These days everyone is talking about CBD. From college students to parents to senior citizens, people from around the globe have a newfound interest in the cannabinoid and how it can benefit and improve their lives.
Though CBD has been studied by scientists since the 1970s, it wasn’t until the last few years that the compound gained traction and ever-increasing popularity. There is mounting evidence to show that CBD may offer a variety of medical benefits, including pain relief, lowered anxiety, and even clearer skin.Â
Generally, CBD is safe to take, if you’ve purchased a quality product. However, as with any substance, there are risks and side effects that you want to be aware of.
Keep reading to learn about the side effects of CBD hemp oil and how you can reduce the risk of experiencing them.
Potential Side Effects
Clinical research has shown that CBD can cause some side effects. The type of severity varies from person to person, so it’s important to keep track of any unexpected side effects that you experience after taking a CBD product.
Some of the most common side effects associated with CBD usage includes:
- Changes in mood and appetite
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
The good news is that many of these side effects are minimal. More often than not, these side effects can be remedied by using a lower dosage of CBD, or by switching to a higher quality product.
If you experience any of these side effects for an extended period of time, stop using the product and contact a medical professional immediately.
High Risk Users
Not everyone should use CBD. As with any kind of supplement, if you fit into one of the high risk categories, it’s advised to talk with your doctor to ensure that taking CBD won’t put you at an even higher risk of health complications.
One of the well-known high risk categories is those with liver disease. If you have this disease, CBD products should be used under the care of your doctor. This is because CBD can increase liver enzymes, which can indicate liver inflammation and possible damage.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid CBD products. The FDA strongly advises against using CBD, THC, or any form of marijuana during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This is because cannabinoids can pass through the placental barrier. The presence of these compounds may negatively affect fetal brain development. CBD and THC may also increase the risk of low birth weight as well as an increased risk for premature and stillbirth.
Women who are breastfeeding should avoid CBD products because trace amounts of THC may be present. Breast milk can contain THC for up to six days after use. This can impact a newborn’s brain development, increasing the risk of poor cognitive function and hyperactivity.
Drug Interactions
Studies have shown that CBD may negatively interact with certain medications. This can include increasing drug toxicity or decreasing the effectiveness. To protect yourself, it’s crucial that you first confirm that CBD won’t interact with any of your existing drugs and supplements.
Some of the potential drug-drug interactions to be aware of when using CBD include:
- Opioid painkillers
- Migraine medications
- Antiarrhythmic drugs
- Immune-suppressive drugs
- Antipsychotic drugs
The good news is that most of these interactions are mild and only minimal adjustment to treatment may be needed. Depending on the drug, you may be required to take your prescription first, and then take CBD hours later.
In order to avoid negative drug interactions, always check with your doctor before adding any new supplement to your daily regimen. This protects you and your well-being.
How to Protect Yourself
While there are some risk factors to consider when taking CBD, there are many things you can do to protect yourself. As an informed consumer, you can ensure that you’re making wise decisions when buying a new CBD product.
Buy High Quality Products
The best way to minimize CBD side effects is to only buy high quality products. Go for the best CBD oil you can find instead of those low quality ones. You can’t expect great results from a product that uses subpar CBD. This means not buying CBD products from gas stations or local convenience stores. These products are typically low quality and may actually be dangerous.
To find superior CBD products, the first place to look is online. There are dozens of trusted CBD companies that sell high quality CBD supplements, including oils, capsules, oral sprays, vape oils, edibles and gummies,
Understand CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum CBD
Before choosing a CBD product, you’ll need to know the difference between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD. These are two very different types of CBD.Â
As the name implies, CBD isolate is CBD that has been isolated from other compounds found in the hemp plant. This means the product won’t have any THC, terpenes, or other naturally occurring chemicals. CBD isolate is a great option for those who don’t want any exposure to THC.
On the other hand, full-spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds found in the hemp plant, including THC, other cannabinoids, terpenes, amino acids, and flavonoids. While full-spectrum CBD protects will contain trace amounts of THC, users get to experience the entourage effect, which makes the side effects of CBD more noticeable.
Dose Low and Slow
If you’ve never used CBD before, the worst thing you can do is to take a high dosage. Too high of a dosage too quickly greatly increased the risk of negative side effects. If you want to experience the calmness and relaxation that CBD offers, start with a low dosage and slowly increase it.
Start off using a product that has very little CBD, such as 5mg to 10mg. In the weeks to follow, you will slowly up the dosage until you feel the relief you want. Once you’ve found your sweet spot, note just how much CBD you need to take to maintain those effects.
Conclusion
As with any supplement, there is the potential for negative side effects when using CBD. But, if you dose properly and only use high quality products, the risk of bad side effects are minimal. It’s also important to use caution if you’re in a high risk group. Always talk with your doctor before self-dosing with CBD.
