CBD Questions to Get Started

CBD Questions to Get Started

Table of Contents 

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:

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.

Learn more about CBD.

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.

Learn more about what CBD feels like.

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.

Learn more about CBD and drug tests.

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 

Learn more about the benefits of CBD.

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.”

Learn more about how CBD makes you feel.

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.

Learn more about the sleep benefits of CBD.

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.

Learn more about how long it takes for CBD to take effect.

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.

Learn about how much CBD is right for you.

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.

Learn more about how CBD works in the body.

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.

Learn more about hemp.

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.

Learn more about the history of hemp.

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, can now be sold in stores or online, across the country as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC.

Learn more about the laws surrounding hemp.

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.

Learn more about how hemp and CBD make you feel.

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.

Learn more about the makeup of hemp.

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.

Learn more about the difference between hemp and marijuana.

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 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.

Learn more about buying CBD products.

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 Charlotte’s Web product, whether that be our hemp extract oils or capsules.

Learn more about hemp extract.

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.

Learn more about CBD gummies.

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.

Learn more about CBD oil.

What is hemp oil?

Hemp Oil is the essential oil produced from the leaves, flowers, and stems of the hemp plant. Hemp oil can be extracted by both mechanical and chemical means. In the extraction process, the oil retains a range of phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found naturally in hemp.

Learn more about hemp and CBD oil.

Does CBD oil get you high?

No, CBD will not get you high. While CBD oils made from hemp extracts are technically psychoactive, they do not contain enough THC to have an intoxicating effect. This is because the amount of THC in hemp is regulated by the federal government to be less than 0.3 %.

Learn more about what CBD feels like.

How do you use CBD and hemp oil?

If you’re wondering how to use CBD or hemp oil, you can start by taking just a quarter of a dropper by mouth, once a day at the same time, for three days. Observe how you feel, and, if needed, continue by increasing the amount by one-quarter of a dropper every three days, until you achieve your desired results. CBD doesn’t always start working immediately, so don’t worry if it takes a little while to find your amount and feel the effects.

Learn more about how to use CBD.

How is CBD oil made?

Charlotte’s Web™ hemp extract CBD oils are made using either carbon dioxide (CO2) or isopropyl alcohol extraction methods. Carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction is excellent at isolating cannabinoids from plant materials, which allows scientists the ability to derive a high concentration of mostly CBD, but also other compounds like cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabinoid (CBN). Alcohol extraction is used to extract a wide variety of compounds, like terpenes, flavonoids, and more, each with its own beneficial properties for health and wellness.

Learn more about how CBD is made and the difference between alcohol and CO2 extraction.

Is CBD oil legal in all 50 states for use as a dietary supplement?

The legal status of hemp and hemp-derived products, including those containing CBD, may vary from state to state. However, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and removed it from the federal Controlled Substances Act, as well as all hemp extracts and cannabinoids (including CBD), with the stipulation that they must not contain more than 0.3% THC. The FDA has asserted that “CBD products” cannot meet the federal definition of “dietary supplement;” however, it is Charlotte’s Web’s opinion that full-spectrum hemp extract (containing naturally occurring CBD and other natural hemp constituents) does qualify as a dietary supplement, in the same manner as any other commercially available herbal formula derived from a plant source.

Charlotte's Web™ CBD products, including CBD oils, are shipped to and sold in all 50 states.

How much CBD oil should I take? 

For many people, 10-20 mg of CBD per day is where they notice their desired results, but some people take even more. It’s important to establish CBD as a part of your daily routine by picking a time of day that you know is doable for you. It may help to take it as you’re winding down each day, just so you’re able to observe how your body is responding.

We recommend going through the Charlotte’s Web CBD product finder to see the options you could start with. Depending on which one you choose, your results may vary depending on the amount of CBD in its recommended serving size.

Learn more about how much CBD is right for you.

Does CBD oil have THC?

Other than CBD oils made from CBD Isolate, CBD oil does have THC. However, the federal government limits the amount of THC in hemp grown in the United States to less than .3% which is not enough to have an intoxicating effect when taken as directed.

Learn more about the difference between hemp and marijuana.

Is CBD safe for dogs?

Yes, CBD oil can be given to dogs. CBD interacts with a canine’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the same way it interacts with a human’s ECS.

Learn more about CBD for dogs.

Can I give my dog CBD oil?

Yes, however, because dogs tend to absorb CBD a little differently from humans, CBD is best absorbed through your dog’s oral mucus membranes. This means it's best to give the CBD oil product orally.

Learn more about CBD oil for dogs.

How much CBD oil should I give my dog?

Dogs are more sensitive to CBD than humans, and so they typically need lower amounts. You should always start with a low serving size and then gradually build up to a higher amount if necessary, making sure your pup is able to tolerate it. Remember, your dog is an individual and may need to go slow, be sure to follow directions on the product label.

Learn more here.

What does CBD do for dogs?

To provide multiple health benefits for dogs including supporting a calm disposition, the health of joints and connective tissue, and healthy cognition. For this reason, CBD has the potential to be helpful to a dog’s health and well-being in the same ways that it can for humans.

Learn more about the benefits of CBD for dogs.

Where can you buy CBD for dogs?

CBD oil and chews for dogs can be purchased both online and in pet stores. We recommend doing research on these products before buying to make sure you are getting the highest quality CBD for your dog. Read our Where to Buy CBD article for tips on what to look for.

To skip the research and go straight to the best, check out Charlotte’s Web CBD oils and chews for dogs. Our products are scrutinized and tested from soil to bottle to ensure the highest quality and purity possible.

The Basics of CBD Topicals 

What is CBD cream?

Charlotte’s Web hemp-infused CBD creams contain 300 mg of hemp-derived CBD per ounce and were crafted to support your day-to-day, moment-to-moment, and to help soothe where you want it most, without the things you don’t want on your skin.

Learn more about CBD creams and topicals.

Can you travel with CBD cream?

Yes, you can travel with CBD cream as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC in accordance with federal law. To make sure your products conform to this rule, you can check out their certificates of analysis for information on purity and ingredients.

Learn more about flying with CBD products.

What is CBD balm used for?

Coming in stick and tin form, Charlotte’s Web CBD balms are formulated with menthol, peppermint oil, turmeric oil, ginger oil, and CBD to help target specific areas of the body that need a little extra care. Great for larger areas of the body such as the thighs, our hemp-infused balm stick was crafted to help you weave wellness into your daily routine.

Learn more about CBD topicals here.

Where can you buy CBD cream?

Like other CBD products, CBD creams and topicals can be purchased both online and in-store at grocery and wellness stores. As with all CBD purchases, we recommend doing the research before buying to ensure you end up with the best possible products.

Read our Where to Buy CBD article for tips on what to look for.

Questions About CBDMEDIC™ Topicals

Where can you buy CBDMEDIC™ products?

CBDMEDIC™ products can be purchased both in store and online. You can use our store locator to find a place to buy CBD near you or take a look at our selection of CBDMEDIC™ products available for purchase online here.

Does CBDMEDIC™ have THC?

No, every CBDMEDIC™ product is formulated and tested to be clear of THC.