The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly About CBD Toxicity
Simply, CBD can be life-changing. It hasn’t been long for numerous CBD products to hit the market. They’ve promised everything from relief from insomnia and anxiety to decreased inflammation after a workout. CBD products have been used to ease arthritis in pets, increase sex drive in humans, and just make a lot of people feel a whole lot better.
It’s no wonder CBD products have become so popular. They help treat a myriad of issues, many of which are very difficult to treat otherwise. This is why CBD has been approved by the FDA to treat very serious and rare forms of Epilepsy. Or, why CVS even sells CBD.
However, unfortunately, it’s not all good. Namely, loose regulations surrounding the CBD industry means that consumers are solely responsible for ensuring the product they are getting is both actually CBD and also safe.
Troublingly, CBD product tests have turned up evidence of some pretty nasty toxins that any rational CBD user would certainly rather avoid. Further, tests by the FDA have even proven that the concentration of CBD being reported by numerous companies was false.
Then, there are vape pen cartridges themselves, which can bring with them their number of toxins. For example, things such as thinning agents can become toxic when the vape pen heats up.
Unfortunately, it will be up to consumers to monitor their CBD products until there are more stringent regulations. In the meantime, here are some toxins to watch out for in your CBD products.
CBD Toxicity to Watch out For
Chemical Solvents
Low-temperature C02 extraction is the current way many CBD manufacturers extract their CBD toxicity.
Unfortunately, some growers choose to use chemical solvents instead to extract CBD from their hemp. As you can imagine, these chemical solvents remain inside their CBD products. Then, an unsuspecting consumer buys these products.
You should take care to avoid these products. Pay attention to a manufacturer’s production methods. Those companies that do not disclose this information likely refuse to do so for a reason.
They might be using chemical solvents to process their CBD. This includes chemical solvents such as butane and hexane.
Butane (Lighter Fluid)
Butane can be toxic to humans. Most of the information regarding butane toxicity comes from reports of individuals purposefully abusing butane for its intoxicating effects.
Nevertheless, these reports indicate that butane toxicity can be deadly in high enough concentrations. Organ failure, brain damage, and muscle weakness are more severe symptoms. These typically occur after repeated exposure/abuse.
It’s also worth noting that butane exposure can be especially toxic for growing fetuses who may experience underdeveloped organs and brain damage as a result.
Hexane
Hexane is another solvent some manufacturers use to extract CBD from their hemp. The solvent dissolves/removes glue and varnish.
It is toxic in high dosages for people. Even short term exposure produces symptoms that include nausea, headache, giddiness, and dizziness.
However, it’s worth noting that many people rely on their CBD products for continual relief. That means that long-term exposure to whatever is within the CBD toxicity product is likely.
Longer-term exposure causes Polyneuropathy. The symptoms include numbness, muscle weakness, headache, and fatigue.
Pesticides
One way to be more sure of what you’re getting in your CBD is to buy CBD products that have been USDA Organic certified. Otherwise, you may receive a product that has been tainted by the use of pesticides.
These pesticides are still present in the product derived from the hemp they are used to grow. Glyphosate— from the herbicide Roundup– is one pesticide that has been found in tested CBD products.
Mold
According to the USDA, some molds can cause health problems in humans. The USDA says that mold can cause both respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Mold can also create “mycotoxins” which are toxic to humans.
Unfortunately, toxic mold has also been found in some tested CBD toxicity products. Perhaps this is more likely because the regulations ensuring cannabis plants are tested for things like mold are loose even in California. And, that’s without noting that a third of hemp plants are grown in China which is known for its lax safety standards.
Metals
Hemp is occasionally used in the process of bioremediation. Here, a plant grows with metals removed from the soil.
Therefore, it’s unsurprising that some heavy metals are found in CBD products. Namely, metals such as lead and arsenic have been found.
Lead poisoning brings along a host of nasty symptoms, including weakness, headaches, memory loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, constipation, abdominal pain, and pain or tingling in the extremities. High lead exposure causes brain damage.
Humans are also susceptible to arsenic poisoning. Symptoms range from abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, vomiting or diarrhea, hypotension, seizures, or fever.
Learn More About CBD Toxicity
As you can see, the stakes are pretty high. Ensuring the products you get are safe is of the utmost importance. CannaBiz Depot carries its own line of quality CBD products alongside products from CBDistillery and Lazarus Naturals. Lazarus Naturals is one company that uses third-party lab testing so they can make sure the product you receive is exactly as advertised. There are no nasty surprises here, just quality CBD. Contact us for quality CBD products.
