There is no doubt that CBD oil has lots of beneficial effects. Besides that, safety is also one of the top reasons why lots of people love it. Even though it’s well-tolerated, it’s possible to still experience CBD oil side effects. Different people react to the same CBD oil products differently. This could be due to genetics, dosage, other ingredients, product quality, age, etc. This article offers an in-depth review of CBD oil’s side effects, common misconceptions, and how to avoid these side effects.
Common Misconceptions about CBD
Even though CBD has become increasingly popular, there are still misconceptions attached to it. To get the facts right, here are the three most common misconceptions about CBD oil products:
All CBD Oils are the Same
No, all CBD oils aren’t the same. There is a significant difference between all these products. This depends on the source, manufacturing technique, and type of CBD. For instance, CBD isolate is different from full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD. Factors such as potency and other ingredients also determine the type of CBD oil.
Hemp CBD Oil Will Make You High
CBD oil from hemp plants can’t make you high. This is because CBD is non-psychoactive and doesn’t alter the way the mind functions. Even though CBD products from hemp have trace THC, the amount is usually less than 0.3% with insignificant mind-altering effects.
You Can Get Addicted to CBD Oil
No, you can’t get addicted to CBD oil. In fact, CBD oil is now a common treatment in therapies and drug addiction centers as it can help treat addiction. You can use CBD oil for a long period without developing dependency.
Does CBD Have Any Side Effects?
There is no doubt that CBD is popular because it’s safe, effective, and well-tolerated. However, using it can still result in possible side effects. This can be due to dosage, metabolism, genetics, etc. Besides that, the quality of the product including additives may trigger other side effects.
Common CBD Oil Side Effects
CBD oil can help regulate several processes in the body. But while it can enhance your wellness and overall performance, it can also interfere with certain processes, leading to unwanted side effects. Some of the negative side effects of CBD oil include:
Diarrhea
Ingesting CBD can cause cases of digestive issues to go up. To most people, diarrhea usually occurs at the onset of using CBD. This is mainly associated with the introduction of a new compound in the body. It can also be due to higher doses. However, diarrhea has also been associated with other ingredients in CBD oil, such as MCT coconut carrier oil. Its, therefore, is important for you to use CBD oil moderately to avoid such effects. In addition to that, do due diligence and analyze the ingredients found in the product and their effectiveness.
Tiredness
Understand that CBD usually produces different effects depending on factors such as the type of medical condition you’re treating. Besides that, the dosage is also a critical factor in determining the effects you will experience. For instance, taking lower CBD oil doses can stimulate focus and help improve good moods. On the other hand, higher doses can easily induce drowsiness and fatigue.
This is because CBD in its working usually helps to minimize restlessness and relaxes muscles. So, while you might feel more relaxed, there are high chances you might feel tired as well.
Sleepiness
CBD compound has potent sedative side effects. Researchers found that using CBD oil usually decreases the production of cortisol hormone. This is the “stress” hormone that usually leads to restlessness, sleeplessness, and insomnia. Reducing its production makes CBD acts as a sedative agent that encourages sleepiness.
Nausea
Depending on your sensitivity and chemical response, CBD supplements can result in the feeling of nausea. This is a gastrointestinal side effect that can occur after consuming a product such as CBD edible. Note that nausea can occur along with other symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.
Changes in Appetite
CBD can signal the endocannabinoid system to produce high amounts of anandamide. Note that anandamide and THC have the same molecular structures. As such, such a higher production usually triggers hunger pangs, leading to increased appetite.
Changes in Weight
CBD oil is one of the supplements that’s commonly used for weight loss. As a result, it can cause drastic changes to your overall body mass index (BMI). By promoting the feeling of satiety, CBD can enhance the burning of excess calories stored in the body. This can lead to weight loss. On the other hand, by encouraging eating through increased appetite, CBD can lead to weight gain.
Low Blood Pressure
You can use CBD oil to manage high blood pressure. Research indicates that taking high CBD oil doses can lead to a noticeable drop in the level of normal blood pressure. However, this can be a harmful effect, especially if you have normal or low blood pressure. This side effect usually leads to a feeling of lightheadedness that’s uncomfortable. If you are taking medications for high blood pressure, then you should avoid using CBD.
Dry Mouth
This is a common side effect for those who use CBD sublingually. By placing a few drops under the tongue, the compound will find a way to interact with the mouth’s salivary glands. It should be noted that this interaction usually inhibits or interferes with the secretion of saliva, leading to the dry mouth effect. However, it’s possible to counter this CBD oil side effect by drinking lots of water throughout the day. Besides that, ensure that you take sour food or treats. This will help to stimulate the production of saliva.
Is CBD Safe?
CBD is usually considered to be very safe compared to most compounds. Evidence from multiple research studies shows that CBD is suitable for human use. A meta-study that involved over 130 different studies found that CBD is safe and can be well-tolerated by humans. These comprehensive studies involved animal testing, vitro research, and human clinical tests. From this, researchers found that the potential of CBD resulting in adverse side effects could only happen if the product was used in combination with other drugs. Alternatively, it could happen if the user has an underlying medical condition.
A research study by Bergamaschi (2011) found that CBD is a safe compound with a good profile. The report indicates that it was highly effective for most patients than similar medications for the same purposes.
An open-label study investigating the tolerability and safety of CBD in the long-term found that CBD is well-tolerated. It had minimal side effects in managing the symptoms of cancer patients who used it daily for two weeks. Lastly, there has also been a research study regarding CBD’s safety in treating Dravet Syndrome. The randomized clinical trial found that the majority of the patients could perfectly tolerate CBD. Besides that, the safety of CBD in this study was found to be consistent with the results from other research studies.
Can You Overdose on CBD Oil?
No, it’s highly unlikely for you to overdose on CBD oil. Unlike most substances including supplements, the toxic CBD oil dose, 20,000 mg, is considered widely to be dangerous or lethal. A 2017 review found that it’s possible for humans to safely tolerate CBD amounts of up 1,500 mg per day.
A report by the WHO indicates that CBD is well-tolerated by humans. It’s a compound with a relatively low level of toxicity. As a result, it doesn’t have a significant effect on all the biochemical and physiological parameters of human behavior. Most people tend to experience the side effects by simply taking higher amounts of CBD oil quickly. The negative effects of CBD usually reduce with time or if you reduce the dosage.
How to Avoid CBD Side Effects
CBD can result in several potential downsides if you are not careful. If you want to use such a wellness product, then it’s important to do a comprehensive analysis of the product label, source, and lab reports. To avoid CBD oil side effects, here are some of the factors you should consider:
Read CBD Products Ingredient
It’s important to check the product label and analyze the ingredients to ensure that you avoid CBD oil side effects. Reputable CBD oil brands usually use organic ingredients in their products. It’s important to consider products that are made with organic CBD hemp extract. Besides that, check the product label to confirm if there are other ingredients, their sources, nature, and potential allergic reactions to them.
Understand that there are brands that sell cheaply-priced CBD oil with harmful synthetic additives. This includes harmful solvents, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals. Refrain from purchasing such products as they can cause unwanted side effects of CBD oil.
Read Third-Part Independent Lab Reports
Due to the lack of strict regulations, it’s up to the manufacturer to do independent 3rd-party lab tests. It should be noted that reputable brands usually take the content of their products seriously. As a result, they regularly conduct these independent tests to verify the quality and potency of their products.
You can find the lab reports published as certificates of analysis (COA) on the brand’s official website. Overall, brands that make COA readily available to their clients that they value transparency when it comes to the purity and quality of their CBD oil products.
Purchase Hemp-Derived CBD Products
CBD oil products can come from marijuana or hemp plants. CBD from marijuana isn’t legal federally. This is because marijuana contains more THC content, than the federally recommended 0.3%.
Meanwhile, CBD from the hemp plant is legal federally. This is because the extracts normally have 0.3% THC or less. This is a trace amount that won’t cause psychoactive effects. Besides that, hemp-derived CBD products contain more beneficial nutrients that effectively help to improve general wellness.
Read Verified Customer Reviews
Sampling verified customer reviews can help you determine the quality and safety of a CBD oil product. A high-quality product with minimal or no side effects will have more positive reviews and vice-versa.
If you are interested in a product from a certain brand, take time to read the various customer reviews. Besides that, it’s important to go through reviews published by journalists and media houses, if any. This will help you to get the feel of the brand, its products, and overall public perception.
Start With Lower Dose
One of the main causes of negative side effects of CBD oil is dosage. Until now, there isn’t a universal dosage recommendation. This is because the FDA doesn’t regulate non-pharmaceutical products such as CBD. On the other hand, there are several other factors that influence dosage. This includes age, weight, metabolism, the severity of the medical condition, and others.
For instance, a person with more weight will need more CBD than a person with a lesser weight. On the other hand, people with a faster metabolism will definitely need more CBD with higher potency and vice-versa.
To avoid any serious side effects of CBD oil, it’s important to start low and then go slow. It takes time, consistency, and patience before you can find the right dosage. Starting low allows you to work your way up gradually until you can find the dosage that suits your needs.
Consult with Your Physician
Before starting a new wellness regimen, you should first consult with your physician. Understand that your primary care physician is more familiar with your medical history. So, they likely know how your body will react to certain elements. Ask them about the potential side effects you might experience while using CBD oil. Besides that, enquire about the ideal CBD oil strength and dosage that would effectively cater to your needs. Such information can significantly minimize the likely hood of unwanted side effects due to higher doses or potency.
Closing Thoughts
CBD oil products are safe for human use since the body can perfectly tolerate them. However, there are common misconceptions that are still associated with the use of CBD oil. Note that all these oils are not the same. Besides that, using CBD oil can’t get you high or leave you addicted. Even so, it’s still possible to experience potential side effects such as nausea, fatigue, sleepiness, diarrhea, etc. All these stem from individual responses to the product. besides that, factors such as product quality, dosage, and ingredients may lead to such effects. It is, therefore, important that you do comprehensive research before purchasing and using CBD oil. Additionally, ensure that you start with a lower dosage and then gradually increase the amount until you find a suitable one.
