CBD Paste: What It Is, How To Use, And Benefits - Medical News Today

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SubscribeWhat to know about CBD pasteMedically reviewed by Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BCWritten by Jamie Eske on September 25, 2020
  • What it is
  • Benefits
  • Uses
  • Research
  • Risks and side effects
  • Dosage
  • Summary

CBD paste is a thick liquid that contains cannabidiol (CBD) mixed with oils, waxes, or butter. CBD paste is a versatile formulation that typically contains high concentrations of CBD.

CBD is one of the 540 chemical compounds identified in the Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) plant. CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are both cannabinoids. These compounds act on cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and throughout the body.

Unlike THC, CBD does not produce the “high” that many people associate with cannabis. CBD comes in many different forms, the most popular being CBD oil.

Keep reading to learn more about CBD paste and how it differs from other CBD products. We also examine the potential benefits, risks, and side effects of CBD.

Learn more about the differences between CBD and THC here.

What is CBD paste?

CBD paste on finger.Share on Pinterest
Image credit: grejak / Getty images.

Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

CBD paste is a thick liquid that contains a mixture of CBD extract, wax, butter, or oil. It is thicker than CBD oil.

Although CBD is a derivate of the C. sativa plant, products containing CBD extracts have extremely low THC levels. This regulation follows the 2018 Farm Bill, requiring that CBD and other hemp products contain no more than 0.3% THC. As a result, CBD paste should not produce any psychoactive effects.

Unlike CBD oil, which usually comes in a glass bottle with a dropper, CBD paste comes in a syringe. Due to its thick consistency, CBD paste is difficult to use with a dropper. A syringe, on the other hand, allows for easy and precise dosages.

Learn whether CBD can cause a “high” here.

Benefits of CBD paste

CBD’s rising popularity has led to a massive market that offers a range of CBD products, including oils, tinctures, edibles, creams, and even cosmetics.

One potential benefit of using CBD paste over other formulations is its versatility. Most manufacturers of CBD paste use natural oils, such as coconut oil or hemp oil, and other edible ingredients, such as butter. This means that people can take CBD paste sublingually by placing it under the tongue.

People can also consume CBD paste orally by mixing it into foods or drinks. People can also use it topically by applying it directly to their skin.

Due to its lack of psychoactive components and its relatively high safety profile from animal and human trials, CBD has become a central topic in emerging cannabis research.

However, the research on CBD remains limited. CBD paste is a relatively new formulation of CBD, and studies on the effects of this particular product are lacking.

Learn about other types of CBD products here.

CBD resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on CBD.

Uses

The main reasons for taking CBD include:

  • chronic pain
  • arthritis or joint-related pain
  • mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression
  • sleep disorders, such as insomnia
  • migraine, cluster, and tension headaches
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • nausea
  • cancer
  • allergies
  • asthma
  • epilepsy
  • multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease

Learn more about the uses of CBD here.

What the research says

Current research suggests that CBD, in general, may offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits. One of the most well-researched effects is the clinical application of CBD for the treatment of epileptic seizures.

In a 2018 review article, researchers analyzed findings from four clinical trials that examined the use of CBD in people with uncontrolled epilepsy. According to their results, daily doses of 10 and 20 milligrams (mg) of CBD per kilogram (kg) of body weight led to at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency.

In a 2018 study, researchers surveyed CBD use in a total of 2,409 people. According to their findings, more than 60% of respondents reported using CBD for one or more medical conditions.

A more recent 2020 study also pooled survey responses from 340 participants. According to the authors, most respondents who used CBD reported using it for stress relief, relaxation, and sleep. The authors also reported that most consumers used uncontrolled doses, and over 50% of respondents experienced at least one side effect.

The results from this study highlight the need for more high-quality, controlled CBD trials. Further research will help guide safe use and dosing recommendations for future CBD therapies.

A recent systematic review in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research, bringing together several CBD studies, shows the dosage, efficacy, and safety in humans using CBD from various clinical trials.

Most of the results are from oral CBD. Some evidence, even though low quality, supports the anti-anxiety effect of acute administration of oral CBD.

There is some evidence that chronic and acute administration of CBD can improve psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia.

Furthermore, researchers must conduct large randomized control trials (RTCs) to confirm CBD’s effect on treating Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, dyslipidemia, and cannabis use disorders.

There was insufficient data regarding safety issues in any of the studies included in the review. Most studies reported no adverse effects or side effects with acute administration of CBD, and mild to moderate adverse effects with chronic administration.

Learn more about an FDA-approved CBD drug for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy here.

Risks and side effects

Scientists do not fully understand the risks and side effects of CBD paste. However, according to the FDA, oral CBD products may lead to the following side effects:

  • fatigue
  • changes in appetite
  • changes in weight
  • diarrhea
  • liver damage
  • fertility problems among males

In a 2017 study, researchers sought to identify the potential adverse interactions between the first and only FDA-approved prescription CBD treatment Epidiolex and traditional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

This study consisted of 39 adults and 42 children currently receiving treatment for epilepsy. CBD doses ranged from 5–50 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.

The researchers identified significant adverse interaction between CBD and clobazam, topiramate, eslicarbazepine, zonisamide, and rufinamide.

The adult participants taking CBD and clobazam reported increased sedation. The researchers also observed abnormal liver function tests in the participants taking CBD and valproate.

Learn more about the side effects of CBD here.

How much to take

Start with low doses. People who tolerate low doses of CBD can gradually increase their dose over time. Anyone who experiences adverse effects should discontinue use.

People who take prescription medication may want to consult their doctor before using CBD. A doctor may know whether or not CBD is likely to interact with their current medicine. They may also be able to recommend safe CBD doses.

Learn about CBD dosages here.

Summary

CBD paste contains CBD extract mixed with wax, butter, or oil. Compared to CBD oil, CBD paste has a thicker consistency. It also comes in a syringe that allows for easy and relatively precise dosing.

Similarly to other CBD products, CBD paste should not contain more than 0.3% THC. As a result, the CBD paste does not produce psychoactive effects.

The FDA do not regulate or oversee the production or distribution of CBD paste. People interested in trying CBD paste or other CBD products should only buy from reputable manufacturers that fully utilize third-party testing.

 

  • Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
  • Marijuana / Cannabis / CBD
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How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
  • Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabinoids: What you need to know. [Fact sheet]. (2019).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
  • Corroon, J., & Phillips, J. A. (2018). A cross-sectional study of cannabidiol users.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6043845/
  • FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy. [Press release]. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
  • Gaston, T. E., et al. (2017). Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/epi.13852
  • Hemp production and the 2018 Farm Bill. (2019).https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
  • Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
  • Larsen, C., & Shahinas, J. (2020). Dosage, efficacy and safety of cannabidiol administration in adults: A systematic review of human trials [Abstract].https://www.jocmr.org/index.php/JOCMR/article/view/4090
  • Lattanzi, S., et al. (2018). Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD. (n.d.).https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40265-018-0992-5
  • Wheeler, M., et al. (2020). CBD (cannabidiol) product attitudes, knowledge, and use among young adults [Abstract].https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10826084.2020.1729201

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Medically reviewed by Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BCWritten by Jamie Eske on September 25, 2020

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