Hemp & CBD: Independent Testing & Legality
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 12:07 pm
CBD Supplements have become very popular and I get a lot of questions about them.
The FDA has analyzed CBD products and published the amounts of CBD, THC and other cannabis compounds it found in products it tested in 2015 and 2016. While many of the tested products did not contain the levels of CBD they claimed, most products contained very small concentrations of CBD, while a few others contained very large concentrations (25% to 35% CBD). The FDA cautions that "Consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products."
You can see their reviews and analysis online here:
(Click on 2015 or 2016 to see the results)
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHe ... 484109.htm
Consumer Lab just finished their testing of CBD products. Their results are behind a paywall.
Here are some of the highlights.
- The actual available evidence in humans was limited with most off it being on Dravet syndrome in children and young adults.
- Adverse effects in the studies included diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, pyrexia, somnolence, and abnormal results on liver-function tests and the worsening of tremor and the ability to initiate movement in Parkinson's patients.
- Most studies on CBD use very high doses, ranging from 100 mg to 1000 mg (or more) per day.
- Most supplements contained dosages of CBD between ~5 mg and ~23 mg per serving.
- The cost for 10 mg of CBD ranged from $0.80 to $4.54
- All products were also tested for contamination from lead, cadmium and arsenic and none exceeded the limit (based on CA prop 65 law)
- While CBD appears to be better absorbed through the skin than THC and there is some evidence that in animals, creams and gels containing CBD may help reduce inflammation in conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis, there are no studies on the effects of topical CBD creams, gels or lotions in people.
You can find the details here:
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHe ... etarysuppl
The good news, the products seem to contain the amount listed on the label and passed testing for lead, cadmium and arsenic.
The bad news, the dose for most products was very low compared to the dosages used in most studies. Many supplements list amounts in the 100 mg (or more) but this is for total hemp and not CBD, which is small fraction of the total hemp. To me, it seemed somewhat confusing and potentially misleading - studies use 100 -1000 mg of CBD and some supplements list 100-1000 mg of total hemp content.
Caveat Emptor!
In Health,
Jeff
The FDA has analyzed CBD products and published the amounts of CBD, THC and other cannabis compounds it found in products it tested in 2015 and 2016. While many of the tested products did not contain the levels of CBD they claimed, most products contained very small concentrations of CBD, while a few others contained very large concentrations (25% to 35% CBD). The FDA cautions that "Consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products."
You can see their reviews and analysis online here:
(Click on 2015 or 2016 to see the results)
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHe ... 484109.htm
Consumer Lab just finished their testing of CBD products. Their results are behind a paywall.
Here are some of the highlights.
- The actual available evidence in humans was limited with most off it being on Dravet syndrome in children and young adults.
- Adverse effects in the studies included diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, pyrexia, somnolence, and abnormal results on liver-function tests and the worsening of tremor and the ability to initiate movement in Parkinson's patients.
- Most studies on CBD use very high doses, ranging from 100 mg to 1000 mg (or more) per day.
- Most supplements contained dosages of CBD between ~5 mg and ~23 mg per serving.
- The cost for 10 mg of CBD ranged from $0.80 to $4.54
- All products were also tested for contamination from lead, cadmium and arsenic and none exceeded the limit (based on CA prop 65 law)
- While CBD appears to be better absorbed through the skin than THC and there is some evidence that in animals, creams and gels containing CBD may help reduce inflammation in conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis, there are no studies on the effects of topical CBD creams, gels or lotions in people.
You can find the details here:
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHe ... etarysuppl
The good news, the products seem to contain the amount listed on the label and passed testing for lead, cadmium and arsenic.
The bad news, the dose for most products was very low compared to the dosages used in most studies. Many supplements list amounts in the 100 mg (or more) but this is for total hemp and not CBD, which is small fraction of the total hemp. To me, it seemed somewhat confusing and potentially misleading - studies use 100 -1000 mg of CBD and some supplements list 100-1000 mg of total hemp content.
Caveat Emptor!
In Health,
Jeff