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You have probably already seen the ads.
Bath bombs with slats, products infused with CBD seem to appear out of the wood, promising relaxation and relief from aches and pains ranging from stress to depression. The growing popularity of the CBD has even celebrities, from the old Paul Pierce, star of the Celtics at Willie Nelson, jumping on the market.
But what exactly is CBD – and how does it differentiate it from marijuana?
Below are four questions and answers about the popular ingredient added to everything from pizzas to cocktails to smoothies.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the two most important molecules found in the cannabis plant. But unlike the other known cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD has no psychoactive properties.
"[CBD has gotten] very popular because it has such effects as relieving insomnia, relieving pain, relieving anxiety, "said Peter Grinspoon, primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, in an interview. "So it's another one of the hundreds of cannabinoids in cannabis, but it has properties that appeal to people, which makes it a very popular product."
The cannabinoid can be extracted from marijuana and hemp, according to the doctor, with different make-ups.
"Hemp derived CBD contains very little THC, usually less than 0.3%, so it's very difficult to get it," Grinspoon said. "The CBD itself has no psychoactivity. And if the THC is very low, you do not get really high. The marijuana-derived CBD may have higher levels of THC, so you can calculate it anyway. "
What is the science behind this?
Like THC, CBD works on the cannabinoid receptors of the brain.
"We have this whole system of neurotransmitters, the endocannabinoid system, which mediates marijuana, THC and CBD," said Grinspoon. "There are THC1 receptors in the brain, which is why THC can get you going. … And then there are two cannabinoid receptors in the immune system, which is why CBD can help in cases like irritable bowel syndrome. And CBD simply has a different effect on CBD1 receptors in the brain. "
Like marijuana, it does not make you jump on it, but it does affect parts of your brain that can help relieve anxiety and insomnia.
A key aspect of the CBD is that it has no potential for addiction or abuse, said Grinspoon. The World Health Organization has announced its position in 2017 the CBD poses no risk to public health or potential abuse.
"It does not deter you and does not lead to any recreational use," said Grinspoon. "But this eases uncomfortable situations, such as anxiety and insomnia."
Why do people use it?
CBD can be consumed as a tablet or oil, or can be vaporized or used in a topical formulation.
"People use it for anxiety – there is evidence behind that," Grinspoon said. "People use it for insomnia. People use it for social phobia, for performance anxiety before speaking.
Grinspoon said there is "some evidence" that the CBD is useful for treating pain, although its effectiveness is not as strong as that of marijuana for medical purposes.
"Really very interesting research is being published that could be very useful in the field of addiction," he said.
He said that he has many patients who have responded well to the use of CBD, but that in the United States, the study of medical applications of the cannabinoid has fallen behind until recently.
About 536 studies involving the CBD are currently listed based on data from the National Institutes of Health, ranging from an examination of its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD to Parkinson's disease. Last year, the Federal Drug Administration approved the first medicine containing CBD for the treatment of seizures in young children.
"I think it's very exciting," Grinspoon said. "You do not want to make an excessive promise. And again, just like marijuana, there are many more affirmations of success than true studies of success. But the CBD is very safe, and if it helps people, I think it's fantastic. I would very much like scientific research to catch up with the perceived effectiveness of patients. But until now, everything is fine, it's pretty interesting to see how much people think it helps them. "
With the flooding of products containing CBD on the market, Grinspoon warned that time will tell whether the data will confirm the claims – called promises of snake oil by the skeptics – announced for the CBD.
"I think it will really work for addiction," he said. "We'll see if it's such a powerful painkiller. We do not have the data yet. … I think snake oil is maybe a word too strong because I think it will be something. "
This might not prove to be the "miracle drug", but some hope it will be, he said.
"I just hope it's not over promised," Grinspoon said.
Grinspoon explained that it was difficult to say what levels of CBD would produce the desired effects, especially since studies on this chemical generally consider "very high" doses compared to those marketed.
"Who knows what dose you actually take when you get an ice cream or a CBD cookie because it's not standardized," he said. "So it's very difficult to say. But I would say that there are a lot of trials and errors involved. And the good part is that the CBD is very safe. You're not going to overdose. You are not going to have a bad reaction. "
What should consumers know about regulation?
In Massachusetts, CBD containing more than 0.3% THC is considered cannabis and is regulated by state legislation. Cannabis Control Commission.
Otherwise, products containing CBD are not regulated.
Until the passage of 2018 agricultural bill in decemberThe CBD was still considered a controlled substance under federal law and it was illegal to grow hemp all over the country. The adoption of the bill allowed hemp to be designated as an agricultural crop, but the FDA issued a statement after its signature, it reaffirms the agency's position that the CBD is a pharmaceutical ingredient making it illegal to market, introduce it into food products or as a food supplement without the approval of the agency:
Cannabis and cannabis products claiming, in their marketing and promotional materials, that they are intended to be used for the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, treatment or prevention of diseases (such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, psychiatric disorders and diabetes) are considered new drugs or new animal drugs and must be subject to the FDA's drug approval process for human use or animal before it is marketed in the United States. The sale of unapproved products with unsubstantiated therapeutic claims is not only a violation of the law, but can also put patients at risk as these products have not been proven safe or effective.
In Massachusetts, the Department of Agricultural Resources is responsible for hemp. He published a policy for the commercial cultivation and processing of industrial hemp in April 2018. Under it, producers and processors of industrial hemp are required to obtain state licenses, assorted tests and tests. Supervision.
The state requires that products for human consumption containing CBD be labeled with a breakdown of the cannabinoid profile. Labels must also indicate that the product was made from industrial hemp and warn the consumer that it has not been "analyzed or approved by the FDA" and that "it" is not a product. has not been tested or approved by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources ".
Otherwise, there is no daily regulation of the quality of products containing CBD, according to Kevin Conroy, partner of the Boston-based law firm Foley Hoag and former Massachusetts Deputy Attorney General.
"The CBD is often sold in various stores and [MDAR is] will not regulate this product, "he told Boston.com." They do not go to the stores and do not respect these regulations, they do not check the quality of these products. " Cannabis Control has put in place a fairly detailed regulatory system to regulate anything related to cannabis. "
The lack of CBD regulation is Grinspoon's "top concern" for the growing market.
Consumers need to be careful when they buy advertising products containing CBD and do their best to make sure they know how much cannabinoid they are getting, he said.
"You can not just go to an old store and buy an old CBD because it's just not regulated," he said. "People must get CBD from a reputable supplier."
Conroy agreed.
"Buyer, beware," he said about his advice to consumers. "On the one hand, they should check the products, check what the products do and if there are any complaints about these products. Many people simply recommend using some of the best known brands of CBD. But there is no institution regulating this.
From time to time, Conroy stated that the FDA had some regulation on products containing CBD, but did not extend to daily monitoring.
"The only regulation that they have adopted over time has been when a CBD manufacturer has made statements about his products, implying that he will cure cancer or disease, etc. . " "Then the FDA once told those entities that they had to stop and abstain because this product has not been shown to do that."
The Massachusetts lawyer said he expects the CBD to become a federal regulatory issue in the future.
"At present, the state does not regulate much the quality of drugs or pharmaceuticals," Conroy said. "So, I think it's more likely that you would see the federal regulator on the CBD than it would be regulating the states."
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