CBD is being extensively researched for its potential health benefits, but it’s mired in misconceptions. In this article, we will address these myths.
1. CBD is illegal (in the UK)
CBD, or cannabidiol, is extracted from the hemp plant, a version of the cannabis plant that’s grown from seeds that contain very low levels (less than 0.2%) of THC.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound that’s responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis and marijuana.
It’s legal to buy (and sell) CBD products in the UK because they contain very low, or trace, levels of THC. This means that CBD products don’t cause a high, are non-psychoactive and non-addictive.
You can’t get into any legal hot water by using CBD products bought from legitimate brands in the UK.
2. You can get "high" from CBD
CBD is one of over 120 plant-based chemical compounds called cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. THC is another cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant; however, CBD and THC are very different.
But due to this association with cannabis, CBD can often be subject to many misconceptions.
So let’s clear up a common CBD myth - CBD won’t get you high. Cannabidiol is purposely grown from hemp seeds that contain trace levels of THC, meaning that the leaves, stems and flowers that are used to make CBD oil and other products, contain either no THC or THC at levels so low, they’re unlikely to cause a high or any psychoactive effects.
3. CBD is dangerous
CBD is deemed safe and is legal and regulated in the UK. In 2019, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) classified CBD products as Novel Foods.
A Novel Food is “a food ingredient that has not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU or the UK before May 15 1997”. This means that legally sold CBD products in the UK must meet certain standards and regulations.
What’s more, as CBD products have to contain less than 0.2% THC, a recent report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs found that it’s “very unlikely that plant-derived consumer CBD products would contain sufficient controlled phytocannabinoids” (such as THC) “to produce any pronounced psychoactive effects unless they were purposely added to the product”.
4. CBD is addictive
Cannabidiol is considered non-addictive by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations (UN) governed global health agency. In 2018, the WHO's Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) concluded “pure CBD does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm”.
This means that using CBD products is not thought to cause any dependency issues and doesn’t cause any withdrawal symptoms if you stop using them. This is different from using cannabis, as the THC in cannabis can become addictive and lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms.
In fact, preliminary evidence emerging from a small number of studies suggests that CBD products could be beneficial for treating drug and alcohol dependencies.
It’s hypothesised that CBD could interact with the brain’s pleasure and reward centre by influencing the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes pleasure and motivation. Still, more studies are necessary to investigate the potential for CBD as a treatment for addiction.
5. The effects of CBD are placebo
To understand how CBD works, we need to understand the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a network of receptors in the human body that’s responsible for maintaining the body’s internal balance, or homeostasis.
Only relatively recently discovered, the ECS is the subject of many studies and researchers hypothesising that it helps control everything from mood and appetite regulation, to sleep, body temperature and how we perceive and manage stress and pain.
The body produces chemicals called endocannabinoids that interact with the ECS, triggering responses such as activating the immune response or releasing endorphins to improve the mood.
CBD is a type of cannabinoid that is thought to also interact with the receptors of the ECS. From this, it’s hypothesised that CBD does have a benefit for factors such as mood, sleep, stress relief and chronic pain management, suggesting that the effects of CBD aren’t due to the placebo effect.
6. There is no scientific research or studies for CBD
A wide range of studies have been conducted looking at the effects of CBD on a wide range of conditions, including seizures and epilepsy, anxiety and depression, stress, insomnia and poor sleep, chronic pain management, appetite regulation and more.
A number of studies have been performed on animal and human subjects with positive results. However, much of the evidence around the potential benefits of CBD is anecdotal or theoretical.
Therefore, more human studies and robust clinical research are needed, and it’s expected to be an area of interest for researchers that will expand greatly over the coming years.
Here are some interesting studies:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7608221/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-019-0012-y
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/11/1438
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33585159/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31558911/
https://jocmr.org/index.php/JOCMR/article/view/4159/25893166
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9708636/
https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-024-00250-y
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39598350/
7. CBD will make you sleepy
As we discuss further down, CBD works differently for different people. Some users report feelings of calm and relief from stress and anxiety, which are helpful during the day and can promote good sleep at night.
Whether using CBD makes you too sleepy during the day to carry out your day-to-day activities depends on your body’s chemistry. Using a lower dose during the day can help if you find that CBD makes you sleepy.
8. CBD is the same as cannabis
Of the many Misconceptions about CBD, one of the most common is that products that contain CBD are the same as cannabis - and this simply isn’t true.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is extracted from the hemp plant, contains little to no THC, has no psychoactive effects, won’t cause a high and isn’t addictive.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is extracted from the cannabis plant, has psychoactive effects, can cause a high and may become addictive.
Cannabis and marijuana contain THC; CBD products don’t (or if they do, it’s at trace levels).
9. CBD oil is the same as hemp oil
Despite CBD being extracted from the hemp plant, CBD oil and hemp oil are different.
CBD oil is a concentrated oil made from CBD extracted from the leaves, stems and flowers of the hemp plant using CO₂ or ethanol extraction techniques. It’s mixed with a carrier oil and is intended for use under the tongue in small amounts. CBD oil is typically measured in drops or taken as a full dropper (usually 1 ml) as a supplement.
Hemp oil, also known as hemp seed oil, is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant, typically by cold pressing. It’s used in cooking and as an ingredient in salad dressings in more liberal amounts. Hemp seed oil is rich in healthy fatty acids but contains little to no CBD.
10. There is a specific dose to take
There is no standardised, recommended dose of CBD, as it works differently for different people.
It’s generally recommended to start on a low dose, for example, 20 to 25 mg daily for a week or so, and monitor how you feel. If you think you could benefit from a higher dose, increase gradually by 5 mg per day for a week, until you feel the desired effects.
Choose a high-quality CBD product from a reputable brand that uses pure ingredients and utilises third-party testing for purity.
11. Higher doses are more effective
It’s one of the most common CBD myths that taking the highest dose is the best. But as we’ll discover below, CBD works differently for different people, and the best dose for you might be low.
Getting your CBD dose right takes some experimenting, but if you take too much unnecessarily, you may be more likely to experience side effects, and you may be wasting money.
12. CBD works the same for everyone
Your body weight, body composition, metabolism and individual chemistry will influence how well CBD may work for you. What works for you may not work for someone else. The severity of the condition you’re using it for (for example, anxiety, poor sleep or chronic pain) will also have an impact.
Getting your CBD dose right for you may take time, but CBD dosing guidelines are helpful.
13. You feel the effect of CBD instantly
CBD needs time to build up in your system, just like any supplement. Unlike paracetamol or ibuprofen, which we might only need to take once to treat a headache, CBD needs to be taken regularly to have an effect.
Some people might feel the positive effects straight away. Still, it’s thought that if CBD is allowed to accumulate in the body by taking it regularly (every day), it could be more effective at supporting anxiety and poor sleep.
However, there are some things you can do to feel the effects of CBD sooner. CBD is fat-soluble, meaning that it dissolves in fats and oils, rather than water. Research suggests that CBD is more bioavailable, or readily absorbed, if taken after eating a meal that contains healthy fats and oils (such as olive oil, unsalted nuts, avocado and oily fish).
CBD oil, used under the tongue, is also absorbed more quickly as it enters the bloodstream directly. CBD gummies and drinks need to pass through the digestive system first before entering the bloodstream.
14. If it doesn't work the first time, it doesn't work for you
As we’ve just discovered, CBD may take time to accumulate in your body. Therefore, taking it once or twice and making a judgment call on whether to continue could mean missing out on the potential benefits, depending on why you’re using it.
If you’ve tried CBD on the odd occasion and you haven’t felt any benefit, keep trying. Be consistent and give it a few weeks to see if it’s for you. You may also benefit from slowly increasing your dose over a few weeks.
15. CBD doesn’t show up on drug tests
There are three different types of CBD:
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Full-spectrum CBD - CBD that contains the full range of cannabinoids, including CBD, terpenes, flavonoids and trace levels of THC (less than 0.2%)
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Broad-spectrum CBD - CBD that contains the full range of cannabinoids, including CBD, terpenes and flavonoids, with the THC removed
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CBD isolate - the purest form of CBD, with no THC
As full-spectrum CBD contains trace levels of THC, there’s a slight possibility that with regular use, THC could build up in the body and potentially show on a drug test. CBD isolate, which we use in all our products, contains no THC, not even at trace levels, so using CBD products made using CBD isolate won’t cause THC to build up in the body.
16. CBD is a standalone cure
There’s a lot ofCBD research being funded, and researchers are discovering potential benefits of CBD with each study. Anecdotally, many people report that they experience benefits from using CBD.
However, keep in mind that CBD, or any supplement, isn’t a replacement for more conventional medicines and treatments.
CBD products may benefit you, but if you’re taking any medications, have been diagnosed with any medical conditions, or are concerned about some symptoms, speak to a medical professional before taking CBD and never stop taking a prescribed medication without medical support.
17. All natural CBD products are automatically safe
Although CBD is generally safe for most people, keep in mind that some brands may be loose with the truth over the purity of their products.
Choose brands that are open and transparent about the testing of their products for purity and safety (third-party testing is considered the best) and display their Certificate of Analysis laboratory reports on their website.
18. There are no interactions with any medicines
CBD is deemed generally safe and suitable for most people - “most” being important, because, as with many rules, there are some exceptions.
It’s believed that CBD may interfere with the complex way the body metabolises (breaks down) some drugs, either slowing down or speeding up their metabolism. This could mean that you then end up with too little or too much of a medicine in your system.
NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (the body that provides guidelines on clinical care to the NHS), has a list of the drugs that CBD can potentially interact with.
In particular, if you’re taking medicines that cause drowsiness, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, antidepressants or antihistamines, CBD could increase drowsiness. CBD may also interact with some medications prescribed for epilepsy.
If you’re taking any medications or you’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition, check with your doctor or another medical professional before taking CBD.
19. All CBD products are the same
There’s a wide range of CBD products on the market, made from three different types of CBD (full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate).
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CBD oil - CBD suspended in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, designed to be used under the tongue (sublingually) from where it enters the bloodstream directly.
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CBD gummies - CBD products that are easy to use on the go and simple to dose.
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CBD drinks - like gummies and other edibles CBD drinks are easy to use and dose, but like gummies, may be slower to have an effect as they need to pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream.
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CBD creams - designed for use on the skin to help hydrate and potentially ease muscle aches and inflammation.
More information and research
Healthline is a valuable source of information on CBD, particularly regarding the different types of CBD. Healthline also has a great explanation of how the endocannabinoid system works.
This Harvard Health article discusses the CBD myths and facts you need to know when considering the safety of CBD.
References
Capodice, J. L., & Kaplan, S. A. (2021). The endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and cannabidiol: Implications in urology and men’s health. Current Urology, 15(2), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.1097/cu9.0000000000000023
Pahr, K. (2025b, August 29). What is cannabidiol (CBD)? What we know and what we don’t. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/your-cbd-guide
Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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