Although the sale and use of CBD oil has been controversial over the years, the powerful plant-based extract is becoming mainstream. As long as it doesn’t contain more than 0.3 percent THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, it is legal to use CBD oil in most U.S. states. Still, alcohol is legal, but it is one of the most addictive drugs. Does CBD have the potential for abuse?
CBD Is Good for Your Health
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the cannabis plant. It has been studied for its effectiveness in treating patients with epilepsy. Experts have also been researching it for its other health benefits, which include:
• Pain relief
• Mood improvements
• Reduction of cancer-related symptoms
• Diabetes prevention
CBD Is Not Addictive
Experts aren’t sure whether THC is addictive. Some say that the ever-increasing potency of modern marijuana has raised concerns about physical and psychological dependence. Because most CBD oil contains negligible amounts of THC, addiction is not a worry.
In fact, the World Health Organization reports that CBD is well-tolerated and generally safe to use. Animal and human studies have been analyzed to determine CBD’s potential for abuse. The WHO says that there is no evidence of dependence potential associated with pure CBD.
Moreover, research shows that a high dose of CBD isn’t always the most effective. This further limits CBD’s potential for addiction.
The Difference Between Natural and Synthetic CBD
While CBD is usually derived from plants, it can be produced synthetically. However, man-made cannabinoid products are not appropriate for human consumption, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you purchase natural CBD instead of the artificial version of the product.
Synthetic cannabinoids can be toxic. Although there are no deaths associated with overdose from natural cannabis products, fatalities have been reported from the use of synthetic marijuana. Synthetic cannabis can produce acute toxicity and may also be addictive.
Is CBD Safe?
Experts, including the WHO, agree that CBD is safe for human use. Even the people who are worried about CBD’s ties to marijuana shouldn’t be concerned. Pure CBD doesn’t get you high. When the substance is combined with THC, CBD actually counteracts the effects of the psychoactive substance.
In April 2018, an FDA regulatory committee approved the use of a CBD-based drug to treat epilepsy. The medication includes a highly purified form of cannabidiol, and the FDA has deemed it safe.
Although you can legally purchase many other CBD products to relieve anxiety, help you sleep and relax you at the end of a long day, most of these aren’t approved by the FDA. However, the FDA regulates all dietary supplements, prohibiting their manufacturers from claiming that they can treat certain ailments.
Even when the FDA issued warning letters to CBD companies in 2015, the agency didn’t have an issue with the legality or safety of the products. It focused on the disease claims that were included in the branding messages.
The FDA supports the rigorous testing of marijuana-based products for their health benefits. As long as CBD is not derived from a plant that’s classified as marijuana, it’s legal. That’s one of the reasons that most CBD comes from the hemp plant.
While some experts mention that there aren’t enough clinical studies that prove that CBD is safe and effective, the substance is relatively new, as far as the public is concerned. Researchers continue to study it rigorously to show that it is helpful and is not dangerous.
Like any herb or supplement, you do need to use CBD oil responsibly. Do your research to ensure that it won’t interact with other medications or negatively influence an existing medical condition. Also, make sure that you get your CBD oil from a reputable company.
