CBD is still relatively new, and because of its ties to cannabis, it has had a rough start. The good news is that by getting the facts out, the industry is changing the general public's view of CBD oil, and it can finally start doing some good in the world.
Quick CBD Facts
Running through some quick facts about CBD should always start with some myth-busting. First, CBD oil will not get you high unless it contains THC. THC is the compound found in marijuana, which causes people to use it recreationally. While there are some "edibles," marketed as CBD/THC, a pure CBD oil or CBD product will have no psychoactive effect on a person.
The second quick fact is that CBD from hemp, marijuana, and other strains of cannabis plants are not the same. There are three classifications of cannabinoids and many subclasses. They are nowhere near the same.
CBD and THC Explained
It is possible for CBD products to contain THC. These products often called "Full Spectrum CBD Oil" contain trace amounts of THC, meaning that it's not enough to get you high. However, the stigma surrounding THC is still alive enough to make people question these products.
Full spectrum CBD oil will contain no more than 0.3% of THC, which is trace amounts. It is such a low amount that even full spectrum CBD oil is still categorized as non-psychoactive. To give that some context, there is more magnesium in American tap water comparatively than there is THC in full spectrum CBD oil.
Full Spectrum CBD vs. Broad Spectrum CBD vs. Isolate CBD
The initial difference between the full spectrum CBD oil and any other form of CBD oil is that it contains trace levels of THC. The full spectrum oil is what you would expect from the name it contains tons of trace minerals, phytochemicals which naturally occur in cannabinoids, and even essential oils.
Broad spectrum CBD includes everything that the full spectrum does except for the THC and will often include the extracts of various cannabinoids rather than a single strain of plant. Finally, CBD isolate is 99% or more pure CBD. It removes all other nutrients or ingredients that come out during the initial extraction process.
CBD Oil and Hemp Oil Are Not the Same Product
When covering CBD oil facts, it seems necessary to cite that hemp oil and CBD oil are different. You can extract CBD from hemp. However, it's not the same as hemp oil, which has different benefits and uses. When you're looking through options for CBD or Hemp oil, know that the CBD oil comes from the plant itself, which means that CBD goes through an extraction process that begins with the plant's flowers, stalks, and leaves.
That is where the misconception that CBD oil gives a high comes from. Hemp oil comes from the seeds which have no CBD content at all.
The Market Is Still Growing
There are two critical facts about CBD oil when it comes to the market and the industry as a whole. As of 2019, the industry saw over $813 million in consumer sales, and that's projected to reach over $1,153 million or $1.1 billion in sales by the end of 2020.
About 7% of U.S. consumers use CBD products, which should also grow as availability continues to increase. By the end of 2018, the availability of CBD oil had expanded to 80%. That market is continuously coming out with new products and new uses for CBD oil, although it's clear that the most apparent use for CBD oil is for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal Uses and Regulators
Contrary to popular belief, many products are sold for pain relief and holistic medicine purposes without going through a regulatory body. The FDA puts its focus on problematic drugs and often releases drugs and consumable products to the public without any testing because it relies on historical testing of the same or similar products. CBD oil, although the craze has spurred over the last few years, was initially discovered in 1940.
Since then, it's proven to be useful for pain relief, as an anti-inflammatory, reducing heart-rate and anxiety, and even as an anti-seizure treatment. Even now, new studies are exploring using CBD oil to curb addictive behaviors. This industry will continue to experience substantial changes as the scientific community lends itself to identifying or proving uses, and the federal government works to make CBD more available.