What are the side effects of CBD?
CBD oil is totally safe for most people. In fact, when it comes to medication, it’s one of the safest things to take for mind and body. However, we encourage our customers to be responsible when it comes to taking any kind of treatment, so if you’re wondering whether CBD oil has any side effects, read on.
It is important to understand that CBD is 100% natural, is extracted from the hemp plant and as a result, our CBD oil contains only trace amounts of THC. THC is the psychoactive compound within the cannabis plant that gives you the ‘high’ feeling – it can delay reaction time and/or change your behaviour. While THC has its own benefits, it can be a lot more difficult to build your tolerance to it. CBD on its own is powerful but completely non-psychoactive, and therefore, daily life should not be interrupted by taking it.
So what does CBD do? When you take the oil, your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) will react with the CBD. The ECS is the group of neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain, nervous system and elsewhere in the body, which controls moods, fertility, appetite, sensation and memory. External and environmental factors can affect our ECS, and CBD oil helps harmonise this system.
How much CBD oil should I take?
Another thing to bear in mind, when you’re deciding on whether to try the oil or not, is that CBD is not addictive, and overdosing is near impossible.
CBD dosages can vary massively, depending on your tolerance, frequency of use as well as what ailment you are treating. According to Medical News Today, dosages can include:
Chronic pain: Take between 2.5 and 20 milligrams (mg) by mouth for no more than 25 days.
Epilepsy: Consume between 200 and 300 mg of CBD by mouth daily for up to 4.5 months.
Movement problems associated with Huntington’s disease: Taking 10 mg every day for six weeks can help ease movements.
Sleep disorders: Take between 40 and 160 mg.
Schizophrenia: Consume between 40 and 1,280 mg CBD by mouth daily for up to 4 weeks.
Glaucoma: One dose of between 20 and 40 mg applied under the tongue can help to relieve pressure in the eye. However, caution is advised – doses greater than 40 mg might actually increase pressure.
However, much higher doses are regarded as fit for human consumption. WebMD has stated that CBD doses of up to 300 mg daily have been used safely for up to 6 months. Higher doses of 1200-1500 mg daily have been used safely for up to 4 weeks.
When you start CBD oil, you will be encouraged to start off on a low dosage, and slowly work your way up. You should increase the dosage when you feel your tolerance build.
Find out the recommended dose of the ailment or condition you are treating. Once you hit the recommended level, you can stick to that amount or even go beyond it. You can figure out how much you need by how you feel.
Side effects of CBD oil
So as we’ve learned, large doses are tolerated by the body, and there is no real risk of overdosing. However, there are certain side effects which are related to CBD oil. Those taking pharmaceutical drugs should check with their doctor before starting on CBD oil. So, while far from severe for most people, these side effects include:
- Inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism
- Sleepiness/Drowsiness, usually in higher doses
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
Inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism
There have been studies that show that a potential side effect of cannabidiol is the inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism and decreased activity of p-glycoprotein. This means that there is a small risk that CBD could inhibit certain liver enzymes which metabolise pharmaceutical drugs. In short, if you are on medication, the efficacy and performance of the drug could be affected. There are foods which carry out the same effect – the eating of a grapefruit, for example, could affect the liver enzymes in a similar way. However, it is worth noting for anyone already on prescription drugs. Speak to your GP if you are on or about to start medication alongside CBD oil.
Sleepiness/Drowsiness
CBD is actually a wakeful chemical, however, when you start CBD oil, you may experience some drowsiness. This side effect is also reported in high doses of CBD oil. It’s recommended that you bear this in mind and the operating of heavy machinery and driving should be avoided if you do start to feel tired.
Dry mouth
Experiencing a dry mouth is relatively common for those taking CBD oil. There are CBD receptors in the glands that produce saliva, and CBD can affect these receptors. While there is no real danger in having a dry mouth, it is a good idea to keep hydrated with water.
Low blood pressure
Those taking medication for blood pressure should also be aware of the effects of CBD. A small drop in blood pressure can occur if the dose of CBD oil is high. You may feel a little lightheadedness, so if you are on medication for blood pressure, check with your GP before taking the oil.
Increased tremors in Parkinson’s patients
There are some conditions which have split opinion on the benefits of CBD oil. For example, and while there have been no adverse effects found in most people, those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease have been discouraged by some experts from taking it. There is some evidence to suggest it can aggravate shakes, however, there are a large number of online forums where people are sharing their stories of how they are minimizing the symptoms of the disease with CBD oil.
StockUpOnCBD.com encourages everyone to have responsibility for any treatment they chose to take. CBD oil is no exception, and it’s important that you should seek advice from a specialist before taking it.
