Is CBD as magical as it's made out to be?
Since October 2018, cannabis and several of its derivatives have been legal in Canada. This recreational drug, now available across the country and in several US states, was already recognized for its therapeutic effects, and since 2001, it has been possible to obtain it with a prescription for medical marijuana.
CBD Frosties
In the wake of the legalization of cannabis products, we are interested in the explosion of the CBD (cannabidiol) market, as this extract from the plant, most often in the form of oil, is aimed at all audiences. In particular, athletes are targeted by a wide range of products, each promising more enticing benefits than the last.
Reduction of inflammation, improved concentration, natural sleep aid, muscle recovery agent, anxiolytic... The list of properties attributed to it is impressive.
But before we go any further, do you know exactly what CBD is?
It is one of the two main active ingredients in cannabis. The other is THC, which is responsible for the psychotropic effect. Unlike its intoxicating counterpart, cannabidiol does not alter the senses.
If you prefer: it doesn't freeze.
What its advocates claim, along with a growing number of health specialists, is that cannabidiol acts on the endocannabinoid system, which is already present in the human body, as well as in all mammals. Consuming CBD would provide even more effective delivery to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain that capture its molecules. So, it would be something that the body already produces, and we would be giving it more to ensure that it has enough to do its job.
The effect, its followers promise, is a rebalancing of the body and brain, and thus a return tohomeostasis. In short, anything that attacks the body would be repelled more effectively by it, and imbalances in brain chemistry and elsewhere in the body would be (at least partially) eliminated.
True or false
Amid all this hype, and due to the lack of serious studies on the subject, it is difficult at this stage to separate fact from fiction, marketing from science, and therefore the fantasy of a miracle product from reality.
As for the sale of CBD, it is still restricted to state-run outlets (in Quebec, the SQDC) or dispensaries that supply those with a medical prescription. Note that at the SQDC, it is virtually impossible to find CBD without THC.
On the other hand, CBD is available almost everywhere in the United States (in states where cannabis is legal), in just about any store, without much quality control.
Socks, CBD is considered a supplement, not a drug, which allows it to escape certain FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulations.
Caution advised
Despite all this enthusiasm, science is not yet conclusive about the virtues of cannabidiol. An article from Harvard Medical School, updated last June, points out that a few studies here and there tend to demonstrate its ability to reduce inflammation and anxiety and improve sleep. Nothing more.
This does not mean that it does not work either. However, further studies will help to separate marketing from reality, as well as examine the potential risks associated with its consumption.
As the Collège des médecins du Québec (Quebec College of Physicians) also points out, it is best to exercise caution when using cannabis products. This is because we still do not know exactly what its long-term effects are (in the short term, it can cause nausea, fatigue, and mood swings) and whether it is as effective a remedy as claimed. Due to the limited clinical research conducted to date, it is also unclear what the desirable doses and concentrations are, depending on the desired outcome.
Beware of unintentional doping
And consuming CBD does indeed carry risks.
Since 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) no longer considers CBD to be a doping substance. This means that, officially, it does not improve athletes' performance. However, caution is advised, as THC is still classified as a doping substance. And as several specialists point out, it is impossible to know exactly what these products contain.
Just as it is essential to consume supplements with extreme caution regarding their content, the use of CBD-based products by athletes who may undergo anti-doping tests is risky and could result in a positive test for THC (which may have resisted a poorly performed transformation and separation process) or other prohibited molecules that may be present in their composition.
Similarly, for the general population, CBD products that have not been approved by the relevant authorities (the FDA or Health Canada) should not be consumed as if nothing were wrong. And even if they are approved, they should be used with caution, as they affect different people differently.
In summary, it seems to work, but no one is entirely sure. There are all kinds of products on the market, many of which are questionable. Research is still in its early stages. We'll wait a little longer before proclaiming it a miracle cure.
Nothing to declare?
Do not attempt to cross customs in either direction with cannabis products, whether psychotropic or not. Although they are legal in Vermont and Canada, for example, you are not allowed to cross the border with them.