Myth #1: CBD comes from Marijuana

Truth:
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, available for sale across the US is derived from the hemp plant, not the marijuana plant. Now that you know this, you should also know that the hemp plant and the marijuana plant are close relatives, so it’s understandable that many confuse the two, however, they’re not the same. By law CBD must be derived from the hemp plant and contain no more than 0.3% THC - the psychoactive compound responsible for the sensation of “getting high” which is found in higher concentrations in marijuana plants.

Myth #2: CBD is Illegal

Truth:
As of the passing of the 2018 US Farm Bill, CBD products are fully legal for sale across the US, provided they are derived from the hemp plant and contain less than 0.3% THC. Because THC is most commonly associated with marijuana, it’s natural that you might think that products which contain even trace amounts of THC could be illegal depending on where you live in the country. However, CBD is legal for sale across the US and isn’t subject to the same patchwork of laws which regulate marijuana and vary from state to state. Bottom line: you can buy legal CBD products anywhere in the United States.

Myth #3: You can “get high” by using CBD products

Truth:
As mentioned earlier, commonly available CBD products such as oils, gel capsules and topical treatments come from the hemp plant, not the marijuana plant, and the amount of THC in these products cannot be greater than 0.3% by US federal law. THC below 0.3% represents a trace amount in an overall product. You will not experience the psychoactive sensation of being “high” associated with marijuana use when using legal CBD products. A useful example is toothpaste: while it contains trace amounts of alcohol, it is impossible to experience the sensation of being drunk by ingesting a tube of Colgate - there simply isn’t enough alcohol in the product to trigger this sensation. As a result, you can take advantage of CBD’s benefits for athletic preparation, performance and recovery without being concerned about feeling “high” or having an altered state of mind.

Myth #4: There’s only one type of CBD

Truth:
With all the hype around CBD in recent years, you might think all CBD is equal and that all CBD products can be classified into a single product category. What you need to know is that there are three primary types of CBD: Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD Isolate. The difference between them relates to the amount of naturally-occurring plant compounds, known as cannabinoids, which remain in each formulation after the CBD oil has been extracted from the source hemp plant. Understanding the ins and outs of each type of CBD will help you make the most informed decision when deciding which one is right for you.

Full-Spectrum CBD: Contains the full range of plant compounds found in the hemp plant, including CBD and trace amounts of THC, as well as flavor compounds like terpenes, and essential oils. The advantages of full-spectrum CBD result from what’s known as the “entourage effect” in which the full range of compounds work together as a team to amplify the benefits of each individual cannabinoid. With full-spectrum CBD you’re getting the maximum potential for benefits because all of the compounds are present and interacting together. While full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC, it’s not enough to cause any psychoactive effects of feeling “high”. At C+L we use full-spectrum CBD formulations in all of our products because we believe it offers the greatest potential for athletes to experience the positive benefits of CBD.

Broad-Spectrum CBD: Includes the majority of natural plant compounds contained in hemp with the exception of THC, which is removed after the initial extraction. Because broad-spectrum extracts contain multiple cannabinoids, they also produce some of the “entourage effect”, albeit to a lesser extent than full-spectrum as a result of removing THC. For those looking for a THC-free CBD option, broad spectrum would be a good choice.

CBD Isolate: CBD isolate represents the simplest form of CBD and results from the removal of all naturally occurring plant compounds found in the hemp plant with the exception of CBD. While CBD isolate is sometimes referred to as “pure” CBD because it only contains a single plant compound, the downside is that while you can benefit from the effects of CBD, you do not gain any of the positive effects associated with the entourage effect. This ultimately limits the overall effectiveness of CBD Isolate.

Myth #5: CBD only works for some people

Truth:
You may have tried CBD once or twice and come to this conclusion without giving CBD a proper chance. In fact, CBD affects everyone differently and it often takes some time for the benefits of CBD to be felt in the body and mind. A little time and patience is key.

In order for you to fully understand the benefits of CBD, it’s important to understand how CBD works. CBD interacts directly with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which is involved in regulating a variety of bodily functions including sleep, appetite, pain, and immune system response. Our bodies produce endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in our nervous system. Studies have shown that cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, can offer a host of health benefits by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity and interacting with neurotransmitters to help the body bolster its responses to a variety of factors like stress, pain, inflammation, and fatigue and return it to homeostasis.

In order for you to effectively incorporate CBD as part of your daily fitness and training regimen, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First: you need to be consistent. Your body reacts differently to CBD than your friend or workout partner. Evidence suggests it may be necessary for CBD to build up within the body over the course of 7-14 days before witnessing its positive effects. If you don’t experience results right away, continue using CBD regularly, paying close attention to the effect it has on your body.

Second, it’s important to make sure you find the right dosage for your individual needs. As a starting point, our suggested dosage is 12-20mg twice daily, but there is no standard dosage or official serving size. It varies from person to person. Your ideal dosage will be based on a variety of factors including your weight, metabolism, type of product you’re using, and body chemistry. Be patient and don’t be afraid to experiment to dial in the right dosage for you. A PREPARE or RECOVER softgel is a great place to start, as it provides a precise dose in a simple and convenient form many people are already familiar with.

If you want to learn more about more detailed suggestions on CBD dosing, read our blog post on this topic, CBD DOSING GUIDE - How Much Should I Take?

Third, start small. We recommend you start with smaller doses and gradually increase as needed. Although too much CBD won’t cause any harm, taking more than you need could waste product unnecessarily. If you’re a tincture user, start with one small dose of your PREPARE Tincture in the morning or one dose of RECOVER Tincture in the evening as you get ready for bed.

Finally, you can try transdermal options, which are applied directly to the skin. Our RECOVER Muscle Cream, Muscle Rub, Roll-On Gel and Patch allow you to apply a concentrated dose of relief where you need it most. These options make it easy to adjust your dosage simply by applying more or less to an affected area. In the case of transdermal patches, these can be cut using scissors to deliver an optimal dose.

As you can now see, the CBD landscape requires you to do some research and education to find the solution that’s right for you. We are here to arm you with the right knowledge so you will be able to confidently choose the right CBD routine to suit your lifestyle. Before long, you’ll be experiencing all of the benefits that a CBD routine can bring to your athletic preparation, performance and recovery.