CBD FAQ | Get Started: All CBD Questions Answered

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If you’re new to CBD or looking to learn more about it, this is the place for you. We’ve taken the time to curate the most asked CBD and hemp questions to give you easy access to the information that is most important to you. Look through the following frequently asked questions and answers to learn more about CBD, hemp, and the products created from them:

Popular Questions About CBD

What is CBD and what does CBD stand for?

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a compound found primarily in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. It’s one of many powerful cannabinoids found in hemp and is known for supporting the body and mind in various ways.

Does CBD get you high?

CBD is non-intoxicating. THC, the main active ingredient in Cannabis sativa, is both a psychoactive compound and an intoxicating cannabinoid that leaves its users feeling “high.” CBD is a different cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa and while it is technically psychoactive, it is non-intoxicating. The level of THC present in Cannabis sativa is what determines the plant’s classification as marijuana or hemp; hemp, by definition, contains no more than 0.3% THC.

Does CBD show up on a drug test?

While employers that conduct drug screenings do not test for CBD metabolites, they almost certainly test for THC, the intoxicating compound found in cannabis. So, in short, the answer is no, CBD itself should not trigger a positive drug test. However, because THC can be found in minute quantities in full-spectrum CBD tinctures, gummies, or capsules, there is a chance that a person could test positive in a drug screening after taking certain CBD products.

What does CBD do?

Among the many benefits of CBD that our users experience, some of the main ones are:

• Supports a sense of calm for focus. 
• Relieves everyday stresses. 
• Helps in recovery by reducing exercise-induced inflammation. 
• Support for healthy sleep cycles 

How does CBD make you feel?

While the effects of CBD are different for everyone, a long-time CBD user, Lisa, has said, “I have been consistently using this product for 10 months now and have noticed the significant impact it has on my overall well-being.” Other users have described CBD’s effects as promoting “an overall relaxed feeling”—one that “cascades into all other daily activities.”

Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

CBD oil helps support healthy sleep cycles for a more restful sleep. An alternative to our CBD oil or capsules is our CBD gummy + melatonin designed specifically with your sleep needs in mind.

How long does it take for CBD to take effect?

First, consistency is paramount when you’re looking for the long-term benefits of CBD. While some notice they slept a little better or recovered from a workout quickly in the first week, others will tell you it can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to notice results (and even sometimes longer). We suggest using it twice per day, starting with a low amount and increasing it slowly. Most adults start with 10 mg per day and increase the amount until desired results are achieved.

Can you overdose on CBD?

CBD is generally safe, non-toxic, and with no known lethal dose. The World Health Organization (WHO) published a comprehensive review of CBD research in 2017 and determined that taking as much as 1500 mg daily is well tolerated by humans. The National Cancer Institute explains on their website that cannabinoid receptors are not present on the brainstem, therefore cannabinoid compounds cannot interrupt respiration. For context, the brainstem controls vital functions such as respiration, and this is how medications such as opioids, which interact with brainstem receptors, can be lethal.

How does CBD work?

The human body has a vast network of receptors, called the Endocannabinoid System. The purpose of this system is to help our body stay balanced and in good overall health, even when external factors and certain lifestyle choices diminish our wellbeing. CBD and other cannabinoids fit into the receptors of the Endocannabinoid System, helping the body complete its efforts to keep us in good health by supporting many of the body’s physical and natural processes.

What You Need to Know About Hemp

What is hemp?

Hemp is a plant in the Cannabis Sativa family known for its health benefits and industrial applications. The hemp plant has been used for thousands of years as an alternative to cotton and has been in use since 8000 BC. Today, the hemp plant is considered the same as a farm crop and can be grown legally in the U.S. as long as it contains less than .3% THC.

What is hemp used for?

Soil cleaning – check. Structural support – check. Fabric, plastics, ropes, paper – check, check, check, and check. The quality of any hemp product produced is high — in the example of hemp fabric, it’s comparable to cotton and linen — but less expensive because hemp crops use less water and fewer land resources than cotton, trees, or other raw materials that we’ve come to depend on.

Is hemp legal?

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp has been removed from the schedule 1 substance list, making it an ordinary farm crop – just like wheat or corn. Hemp-derived CBD products, such as those made by Charlotte’s Web, cbdMD, PureKana, CBDFx, Mary's Nutritionals to name a few can now be sold in stores or online, across the country as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC.

Can hemp get you high?

The answer is no – hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC, which is the molecule in marijuana that leads to intoxication. These minuscule amounts of THC are non-intoxicating and won’t make you feel high when taken as directed.

Does hemp have THC? 

Yes, hemp does contain THC, but only minuscule amounts. This is because, by law, hemp grown in the United States must contain no more than .3% THC.

What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?

The main difference between these two plants is that one has an intoxicating effect (marijuana) and the other does not (hemp). Both types of plants contain levels of CBD and THC, but hemp grown in the United States can legally contain no more than .3% THC while today’s marijuana contains between 15% – 25% THC.

The Basics of CBD and Hemp Products

Where can I get CBD products?

Depending on the state you live in, you can buy CBD oil and other CBD products both online and from brick and mortar stores. In states where the in-store sale of CBD is legal, you can purchase CBD from specialized CBD retailers or from most drug or grocery stores with a pharmacy section. Specialized CBD retailers like iHempEmpire.com are a good option for those new to CBD as they have staff members with extensive knowledge of CBD and its benefits to help you find the right products for your needs.

What is hemp extract?

Hemp extract is made by breaking down hemp leaves and stems and then using alcohol or CO2 to extract the CBD and other cannabinoids from the plant material. After deriving the cannabinoids from plant parts during our production process, we’re left with a full-spectrum hemp extract that retains a range of phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids – all of which are found naturally in hemp. This extract is then diluted with a carrier oil to make the final product, whether that be our hemp extract oils or capsules.

What are CBD Gummies?

CBD gummies offer an exciting new way to venture into the world of hemp extract and add CBD to any lifestyle or wellness routine. Charlotte’s Web™ CBD gummies, in particular, are flavored with natural flavors to deliver botanical goodness you can taste and feature our full-spectrum hemp extract and nutraceutical blends to help support you, day and night.

Understanding CBD Oil 

Is hemp oil the same as CBD oil?

It depends. Hemp oil can be both hemp extract oil, also known as CBD oil, or hemp seed oil, which contains only small amounts of CBD. If you’re looking for the benefits of CBD, you’ll want to make sure you buy products made from hemp extracts as these products are made from the leaves and stems of the hemp plant rather than the seeds.