage. Higher doses of CBD may actually have the opposite intended effect. Individuals and even animals will respond in varied ways. CBD dosage is dependent on a variety of factors, including body weight, genetics, diet, metabolism, certain medications, medical conditions, and the quality and formulation of the CBD product. The typical dose range is between 10mg – 40mg a day. 

We’ve created this dosage chart to find the right dosage for your weight range. It’s best to start with a mild dosage, 5-10 mg and increase the dose slowly by about 5mg every 2-3 days as needed to find the right dose for your needs.  

Myth 5: CBD benefits are not medically proven

Fact: Not necessarily true.

While clinical research around CBD continues to grow and evolve, and so much remains to be discovered about the use and benefits of this compound, there have already been studies that show positive effects for mental ailments like anxiety and depression, and to treat physical pain like inflammation, muscle pain and soreness. CBD has been recommended as a natural alternative to ibuprofen and other synthetic anti-inflammatories and has been a go-to for athletes and athletic individuals to help recover from muscle and joint soreness. CBD is also a natural treatment for anxiety and insomnia (more below). 

Myth 6: CBD works like sleeping pills

Fact: Not true.

While CBD for sleep has proven to be effective thanks to its ability to naturally interact with our body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), CBD is not a sedative. The body’s ECS is a group of receptors in the central nervous system that specifically interact with cannabinoids like CBD to maintain homeostasis—physical and mental balance and stability throughout the body—the type of balance that can help both the mind and body relax, encouraging quality sleep. CBD is also being increasingly used with meditation or yoga, practices that also encourage a calming effect on the mind and body. When combining CBD with meditation and/or yoga these work together to help address the most common factors of insomnia and provide users improved sleep.

Myth 7: CBD is illegal

Fact: Not true, but ambiguous.

Many people confuse marijuana and CBD and therefore assume the same legal implications apply to both. However, hemp-based CBD products do not have clear guidelines under the Cannabis Act as it stands today, making it a “grey area”. It is important to understand this ambiguity and why it exists, to unravel the question of legality surrounding CBD products. 

The cultivation of cannabis and manufacturing and selling of cannabis products is federally legal in Canada under the Cannabis Act (Bill C45).  However, the Act only broadly defines the term “cannabis” and “cannabis plant” as a plant belonging to the genus Cannabis.  This leaves for a muddled, “grey area” when it comes to specific regulations around hemp-derived CBD products, because the Cannabis genus contains, at a high level, at least 3 species: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. Of these 3 species, industrial hemp falls under the Cannabis Sativa species. “Industrial hemp” is defined as Cannabis Sativa specifically cultivated for non-drug use—i.e. containing less than 0.3% THC (as all resolveCBD products do). 

The Act does not specifically delineate between regulations for some industrial hemp based products such as resolveCBD products, and marijuana based products.  This is a significant point of ambiguity in the Act given the non-drug characteristic of industrial hemp (as it is non-psychoactive), whereas marijuana is psychoactive since it contains high levels of THC. 

November 2021 Update: We wrote more about CBD legality in Canada since this was published in late 2020 in an article called: CBD in Canada: Your most common questions answered.

Myth 8: CBD products are all the same

Fact: Not true.

CBD covers an array of products and formulations, which are distinctly different. CBD can come in the form of ingestibles or edibles (capsules, gummies, beverages) to oil based tinctures and topical products (creams, lotions, and balms). Each form of CBD treats different ailments with different efficacy. For instance, CBD creams and lotions are great for targeted muscle or joint pain relief and can be applied right on affected areas. CBD Oils and ingestible products like CBD gummies can be used for better sleep or simply for its anxiety calming effects—it comes down to personal preference and what ailments you want to treat. No matter what form of CBD you choose it is essential to consider the quality of the CBD, any other ingredients in the product, and the formulation of the CBD. 

Myth 9: The CBD industry can’t be trusted

Fact: Not true.

Like any new and emerging natural health products, there will always be doubt, especially as research and studies are in their infancy, but constantly growing. The emerging use of CBD, and the way governing bodies have increasingly embraced CBD as a health benefit and its endorsements from professional athletes to health professionals are proof enough this is a growing and stable industry. Millions of dollars have been invested into developing CBD products and while some brands have better quality CBD than others, it works as any other established company or industry. 

Before investing in any new or unfamiliar health product, it’s always best to do your research. The same is true for CBD companies and products—not all hold the highest standards for their products or practices. Look for a company with a reputable supplier and one that has third party lab results. With any shopping, reviews are always accessible. Take some time to do the research and read reviews about the CBD products you’re interested in. However, the information presented by resolveCBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or ailment, nor is it intended to be a substitute or alternative for professional medical advice. This is information you can bring to your medical professional for the decision you make together.

Myth 10: CBD doesn’t work 

Facts: Not true!

If the above nine debunked myths were not enough, let us refer you to dosing again. CBD works differently for everyone and finding the right dosage that works best for you will differ, than say, your bestie’s use of CBD. Identify what you want to treat or why you want to use CBD, research when broad, full spectrum or isolate CBD best suits your needs and then decide on oils, gummies, creams, or a combination. 

The current clinical trials and studies have just started to scratch the surface of the vast variety of medicinal and therapeutic benefits CBD can provide, while anecdotal evidence suggests CBD is an effective treatment for the type of pain and ailments traditional meds have been trying to treat for decades. 

CBD works—it just works differently for each individual. And of course, it’s not a panacea. 

Along with debunking CBD myths, we answer a ton of frequently asked questions here. Do you have a question about CBD? Reach out to us at [email protected] or on live chat. We’re happy to debunk any misconceptions you may have.