There’s no getting around it: CBD is officially taking the industry by storm. In recent years, the CBD’s popularity has escalated off the charts. Although CBD started as an alternative health treatment, it has become a countrywide fad.
Today, the CBD market is not limited to just oils and tinctures; a wide array of various CBD products are accessible to consumers. According to the SingleCare survey, one-third of Americans have used CBD in various products. The numbers speak for themselves as proof of CBD turning into a commonplace health supplement nationwide.
Due to the exponential growth in the CBD market, experts expect it to reach over $20 billion by 2024. While these numbers seem incomprehensible, CBD-infused products’ wellness potential will get the market even far.
With the promising future in the industry, more and more manufacturers are emerging in the market with their vast product assortments. Thanks to their efforts, there is something for everyone in the CBD market. Undoubtedly, the most famous hemp-derived CBD products available to consumers are best CBD gummies.
One of the main reasons people purchase and prefer CBD gummies is the calmness and well-being it offers. Instead of a psychoactive high, CBD products like gummies induce natural stress-free sensations in the body.
Moreover, they are discrete and convenient enough to carry around your bag, pouch, or pocket. So, you can have a daily dose of your flavored CBD gummies without a hitch.
What Is CBD And Does It Have Psychoactive Effects?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the 100 chemicals cannabis plants produce, along with more than 300 non-cannabinoid substances. It belongs to the same class of cannabis plant chemicals as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD and THC are two of the most common cannabinoids in the cannabis sativa plant.
Unlike THC, CBD does not have psychoactive properties and thus does not make you high. A “high” is generally associated with the use of THC-rich products. So, if you consume CBD products that do not contain any traces of THC, you will not get to feel any mind-altering effects.
Although CBD and THC are present in all cannabis sativa plants, they differ in their concentration. Certain species of cannabis sativa and cannabis indica plants have higher concentrations of THC but low levels of CBD.
According to a 2014 study, the average cannabis plant yields 12% THC and up to 0.15% of CBD.
Hemp plants, on the other hand, are a variety of cannabis sativa that has a non-intoxicating nature. For hemp plants to be legal, they must contain less than 0.3% THC under the 2018 Farm Bill. A healthy hemp plant has up to 18% of CBD content.
Without any distinction, CBD has the same effects regardless of the type of cannabis plants it comes from. Most importantly, according to the law, CBD is illegal to be a part of dietary supplements, foods, or products advertised as producing health benefits.
What Is the Difference Between CBD, Hemp, Marijuana, and Cannabis?
Although the internet is flooding with the latest articles on cannabis plants and cannabinoids, it’s easy to get confused in some basic terms. Cannabis, hemp, marijuana, THC, and CBD are the same topic. While people might think they are the same, they are not.
Cannabis is a genus of a flowering plant family with two main types. Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa are the most famous species of cannabis plants.
Even though marijuana and hemp share some common features, there are notable differences to set them apart. The most critical of those differences is the levels of THC in both plants. While hemp is almost completely devoid of delta-9 THC, marijuana has significantly higher levels of this psychotropic cannabinoid.
Most importantly, due to the higher levels of THC, recreational marijuana is not legal. In some states of the US, even medical marijuana is illegal. For hemp, it is legal as long as it contains a restricted concentration of delta-9 THC, according to the Farm Bill.
While THC is a primary chemical in marijuana, CBD is the main cannabinoid in hemp plants. CBD from hemp plants is legal for recreational and medicinal uses (Sativex, Epidiolex) nationwide. In addition, hemp is a great resource for producing environmentally friendly and 100% biodegradable items, including paper, clothing, building material, and biofuel.
What Are CBD Gummies?
Given the condition of today’s CBD market, it is almost impossible to buy a CBD product without stumbling upon CBD gummies collections. CBD oil or gummies are just one of the wide arrays of CBD-infused edibles. Available in a broad range of tasty flavors and fun shapes, CBD gummies are sweet treats to young and old alike.
Compared to other CBD products, CBD gummies have significantly smaller concentrations of this calming cannabinoid. Unlike CBD oils, tinctures, and capsules, manufacturers formulate these delicious treats as a supplement to make you free from daily stress.
The core idea behind the development of CBD gummies is to offer a convenient solution for a multi-dose throughout the day. Just like regular gummy bears or candies, you can gobble up these CBD gummies to have a small dose of CBD.
Some users have reported that CBD gummies are ideal for elevating their bodies’ CBD levels. Eating these gummies in conjunction with a high-potency CBD product is true. For other cannabis enthusiasts, CBD gummies have done wonders on their own to provide the body with appropriate levels of CBD with consistent usage.
Cannabinoid Breakdown of CBD Gummies
CBD is just one of the many cannabinoids that can be withdrawn from the cannabis and hemp plants. While you shop for CBD, you will definitely come across various products infused with other cannabinoids like CBC, CBDa, CBN, CBG, etc. All of these cannabis chemicals function in similar ways to cannabidiol, reinforcing both your mental and physical well-being.
While CBC, CBN, CBG, etc., have potential health effects, they do not hold the candle to CBD. Therefore, manufacturers use the other cannabinoids in combination with CBD, CBD being the main active substance.
When used in perfect proportion, these cannabinoids can boost the health effects of CBD.Best CBD brands in the market are producing CBD gummies that contain certain levels of, for instance, CBN. CBN boosts the soothing properties of CBD. Thus, when you consume CBD + CBN gummies, you will surely get a good night’s sleep.
Health Effects of CBD Gummies
The human body has the endocannabinoid system (ECS) responsible for regulating mental and bodily coordination, including mood, appetite, memory, and sleep. Two core receptors are part of this system: CB1 and CB2 receptors, and these binding sites are ideal for psychoactive cannabinoids like THC to sit.
Although the endocannabinoid system was discovered in 1990, it has been performing its function since the beginning of mankind. Still, the research on ECS is currently limited and ongoing to discover this system’s full-length functions. However, there are a few aspects that researchers have shed light on.
ECS is a coordination system that promotes homeostasis between the human mind and body. The endocannabinoid system works with the help of endocannabinoids that our bodies naturally produce.
Those endocannabinoids interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to yield many health effects. While CB1 is receptor-based in the central nervous system, CB2 is a part of the peripheral nervous system.
Cannabinoids found in the cannabis plants work similarly to endocannabinoids. Unlike CBD, THC has a higher affinity to CB1 and CB2 receptors. So, when you consume a product rich with THC, you experience psychoactive and mind-altering effects due to THC’s interaction with these receptors.
Notably, CBD has a lower affinity to those primary binding sites. However, it does not mean CBD has no link with ECS. In fact, instead of binding with CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD prevents the deterioration of natural endocannabinoids in the body.
It shows that CBD has its way of being helpful to your body regardless of the concentration of THC that you consume along with it. Therefore, we have found the research-driven benefits of the best CBD oil that you could experience with CBD gummies.
Offset Depression and Anxiety
CBD’s ability to induce calmness and relaxation is perhaps the widespread reason it is popular. A 2019 study researched the anxiety levels of 57 male subjects in a simulated public speaking test (SPST).
Several subjects were given a placebo. The others were divided into groups based on the 600 mg, 300 mg and 150 mg of CBD doses before their speeches. The subjects given a dose of 300mg of CBD showed a significant reduction in anxiety, contrary to the subjects who received the placebo.
Surprisingly, subjects who were given either 150 mg or 600 mg of CBD showed an increase in anxiety as they gave speeches than the 300 mg group. Another study in mice concluded that CBD has similar properties as antidepressant imipramine. However, human trials are needed to confirm the CBD’s anti-depressing effects similar to imipramine.
Treat Select Epilepsy Syndrome
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved using CBD drugs to treat epilepsy. According to that reform, CBD drug under Epidiolex is legal to treat seizures caused by Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. These two diseases are rare forms of epilepsy that occur in patients at least two years old.
Later on, three well-vetted research reinforced the FDA’s decision. In these studies, 516 patients with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome received the Epidiolex drug or a placebo, depending on their group. The patients who took Epidiolex and other prescribed medicines experienced fewer seizures, contrary to the placebo group.
Reduce PTSD Symptoms
In a 2018 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, CBD was given to 11 subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study spanned eight weeks, and the patients received psychiatric care in an outpatient psychiatric clinic. Ten out of 11 patients showed a decrease in their PTSD signs. Also, the researchers mentioned all the subjects tolerated CBD agreeably.
Alleviate ALS Symptoms
ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a disease in which the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain break down. It results in the loss of muscle control that aggravates with time.
Although the reasons for the occurrence of ALS are unknown yet, it somehow seems to be a hereditary disease. ALS has no known cure. However, currently, medical professionals use two approved medications to treat the symptoms.
Research suggests that the entourage effects are created by the CBD and THC can help treat ALS. In a 2019 research, ALS patients were given a combination of CBD and THC in different doses according to their requirements.
As a result, the patients with mild, moderate, or severe muscle stiffness due to ALS experienced greater satisfaction. Notably, the satisfaction rate was even higher in patients with moderate to severe muscle stiffness than in those having mild muscle tightness.
Treat Opioid Addiction
CBD can be a potential treatment for people dependent on opioids, as revealed in preclinical animal and human clinical trials. In one research, CBD was given to people with heroin use disorders.
In a week, researchers found that CBD significantly lowered the cue-induced cravings of heroin users. Furthermore, a reduction in withdrawal anxiety, salivary cortisol levels, and resting heart rate was observed. Notably, there were no serious side effects.
According to other studies, CBD helps lower medical and psychiatric symptoms like insomnia, pain, and anxiety. The research was conducted on patients with substance use disorders, showing the potential benefits of CBD as an opioid addiction treatment.
Ease Diabetic Complications
Studies on human cells revealed that CBD is beneficial in reducing high glucose levels’ impact on other body cells. A high glucose level can affect other cells and develop diabetes along with other health complications. With further studies, researchers explained that CBD could yield suitable benefits when given to diabetic patients and patients having plaque buildup in their artery walls.
Relive Unmanageable Pain
Canada approved the use of Sativex in 2005. Sativex is an oromucosal spray with the right proportions of CBD and THC. This spray gets absorbed in the lining of the mouth and was developed for treating central neuropathic pain linked to multiple sclerosis. Later in 2017, Canada approved using Sativex for relieving cancer pain, and other medications were fruitless.
The ongoing studies in the US elaborate that CBD is an effective treatment for non-cancer and chronic pains. Researchers administered topical CBD to a group of subjects suffering from symptomatic peripheral neuropathy (brain and spinal cord nerve damage). Besides, another group with the same disease was given a placebo.
When given the topical CBD, the researchers concluded that patients significantly reduced sharp, intense pains and itchy, cold sensations. However, in placebo patients, these effects were not present, and notably, no subjects reported side effects.
Inhibit Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis is a disease in which the tissues are broken in and around your joints. Depending on the joint and tissue damage, there are several types of arthritis. Generally, the symptoms include loss of motion, stiffness, and pain. Physicians have been treating arthritis by targeting pain relief for better joint function.
A 2006 research concluded that Sativex helped statistically improve the patient’s sleep quality, pain due to motions, and pain at rest. The results were contrary to the patients with rheumatoid arthritis that were in the placebo group.
Perhaps, the study was the first controlled trial of Sativex as a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, having 58 participants. Researchers revealed that CBD has pain-killing effects and an ability to lower disease activity.
Protect From Neurological Disease
Preclinical and clinical trials revealed that CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Researchers conclude that these beneficial qualities of CBD can offer significant neuroprotection or safety against several pathological diseases.
Multiple preclinical studies showed that CBD could induce beneficial impacts against Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. Researchers also tested cerebral ischemia and Huntington’s disease in the study. However, the researchers did not observe significant positive results.
Risks and Side Effects Medical
CBD is generally tolerable by most people. However, CBD can lead to adverse side effects in some sensitive beings. These include a dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness or fatigue, and changes in mood like irritability and increased agitation.
Besides, CBD can also increase or decrease your appetite if not taken properly. Furthermore, if you consume CBD in the form of any product, chances are that it can interact with prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
Due to drug interactions, CBD can cause liver damage and increase the risk of sedation, injuries, and drowsiness when consumed with alcohol. So, if you are using CBD while receiving any health treatment, you should consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first.
Apart from that, CBD edibles like gummies can interact with your fetus. Therefore, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not consume approved nonprescription CBD products. Most top brands mention this warning on their packaging, but you should also be aware of the facts.
What Is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. THC has a high affinity to endocannabinoid receptors, including CB1 and CB2.
However, THC has the strongest attraction to CB1 compared to CB2 receptors. CB1 binding sites are present in the brain regions having a role in memory, movement, inflammation, pain sensation, and learning functions.
THC binds with CB2 receptors but with lower affinity. These binding sites are present in the hippocampus and brainstem that control emotions and memory. Besides the brain, bone, immune, liver, and spleen cells also have CB2 receptors.
The widespread distribution of these endocannabinoid receptors is the reason behind the THC’s strong physical and psychological effects.
Effects of THC
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, THC activates the brain’s reward system and promotes dopamine secretion when it binds to CB1 receptors. You feel the euphoric and pleasurable high linked with the use of recreational marijuana, thanks to the sudden rush of dopamine.
Besides its psychoactive effects, THC induces a sense of euphoria and increases relaxation. As for the side effects, if you are intolerant to THC, you might experience red, dry eyes, mouth dryness, and impaired memory. Also, THC can increase appetite and fatigue, feelings of paranoia, low mental focus, and changes in time perception.
Is CBD Legal?
Under the CSA (Controlled Substances Act), CBD is a Schedule 1 substance since it is a chemical element of cannabis and has the tendency to abuse. So, depending on the CBD oil used in your gummies, you can learn their legal status. More specifically, CBD gummies’ legality depends on the concentration of delta-9 THC present in the CBD oil.
The psychoactive effects of cannabis plants are associated with THC. Therefore, strict laws govern the exact THC amount that can go in any CBD product, even CBD gummies. CBD products cannot legally have more than 0.3 percent THC in the US. However, in the UK, the legal concentration of THC is up to 0.2%.
Although CBD is legal in all 50 states, the laws vary from one state to another. Generally, CBD products with small traces of THC are legal as they cannot cause a high. Therefore, it reflects that when you shop for CBD gummies from a trustworthy brand, you don’t have to worry about their psychoactive effects as long as they are Farm Bill compliant.
What Are the Different Types of Hemp-Derived CBD Oil Used in Gummies?
High-quality CBD gummies contain pure and safe CBD oil. Manufacturers use three different forms of CBD oil in making their CBD gummies. CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum CBD depend on the THC levels they contain.
In the UK, only CBD isolate, and broad-spectrum CBD is legal. However, the US government has legalized consuming CBD gummies made with CBD isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum CBD oils.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Manufacturers employ hemp plants to withdraw hemp oil from them. After the initial step, this broad-spectrum CBD oil passes through an additional extraction step that withdraws all the trace concentrations of THC.
Therefore, broad-spectrum CBD oil is rich in CBD, terpenes, and other cannabis chemicals but devoid of THC. Since it lacks THC content, it is the best option for anyone facing routine drug screening for work or school.
\During the extraction process, the manufacturer also discards some minor cannabinoids and terpenes. However, broad-spectrum CBD oil has enough properties to yield therapeutic benefits with its robust ingredients profile.
CBD Isolate
Manufacturers pass the broad-spectrum CBD oil through another extraction step to obtain CBD isolate. In winterization, the oil loses the remaining cannabinoids, terpenes, and waxes.
As a result, the oil comes out with over 99% purity. CBD isolate is a great option for those looking for CBD-specific products, excluding other cannabinoids. So, if you want the CBD-specific benefits of the hemp plant, it is better to choose CBD gummies infused with CBD isolate. You will find hundreds of pure CBD isolate gummies that pose no risk of THC’s psychoactivity.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Opposingly, full-spectrum CBD contains all the terpenes and healthy cannabinoids of the hemp plant, including CBD. Besides, it also contains a legal concentration of up to 0.3% delta-9 THC in the oil.
Full-spectrum CBD oil gummies produce higher benefits and make you reach your health goals easily due to the Entourage Effect. Researchers describe this theory as the synergistic functioning of the chemicals present in the cannabis plant, resulting in unique beneficial impacts.
So, instead of working parallel with one another, all the cannabinoids (mainly THC and CBD) present in the full-spectrum CBD oil bolster each other’s functioning. For these reasons, CBD gummies containing full-spectrum CBD oil produce long-lasting effects compared to broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.
Can CBD Make You Fail a Drug Test? The
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can affect your system and alter your mental focus and problem-solving capacity. Contrary to that, CBD is a clean ingredient in CBD gummies that offer body and mind calmness.
Depending on these facts, CBD gummies can make you fail a drug test only if they have significant and detectable levels of THC. Generally, all manufacturers must follow the law and make CBD gummies with a lower than 0.3% THC. As long as your gummies contain a legal trace amount of THC, you are safe.
However, we advise you to cleanse your system or avoid consuming CBD gummies when you face a drug test. Due to limited clinical evidence, it is not known whether trace amounts of THC show on a drug test or not. Therefore, it is better to be on the safe side by having a drug test without CBD gummies in your system.
Conclusion – Are CBD Gummies Psychoactive?
If you are still curious about psychoactivity or CBD, let us tell you consuming CBD gummies will not get you high. The “high” that people associate with marijuana usage is due to its high levels of THC.
Since CBD comes from hemp plants rather than marijuana, gummies with CBD-rich hemp oil are safe for ingestion. However, while you shop for these delicious cannabis treats, you must ensure that the brand you choose keeps the THC content under 0.3% to avoid legal issues.
