What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

CBD is short for “cannabidiol,” a chemical compound derived from the Cannabis sativa plant.  Yep: it comes from marijuana, which is why some people are afraid to try CBD.

If you’ve ever suffered rebound anxiety or paranoia after using marijuana, or simply don’t like how it makes you feel (or if you’ve never tried it, and thus don’t know how it will make you feel), rest assured, your concerns are valid. “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean “safe.” 

THC (the substance in marijuana that gives users a high or relaxed feeling) can cause unpleasant side effects in many people, from paranoia to mental disturbances. While some CBD products are free from any and all THC, most CBD products contain trace amounts up to 0.3% of the product’s total volume.

Is the THC in CBD enough to make you feel it?  Short answer: no.  The amount is typically so small, you won’t even notice. What’s more, cannabidiol is known to mitigate the undesirable effects of THC, so a high-quality product should balance itself in that regard.  In fact, that’s a popular use for CBD–easing the discomfort of being too high after using marijuana.

Hyper-sensitive individuals might still experience side effects, however.  Others don’t want to risk the THC showing up on drug tests that could endanger their careers. If you’re scared of trying CBD because of its THC content, don’t worry: you can still benefit from the CBD trend.