Let’s consider what you have in your home and its toxicity as we judge cannabinoids.
Please recall two important definitions in the study of toxicology: LD50 is defined as the “median lethal dose” of a substance that will kill 50% of those given that amount. NOAEL is defined as the amount of a substance that yields “no-adverse effect level”. While these concepts are the basics in toxicity profiling, there are many other dimensions due to the complexity of human physiology and individual situations.
Did you know that eating about 33 tubes of toothpaste (sodium fluoride) is toxic?
You probably could guess about 75 shots of espresso will kill you. Approximately 120 cups of coffee will too. Practically speaking, the world’s most popular psychoactive drug is quite safe when dosed via the bean and its various commonplace drug delivery modes. Pure caffeine is so dangerous that you can’t buy it since only about two teaspoons (>5 grams) will kill an adult male. This is NOAEL and LD50 in the real world and espresso’d in a way that is sobering and meaningful.
But did you know that the LD50 for aspirin is 20 grams (baby aspirin has 81mg and adult aspirin is typically a 325mg pill) so quite a number of such pills are lethal while for Tylenol the LD50 is only 8 grams. Tylenol recently lowered the recommended daily maximum dosage to 6 pills of 500mg. Ipso facto, Tylenol is far more lethal than aspirin based on its LD50 toxicity value. For perspective, Fentanyl is extremely lethal having an LD50 of 2mg. Morphine’s LD50 is 200mg.
Since there have been no modern, recognized and definitive LD50 studies published for CBD or the minor cannabinoids (and those conducted for THC substantiate LD50 amounts to be unrealistically large quantities of THC meaning an extremely low toxicity profile), how do we form a scientific-based perspective of hemp cannabinoid toxicology?
We look to human history, we weigh the options of credible, scientifically minded organizations, and evaluate the evidence we do have.
The 2017 World Health Organization report considers CBD safe and non-addictive based on their extensive review of the matter over decades. “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” “To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” “. . .evidence from well controlled human experimental research indicates that CBD is not associated with abuse potential.”
The FDA approval in 2018 of Epidiolex, a nearly pure form of CBD medicine for certain types of pediatric diabetes, provides additional evidence to be evaluated. While the FDA requires approved drugs to establish a LD50, the FDA doesn’t require their disclosure. Hence, we don’t have access to this empirical information from the approval of Epidiolex. What we do know is that Epidiolex was approved and is prescribed in very high doses to pediatric epileptic patients whose physiologies are usually compromised in multiple ways compared to the typical serving size and cumulative daily consumption of CBD used by the general population as a health and wellness remedy.
The long history of cannabis sativa use by humans will continue to be the strongest evidence of the very low toxicity profile of the phytocompounds in the plant. Importantly, this does leave aside many important issues involving potential drug interactions and high-risk populations and other factors but the toxicity of cannabinoids does not appear to be an issue. Formal studies are needed and forthcoming.
As we know, naturally occurring compounds are a mixed bag and cave men and women paid dearly for experimenting when they ate something new that made them sick or killed them. Mushrooms can be tasty or they can kill. Peas contain trace amounts of formaldehyde but it is hard to imagine anyone being able to eat enough to kill. Willow bark is basically aspirin.
Hemp chemovars can have CBDV, THCV, CBC, and CBG along with CBD and many other compounds with human bioavailability. They are improving the quality of life for many and are safer than many things found in most homes based on the scientific and empirical evidence.
Indeed, the dose does make the poison, and the cure.
What Makes PPM Unique:
For several minor cannabinoids, including 100% hemp-derived CBN (100% THC-Free), we believe PPM is the only domestic producer of these naturally occurring minor cannabinoids selling kilos consistently into highly demanding large company supply chains.
PPM is led by a team of advanced-degreed scientists with pharmaceutical and university research backgrounds representing over 100 years of chemistry and plant medicine experience.
PPM is committed to advancing the science and providing innovative true whole hemp plant extracts with fully customizable cannabinoid profiles, and minor and rare cannabinoid-based ingredients, both 100% hemp-derived and biosynthesized from hemp plant precursors versions including CBN, CBC, CBT, CBDA, THCV, CBDV, etc. to leading consumer product supply chains worldwide.
Clean. Consistent. Compliant.
Every day, every team member at PPM is inspired by the possibilities of plant-based medicine and remedies, and Mother Nature’s genius.
Contact:
Krystle Jarrett
(303)319.6885
[email protected]
