CBD hit the scene with a bang. There’s been a quantum leap forward as far as the amount of CBD products available on the market, and a lot of information on CBD is being thrown into the mix — while that might seem good for consumers, some of this information is less accurate than others… and some, not at all.  

That’s why this article will be going full-on Mythbusters and dispelling 5 of the biggest CBD myths:

• Myth #1: All CBD is Created Equal
• Myth #2: There’s No Good Research on CBD
• Myth #3: CBD Oil is ‘One-Size Fits All’
• Myth #4: CBD Oil Never Causes a Positive Drug Test
• Myth #5: CBD is Completely Shelf Stable
  
  

Myth #1: All CBD is Created Equal

CBD is just one molecule. So wouldn’t all CBD be the same?

Not quite. That’s because the best CBD oils don’t contain just CBD! It might actually be more accurate to call these oils hemp extracts. The best hemp extracts contain the fullness of hemp’s most active ingredients — cannabinoids, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, chalcones, fatty acids, and more. When featured together as nature intended in a Full-Spectrum CBD product, the results can be nothing short of amazing. 

CBD products that contain just CBD? Those utilize something called CBD isolate. While isolate has its pros, it’s almost always less effective than CBD of the Full-Spectrum variety. Four times less effective per milligram, in fact, according to the world’s top cannabis research lab. [1] 

The Toast Wellness team is obsessed with optimizing our ingredients and formulations to the highest standard and quality. Customers can — It’s the only way to be! We never cut corners or compromise on quality. We think long and hard about how we make our products as premium as possible. And all of our products stay true to nature’s full spectrum design for a reason. 

Toast’s CBD is lifestyle-friendly, too. While our oils are some of the highest quality you'll find on the market, they feature clean organic flavors perfect for pairing with cocktails, coffees, and life’s other little pleasures.

Myth #2: There’s No Good Research on CBD

Tune in to any major media outlet’s coverage of the CBD industry and you’ll likely hear the opinion of a featured medical professional or two. They tend to say the same thing: “yes, CBD may work anecdotally...but we just don’t have enough research.”

Thankfully, that’s more myth than fact. The truth is there’s plenty of great research out there — most of it’s just been done overseas because of the US’s harsh cannabis regulations. In Israel, for example, cannabis and hemp are being clinically studied for everything from IBS to arthritis to sleep. So far, the findings have been pretty impressive — hopefully they won’t continue to be ignored. 

It’s also worth noting that US-based research is finally starting to ramp up. Just take a look at this 2019 study done in Colorado, which calls CBD a “tool for reducing anxiety in clinical populations…” [2]

Myth #3: CBD Oil is One-Size Fits All

When it comes to CBD, some things are more certain than others. Those who take it may report feeling less anxious, sleeping better, and in some cases, experiencing less pain. 

Beyond these patterns, however, there’s a lot of room for variance. The fact is that each of our bodies responds differently to CBD, meaning there is no universal dosage or approach. Your mileage may vary. 

The timeline of when you see the benefits of taking CBD can vary, too, depending on factors like your metabolic rate, your age, your diet, daily activity, and body weight. Many people notice a difference after only a single dose, while some studies have noted lag-times of up to 3-4 weeks to notice a significant change.

Different people also tend to be drawn to different form factors of CBD. While some may prefer to consume CBD sublingually with a tincture or extract, others may opt for a smokeable product like Toast Emerald. Some even prefer the high road and make use of them both. 

Long story short...CBD oil is not  a one-size-fits-all solution.

Myth #4: CBD Oil Never Causes a Positive Drug Test

It’s true that CBD oil is fully legal...and it’s true that drug tests are designed to only detect THC. 

The problem is, they’re not always perfect. 

That’s because initial point of care tests use antibodies that can confuse one cannabinoid for another. Those taking a high dose of CBD may trigger a false positive, not because of their product’s THC content, but because the antibody-based test is imperfect. If this happens to you, just insist on confirmation testing. It uses spectrometry and will virtually always provide an accurate result. 

While ‘false positives’ are rare, they do happen. Because of these variables, we can make no representations about the possible results of any drug test after consuming our products.

Myth #5: CBD is Completely Shelf Stable

While full spectrum CBD oil is amazing, there are still some important things to keep in mind when selecting the right product. 

Look for products that use a dark, glass bottle, as opposed to a clear one. Why’s this important? Because the terpenes that these oils contain can be very sensitive. They don’t hold up well to light, heat, or oxidation (exposure to air). 

Even common carrier oils used in CBD products can be too volatile to have a long shelf life. As a 2018 study published in the Molecules Journal explains, “hemp [seed] oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are the components susceptible to oxidation phenomena during storage.” The study goes on to describe how most CBD oils on the market are partially rancid for this very reason. [3] Pro Tip: avoid products using “Hemp Seed Oil.” 

Basically, when it comes to CBD, fresher is better. That’s why our CBD is intentionally placed in dark-colored bottles — they protect sensitive cannabinoids and terpenes from the sun. We also use shelf-stable coconut oil as our CBD’s carrier oil, not olive or hempseed oil. It’s all part of a plan to bring the best CBD possible to you. 

A few things to keep in mind while selecting CBD products off the shelf:

• Dark bottles are better. Cannabinoids and terpenes contained in these oils can be very sensitive to light, heat, or oxidation (exposure to air). 
• Carrier oils matter: it’s important that CBD extracts are formulated with shelf-stable carrier oils, such as coconut oil. Other oils such as Hemp Seed or Olive will not hold up as well, or provide similar benefits 
• In fact, steer clear of Hemp Seed Oil: As a 2018 study published in the Molecules Journal explains, “hemp [seed] oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are the components susceptible to oxidation phenomena during storage.” The study goes on to describe how most CBD oils on the market are partially rancid for this very reason. [3] Pro Tip: avoid products using “Hemp Seed Oil.”