Supplements and Drugs: The Differences

Over our many years of sharing the benefits of CBD for wellness, we have received a lot of questions about the differences between supplements and drugs. It is important to define each of these two terms, as there are some distinctions about which consumers should be educated. We at PlusCBD™ Oil believe in transparency and ethics in communication. Because there is a fair amount of unreliable information that is available to consumers, we feel the need to set the record straight by providing factual information as it pertains to hemp‐derived nutritional supplements.

PlusCBD™ Oil is a dietary supplement that is made with cannabidiol, or CBD, which is derived from agricultural hemp. In our opinion, our CBD oil products meet the definition of a supplement, because it is an extract of a botanical, and because it is used by people to supplement their diets by increasing their overall dietary intakes.

Supplements are defined by the US Food and Drug Administration as ‘any product which contains one or more dietary ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids or other ingredients used to supplement the diet.’ This definition was created in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, also known as DSHEA.

PlusCBD™ Oil is not a pharmaceutical drug. Pharmaceutical drugs should be understood to be drugs that are used to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. While it is possible that in the future, CBD will be used in pharmaceutical drugs, there are currently no FDA approved pharmaceutical drugs that contain CBD. Pharmaceutical drugs must go through an exhaustive process that involves several rounds of approval, testing and clinical trials. Regulated by the FDA’s Food Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, pharmaceuticals require a prescription and are typically covered by insurance.

At PlusCBD™ Oil, we do not make any claims about how our products can cure any diseases. This is because supplement producers cannot make any claims along these lines. Supplements are intended to keep healthy people healthy, are available over the counter, and are typically not covered by insurance.

PlusCBD™ Oil is backed by a formal safety review and is further supported by physician recommendations and a growing set of case reports. It is important to note, however, that PlusCBD™ Oil does not claim that its products treat, cure or mitigate diseases or their symptoms. As is the case with any dietary supplement, you should consult your physician before taking PlusCBD™ Oil. Further, CBD is not intended for people under the age of 18, or for those who are pregnant or lactating.

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