CBD’s move into the mainstream has been truly remarkable. However, despite its growing popularity – CBD is projected to be a $16 billion industry in the United States by 2025, according to The New York Times– a lot of confusion still exists about CBD oil and similar products. So don’t be discouraged if you’ve got a laundry list of questions about what CBD is and what it can do for you. If you’re a first-time CBD user, start by learning the basics and weeding out the myths so you can incorporate CBD into your routine with confidence.
To help you get started, here are six of the most common FAQs about CBD, answered.
1. Can CBD Get You High?
No. CBD won’t make you high.
This is a common assumption and a valid concern. CBD is one of hundreds of compounds in the hemp strain of the cannabis sativa plant. It’s not psychoactive, and therefore, it cannot get you high. Users of CBD don’t feel intoxicated in any way. A different compound found in the marijuana strain of the cannabis plant, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is psychoactive. Products that do contain THC can cause users to feel high.
Depending on the laws in your state, commercially available products might contain CBD only, THC only or both. Consumers who want only CBD (and not THC) must be vigilant about the products they purchase to ensure the products contain a negligible amount (0.3 percent or less) of THC. B GREAT’s entire product line contains only 100 percent full-spectrum hemp, which is third-party lab tested and verified to contain less than 0.3 percent THC. We guarantee that none of our products will cause you to get high.
2. Will CBD Make You Fail a Drug Test?
If you have an upcoming job interview or your employer often issues random drug tests, you may be worried that a CBD product could get you in trouble. Don’t be.
According to independent publication CBD Central, CBD is highly unlikely to make you fail a drug test. Plus, tests for CBD are not a normal part of drug screening. Typical drug tests detect THC, so if you have consumed a CBD-only product with zero (or trace amounts of) THC and have not taken any other drugs, the chances of failing the test are extremely low. This is another reason it’s important to choose a CBD product from a trusted company.
3. How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?
No exact answer exists to the question of how long CBD stays in your system.
The length of time varies, depending on how much CBD you’ve consumed, how frequently you’ve used it, and which mode of delivery you chose (for example, drops of oil under the tongue, a topical skin cream, or a drinkable shot will all move through your system differently). It also varies depending on your own body chemistry, particularly your body weight and metabolism. Even the experts disagree: Some say it stays in your system for three days, while others report it’s closer to six days or as long as a few weeks.
Know that the length of time CBD stays in your system is different from the amount of time you’ll usually feel its effects. Most CBD users feel the effects for around two to six hours, depending on the dosage. The way you take CBD – whether you use drops under your tongue, consume an edible, or apply topical lotion – all affect how quickly you feel its effects and how long they last. For example, users who take drops under the tongue experience typically feel the effects within 30 minutes, whereas it may take longer for those taking capsules, as they take more time for your stomach to digest. (Want to learn more? Check out our guide for What to Expect When You Take CBD.)
4. What Is the Difference Between Hemp and CBD?
The simplest answer here is that there is not much of a difference between products labeled “Hemp” and those labeled “CBD.”
Much of the confusion around CBD and hemp products is about the two different strains of the cannabis sativa plant – the hemp plant and the marijuana plant. These two plants are in the same family, but they’re not the same. The hemp plant, the source for B GREAT’s CBD products, contains high levels of CBD and other beneficial components, including vitamins, terpenes, ketones, and fatty acids. The hemp plant contains 0.3 percent or less of THC (the psychoactive ingredient that makes you high). The marijuana plant contains both CBD and high levels of THC.
B GREAT products are made from full-spectrum, non-GMO hemp grown in Kentucky and Tennessee. Our full-spectrum hemp products use the whole plant and include CBD plus a wide range of other nutrients, as opposed to products labeled “CBD isolate” which only include pure CBD without the other beneficial compounds. These components all work together to help your body metabolize CBD more efficiently.
That said, There’s a big difference between CBD oil and regular hemp oil, aka hempseed oil, which is made from crushed hemp seeds. In recent years, CBD oil and hemp oil have been used interchangeably on labels (partially because of confusing and conflicting FDA regulations), so most products that include “hemp oil” on the label will give you all of the benefits of CBD. That said, hemp seed oil is essentially a cooking oil, and it doesn’t offer the wellness benefits of CBD oil. If a product is labeled “hempseed oil” it will likely not produce the calming effects of CBD that you’re looking for.
5. What Does CBD Oil Taste Like?
CBD oil is usually diluted with a neutral-flavored carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil. Flavorless versions are just that, flavorless, and some consumers find them okay, while others do not. Some versions are flavored to make them more enjoyable, for example, with honey or citrus flavors. B GREAT’S RELAX and FOCUS shots are passion fruit flavor and are some of the best-tasting on the market. Consumers who choose CBD oils that don’t taste great can try to disguise the flavor by adding them to a juice or smoothie, but there’s no need for that with B GREAT products. Our citrus-flavored oil tastes delicious and is ready for immediate consumption, no blender required!
6. Is CBD Legal in My State?
Yes! CBD is legal in all 50 states.
That said, know that in states where medical or recreational marijuana is legal, some CBD products also contain THC. So be sure to read all labels and product descriptions carefully. Note that because CBD is considered a supplement rather than a medication, it’s not regulated by the FDA. This is another reason to stay vigilant about the source of your CBD products. Always choose CBD products – like B GREAT products – that contain less than 0.3% THC (the legal limit), are third-party tested for quality and accuracy of ingredients, and manufactured in FDA-registered facilities.
"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."