ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS OF USING CBD? IS IT SAFE?
CBD has been found safe for consumption according to recent studies. However we encourage you to check with a doctor about dosage. You can indeed have side effects if you take too much even though these side effects are minor and not dangerous. There has not any case of overdose or toxicity case from the use of CBD. Doses of up to 1500 mg of CBD have been seen to be easily tolerated by human test subjects. CBD hardly has any negative impact on humans, may occur only in very rare cases and that too in a mild way.
Regarding some of the Side Effects you can encounter while taking CBD:
- Dryness of the mouth
- Drowsiness: In theory CBD use do not induce any drowsiness. But as CBD is still being studied and that everyone’s’ body is different, some drowsiness can occur.
- Dizziness, Light-headedness: A pretty rare and temporary side effect, lightheadedness can be easily managed by drinking a caffeinated beverage that will help your body quickly regain its normal balance. A cup of tea or coffee can work wonders in such situations, but make sure to drink a lot of water along with it, as caffeine has a dehydrating effect on the body.
- Drop in blood pressure: people who suffer from low blood pressure or are taking medication for it should refrain from consuming CBD or CBD-based products. While it is always best to consult a doctor before considering CBD oil as an alternative treatment, if faced with such a situation, drinking coffee usually helps, just like in case of lightheadedness.
- Diarrhea & Change in Appetite : In 2017,a clinical study of patients with epilepsy and psychotic disorders and their reaction to CBD oil as a form of treatment was published in the journal, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. In the course of their research, scientists discovered that the subjects experienced some common side effects like tiredness, diarrhea, and changes in both weight and/or appetite. (3)However, it was concluded that: “In comparison with other drugs, used for the treatment of these medical conditions, CBD has a better side effect profile.”This study, however, left room for more extensive research into the “toxicological parameters” of CBD oil,for instance, its effect on hormones.
- Interaction with other Medication: People who takes other medication should always ask for their GP advice before ingesting CBD. Some medication can indeed hinder the breakdown of the CBD molecule, hence increasing the physiological activity of CBD.
CBD (as discussed earlier) inhibits the breakdown of certain pharmaceutical drugs and, in some cases, vice versa. This may lead to the presence of higher levels of these drugs in your system, causing unwanted side effects, sometimes even an overdose. It is imperative to note that CBD oil is not alone in this effect on drug metabolism. Grapefruit, watercress, St John’s Wort, and goldenseal also inhibit activity of the cytochrome P450 or CYP450. The drugs in question… Any drug that requires the liver’s CYP450 enzymes to metabolize could potentially interact with CBD oil. According to the Indiana University Department of Medicine, drugs known to use the CYP450 system include (7):
- Steroids
- HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- Antihistamines
- Prokinetics
- HIV antivirals
- Immune modulators
- Benzodiazepines
- Antiarrythmics
- Antibiotics
- Anesthetics
- Antipsychotics
- Antidepressants
- Anti-epileptics
- Beta blockers
- PPIs
- NSAIDs
- Angiotension II blockers
- Oral hypoglycemic agents
- Sulfonylureas
It must be mentioned here that this list is not exhaustive and neither can it be said with absolution that all these drugs will adversely react with cannabidiol. It is best for you to consult a medical professional before supplementing your treatment with CBD oil.
