When you hear people talk about cannabis, what comes to your mind?
A product that comes with the sensation of feeling “high” or euphoric, right?
Though this is the popular perception, research has shown that they can be beneficial to health. With the way more jurisdictions are legalizing its use, a clear difference between its constituents has emerged. One of this of the constituents that has gained a lot of attention is Cannabidiol (CBD), since then, people have continued to associate CBD with the negative perception that it is used for getting “high”.
However, this article will debunk this myth by using the scientific evidence available to shed light on its importance.
A common myth surrounding CBD is that it can induce the “high” feeling typically associated with cannabis consumption. This article seeks to debunk that myth by examining the scientific evidence available.
Also Read – How to Take CBD Sublingually
1. Understanding CBD and THC
Cannabis plants have different compounds in them and the two most popular of these components are CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Among the two components, THC is the primary psychoactive compound that is responsible for making people “high” while CBD is a non-psychoactive compound.
That means when people use THC, it will alter their ability to think properly and induce euphoria, but using CBD will not give any of that effect.
Contrary to the popular perception, research has shown that CBD won’t make users high and as a result, it has been gaining attention because of its potential therapeutic properties.
2. CBD’s Therapeutic Potential
One important thing you should know about using CBD is its potential to give therapeutic benefits to users.
Animal studies and human research suggest that CBD has the potential to solve health problems like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and pain.
In fact, it is being explored as a potential treatment for all kinds of substance abuse disorders, and people can expect clinical trials to assess that it is indeed effective in treating cannabis use disorder, opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cocaine use disorder.
Another global clinical trial has also been conducted by Oxford University to investigate and assess the effectiveness of CBD in treating people with psychosis or psychotic symptoms. It is one of the most comprehensive evaluations of CBD for psychosis, which involves participants from several stages, from high-risk individuals to those already diagnosed.
3. Debunking the Myth: CBD Doesn’t Produce the “High”
A study was conducted by several researchers from UCL and King’s College London that has provided substantial evidence to support that the might that CBD induces the “high” feeling is wrong. The participants were adolescents and adults, and they were given vaporized cannabis with differing CBD levels to test the effect on them.
At the end of the experiment, the result showed that there was no discernible difference in the effects of cannabis between adolescents and adults. That is, there was no proof to show that CBD dampened or induced the sensation of feeling “high” or its other effects such as memory impairment or psychotic-like experiences on them.
Also Read – CBD Beverage Trends: A Deep Dive into The Future of Refreshment
Conclusion
It is very important that people do away with the negative notion they have o cannabis because it has proven to be very important in sustaining humans, even if some people choose to abuse it. As research progresses, it’s important to stay informed and debunk myths, ensuring that the public has access to accurate information about the properties and potential benefits of CBD.
Dr. Jason O’Donnell works at Holy Cross General Hospital. He is a General Practitioner with extensive experience in cardiology, geriatrics, adult medicine, and internal medicine. Dr. O’Donnell studied at the UCL Medical School and holds a Doctor of Medicine in London in the UK. He also completed an internal medicine internship at London Imperial College. From here he went on to complete a residency in internal medicine at St. George’s London University. He is currently practicing adult medicine, cardiology, geriatrics, and internal medicine at Holy Cross General Hospital. Before he performs any operation, he first assesses the patient’s medical goals and concerns. After the surgery, he monitors the recovery of the patient and makes adjustments to the treatment program, when necessary. Dr. O’Donnell is also a proud member of Health for Humanity where he volunteers his skills in medicine for people in need across the globe.
