CBD Side Effects (What to Know)
Cannabidiol (CBD) has multiple pharmacological actions including anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antiemetic and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, both chronic use and high doses of CBD, up to 1,500 mg/day reportedly are well tolerated by humans and as reported by the World Health Organization, CBD is known to have a good safety profile. Now you may be wondering- “does that mean I don’t have to worry about side effects?” The answer to that question is no because at this point, little is known about CBD’s safety and side effect profile in humans. The aim of today’s blog is to cover the common side effects of CBD and what you can do to prevent them from occurring.
Common Side Effects of CBD
Several studies suggest CBD does not affect physiological parameters such as blood pressure, gastrointestinal transit and does not alter psychomotor or psychological functions. However, we would be remiss if we did not list six common side effects reported by CBD users.
#1 Low Blood Pressure
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties help to lower blood pressure, a positive for those suffering from diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular problems, but in normotensive individuals, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may cause you to feel lightheaded when standing up too quickly. Additional symptoms of low blood pressure include fatigue, blurred vision, fainting and nausea.
A 2017 study concluded that acute administration (a single, 600 mg dose) of CBD reduces resting blood pressure and the blood pressure increase in humans associated with increased heart rate.
#2 Dry Mouth
You may or may not be familiar with the term “cotton mouth” or the dry mouth sensation one experiences after consuming a THC product. CBD can cause the same feeling because it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the mouth called the submandibular glands and inhibits the secretion of saliva. One way to avoid or mitigate this side effect is to stay hydrated.
#3 Wakefulness/Drowsiness
In smaller doses, clinical research has shown CBD to cause wakefulness whereas larger doses have shown it to cause drowsiness.
#5 Diarrhea
Diarrhea is another possible side effect of CBD but is more likely to be caused by other ingredients such as carrier oils or flaws in the production of a CBD product, rather than CBD itself.
Investing in high-quality CBD oil can help prevent this side effect but if you are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain or stomach pain, an article published by POPSUGAR suggests, “stop taking the oil for a day or two to determine if it’s the supplement or some other issue (your diet, stress) causing your gastrointestinal discomfort.”
#6 Possible Allergic Reaction When Applied to The Skin
CBD has proven benefits when applied topically, however, like any form of lotion, oil or other topical product, the chance of an allergic reaction can occur. To avoid this, we suggest investing in a high-quality CBD product and patch testing before applying to your whole body or trouble area.
#7 Interactions with Some Prescription Medications
CBD can prevent the cytochrome P450 enzyme from metabolizing other compounds you may be taking, potentially causing an adverse reaction or drug interaction. If you are interested in learning more about this topic click here to read our in depth blog post on ‘A Beginners Guide to CBD and Drug Interactions.’
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