5 Things You Didn't Know About CBD That Make It Even Cooler

CBD's It status on the wellness scene is no secret. Think about it: How often does a product grab the attention of basically everyone and become what feels like an overnight success—a multibillion-dollar success at that? There’s no questioning the nation’s love affair with CBD—aka cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. All forms of it are making its way onto the shelves of grocery stores, the menus of coffee shops, and even in beauty product formulas.

“CBD holds tremendous potential, but it’s important that people don’t get confused by anecdotes or poorly done experiments—it can’t do all things for all people,” says Dr. Ari Mayer Mackler, chief scientific officer of PLUS, a brand that manufactures cannabis-infused edibles based on quality, reliable research. But for such a buzzy ingredient, it’s still totally misunderstood, which is why Mackler is sharing five facts about CBD you probably don't know… Keep on reading for the inside scoop.

The first documented use of cannabis-derived medicine comes from the Chinese emperor Shen Nung in 2727 B.C. But it wasn’t until much later that people began to notice the presence of compounds within the cannabis plant, with the first discovery of an individual cannabinoid being made in 1940.

Mackler says there have been several clinical studies that looked into CBD safety. Two studies suggested that doses as high as 300mg per day were safely taken for up to six months (Cunha et al., 1980; Trembly et al., 1990), while another two studies suggested that high doses—as high as 1200 to 1500 milligrams per day—were safe for up to four weeks (Zuardi et al., 1995; Zuardi et al., 2010). (Just make sure whatever you’re ingesting doesn’t contain THC.) Dr. Mackler does recommend that if you take any medications, chat with you physician to make sure they don’t have any concerns with interactions. PLUS gummies come in a range of CBD levels, with the highest being 50 milligrams per gummy.

When shopping for CBD, you’ll often notice three different labels: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate. CBD isolate is the purest form of a compound, singularly extracting the compound and isolating it from other compounds. Full-spectrum is an extract that contains all compounds found naturally in the plant, while broad-spectrum is a mix of the two. “PLUS CBD gummies contain CBD isolate, so we’re really able to control the chemistry with greater accuracy,” says Mackler. But it’s worth noting that everyone has different needs, and this system helps determine what’s appropriate to use for everyone’s personal goals.

Even though there are countless topical CBD treatments available, there’s only been very preliminary research on its benefits. There’s significantly more insight into CBD effects when consumed orally, explains Mackler. “Most research that has been done into the benefits of CBD—like reducing anxiety and increasing the ability to sleep—have all focused on ingestibles.” If you’re trying to decide to use a topical or oral product, it’s best to discuss your goals with your doctor.

It wasn’t until last year that the first drug containing a purified substance derived from marijuana was approved by the FDA. Epidolex is a high-dose CBD designed to help treat seizures that are associated with rare and severe forms of epilepsy.