CBD Facts & Myths: What You And Your Customers Should Know
How Understanding CBD Facts Can Help Establish Your Business
Cannabidiol (CBD) is an exciting and relatively new product that catches the attention of consumers every day. The demand has been steadily growing since its production and sale became legal, and the projected market growth in the coming years is promising.
If you are an entrepreneur looking for your next business idea, this is definitely the right time to start establishing a recognized and trusted CBD business. As we’ll discuss later, the characteristics of this booming space will be set and impacted by early adopters. So will the growth of CBD awareness and demand. In return, early adopters can be well-positioned to reap the benefits of an established and trusted business.
There are two main things any entrepreneur should consider when starting a CBD business that is both lucrative and reputable:
- Finding a high-quality CBD wholesale program
- Understanding the market well enough to be able to help your clientele differentiate between CBD facts from myths.
Advertising your CBD products correctly without leading your customers into false expectations will build trust and help you create a solid foundation for your business. And help to maintain FDA compliance.
What Do We Already Know About CBD?
CBD was discovered in 1940. It is one of the 103+ cannabinoids (chemical substances) found in the cannabis plant and constitutes up to 40% of all the cannabinoids it comprises. This makes CBD the main component. In 1990, Cannabinoid Receptors were identified for the first time. As CBD attaches to these receptors, scientists could observe that CBD was interacting with the receptors.
What does this mean?
For one thing, by being an antagonist, CBD prevents some of THC’s (the intoxicating chemical in cannabis) unwanted side effects.
The Endocannabinoid System is a relatively new discovery. It comprises the 2 known cannabinoid receptors and the endogenous neurotransmitters produced by our bodies that attach to them. This system is involved in learning motor skills, appetite control, and pain reception among other things. Plus, it also has the potential to reduce hyper corticosteroid secretion during stress through the Cannabinoid Receptor antagonism.
The research is still in the preliminary stages, and there’s plenty to be uncovered. For now, what we know is that CBD functions mainly through the Endocannabinoid System and its receptors. Soon, as we learn more about its dynamics, we will be able to form a more clear picture.
Other CBD Facts Worth Being Aware Of
Among some other CBD facts we know for sure, it’s worth discussing the relation between CBD and TRPV1.
TRPV1 is also known as the “heat and capsaicin” (extract that makes red peppers hot) receptor. This receptor allows us to feel discomfort due to high temperatures or after eating a hot pepper like a jalapeno. Interestingly, when this receptor is repeatedly stimulated, it becomes less sensitive. That is why scientists currently believe that capsaicin has a pain-relieving effect.
CBD attaches to TRPV1 too. As of now, we don’t conclusively know that this can cause a pain-relieving effect. However, many CBD users report alleviation of chronic discomfort when using CBD products. As a matter of fact, this is one of the main reasons people report using CBD.
Other areas of CBD research are further looking into how cannabinoids can help with epilepsy, inflammatory diseases, social anxiety disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, memory enhancement, and Alzheimer’s.
The Use Of Cannabinoids In Sports
CBD is not included in the World Anti-Doping Agency Banned Substances List. Thus, many Olympians, amateur, and professional athletes use CBD freely for its many health benefits.
Even though the use of CBD is not prohibited in competitions, athletes must choose CBD products wisely. Some forms may contain trace amounts of THC, which is a banned substance. As mentioned before, THC is the intoxicating compound in cannabis that creates the “high.”
Even though the THC amount is sometimes extremely small, its use can trigger a false-positive doping test result. To stay safe, competing athletes should only use isolated CBD products from a trusted and reputable supplier.
Thankfully (or not?) most of your customers are not competing athletes. For the vast majority of people who exercise, the trace amounts of THC that may appear in a drug test may not be an issue.
When it comes to starting a CBD business, if you don't want to deal with all the complications of selling products that include THC in their formulation, it’s best to choose a renowned CBD wholesale program. Opulent Organics offers these in Colorado, Texas, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Kansas, and more. Our focus? Broad-spectrum CBD products.
Not exactly sure what the difference is?
CBD extracts made from the whole hemp plant can be either full spectrum or broad-spectrum, and undergo less processing than the CBD isolates. Full-spectrum extracts contain all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other naturally occurring industrial hemp compounds (with a very low level of THC).
A broad-spectrum extract is basically the same, minus the THC. Isolates, however, are a 99% pure form of CBD and don’t contain the other naturally occurring substances. An extract containing all the natural compounds in hemp (with zero or trace amounts of THC) is believed to be more beneficial thanks to what is called “The Entourage Effect.”
Further Research And Facts About CBD
Although CBD was identified in 1940 and some scientific studies were carried out over the years, its actual benefits have not been scientifically studied in detail until recently.
There are plentiful studies on Cannabis use, but not as many on CBD.
Some CBD studies have tried to determine the cannabinoid’s potential benefits on depression, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, overall well-being, and brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, many of these were not extensive, well planned, or conducted on enough test subjects. This is very normal though! As naturally occurring substances cannot be patented, large funds typically are not allocated for studying them.
An important CBD fact to consider is that in 2018, the FDA (Food And Drug Administration) approved Epidiolex, the first CBD drug that treats some specific epilepsy disorders. Of course, this was only after an extensive research process.
Hopefully, this success story will motivate pharmaceutical companies to focus on the benefits CBD has on many other disorders and conditions. Thorough, consistent studies are costly and difficult to plan and execute. Hence, usually, only large companies can afford them.
The current trend indicates an exponential increase in customer demand for CBD products. Thus, we expect that soon enough the growing interest in CBD will lead to comprehensive research. More so now that several studies on related matters like cannabinoid receptors and the Endocannabinoid System are already being conducted. All these will also add proven information to how other cannabinoid components relate and interact with CBD.
Current CBD Laws In The US
If you are considering starting a CBD business, you might also be concerned with the governmental aspects.
Here are the facts you should know about CBD and the United States’ legislation.
*Note: always consult with your own private legal counsel.
As with the passing of the Farm Act in 2017, CBD is freely available and completely legal. Of course, there are certain manufacturing guidelines and how pure the CBD products need to be.
This level of scrutiny may seem excessive at first but it helps develop good business practices. In return, the products are more reliable, uncontaminated, and contain the stated ingredients. All of which helps to create consumer confidence.
The ever-growing interest and demand for CBD products will eventually and inevitably result in more fair and informed regulations. Some people (among them the lawmakers) still have some misinformed prejudices toward CBD, Hemp, and Cannabis.
Because of the increasing CBD usage, its marketing and distribution are facing thorough scrutiny in the U.S. As the laws to allow cultivating hemp and manufacturing CBD extract are relatively recent, and it is still a somewhat misunderstood topic surrounded by myths.
We will address those myths shortly. But, exactly because of these social prejudices and lack of insight around CBD, producers, and resellers must educate the public and the regulatory bodies. We must clearly and repeatedly explain the distinctness of CBD.
Let’s summarize the CBD facts discussed so far.
CBD products without THC are legal to sell and use in most U.S. states when coming from a trusted producer. Most of them are safe, present no side effects (for most people), and have many reported health and well-being benefits.
Because of current regulations, it is hard for big players to enter the market as B2C marketers and suppliers. This gives unique opportunities for dedicated people to grow within a very promising industry.
CBD Myths vs. Facts
Before looking at the most common CBD myths, let’s first have a quick look at some more facts about cannabis.
To start, cannabis is not pure evil. It has indeed been used for hundreds of years as a psychoactive drug. However, its negative impact (to individuals or society in general) was nowhere near to what other substances caused. To take it a step further, cannabis may even have some beneficial effects, according to numerous studies carried out in the last few decades.
The most publicized benefits of cannabis include the relief it provides during chemotherapy and other favorable effects seen by AIDS and glaucoma sufferers. But even if the public is aware of “medical marijuana” usage, cannabis was considered a Class C drug, there still is, to a varying degree, a prejudice toward its use. Even for legally permitted health purposes.
In 2004 cannabis was declassified as a Class C drug, and recently some states have legalized its use. But this long-standing prejudice continues both in public opinion and among the regulatory agencies.
A Look Into Hemp And Its Many Uses
Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) is the plant that gives us the drug cannabis. It is one of the fastest-growing plants, its fibers are suitable to manufacture textiles and ropes, and also presents plenty of other industrial and economic uses.
The CBD that is produced in the US is extracted from the legally cultivated variant of hemp, which is called “industrial hemp.” Industrial hemp is a separate strain of plant, with very low concentrations of THC, and much higher levels of CBD.
So not all hemp is the same. Furthermore, the plant is a weed actually (hence the alias). It grows mostly by itself without needing much attention, pesticides, or fertilizers. A truly “Green'' plant!
Despite some myths, hemp is environmentally friendly and a great source of raw materials for numerous products.
The Most Common CBD Myths You Should Be Aware Of
Many people still believe that, as CBD is extracted from hemp, it is the same thing as marijuana, but in a bottled version. What is discouraging about this is that some of these people are lawmakers.
The fact is that CBD is extracted from industrialized hemp, but is definitely not cannabis.
CBD is an utterly separate product. It is not intoxicating, so it will not get you high. It is also not classified as a drug and definitely not a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency. As a matter of fact, you can consume it while competing in the Olympics (as of the writing of this piece).
Although CBD has many beneficial properties, it cannot and should not be considered a miracle treatment for any and all health issues.
Some of the most common myths around CBD state that it can be used in treating cancers and many other serious health conditions. These affirmations are not only dangerous for the safety of your customers. They can also lead to huge fines or even the closure of your business. So make sure to correctly inform your customers on what to expect when using CBD products.
CBD Facts And Myths, Overview
As the public’s familiarity with CBD increases, undoubtedly most of the CBD myths will start dying too. Hopefully, these will eradicate the prejudices some people have against cannabinoid products.
More scientific research funds are being directed not only towards CBD, but also in studying the Endocannabinoid System, related receptors, and their working mechanisms.
This is all very promising as this relatively unknown area can possibly alter medicine in unforeseeable ways.
We live in the so-called information age, and all it takes is a simple Google search to learn the basics about CBD facts or any other subject as a matter. Keeping customers informed is the responsibility of any business involved in producing or selling CBD. This can begin with social media, blogs, web channels, and more.
To keep learning interesting facts and myths regarding CBD, browse some of our blog articles:
