There’s a lot to dispel when it comes to CBD. The industry is pretty new compared to so many others, and in the United States specifically, the CBD space is just getting started. The United States only legalized hemp at the federal level in 2018, but it quickly rose to become one of the world’s largest producers of hemp. 

Because its use in modern times is so new (Hemp has been around longer than any of us!), there’s tons of misinformation. We’re here to clear up some of the confusion, so read below for some of the most common myths surrounding CBD.

What They Say: “CBD gets you high.”

The Truth: There’s not enough THC in hemp-derived CBD to create an intoxicating effect.

CBD won’t make you high like marijuana does, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change how you feel. So what does CBD feel like?

Many people report feeling sleepy after consuming CBD, which might be mistaken for intoxication or being high. Feeling relaxed is good though, as improved sleep is one of the many benefits of CBD! If you feel yourself experiencing this, pull back on your dose a little and see how that works if falling asleep isn’t your goal. With a lower dose, you may enjoy the calming effects of CBD during your regular day. 

CBD vs. THC Levels

Keep in mind that CBD works by engaging your body’s endocannabinoid system, so there are bound to be changes in how you feel. For reference, many high-THC cannabis products contain between 17%-70% THC depending on the kind of product, so less than 1% THC is a drop in the bucket in comparison.

Why include it at all then, right? I mean, if it doesn’t create a high, what’s the point? The Entourage Effect is the idea that cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, work better together instead of apart. So keeping THC in the mix contributes to the Entourage Effect. Not to mention, the cannabinoid has some health benefits of its own, according to research. Including THC in trace amounts can contribute to your overall wellness and CBD journey, so you should aim for full spectrum extracts, like Toast’s Full Spectrum tinctures whenever you can. 

What They Say: “CBD is pseudoscience.”

The Truth: We all have a system in our body made to receive CBD. 

The CBD industry might seem a little too hopeful at times. CBD is not just a cure-all that will magically fix all of your problems, but it does have many benefits. It may seem far-fetched, but there is real science behind the reasons it works that are easy to understand. The endocannabinoid system is a bodily system in every human being. 

Universities like UCLA even have an entire research initiative devoted to learning about the endocannabinoid system and how cannabis interacts with our body. The endocannabinoid system is made up of various receptors - CB1 and CB2 receptors to be specific - made to engage with cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Researchers believe the endocannabinoid system’s primary purpose is to regulate the body and encourage homeostasis. 

So, let’s put it simply: it’s not pseudoscience! We have decades of research to back up our ideas, and while CBD hasn’t been approved by the FDA nor do we make medical claims, the amount of existing (and growing) research signals the importance of exploring CBD! 

What They Say: “CBD is THC-free!”

The Truth: Full-spectrum Hemp contains trace amounts of THC.

Okay, so this is a big one. A full spectrum extract of hemp-derived CBD will absolutely contain a trace amount of THC, and it’s false advertising to say otherwise. CBD is derived from hemp, and hemp plants naturally contain THC, so to claim “THC-free” requires some human intervention. 

However, it is correct to say the amount of THC is minimal and won’t intoxicate you like high-THC cannabis. Hemp contains a low amount of THC, so “low-THC” or “trace amounts of THC” are better claims than THC-free. 

Marketing a CBD isolate or broad-spectrum formula is the only appropriate time for a company to claim their product has zero THC. A CBD isolate extract will contain only the cannabinoid CBD, it won’t contain THC and it won’t contain other cannabinoids or plant compounds like terpenes. Broad-spectrum formulas will contain other cannabinoids and plant compounds, but the THC content will be entirely removed. Full-spectrum extracts, like the USDA certified organic oils by Toast, will contain the entire plant profile and a trace amount of THC. But remember, it’s not enough to get you high. Learn more about the different types of CBD formulas.

What They Say: “CBD is just fake weed.”

The Truth: CBD is a plant compound found in Cannabis Sativa, which includes marijuana (“real weed”) and hemp.

CBD isn’t “fake weed” like many claim. In fact, it’s found in every single gram of cannabis you’ve ever consumed, marijuana or not. CBD is a cannabinoid, just like THC, but its use cases are different. 

CBD stands for cannabidiol and it is true that it won’t give you the same effects as THC. It’s not supposed to. After all, the purpose of cannabis use is not always to get high though that does happen when high-THC cannabis is consumed. Cannabis of many THC levels has potentially therapeutic and medicinal purposes and is not only for use at parties. Sometimes people forget that! 

What They Say: “You might as well just get marijuana, CBD doesn’t work as well.”

The Truth: CBD has many use cases and works in a variety of ways -- even if different from traditional marijuana use. The point is not to replace high-THC marijuana. 

Like we’ve mentioned above, CBD products with low THC do not get you high. That is a huge advantage for many people. People who have never used cannabis before and are nervous about consuming THC, people who can’t have an altered mental state at work, and parents who enjoy CBD’s calming effects without the euphoric feeling are just a few of the demographics who are grateful for hemp-derived CBD. 

Though similar, the hemp and marijuana plant do have some differences. Hemp-derived CBD can be used as a daily supplement for regular wellness maintenance or for its calming effects for temporary anxiety, whereas higher THC products are used more often as a complementary experience for select social moments throughout the day. The plants are not mutually exclusive; the cannabinoid profiles serve different purposes and should be paired with different need states.

What They Say: "It’s not safe to give your pets hemp."

The Truth: All animals have an endocannabinoid system, so your pet can also benefit from hemp! 

Animals have an endocannabinoid system just like people do! We recommend consulting with your vet to learn how it may help them. Dogs, cats, and other animals have benefited from the temporary calming effects of hemp, and they often even love it as a tasty treat depending on the formula.

Toast Woef (for dogs) and Miau (for cats) has been formulated in consultation with veterinarians to ensure they are microdosed for a pet’s unique digestive system. Toast’s pet oils contain fish oils that are Friend of the Sea certified to make sure they are of the highest quality. You can choose between wild alaskan salmon oil for dogs and wild anchovy for cats!

We hope this helped clear some of the rumors surrounding CBD, but feel free to check out our other Frequently Asked Questions. If you don’t find your answer there, contact us via email or social media.

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