Share
Is It Safe To Use CBD In The Workplace?
CBD products can be used to provide relief from a variety of symptoms related to chronic pain and inflammation. There are a variety of different types of products that meet various needs, but what if you have to use a CBD product while at work? Is that considered legal or safe? Will it impair your work? These are all great questions to have, and there is still a lot to learn about CBD. However, there is also a lot we know already based on user experiences for different types of products. Read on to learn which CBD products you can safely take at work and which ones you should avoid.
What Is CBD?
The best place to start with answering any questions about CBD is by considering what it is. CBD is a naturally occurring molecule typically found in hemp plants, but it is also present in a variety of other plants. This molecule is similar in structure to other molecules found in your body, called endocannabinoids. Because of this similarity, CBD works naturally with your body's endocannabinoid system, which regulates a variety of functions.
CBD is extracted from hemp plants using either solventless or solvent-based extraction methods, resulting in CBD oil. This CBD extract oil is then incorporated into a variety of different products, including topicals, tinctures, edibles, cartridges, and more. Each of these products work to deliver CBD to your endocannabinoid system either via your skin or bloodstream. CBD then interacts with receptors within this system to send messages to your body that can help alleviate chronic pain or inflammation.
Is CBD Intoxicating?
There is still much to be researched around CBD and the way it works with the human body. But there are plenty of user testimonies that support the benefits of using CBD on a regular basis. It is also understood that CBD provides effects without the feeling of being intoxicated. CBD’s close cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol does leave you feeling “high”, but CBD avoids this effect even when ingested. When CBD is ingested it is processed by your liver and enters your bloodstream to interact with your endocannabinoid system. However, when CBD is applied topically it does not enter your bloodstream and instead interacts with receptors in your skin’s portion of the endocannabinoid system. That means that even if the CBD topical you are using contains a bit of tetrahydrocannabinol it will still not leave you feeling intoxicated. Instead, the CBD sinks in skin deep and works to relieve any inflammation you might have in your skin or muscles. However, it is possible to use too much CBD as topicals.
If you want to be 100 percent certain that you are using a product that will not provide intoxicating effects though, you should seek out products that include CBD isolate. These types of CBD products use CBD extract that is stripped down to only include pure CBD molecules. This means that you are taking pure CBD without any trace of other natural hemp plant molecules. That also means that you could be missing the potential benefits of whole-plant medicine. However, it’s best to use the types of products you feel most comfortable with.
You will want to keep in mind that the CBD market is still fairly unregulated and a lot of CBD products are mislabeled. You may think you’re purchasing a product that contains 100 percent CBD, however, it could have trace amounts of other molecules included that could make you fail a workplace drug test. It is always best to do a thorough amount of research for any CBD product you are using, whether it is a tincture, topical, or anything in between. Be sure to ask the manufacturer for a third-party laboratory analysis so that you know exactly what is included in their product and how much CBD is included per dose.
How Can You Take CBD Discreetly?
Once you have narrowed down your options of CBD products and done your research, you can consider taking CBD products throughout your day, as needed. The first useful CBD products that are sure to not intoxicate you while on the clock are CBD topicals. This type of product comes in many forms, but balms, salves, lotions, and body oils are the most common. They are all intended to be applied to your skin and can provide relief of inflammation for common scrapes, burns, or skin conditions you might have to manage.
The next types of CBD products you might find useful to keep in your laptop bag are CBD edibles or tincture sprays. These types of products will deliver CBD to your bloodstream and can be managed discreetly in the office. Many CBD edibles look like common snacks or sweet treats that are easy to pop at your desk. CBD tinctures can be mixed with drinks to knock off the taste and keep the edge off. You can also opt for a CBD tincture spray, which is a CBD tincture in a convenient spray bottle for easy and discreet dosing.
No matter which CBD product you opt for, you should consider if your employer has a stated drug policy. You’ll want to stay within your employer’s workplace guidelines while seeking the relief of CBD. If you find that CBD products that contain CBD isolates work well for you, then you should check out the products mentioned above with this form of CBD extract. Be sure to experiment with dosing outside of work to be safe though, and only take another dose of CBD as needed.