If you have spent any time in the health and wellness sphere, you have probably heard about CBD. This natural compound found in the cannabis plant has gained quite a reputation for boosting wellbeing in a number of ways. Yet all of the hype surrounding CBD may sound too good to be true, leaving you wondering if there are any downsides to taking CBD.
Scientific research on CBD is still emerging, but has largely been positive. While CBD has fewer side effects than most prescription medications and is considered to be safe, some people may experience mild side effects when consuming CBD oil — like dry mouth and fatigue. Because CBD may also interact with certain prescription drugs, it is important to talk with your doctor before taking it.
Below, we have outlined the current research on CBD, including its potential side effects. If you’re curious to try CBD oil for yourself, reach out to us to learn more.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It is one of hundreds of naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. Another well-known cannabinoid is THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Unlike THC, CBD will not make you feel high or stoned.
CBD oil is made by extracting the compound from the cannabis plant. It is then diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Depending on the type of CBD oil that you purchase, there may be a number of other beneficial nutrients and compounds found in the oil, such as terpenes. Together, these compounds produce what is known as the entourage effect.
CBD typically contains little or no THC. In the United States, hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC. When you purchase CBD oil made from American-grown hemp, it will contain 0.3% or lower THC. You can also choose to buy CBD oil that is THC-free.
There are a number of health and wellness benefits associated with CBD. In recent years, scientists have performed a number of studies on CBD. While this research is still in its preliminary stages, the early results are promising.
Based on these studies, CBD may be able to:
- Reduce anxiety
- Help with insomnia
- Lessen symptoms of depression
- Reduce chronic pain
- Reduce nerve pain and inflammation
- Help with acne
- Benefit heart health
- Reduce seizures
- Help with substance abuse disorder
- Reduce symptoms of psychosis
Keep in mind that this research is still developing. Consult with your doctor about using CBD before taking it or adding anything to your health and wellness regimes.
Does CBD Oil Have Any Side Effects?
Potential Side Effects of CBD
Having read about the benefits of CBD, you might be wondering if there are any downsides to taking it. CBD is generally considered safe, and is well-tolerated by most people. However, some people may still experience mild side effects when taking CBD oil.
Minor Side Effects
In a 2017 review, scientists noted that CBD has a favorable safety profile, and fewer side effects compared to other treatments for conditions such as epilepsy and mental health issues. However, a small number of participants in the studies review reported diarrhea, changes in appetite and/or weight, and fatigue or tiredness. It may also cause dry mouth.
Comparison to Traditional Medications
Importantly, these potential side effects are typically much less serious than those associated with traditional medications. For example, drugs used to treat anxiety and depression may cause agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, and headaches. Some of these medications — such as benzodiazepines for anxiety — can also be addictive. In comparison, the side effects that some people may experience with CBD are relatively minor.
Interaction with Medications
CBD oil may also interact with certain prescription medications, which may cause unwanted side effects. If you take a medication that has a “grapefruit warning,” CBD may affect how this drug is metabolized by your body. Before taking CBD or any supplement, you should talk to your doctor about how it may affect you, particularly in relation to any medicines that you may be taking.
Quality and Regulation Concerns
In some cases, people who use CBD may experience side effects because of additives or impurities in the product. While CBD is widely available over-the-counter, both in stores and online, these products are not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, it can be difficult to know what you are actually getting when you purchase a CBD product.
Ensuring Safety
To safeguard against these issues, only purchase high quality CBD oil that has been independently tested by a third party laboratory. A trustworthy company will make these test results available online, so that you can review the CBD concentration and the presence of additives and impurities for yourself. If a company that sells CBD products doesn’t provide this information, steer clear of it.
Choosing Quality CBD
Similarly, you should look for CBD that was extracted from industrial hemp grown in the United States. The production of hemp is tightly regulated in the U.S., which means that CBD made from hemp grown here is more likely to be of a higher quality than hemp grown elsewhere, such as China.
Seeking Medical Advice
If you do experience unpleasant side effects while taking CBD, stop taking it. You should then talk to your doctor about these side effects, and whether they could be attributed to something else.
Interested in Trying CBD? We Can Help.
For most people, CBD oil is safe and effective, with few side effects — especially when compared to most traditional pharmaceutical drugs. If you’re considering trying CBD oil, we can help. At Green Wellness Life, our team is dedicated to helping people select a CBD product that meets their unique needs.
While we aren’t doctors and cannot diagnose or treat any medical or mental health condition, we can provide you with the latest research on CBD to help you make an informed decision. We only sell products on our online CBD shop that are made from hemp grown in the U.S. and that have been independently tested. To learn more or for help with any questions, reach out to us at (866) 244-4223 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, or email us at any time.
Sources:
- Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test
- Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Antidepressant-like effects of cannabidiol in mice: possible involvement of 5-HT1A receptors
- Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases
- The non-psychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an orally effective therapeutic agent in rat chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain
- Delayed nausea and vomiting continue to reduce patients’ quality of life after highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy despite antiemetic treatment
- Cannabidiol as a novel inhibitor of Id-1 gene expression in aggressive breast cancer cells
- Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and anti-inflammatory effects on human sebocytes
- A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study
- Cannabidiol lowers incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice
- Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial
- Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
- A systematic review of the antipsychotic properties of cannabidiol in humans
- Mayo Clinic- What are the benefits of CBD — and is it safe to use?
- An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies
- Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects
- Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence