What are you getting with CBD?

CBD is the all buzz these days,
but what exactly is it?

CBD is all the buzz these days. It is said to be an effective cure for a variety of ailments. But, what is CBD?  CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, which is a type of chemical compound found in cannabis plants.

Pure CBD produces no psychoactive effects or the “high” or “stoned” feelings that are common with marijuana use.  CBD is touted as a near miracle cure for everything from childhood epilepsy to migraines to cancer but there is a need to proceed with caution.

CBD is available in enough forms to make your head spin.  You can get drops or tinctures, topical creams or patches, shampoo, deodorants, bath bombs, vapes, or gummies or chocolates, or honey, coffee or water, capsules (how boring), even suppositories to help with menstrual cramps.

Even reputable companies that sell CBD products, however, warn that many cannabis products including CBD may have had environmental contamination due to pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers used in production. They also warn that some products may contain heavy metal or solvent contamination that occurs during the process of extracting the oil from the plants.

CBD is a substance that is processed through the liver.  It is also a process that can interact with over-the-counter or prescription medications that are also being processed by the liver.  A system within the liver called the Cytochrome P-450 is responsible for metabolizing 90 percent of the foreign substances we consume including drugs and medications and eliminating toxins.  This process can be inhibited or stimulated by drugs creating interactions that can cause adverse reactions or therapeutic failures.

CBD can slow the process of some medications and increase the value of others.  It is important to know if medications you take may be affected by CBD.

Any drug metabolized by Cytochrome P-450 enzymes could potentially interact with Cannabidiol.

According to the Indiana University Department of Medicine, drugs known to use the Cytochrome P-450 system include:

• Steroids
• HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins)
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Antihistamines
• Prokinetics
• HIV Antivirals
• Immune Modulators
• Benzodiazepines
• Anti-Arrhythmics
• Antibiotics
• Anesthetics
• Anti-Psychotics
• Anti-Depressants
• Anti-Epileptics
• Beta Blockers
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
• NSAIDs
• Angiotensin II Blockers
•  Oral Hypoglycemic Agents
• Sulfonylureas

Products that are labeled as pure CBD should contain no THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant.  THC is the part of the plant that creates the psychoactive “high” and is also is what tests positive on drug screens.  There is some belief that THC improves the analgesic properties of CBD, so some less than reputable businesses may leave some THC to potentially improve the performance of their products.

Standardization and nationwide quality assurance testing are lacking.

In 2015 and 2016, the FDA issued warning letters to some CBD hemp oil retailers for making medical claims that were unproven or for their CBD content not being as labeled.  Some products tested by the FDA had no cannabidiol at all.

The CBD Cannabidiol Regulatory Agency (CBDRA) is self-defined as “an industry formed, self-regulating coalition formed by manufacturers and industry leaders as a whole to improve consumer safety and product quality of cannabidiol based products.”   This organization tests product samples that are obtained through secret shoppers to see if the product has the amount of CBD claimed.  They do not accept samples for testing directly from manufacturers.  Their only source of revenue, they state, is from Member Manufactures who pay for a link to approved and verified products only.

On their website, CBDRA.ORG, they share a chart showing 69 products they have received for testing, 32 products of those listed have not yet been tested.  Of the 37 products that were tested, 10 failed to meet their claimed level of CBD, 12 were listed as “Warned by the FDA,” and only 15 products passed their test.

Price does not seem to be a determining factor into whether a product meets testing standards.  One item that sold for $6.99 passed the test, while another item that sold for $90.00 failed the test, and another $90.00 item was warned by the FDA.

Buying CBD products over the internet is easy, however attempting to select reputable dealers is not so easy.  The Latin phrase, “Caveat Emptor”, or let the buyer beware is certainly the case, as buyers attempt to find products that are as labeled and that have not been made impure by environmental hazards or heavy metals through production.

At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we make it a priority to stay informed about products that can impact individuals dealing with substance abuse issues.

Although CBD alone is not addictive, it is a substance that must be metabolized through the liver and may interact with other medications.  Additionally, it is not always pure or as labeled.  It is always recommended to research products thoroughly and clear their use with a doctor.

If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history of substance use and relapse, don’t wait, contact us today at Gulf Breeze Recovery or call: 833.551.2356 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about our program that has helped so many people overcome their addiction and embrace life.  We help people not just to survive, but to THRIVE®.