Maligned and misunderstood, CBD and hemp often come under fire due to confusion around the origins, contents and potential uses. The close association with the cannabis plant doesn’t help this situation, which has led some countries to ban products containing any hemp products entirely.
To help clear up misunderstandings about hemp and CBD, we’re leaning into some of the most talked about myths surrounding these products. We’ll explore the origins of the myth, why it’s so damaging, and then clear it up with the help of some actual science.
If you’ve been hesitant to touch CBD and hemp products because of myths surrounding their origins and use, then this article is for you. By the end of the guide, you should have a much clearer idea about what CBD and hemp can do for you, which could be just the motivation you need to take the plunge and try something new.
CBD And Hemp Myths You Need To Stop Believing
The marketing hype surrounding CBD and hemp might make it seem like it’s a brand new product, but don’t be fooled. Hemp has been used for a variety of purposes throughout human history. It is deeply woven into the very fabric of our societies, it’s just that in recent years we have neglected production in favour of other crops.
It’s a highly versatile and hardy crop that provides a number of uses, including fibres for fabric and rope, building materials and highly nutritious seed oil. Some experts estimate that the hemp plant could have as many as 50,000 uses.
The hemp and cannabis plant are very closely related, but one main distinction lies in the range of plant-based compounds they produce. These are known as cannabinoids, the most famous of which are CBD and THC. CBD was first isolated many decades ago, but it’s only been in the last 7 years or so that products containing CBD have really taken off in the UK.
In 2019, CBD was ruled to be safe for sale in food supplements and wellness products. We’ve now seen an explosion of interest – and some bad marketing to boot. On the back of this CBD gold rush, we’ve seen plenty of myths take hold. Here are some of the most common, and why they are scientifically wrong.
Myth: CBD Gets You High
The myth that CBD gets you high comes from its close association with the cannabis compound, THC. This is the psychoactive component in cannabis that elicits the euphoric “high” – along with other side effects such as insatiable appetite, cognitive issues and poor coordination.
While the two compounds are derived from the same plant, and CBD is often present in cannabis products, they are structurally very different. This means that the way they work inside your body is also very different.
Inside all of us there is a cell signalling system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. This is a network of specialist receptors and transmitters that send messages between different types of cells.
THC binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and around the body, blocking messages related to pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration and coordination.
CBD doesn’t work in the same way. It influences receptors but it does not block them. Instead, it supports the endocannabinoid system by blocking the release of an enzyme that breaks down anandamide, which is essential for a fully functioning ECS.
Myth: CBD Oil And Hemp Oil Are The Same
This myth often arises when companies want to cash in on the CBD trend. They stick a CBD sticker on a product containing nothing more than hemp oil, hike up the price and hope that you won’t know the difference.
CBD oil commands a higher price because of the precise process involved in extracting the CBD compounds from the cannabis plant. The most common method is supercritical CO2 extraction, which uses carbon dioxide and heat to break down the plant material and then isolate the specific cannabinoid profile that is needed for the finished product.
A lot of work goes into making sure that the finished product contains the exact correct levels of CBD, and in the case of HEMPE products, to remove the THC entirely, and with no traces of any harmful byproducts.
In contrast, hemp oil is made from cold pressing the seeds of the hemp plant.
That’s it.
This is not to say that hemp seed oil doesn’t have its value – it is loaded with Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and linoleic acid. But when it comes to pricing and promises, you should never be paying for hemp oil and expecting CBD-grade benefits.
Myth: CBD Can Cure Everything
You might be surprised to learn that the CBD sector is actually heavily regulated, particularly in relation to marketing messages. Despite this, influencers and less reputable retailers have shown no desire to hold back when it comes to CBD promises.
While CBD interacts with the ECS, which is present throughout the body, this doesn’t justify the outlandish claims about its efficacy. CBD isn’t a blanket cure for every ailment, and sellers promoting it in this way are doing the entire industry a disservice.
While CBD certainly offers benefits – particularly when combined with other powerhouse botanicals – it’s vital to keep claims in perspective.
Myth: CBD Works For Everyone
Alongside the myth that CBD cures everything, we also see promises that it can work wonders for everyone. The truth is that we don’t fully understand how CBD works as there simply hasn’t been enough research into its potential benefits.
This is why using CBD is often a very personal journey. Rather than relying on traditional dosing guidelines, users are advised to start with small doses and increase in slow increments. The low and slow approach should be paired with close attention to the impact.
The impact that CBD has on your body will vary depending on things like your height, weight, age, co-indications, other medications you are taking, your experience with CBD products and even your individual chemical physiology.
So outlandish claims that CBD can cure everything for everyone should be treated with caution. If it isn’t backed up with a study, be wary about listening to these claims.
When it comes to topical products like our HEMPE Hot Muscle Gel and HEMPE Ice Muscle Gel, the usage is very different. This type of CBD product interacts with ECS receptors in the skin, which means that it bypasses the digestive tract, making it highly effective for targeted treatment. It’s also supported by other botanicals to further enhance the benefits.
Myth: Hemp Is Bad For The Environment
Critics of CBD products might point to production methods as a way to discredit the entire industry. In reality, hemp is a fast-growing crop that is naturally resistant to pests, so it requires far less pesticides and fertilizers to grow it.
Hemp is also an effective carbon sink, helping to extract lots of CO2 from the atmosphere. It also has a deep root structure that helps to prevent soil erosion while also aerating the soil, making it an ideal choice for crop rotations.
This plant also uses significantly less water than crops such as cotton. And since there are multiple products that can be derived from the hemp plant, it also results in far less waste.
In short, hemp’s environmental credentials shouldn’t be up for debate. We should be asking, why aren’t we using this more?
Final Thoughts On CBD And Hemp Myths
Education is the first line of defence when it comes to avoiding CBD scams. It will ensure that you have realistic expectations about what you can expect, and you’ll also know what to look for in a good product.
Alongside brands that are willing to educate you, look for first-hand experience from other customers. While everyone is different, there is a sense of confidence that can be found in discovering that a CBD product has helped someone with an ailment similar to your own.