CBD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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As the CBD market continues to grow, there are many new consumers who have questions around what it is, the benefits and advisories. Below Always Pure Organics’ Chief Scientific Officer Andrew Megahy answers the most common and frequently asked CBD related questions.
Will CBD help me to sleep?
Possibly. There is research to suggest that CBD can help you fall asleep, but also some that indicates it may impair certain aspects such as wakefulness. More research is required to give a definitive answer.
Is CBD dangerous?
Not at all. The World Health Organisation has recognised CBD as having “no potential for abuse and no potential to produce dependence. It does not have significant ill-effects”.
Can I drive using CBD?
There are currently no laws regarding driving after taking CBD, but we recommend against it exactly for this reason. Until a definitive stance is taken, it’s much safer to avoid it, especially since CBD products can contain minute amounts of THC that may make you fail a standard drug test.
Will CBD show up on a drug screen?
Unless the test is specifically looking for CBD it should not show up, but as mentioned above some CBD products will contain detectable levels of THC, which most likely will show up.
Can I drink alcohol with CBD?
There has been some research looking at the effects of CBD and alcohol. Some of it suggests that CBD has a protective effect against cell damage, some suggests that taking both together increases each effect. Until a definitive answer is found regarding the exact effects, we suggest caution in this regard.
Would CBD interact with my medications?
Yes, CBD has been shown to interact with some medications. CBD is primarily metabolised through CYP3A enzymes, inhibiting their ability to process other chemicals effectively. We strongly recommend consulting with your doctor prior to taking CBD if you are currently using any medications.
Is there an age limit/requirement for taking CBD?
It varies per country, but currently in the UK there are no legal restrictions on who can purchase CBD. It is not a controlled substance and has yet to be put through any regulatory pathway (though Novel Foods will change this).
Could I be allergic to CBD?
Very unlikely. Because of how similar CBD is to your endocannabinoids and how it binds to cell receptors, it would be difficult to induce an allergic response from the body.
Can I overdose on CBD?
No. Studies have shown CBD to be very well tolerated in a number of species, even at extremely high doses. With prices how they are currently and how diluted most products are, it is incredibly unlikely you’d ever reach the required mass of CBD to cause a typical overdose.
What is the recommended dosage of CBD?
It depends on too many factors to give a simple answer. What you’re taking the CBD for, what strength your chosen product is, how much exposure your body has had previously to cannabinoids, method of delivery, etc. The best advice is to start with a small dose and work your way up over a long period of time until you reach the desired effect.
Can I take CBD when pregnant/breastfeeding?
No. Because of how the endocannabinoid system works in young people and the lack of significant research carried out in this area, we do not recommend taking CBD while pregnant/breastfeeding. Safety in this regard has not been proven yet.
Can I give my CBD to my dog or cat?
Technically no. Most animals have an endocannabinoid system so should feel the same benefits of CBD as humans do, but in the UK at least, CBD products for animals have to be regulated as Veterinary Medicines. Currently, no-one holds an authorisation for these products.
Is it better to take CBD in the morning or an evening?
The time you take CBD doesn’t matter, but what can help with absorption is to take it with a high-fat meal. An introduction of fats increases the volume of chemicals your body produces to transport oil-based/soluble chemicals, which includes CBD.
Is CBD a painkiller?
Possibly. Again, some studies show CBD’s effectiveness at mitigating pain signals, but only through more thorough research can the actual efficacy be determined. The major factors are the type of pain, method of delivery and dose of CBD.
Will CBD make me ‘high’?
No. The method through which CBD binds to your endocannabinoid receptors means that it cannot induce a high in the same way that THC can.
What is the difference in MG or ML etc? What defines the strength and what does that mean?
Milligrams (mg) refers to the weight of CBD in a given product, while millilitres (ml) refers to the total volume of the product, which will include the CBD and whatever carrier it is in (typically an oil). Often, the strength will be given as a percentage, which indicates how much of the total product is CBD (1000mg in a 10ml bottle is 10%, for example). This allows for easy comparison between products.
Isn’t CBD illegal?
The legality of CBD varies widely depending on the country. In Bolivia, it is entirely illegal, while in South Korea it is only available with a medical prescription. In the UK food products must have a Novel Foods application, whereas in Bulgaria there are no restrictions on the sale of CBD.
Does CBD help muscle recovery?
Possibly. Again, there is research to suggest CBD can help with muscle recovery, but more in-depth study is required to determine exactly how effective it is.
How does CBD affect athletic performance?
There are a growing number of athletes who swear by CBD and its positive benefits for things like recovery, pain –relief and mitigation of inflammation.
Will CBD make me drowsy?
Unlikely. During clinical trials for Epidyolex (a CBD-based medicine produced by GW Pharma) one of the noted side-effects was sleepiness. However, all the participants were taking anti-epilepsy medications concurrently, so more specialist research is required to determine how likely this is. Again, at the doses most people have access to, this is very unlikely to be an issue.
Why are there different types of ‘mixer oils’
Different benefits. MCT is very smooth and mostly tasteless, with a good mix of medium-chain triglycerides, while something like hemp seed oil is full of non-saturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6.
Are CBD oils sugar free?
That would depend on the oil. The best way to find out is to check the ingredients list on the packaging.
Can I get addicted to CBD?
Not physically. Again, because of the method through which CBD binds to your endocannabinoid receptors, it does not induce a physical ‘craving’ in the same way that opioids might and there is evidence to suggest it can mitigate addiction to things like nicotine.
What does CBD stand for?
Cannabidiol
How is best to take CBD?
This will depend on your requirements. If you want to try and reduce the inflammation in your hands from arthritis, a cream would be best. If you’re trying to reduce your general anxiety, perhaps an oil would be best.
How long does it take to work and how long does it last?
This depends on the method of delivery. Vaping is faster than sublingual (under the tongue), which is also faster than ingestion. As with many medicines, the longer it takes to begin acting, typically the longer the effects will last.
I’m on medication for anxiety, can I take CBD too or should I speak to my doctor?
Always speak to your doctor. CBD still isn’t fully understood regarding how it interacts with medications, though we do know some that it will definitely interact with. Your doctor will always understand your situation better than someone who’s job involves selling CBD.
How long does CBD stay in my system?
Potentially several days, depending on how often you take it and how much. It is an oil-soluble compound, meaning it has much better absorption into the fleshy tissues than a water-soluble compound.
When did CBD get ‘discovered’?
CBD was first extracted from the Cannabis plant in 1940, though it wasn’t until 1963 that Raphael Mechoulam described the chemical structure of the compound.
Does CBD affect birth control?
Possibly. There are many medications that CBD interacts with, so it’s better to play it safe and consult with a doctor before taking CBD concurrently with any other active compounds.
Where does CBD come from?
CBD is primarily extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant, though recently there has been success in extracting it from oranges.
How does CBD enhance my workout?
It could potentially lower your stress/anxiety to help you focus, but it’s not going to have the same effect as consuming a pre-workout shake or warming up correctly.
Does CBD contain caffeine?
No.
What does CBD balm do?
Everything CBD does normally, though in a balm form it is most useful for local application. For example, if you had arthritis in your hands it could potentially provide targeted anti-inflammatory benefits.
Is CBD a natural anti-inflammatory?
Research suggests so. CBD indirectly binds to cell receptors and limits the normal binding efficiency of them, lowering the number of messages they can send. For inflammation, this means less inflammatory signals get sent through and the inflammation is therefore less severe.
Can CBD cosmetics be used on sensitive skin?
This depends mostly on the other ingredients in the cosmetic. CBD itself shouldn’t pose an issue to sensitive skin, and there are case studies where cannabinoid medicines have shown effectiveness in healing wounds.
Can CBD help burns?
Maybe. Research in this area isn’t well advanced, so in the meantime I recommend using a proven burn-relief cream.
Can CBD cream help reduce stretchmarks?
There are many products which claim to reduce or even remove stretch marks, but the efficacy of these is disputed. I wouldn’t rely on CBD to do so until definitive research comes out supporting this.
If you have any more questions around CBD not covered here, get in touch with our team today: https://www.alwayspureorganics.com/contact/
As the CBD market continues to grow, there are many new consumers who have questions around what it is, the benefits and advisories. Below Always Pure Organics’ Chief Scientific Officer Andrew Megahy answers the most common and frequently asked CBD related questions.
Will CBD help me to sleep?
Possibly. There is research to suggest that CBD can help you fall asleep, but also some that indicates it may impair certain aspects such as wakefulness. More research is required to give a definitive answer.
Is CBD dangerous?
Not at all. The World Health Organisation has recognised CBD as having “no potential for abuse and no potential to produce dependence. It does not have significant ill-effects”.
Can I drive using CBD?
There are currently no laws regarding driving after taking CBD, but we recommend against it exactly for this reason. Until a definitive stance is taken, it’s much safer to avoid it, especially since CBD products can contain minute amounts of THC that may make you fail a standard drug test.
Will CBD show up on a drug screen?
Unless the test is specifically looking for CBD it should not show up, but as mentioned above some CBD products will contain detectable levels of THC, which most likely will show up.
Can I drink alcohol with CBD?
There has been some research looking at the effects of CBD and alcohol. Some of it suggests that CBD has a protective effect against cell damage, some suggests that taking both together increases each effect. Until a definitive answer is found regarding the exact effects, we suggest caution in this regard.
Would CBD interact with my medications?
Yes, CBD has been shown to interact with some medications. CBD is primarily metabolised through CYP3A enzymes, inhibiting their ability to process other chemicals effectively. We strongly recommend consulting with your doctor prior to taking CBD if you are currently using any medications.
Is there an age limit/requirement for taking CBD?
It varies per country, but currently in the UK there are no legal restrictions on who can purchase CBD. It is not a controlled substance and has yet to be put through any regulatory pathway (though Novel Foods will change this).
Could I be allergic to CBD?
Very unlikely. Because of how similar CBD is to your endocannabinoids and how it binds to cell receptors, it would be difficult to induce an allergic response from the body.
Can I overdose on CBD?
No. Studies have shown CBD to be very well tolerated in a number of species, even at extremely high doses. With prices how they are currently and how diluted most products are, it is incredibly unlikely you’d ever reach the required mass of CBD to cause a typical overdose.
What is the recommended dosage of CBD?
It depends on too many factors to give a simple answer. What you’re taking the CBD for, what strength your chosen product is, how much exposure your body has had previously to cannabinoids, method of delivery, etc. The best advice is to start with a small dose and work your way up over a long period of time until you reach the desired effect.
Can I take CBD when pregnant/breastfeeding?
No. Because of how the endocannabinoid system works in young people and the lack of significant research carried out in this area, we do not recommend taking CBD while pregnant/breastfeeding. Safety in this regard has not been proven yet.
Can I give my CBD to my dog or cat?
Technically no. Most animals have an endocannabinoid system so should feel the same benefits of CBD as humans do, but in the UK at least, CBD products for animals have to be regulated as Veterinary Medicines. Currently, no-one holds an authorisation for these products.
Is it better to take CBD in the morning or an evening?
The time you take CBD doesn’t matter, but what can help with absorption is to take it with a high-fat meal. An introduction of fats increases the volume of chemicals your body produces to transport oil-based/soluble chemicals, which includes CBD.
Is CBD a painkiller?
Possibly. Again, some studies show CBD’s effectiveness at mitigating pain signals, but only through more thorough research can the actual efficacy be determined. The major factors are the type of pain, method of delivery and dose of CBD.
Will CBD make me ‘high’?
No. The method through which CBD binds to your endocannabinoid receptors means that it cannot induce a high in the same way that THC can.
What is the difference in MG or ML etc? What defines the strength and what does that mean?
Milligrams (mg) refers to the weight of CBD in a given product, while millilitres (ml) refers to the total volume of the product, which will include the CBD and whatever carrier it is in (typically an oil). Often, the strength will be given as a percentage, which indicates how much of the total product is CBD (1000mg in a 10ml bottle is 10%, for example). This allows for easy comparison between products.
Isn’t CBD illegal?
The legality of CBD varies widely depending on the country. In Bolivia, it is entirely illegal, while in South Korea it is only available with a medical prescription. In the UK food products must have a Novel Foods application, whereas in Bulgaria there are no restrictions on the sale of CBD.
Does CBD help muscle recovery?
Possibly. Again, there is research to suggest CBD can help with muscle recovery, but more in-depth study is required to determine exactly how effective it is.
How does CBD affect athletic performance?
There are a growing number of athletes who swear by CBD and its positive benefits for things like recovery, pain –relief and mitigation of inflammation.
Will CBD make me drowsy?
Unlikely. During clinical trials for Epidyolex (a CBD-based medicine produced by GW Pharma) one of the noted side-effects was sleepiness. However, all the participants were taking anti-epilepsy medications concurrently, so more specialist research is required to determine how likely this is. Again, at the doses most people have access to, this is very unlikely to be an issue.
Why are there different types of ‘mixer oils’
Different benefits. MCT is very smooth and mostly tasteless, with a good mix of medium-chain triglycerides, while something like hemp seed oil is full of non-saturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6.
Are CBD oils sugar free?
That would depend on the oil. The best way to find out is to check the ingredients list on the packaging.
Can I get addicted to CBD?
Not physically. Again, because of the method through which CBD binds to your endocannabinoid receptors, it does not induce a physical ‘craving’ in the same way that opioids might and there is evidence to suggest it can mitigate addiction to things like nicotine.
What does CBD stand for?
Cannabidiol
How is best to take CBD?
This will depend on your requirements. If you want to try and reduce the inflammation in your hands from arthritis, a cream would be best. If you’re trying to reduce your general anxiety, perhaps an oil would be best.
How long does it take to work and how long does it last?
This depends on the method of delivery. Vaping is faster than sublingual (under the tongue), which is also faster than ingestion. As with many medicines, the longer it takes to begin acting, typically the longer the effects will last.
I’m on medication for anxiety, can I take CBD too or should I speak to my doctor?
Always speak to your doctor. CBD still isn’t fully understood regarding how it interacts with medications, though we do know some that it will definitely interact with. Your doctor will always understand your situation better than someone who’s job involves selling CBD.
How long does CBD stay in my system?
Potentially several days, depending on how often you take it and how much. It is an oil-soluble compound, meaning it has much better absorption into the fleshy tissues than a water-soluble compound.
When did CBD get ‘discovered’?
CBD was first extracted from the Cannabis plant in 1940, though it wasn’t until 1963 that Raphael Mechoulam described the chemical structure of the compound.
Does CBD affect birth control?
Possibly. There are many medications that CBD interacts with, so it’s better to play it safe and consult with a doctor before taking CBD concurrently with any other active compounds.
Where does CBD come from?
CBD is primarily extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant, though recently there has been success in extracting it from oranges.
How does CBD enhance my workout?
It could potentially lower your stress/anxiety to help you focus, but it’s not going to have the same effect as consuming a pre-workout shake or warming up correctly.
Does CBD contain caffeine?
No.
What does CBD balm do?
Everything CBD does normally, though in a balm form it is most useful for local application. For example, if you had arthritis in your hands it could potentially provide targeted anti-inflammatory benefits.
Is CBD a natural anti-inflammatory?
Research suggests so. CBD indirectly binds to cell receptors and limits the normal binding efficiency of them, lowering the number of messages they can send. For inflammation, this means less inflammatory signals get sent through and the inflammation is therefore less severe.
Can CBD cosmetics be used on sensitive skin?
This depends mostly on the other ingredients in the cosmetic. CBD itself shouldn’t pose an issue to sensitive skin, and there are case studies where cannabinoid medicines have shown effectiveness in healing wounds.
Can CBD help burns?
Maybe. Research in this area isn’t well advanced, so in the meantime I recommend using a proven burn-relief cream.
Can CBD cream help reduce stretchmarks?
There are many products which claim to reduce or even remove stretch marks, but the efficacy of these is disputed. I wouldn’t rely on CBD to do so until definitive research comes out supporting this.
If you have any more questions around CBD not covered here, get in touch with our team today: https://www.alwayspureorganics.com/contact/
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