Are CBD-Infused Products Safe for Humans?
There has been a sharp rise in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in various products over the last few
years. Many oils and lotions now contain the compound, as do foods ranging from beer through
to cookies. However, concerns remain regarding the safety of CBD, as the science has not caught
up with this increasing demand.
What is CBD?
As its name suggests, CBD comes from the cannabis plant, although it does not cause the high
associated with smoking marijuana. The compound is instead from hemp, a specially grown
variety of cannabis that contains very little of the psychoactive compound Tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). As such, CBD does not have the same strict regulations associated with it as marijuana.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
There is a significant body of animal studies that shows CBD has excellent anti-inflammatory
properties. For this reason, many companies are adding it to their food to promote health
benefits. CBD has also found an application as a drug to treat certain forms of epilepsy, and so
definite advantages to the compound exist.
Is CBD Safe?
Even with the known benefits, the lingering question is CBD safe for humans is often asked.
Unfortunately, there is not enough scientific evidence available to say either way. The small
body of work that is accessible does not deal with the high concentrations of CBD found in food
and lotions, so it is impossible to draw any conclusions. Combining this with the lack of a
regulatory framework for the products means that it is currently impossible to say if it is safe or
not.
Should You Use CBD?
As with any decision, you should weigh up the pros and cons before you make your choice. With
CBD, there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding its long-term safety, but this does not mean
the claimed benefits are untrue. The picture is becoming clearer all the time as scientists
undertake more research, and the benefits and limitations should soon become more apparent.
Whether you choose to buy CBD-infused products or not, it is worth keeping your eyes out for
the latest research. With such a sharp rise in demand, the scientific literature should soon catch
up and make the situation more transparent. There is plenty of potential relating to CBD, but
only time will tell just how safe it is, and how beneficial it is to health.
