In case you have been living under a rock, there has been an explosion in products and companies offering CBD oil to solve a seemingly endless list of woes. In general, they seem relatively harmless and mostly just helping the population take our anxiety levels down a notch, but maybe there is a little more to it than that. Like I always say, there is no one-size-fits-all wellness because not everything works the same way for everyone. I was never a fan of weed’s effect on my mind, so I haven’t explored these products beyond a few gummies or muscle-relaxing creams. However, I have a few close friends and clients who have found its life-changing effect.

You Need to Know & Be Honest With Yourself

Are you a person who generally runs a little high on the anxiety side of the spectrum? Then this might be something you want to consider integrating into your routine; read on to learn best practices to get started. If not, read on to see what other issues it may be able to support you with. In general, you must proceed cautiously and know how to read the labels. Or you might find that there is no need to jump on the bandwagon because it isn’t inexpensive, and there are many side effects that you don’t need to risk bringing into your life.

Guide to Understanding CBD Oils

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know and some guidelines to help you find the best products and ultimately decide if it is for you.

#1. It is actually not FDA approved; therefore, you need to know how to discern quality:

Not that I would recommend everything that the FDA approves by any means, but it is important to note that the FDA does not regulate CBD products the same way they regulate drugs. Therefore, it is very easy for companies to mislabel or misrepresent their products. That means it’s essential to research to find a quality product.

The product’s certificate of analysis (COA) should confirm that it’s free of contaminants and that the product contains the amount of CBD and THC it claims. A COA is an analysis document provided by a third-party lab that ensures everything on the label is accurate.

The bottom line is if the product is making some extremely bold claims and it isn’t a huge investment, it is probably not worth your while.

#2. As harmless as it may seem, it is proven to negatively interact with other over the counter and prescription drugs and supplements:

What drugs should not be taken with CBD?

Given that CBD causes drowsiness on its own, it also increases the drowsiness caused by other medications, including antihistamines (such as Benadryl), benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Valium), antipsychotics, antidepressants, and opioids, as well as alcohol and supplements such as kava, melatonin, and St. John’s Wort.

So obviously if you are taking any of the above you should discuss it with your doctor AND do a bit of research on your own to determine if it is worth the risk.

Not to mention some studies show it negatively interacts with the birth control pill, so definitely do your research.

#3. There is scientific evidence, but it is not all that robust or conclusive yet, which might be something to consider – although many home remedies also fit into this category that I use all the time.

What does the science say CBD does?

It does a couple things, but the research has really only confirmed a few things. It has short term effects on anxiety, depression, pain, and sleep problems but the results are mixed and not long term. Studies have shown that CBD oil helps suppress seizures by slowing down messages being sent to the brain, changing calcium levels in brain cells and decreasing inflammation in the brain. Animal studies have indicated some other potential uses for CBD oil.

#4. There are adverse side effects you should be aware of, especially if you are using them while driving.

Though it’s often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. Given that many moms are turning to CBD as a healthier solution to the daily stress of parenting, I think it is so important we understand it causes drowsiness and fatigue. What if getting a 20 min walk a day had the same effects or better? I would always recommend the combination of fresh air, movement, and taking a break over anything every day to minimize the symptoms of stress. CBD can also interact with other medications you’re taking, as mentioned above, such as blood thinners and medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol, and some anti-infection medication and the pill. Another cause for concern is the unreliability of the purity and dosage of CBD in products, which brings us to #5.

#5. Like anything these days, you need to know how to read the labels properly.

Knowing how to read CBD labels properly helps ensure you buy a quality product. When choosing a CBD product — be it a gummy, oil, or otherwise — there are some key questions to ask yourself when reviewing the labeling. These questions are outlined below, along with definitions of the CBD terms you should know.

Is there actually CBD or cannabidiol in it? Note: some products will list CBD as hemp extract which is valid (a result of the ever-changing laws and regulations) but hempseed oil is not the same as CBD.
Is the oil water or oil soluble?
What are they using as a carrier oil?
Am I allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients?
Are these clean ingredients? For example, with gummies, if there are artificial flavors or colorings, you want to look for an option with all-natural colorings and flavors. The most common food dyes in most junk food, such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, are all known carcinogens.
Are there minimal ingredients?
Do I understand what all the ingredients are? (Look them up on your phone if need be).
Does the percentage of THC meet your requirements? Investigate beforehand your needs and recommended dose before you go shopping and just get distracted by pretty packaging.
What is the milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) of CBD in the product?

CBD terms to understand when you are reading the label:

Terpenes are plant compounds with potential therapeutic benefits.
Flavonoids are plant compounds that have antioxidant benefits.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid associated with the “high” from cannabis, or “marijuana,” use. CBD doesn’t have intoxicating properties.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all the naturally available compounds of the cannabis plant. In hemp-derived full-spectrum CBD, the THC will be no more than 0.3 percent.
Broad-spectrum CBD has all the plant’s naturally occurring compounds but no THC (or only trace amounts).
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, separated from all other plant compounds.

Not Enough Evidence

Ultimately, according to The UC Berkeley School of Public Health article: “There isn’t enough evidence to recommend CBD for any medical use aside from the rare childhood epileptic conditions it’s approved for. More research is needed to establish CBD’s safety, including safe and appropriate dosages, interactions with drugs and foods, and other potential side effects. Until then, it pays to approach CBD products with healthy skepticism.”

In addition, we always want to seek quality over quantity, especially regarding any plant medicine or home remedy. If a product you are looking at makes bold claims, approach it with caution, read the label carefully, and start with a small dose of it to see how it hits your mind and body before trying more.

In summary, it is important to understand that just like any plant and any product, it will have varying effects on different people. Read the labels very carefully on anything you plan on regularly consuming – ingredients add up over time. Seek out the cleanest, highest quality, 3rd-party tested products you can find, and even then, approach cautiously.

Easy Rules to Follow:

If inexpensive, it is unlikely to be high quality. CBD oil is a relatively expensive long-term solution to managing depression, anxiety, pain, and sleep problems.

I recommend you speak with a wellness coach to see how you might solve these issues better in the long term with a holistic health and wellness strategy instead of self-medicating (albeit with more natural medication) the symptoms before getting to the root of the problem.

Sources:

The Highs and Lows of CBD, The Wellness Letter, The UC Berkeley School of Public Health, September 2022, https://s30280.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WL_09_2022_F.pdf.Reading a CBD Label: How to Find a Quality Product, Jennifer Chesak, Healthline, June 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/reading-a-cbd-label.

SOBER CURATOR MEGAN SWAN: Get to know more about Megan Swan, Founder of Megan Swan Wellness and catch up on the other articles she’s written for The Sober Curator.

SOBERSCRIBE NOW!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.