Products containing cannabidiol (CBD) have been all over the place recently. Some people claim these products are miraculous, while others argue that CBD is a scam. Is the reality that extreme? Is CBD a scam?
If you’re looking for answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place. This article will cover what CBD is, the most popular products, and whether it’s a fraud or not. We’re here to set the record straight on CBD use, and what you can, or cannot, expect out of it.
First, Let’s Explore What CBD Is
Most people think cannabidiol, or simply CBD, is straight-up marijuana, but it’s not. It’s the cannabis plant’s second most prevalent active component and doesn’t cause a high by itself – like THC would.
Both hemp and marijuana make up the cannabis plant family. Marijuana will get people high due to the large THC content. Hemp-derived products will not.
According to the World Health Organization, it doesn’t cause abuse or dependence. Instead, CBD is well-tolerated and safe for most individuals, and some countries now sell it as a medicinal product.
You can find cannabidiol in several different products:
- Oils and tinctures: This is the most common way to find the component. You can place the oil under the tongue to obtain faster results or take a capsule pill.
- Edibles: You can find sparkling water, chips, CBD gummy candies, and even cocktails that contain cannabidiol. Some restaurants and cafés are even serving these edibles!
- Skincare: Some cleansers, serums, lotions, and lip balms feature CBD, as it’s believed to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. It also has calming properties, making it great for acne conditions.
The list goes on as far as the benefits are concerned. Right away you can begin to see that CBD is NOT a scam – not even close.
Why Has CBD Become So Popular?
There’s no straight answer to why CBD is becoming so popular. Instead, numerous factors come into play. Here are some of them:
- It’s natural. CBD is a natural component that doesn’t contain undesirable additives. We’re getting more aware of what’s on the products we consume, leading to natural ingredients like CBD gain popularity.
- It’s becoming more affordable. Although it depends on the provider, the prices are generally cost-effective. It can be a game-changer for people that lack medical insurance.
- It’s everywhere. Thanks to new studies and consumers, CBD marketing has skyrocketed. It’s hard to miss so much publicity.
What Does CBD Help With? Are There Benefits?
According to Harvard Health, there are proven benefits of cannabidiol. Research suggests that it may help with:
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain caused by inflammation and neuropathic conditions.
- Insomnia
- Addiction: You might think it’s paradoxical, but it does help lower cravings for heroin and tobacco. Its effect on lessening cravings for alcohol, stimulants, and cannabis is being investigated.
Other benefits that people claim CBD has are calming properties, acne improvement, reduction of swelling, and much more.
Is CBD Safe?
Safety is our number one concern when we try a new product. As mentioned above, the World Health Organization reveals that CBD is safe. It may cause fatigue, nausea, or irritability, but not addiction or abuse urges. You can rest assured that you won’t be consuming CBD as if it was marijuana.
Other side effects may include an increase in the level of blood thinning and abnormalities in the liver. But don’t panic just yet, as many medicines have this effect.
Let your doctor know if you consume CBD regularly. They will make sure there’s nothing to worry about.
It’s worth noting that CBD is marketed as a supplement rather than a medication. That means that organizations like the FDA won’t regulate it.
You’re the one that needs to do some research on the ingredients and products you buy. We recommend you opt for high-quality stores like New Phase Blends.
So, Is CBD a Scam or Not?
Definitely not. There’s plenty of evidence from high authoritative sources like Harvard or the World Health Organization. But as mentioned in the previous section, you need to beware of where you get the CBD supplements. Scammers are present in any industry, and the pharmaceutical is no exception. For example, someone might try to convince you that their CBD product cures cancer when there’s no evidence for such affirmation.
One tip is to keep an eye on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). GMP is a strict manufacturing system that guarantees quality. It’s the highest certification available to control quality and safety.
Why Do People Refer to CBD Oil as Snake Oil?
There’s a few reasons that people would call CBD oil snake oil. The first reason probably has something to do with how certain companies market their CBD products. Some companies will tell people anything you can imagine to sell their products. These companies will tell their potential customers that CBD can cure anything possibly imaginable – which is not the case at all. Unsuspecting customers that desperately need relief will then believe the fake health claims being made, only to be left without finding any aid from the CBD product.
Since so many companies are doing this, word gets around that ‘CBD didn’t work for me.’ No wonder it didn’t work. It can’t do a fraction of the things that most companies claim it can.
Another reason CBD is probably looked at as snake oil, is the fact that these same companies will then put CBD into anything possibly imaginable. The same company that will tell customers anything they want to hear to make a sale is the same company that does things like put CBD in soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc… You get the point. When manufacturers do this, it puts a bad rep on cannabidiol products. CBD soap will do next to nothing for you.
Finally, there is an actual scam going around that revolves around selling hemp seed oil, but claiming it is CBD oil. Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are completely different products.
The Hemp Seed Oil Scam
Hemp seed oil is an oil made from pressed hemp seeds. Since CBD comes from hemp, this would be a great way to get CBD, right?
WRONG.
CBD comes from the flowers, stalks, and leaves of the hemp plant – not the seeds. There is actually no CBD, or any other cannabinoids like CBD, in hemp seeds. Most people do not know this, though. They assume since the product comes from hemp, it will have CBD in it.
Companies then sell hemp seed oil (another popular name is cannabis sativa seed oil) labeled as CBD oil. The result is an oil that has no CBD in it. Hemp seed oils are extremely cheap, too, so people think they are getting a great deal on CBD oil – when they are really getting scammed.
Unsuspecting customers try the hemp seed oil, and are disappointed when it doesn’t work.
Do CBD Gummies Really Help with Anxiety, Stress, or Depression?
While the FDA has not officially made any health claims in regards to CBD gummies, or any other over the counter CBD product, thousands upon thousands of people report that they use CBD gummies for anxiety and depression – among other things. We feel it is only a matter of time before CBD becomes a dietary supplement, and organizations can begin to make medical claims about it.
Summary – CBD Oil is Not a Scam
CBD is a legit cannabis compound that doesn’t affect people negatively. There may be side effects like nausea or irritability, though. It helps treat different conditions, such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and more.
To answer the question:Â “is CBD a scam?” note that you must be careful with the provider. Genuine CBD oil products are effective, whereas fake CBD doesn’t. Each one’s reasoning and intelligence come into play to determine which providers are legit and which aren’t. You should rely on GMP-certified companies like New Phase Blends and beware of those that aren’t.
