The Jordan Harbinger Show

Episode 1197: CBD | Skeptical Sunday
Air Date: August 17, 2025
Host: Jordan Harbinger
Co-Host: Jessica Wynn

Overview

This Skeptical Sunday episode dives deep into the world of CBD (cannabidiol)—one of the most hyped substances in the wellness industry. Jordan Harbinger and researcher/writer Jessica Wynn peel back the science, industry practices, regulation, marketing, possible health benefits, and rampant misinformation about CBD. Their goal: to sort fact from fiction and provide critical context for anyone considering CBD products for themselves or loved ones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Is CBD, and How Does It Work?

• CBD Defined ([03:49] Jessica)

  • CBD stands for cannabidiol—a cannabinoid compound found in cannabis as well as other plants like cacao, hops, and even carrots.
  • “Cannabinoids are common, and we barely understand what most of them do.” (Jessica, [04:22])

• CBD vs. THC

  • Both have the same chemical makeup but different atom arrangements (isomers), resulting in different effects.
  • “It’s like twins with very different personalities.” (Jessica, [05:04])
  • THC binds directly to brain/body receptors and gets you high; CBD does not.

• Endocannabinoid System (ECS) ([05:16]–[06:46])

  • The ECS regulates mood, pain, sleep, immunity, and inflammation.
  • THC binds directly and strongly; CBD only nudges receptor activity and slows the breakdown of the body’s “bliss molecule” (anandamide).
  • “CBD slows that breakdown, so anandamide sticks around longer and chills us out.” (Jessica, [06:51])

Origins of the CBD Craze

• Rapid Popularity Explained ([07:52] Jessica)

  • ECS discovered in humans only in the 1990s; hemp legalized federally in the US with the 2018 Farm Bill, unleashing the CBD market.
  • Hemp = cannabis with less than 0.3% THC; anything above is “marijuana” and is still federally illegal in the US. (Jessica, [09:08])

• Legal Gray Areas

  • CBD can be extracted from either hemp or marijuana.
  • Full legality remains murky, especially when THC is present above trace levels.

CBD, Products, and Dosing

• Types of CBD Products ([12:08] Jessica)

  • Isolate: pure CBD.
  • Broad Spectrum: CBD plus other cannabinoids, no THC.
  • Full Spectrum: Includes THC—may lead to a failed drug test if over the limit.

• Extraction & Risks ([13:05] Jessica; [14:44] Jordan)

  • CBD is extracted via CO₂ or solvents.
  • Hemp oil ≠ CBD oil; the former comes from seeds, the latter from flowers/leaves.
  • Synthetic CBD exists, but it's unregulated, often structurally different, and best avoided.
  • “Chemistry is fragile, though. I mean, it’s a valid concern.” (Jessica, [14:49])

• Bioavailability & Delivery

  • Oral absorption is poor; under-the-tongue (sublingual) is better.
  • Researchers still evaluating comparative effectiveness of various methods.
  • “I will definitely say, please don’t vape CBD. Just don’t vape.” (Jessica, [17:35])

Mislabeling, Quality, and Regulatory Issues

• Wild West Marketing & Quality Control ([27:05] Jessica)

  • Studies show up to 70% of retail CBD products are mislabeled in terms of actual content.
    • “The percentages of CBD and THC we see on the packages are just completely unreliable.” (Jessica, [27:39])
  • No requirement for extraction, farming, or toxicity info on labels.
  • Look for third-party Certificates of Analysis (COA). ([16:37] Jessica)

• Multi-Level Marketing & Scammy Business Practices ([28:21])

  • CBD MLMs and questionable “lifestyle” brands abound.
  • “If the business model of a brand has an Avon vibe like this, it’s more about recruitment than the product. And that’s a red flag.” (Jessica, [29:17])

Health Claims, Reality, and Placebo

• What Does the Science Actually Say? ([30:11] Jessica)

  • 27,000+ studies; promising for a few uses, but “most of the hype goes far beyond what can be proved.”
  • “Some early research shows that it can help anxiety, sleep, chronic pain, but we just don’t have large controlled human trials...” (Jessica, [30:38])
  • Side effects are mild but real: nausea, fatigue, liver enzyme interactions (important if on medications). ([31:03] Jessica)
    • “It can mess with blood thinners, antidepressants, even antibiotics.” ([31:19] Jessica)

• Placebo Power ([34:59]–[37:18])

  • “There’s definitely a placebo effect. But that doesn’t mean the relief your dad’s getting isn’t real.” (Jessica, [34:59])
  • Out of 16 clinical trials on chronic pain, only 1 showed significant improvement over placebo; remaining benefits likely placebo.
  • The only FDA-approved medical use: Epidiolex (prescription-grade CBD) for rare childhood epilepsy.

• Dosing Challenges and Individual Variation ([45:08])

  • No agreed-upon effective dose; bioavailability strongly depends on product type and individual metabolism.

CBD and Children, Pregnancy, and Pets

• For Children & Pregnancy ([54:13] Jessica; [55:40] Jessica)

  • “If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, just stay away from any CBD product.”
  • No evidence of benefit in children; possible liver toxicity and adverse effects, especially with contaminated products.

• For Animals ([61:53] Jessica)

  • “There’s even less research to back up CBD as a pet treatment than there is for humans.”
  • CBD may harm pets’ livers; THC is toxic for animals.

The Shady World of CBD Products

• Some Ridiculous Offerings ([58:58] Jessica)

  • CBD-infused sports bras, tampons, toilet paper (“calm your ass down”), bath bombs, cheeseburgers (via loophole for one day in CO), and more.
  • “CBD-infused tampons...just please don’t do it.” (Jessica, [60:09])
  • Marketing often uses pseudo-scientific reports or “mid-year updates” as window dressing.

• Celebrity Endorsements & Influence ([54:39])

  • Kim Kardashian’s 2019 CBD-themed baby shower pushed questionable usage in the public eye.

Legal and Political Intrigue

• Regulatory Whiplash ([18:19], [48:54])

  • CBD is legal federally if derived from hemp and low in THC.
  • Enforcement is inconsistent (e.g., grandma arrested at Disney World for CBD oil).
  • Texas politicians, alcohol industry lobbying, and new bans as recent as summer 2025 threaten the industry.

• Industry Scale & Growth ([51:19] Jessica)

  • CBD market valued at $3 billion in 2021; projected to reach $60 billion by 2030.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:04] Jessica: “Sort of. I mean, more like maybe twins with very different personalities. You know, in the case of CBD and THC, the atom arrangement causes different effects on your endocannabinoid system.”
• [07:26] Jordan (via Trey Kennedy’s joke): “If you don’t know what CBD is, it’s like if essential oils had a weird cousin that lived in a van.”
• [10:33] Jessica: “A single instance of consuming CBD that’s just 0.39% THC…can result in a positive drug test for THC.”
• [14:44] Jordan: “Maybe that’s an anti-science standpoint because I don’t understand it, but when you say, oh, it’s synthetic… I don’t want to find out in 20 years those two extra hydrogen atoms was the reason this wasn’t cancerous in one form and is in another.”
• [29:36] Jordan: “So are we now buying fake CBD from wellness cults?”
• [31:09] Jessica: “CBD can cause mild side effects…most importantly, CBD interacts with our liver enzymes that metabolize 60% of common medications…which means it can mess with blood thinners, antidepressants, even antibiotics.”
• [34:59] Jessica: “There’s definitely a placebo effect. But that doesn’t mean the relief your dad’s getting isn’t real.”
• [37:55] Jessica: “They just kind of gave up and said, look, taking CBD is a waste of money. It’s potentially harmful to your health.”
• [47:02] Jessica: “According to the World Health Organization, CBD shows no signs of being addictive. And to date, there’s just no evidence of...[problems] associated with the use of CBD isolate.”
• [51:19] Jessica: “In 2021, the global CBD market was worth about $3 billion US. By 2030, it’s projected to hit $60 billion.”

Comprehensive Timeline of Important Segments

• 01:28 – Show/segment intro; what to expect from Skeptical Sunday
• 03:18 – What is CBD?
• 05:16 – The endocannabinoid system explained
• 07:52 – Origin of the CBD trend and legality context
• 09:08 – Definitions: hemp, marijuana, THC, CBD
• 12:08 – CBD types: isolate, broad, and full spectrum
• 14:44 – Synthetic CBD, safety, and chemistry concerns
• 16:37 – Certificates of Analysis and importance of quality
• 17:35 – Delivery methods, bioavailability, why not to vape CBD
• 18:19 – CBD and the law, Disney World grandma case
• 21:03 – Pre-2018 hazards: imported, contaminated CBD products
• 26:11 – CBD as 'supplement' and lack of FDA oversight
• 27:05–29:36 – Mislabeled/scammy CBD products and MLMs
• 30:11–34:59 – What actual research says; side effects; placebo; risk with other medications
• 37:43 – Legit medical CBD: Epidiolex for rare epilepsy
• 40:45–45:28 – Dosing, product variability, and effect variability
• 48:54–50:14 – International regulations, US lobbying, and industry lobbying against hemp/CBD
• 51:19 – Economics of CBD
• 54:13 – CBD and pregnancy; Kim Kardashian’s infamous baby shower
• 55:40 – CBD and children: strong warning against
• 58:58 – Wild product offerings: sports bras, tampons, toilet paper
• 61:53 – CBD for pets: evidence lacking, cautions for toxicity

Main Takeaways

• CBD is neither a scam nor a miracle—its proven efficacy is extremely limited, and most over-the-counter products are unregulated, inconsistently labeled, and of unpredictable quality.
• Placebo effect explains a significant portion of its perceived benefit for pain and anxiety.
• Risks: Potential for liver enzyme interference (esp. with meds), poor efficacy for most marketed ailments, and possibility of ingesting unknown substances due to lack of oversight.
• Only one FDA-approved use: prescription-grade CBD for certain rare epilepsies.
• Over-the-counter CBD is, at best, harmless but expensive for most; at worst, a possible health risk with zero real benefit.
• Be skeptical, check for third-party lab tests, and always discuss with your doctor, especially if on medication.

Final Note

“Just because it’s sold at CVS doesn’t mean it’s safe or effective or even real, I guess.”
— Jordan Harbinger ([63:45])

“If you have a medical condition, my advice: always talk to your doctor before using CBD, especially if you’re on prescriptions.”
— Jessica Wynn ([63:45])

If you're considering CBD—or any wellness “miracle”—approach every claim with skepticism, do your homework, and remember: when in doubt, talk to your doctor.