What to Know About CBD: Checklist and Safety

What to know about CBD

The compound found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, CBD plant, is not the same plant that produces “weed” or otherwise known as marijuana.  This plant was discovered in 1940 and became legal in 2018.   CBD has been found to provide a variety of benefits, ranging from reduced anxiety, headaches, nausea and most of all pain relief. There are several types of CBD.  Full spectrum CBD contains 0.3% THC or less, so it does not produce any psychoactive effects.  Broad spectrum or isolate CBD has no THC, however, still provides a multitude of benefits.

 

Thanks to its non-psychoactive properties and vast array of health benefits, CBD is becoming an increasingly popular alternative for people who want a natural approach to wellness, whole body health, and relief from pain.  CBD is not regulated so it is very important that you understand what to look for, risks, and buying from a reputable source.

 

Most of the research indicates the side effects of CBD are minimal and only happen far and few between. One drawback is the depth of research regarding CBD, most research has been performed on very small samples of individuals and animals.  f course, one caveat to all this is that a majority of CBD research has been done on animals, not humans, and we do have different physiologies. The research has indicated that CBD tends to be well-tolerated by people, even with chronic use or doses as high as1,500 mg/day.  It must be noted, that you should check with your Dr. first to make sure there are no interactions with your medications.  Sometimes they may not know the answer because CBD is not in their wheelhouse of knowledge.

However, if you plan on taking CBD, you should be aware of the potential side effects and risk factors.

Side effects of CBD

The most common side of effects of CBD are:

  • Fatique
  • Change in bowel movements
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Nausua or Gastronomic issues
  • Dry mouth
  • Low blood pressure

Whether or not you experience side effects can depend on the amount of CBD you ingest, your age, your weight, any health conditions you may have, any medication you may be taking, and your tolerance to medications and the trace amount of THC.

It’s important to note that these side effects are rare, and that if you experience them once, you won’t necessarily experience them every time you take CBD. More importantly, CBD does not appear to cause serious negative side effects, such as an impact to your blood pressure, body temperature, or heart rate. This is one big reason that CBD is gaining favor with scientific researchers and health professionals.

Who Should Avoid CBD?

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women have all kinds of restrictions and CBD fits that category. Researchers tend to avoid using pregnant and breastfeeding women in clinical research, in order to avoid adverse outcomes that could harm the mother or their baby. To date, enough CBD research hasn’t been done to allow medical professionals to provide recommendations regarding CBD use among this demographic.

Additionally, one study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that CBD could increase the permeability of the placental barrier, thus endangering the fetus.

People Who Are Taking Other Medication

Often, when side effects have been reported with CBD, it’s been among individuals who are taking other medication. The side effects are typically due to the interaction between CBD and the other drugs, as opposed to being caused by the CBD itself. For example, CBD has been shown to increase the hepatic concentration of some drugs, which could lead to liver damage.

If you are taking other medication, be sure to speak to your doctor first before taking CBD. They can better advise you as to the safety of mixing CBD with your medication, and provide recommendations on proper dosage or types of CBD products you should use.

Children

While medical CBD and Epidiolex are approved to treat severe forms of pediatric epilepsy in many states, the safety of CBD in children not been widely tested. Always speak with your pediatrician before starting a CBD regimen with your child.

What Checklist Items Should I Consider Before I Purchase CBD?

  1. Ensure it is third party tested

All reputable CBD retailers should offer a Certificate of Analysis for their product.  Since the industry is not regulated, it is important to understand what is really in your product.  A third party test will verify the amount of CBD and if there are other metals or toxins in the product.  You might see the word “hemp” oil on the product label, more than likely that is not a CBD product.  That is why it is critical to read the ingredients and ask for the testing.  Hemp oil is often passed along as CBD, but please note that hemp oil does not have the anti-inflammatory benefit or other benefits offered by CBD.  Hemp oil is an oil like any other oil…olive, avocado, etc.  A 2017 study of 84 CBD products sold online found that only 30% were accurately labeled when it came to the concentration of CBD. More problematically, THC was detected in over 20% of the products.  If your employer tests for THC but not CBD, that could be an issue for your employment.

  1. What Type of CBD is in the Product

It should clearly be labeled full spectrum, broad, or isolate.  Each type has advantages and disadvantages so know what you are ingesting or applying to your body.  Some individuals respond best to an oil, others respond best to capsules or pain balm.    

  1. Prices Vary Greatly

CBD has a wide range of prices.  Some of this has to do with where the CBD was sourced.  Other times, it has to do with large companies liking to beef up their profit margin.  At Soni’s Suds, we eliminate the middle man and work directly with the manufacturer/farmer.  Enjoy a high quality product without the costs of employees, overhead, and advertising.

  1. Can You Talk to a Real Person?

When buying CBD, you often have questions.  Which type of CBD is best for me?  How often should I take it?  How many milligrams should I start with or go up to in dosing?  Even though medical advice can not be given, it is still good to discuss your options.  Understand the best route of CBD for your body.  Make sure the company offers someone that can help answer questions.

  1. Start with a Conversation with Your Doctor

If you are taking other medications or have other health issues, it is always a good idea to have a discussion with your physician.  He can help you understand if there would be any interactions with CBD.

  1. How Many Milligrams of CBD are in Your Product?

Understanding CBD and dosing is important.  Sometimes you will see that a container has 1,000 mg and at that point you might think it is a strong product.  But CBD comes down to oz per mg.  So if your container has 1,000 mg but is a 4 0z container…your product is actually very weak.  That means there are 250 mg per oz of product.  It can really be confusing.  To get a mg dose that will help you, ask how many mg are per serving or per ounce.

 

Soni’s Suds Soaps sells third party tested CBD products.  Our CBD products range from isolate, broad, and full spectrum types.  If you have questions, please drop us an email by clicking here.  CBD may be what you need to take charge of your life again.