With all the attention CBD oil has been getting, many people are blown away by benefits of CBD and are reporting incredible results. However, CBD, like most other substances, has some side effects.
Whether you prefer CBD gummies, capsules or tinctures, before using any CBD product, smart shoppers do their research on potential adverse effects of CBD. Adverse reactions go beyond an earthy flavour, bitter aftertaste or limited results. So, let’s shed light on the possible side effects of taking CBD oil.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (commonly known as CBD) is one of more than 100 active compounds found naturally in the Cannabis Sativa plants. CBD is also non-addictive and non-psychotropic, which means it won’t cause a ‘high’, changes in a state of mind or an addiction.
Aside from different formats, you’ll often find CBD in an oil or edible form. Though CBD products are not used to get you ‘high’ or have any psychoactive effects, some products contain small amounts of THC to activate the CBD properties. THC, short for Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound also found in the cannabis plants. However, these concentrations aren’t enough to trigger euphoria.
Unlike cannabidiol, THC has huge mental focusing capacities, but it also has other unfriendly effects that nobody wants to have. Some of the antagonistic effects include inclination, restlessness, and neuroticism. Consequently, it is nothing more than a viable solution choice for mental focus and concentration.
In addition, CBD counteracts many of the intoxicating effects of THC like drowsiness, paranoia and memory loss. In essence, CBD keeps THC from running amok in your system.
What Does CBD Do?
According to extensive research, the reason why CBD works so well to combat anxieties and illnesses is that it interacts extremely well with the complex endocannabinoid system. This is a type of cell-signalling system that connects to endocannabinoid receptors all around the body which are believed to help regulate sleep, mood, appetite, inflammation, fertility and memory. These receptors naturally bind to endocannabinoids which are produced by the body and connect to the central nervous system. These components have a similar chemical makeup to CBD, so when consuming cannabidiol, this will also bind to the receptors to regulate the above functions to help relieve stress, diminish pain and any other disturbances of the body.
An abundance of research has been conducted on the benefits of CBD oil, especially regarding what it does to improve health and wellbeing. This includes research on how CBD can help aid those struggling from mild to severe anxiety, with 41% of patients swapping their prescribed anti-anxiety medication for cannabis-based products.
There is also strong evidence that cannabidiol can help reduce symptoms of debilitating health conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and cancer. This is due to its pain relief abilities, as CBD reacts with the EDS system to impact cell response which produces an anti-inflammatory response. Cannabidiol also aids sleep which is why it is recommended to individuals with sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea and REM sleep behaviour disorder.
Are There Any Risks Of Using CBD Oil?
It is important to note that CBD is marketed and sold as a supplement and not a medicine. It is still not known what the most effective dosage of CBD is for a specific medical condition.
Since everyone has different body complexion, lifestyle, metabolism and health condition, CBD offers a different impact on each specific person. Also, provided CBD benefits depend on the method of intake such as oral, sublingual, inhalation or topical. Research on the potential healing properties and health benefits of CBD are continuing, so there is still much to be learned about its effectiveness and safety.
CBD might cause diverse reactions in a variety of people. While CBD is generally safe and can be taken with minor side effects, if you face unpleasant adverse reactions, it’s advised to decrease the consuming strength or your daily dosage. Don’t forget to visit your doctor or health-care provider prior to using any CBD infused products.
The most common side effects of CBD oil include:
CBD can affect the sleep cycle, with high doses potentially causing drowsiness. Depending on the time of day you prefer to take CBD, the relaxing effect may induce sleepiness.
Diarrhoea & decreased appetite
CBD oil causes a noticeable reduction in hunger pains experienced in between meals. This decreased appetite may shift your eating patterns and make you eat less overall. A sudden change in eating pattern can cause your body to react negatively, which may sometimes be aggressive, resulting in persistent diarrhoea. This is usually only temporary, lasting about one to two weeks while your body can adjust to new eating patterns.
Low blood pressure
High doses of CBD may cause a small drop in blood pressure, usually immediately after CBD has entered your system. This change in blood pressure might cause light-headedness. This is generally temporary and might be reversed by drinking a caffeinated drink to counter this body imbalance.
Drug interactions
CBD can form interactions with certain medications, including some used to treat epilepsy. It may interfere and increase the toxicity or decrease the effectiveness of these drugs. Many of these interactions are mild and harmless. However, to stay safe and avoid interactions, it is essential to get advice from your doctor about any medicaments you are taking, whether they are herbal or prescription.
Furthermore, before shopping for food or dietary supplements, always check whether these products include grapefruit. Both CBD and components of grapefruit might interfere with cytochromes P450 (CYPs) and boost quick medicament metabolism, which can contribute to a diminished period of CBD advantages.
