CBD Oil Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning

cbd oil dosageThe concept of CBD oil effects has always brought controversies, especially among those individuals who haven’t grasped the basics of CBD benefits. Most people always assume that just because both CBD and THC are obtained from marijuana then they must be similar in properties and effects.

But let’s clear the misconception and settle for facts:

It is true that both CBD and THC are cannabinoids – a group of 104+ compounds that can be obtained from marijuana. However, the major difference between CBD and most other product among the cannabinoids is that CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects. Simply put, CBD cannot make you high.

The inability of CBDto cause any psychoactive effects has improved its usage both at home and in the hospital. Natural non-psychoactive products including CBD oil and hemp oil are becoming daily routine forms of treatments as natural supplements or as alternative therapeutic agents to conventional medicine.

Since all pharmacologically active substances are not 100% risk-free, it is prudent to assume that even though CBD doesn’t have psychoactive effects like THC, it surely has some other effects on the body. As with all products, it is important to fully grasp the basics of what CBD does to your body (pharmacodynamics) and what your body does to CBD (pharmacokinetics.)

With this information in place, you will know exactly the right amount of CBD to use and the potential effects to expect – including ways on how to manage CBD effects when they occur.

CBD Oil Side Effects On Body

CBD Oil Side Effects On BodyBefore we get to know the effects of CBD on the body, we have to understand the mechanisms which allow it to affect the body in the first place.

In the body, there is a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The system is what allows the products of cannabis (essentially all cannabinoids) to cause their effects in the body. This system has receptors called cannabinoid receptors which are designated the abbreviations: CB1 and CB2 receptors.

You may be wondering why we even have receptors for cannabis in the body. Does it mean our body prepares us to get high? – or use marijuana?

Certainly not! There are certain lipid-based endogenous neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids in our body.

These neurotransmitters are what naturally bind to these endocannabinoid receptors. However, they share certain similarities with the cannabinoids from marijuana, hence the reason why cannabinoids can easily bind to these CB receptors in the body.

But here is the real deal about these receptors and how they work.

CB1 receptors are located in the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord.

Essentially, these receptors work to regulate and/or alter the biochemistry of the body depending on when and how they are stimulated. The major exogenous substance that interacts actively with these CB1 receptors is tetrahydrocannabinol.

It is by far the major component of the cannabinoid family obtained from the cannabis plant. THC has the potential to make you high because it is able to bind to these receptors located in the central nervous system.

On the other hand, CB2 receptors are located in the peripheral nervous system (all the nervous system excluding the brain and the spinal cord) and in the white blood cells (the group of cells which help with body immunity against infectious agents.)

The chief function of CB2 receptors is to work with white blood cells for the purpose of improving and regulating the activities of the body’s immune system.

It has been proven that CBD characteristically binds selectively to these CB2 receptors without actually binding to CB1 receptors. This is the basic reason why CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects. Instead, its binding to CB2 receptors results in the health effects that are commonly cited as beneficial effects of CBD.

With the basic knowledge about CBD oil benefits in place, what then are its side effects on the body?

Studies, such as this review done in 2017, have confirmed the often-described safety profile of using CBD. From this study, it appeared that the most common side effects of CBD are the following:

  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Tiredness/fatigue
  • Changes in body weight

Aside from the aforementioned, some patients who use CBD reported to have experienced the following adverse effects:

  • Anxiety
  • Drying of the mouth
  • Lightheadedness
  • Drowsiness
  • Change in mood
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Essentially, the side effects of CBD on the human body are not quite serious. They are actually nonspecific and proves that CBD products are way safer than the contemporary medications that are used to manage conditions similar to those in which CBD is indicated for therapeutic use.

Is CBD Oil Addictive

Is CBD Oil AddictiveThe simple answer to this question is No.

CBD is not addictive. Actually, one of the most advanced use of CBD is in the treatment of certain symptoms related to substance abuse.

CBD is very useful in relieving the cravings and the anxiety experienced by individuals who are suffering from various forms of addiction.

It is not a surprise that everyone who has been taught and acclimatized to the fact that marijuana is a bad substance will be left in awe when you try to explain that CBD is not addictive. But in this world of technological advancement and a tremendous increase in knowledge, ignorance is just but a choice.

The explanation that CBD is not actually addictive came from the famous Word Health Organization which examined and scrutinized the pharmacologic profile of CBD. In their review of CBD, the World Health organization evaluated the effects of administering cannabidiol dosages in healthy individuals to test for the potential of abuse.

The results from the study showed that CBD is just as innocuous as the placebo used for the experiment. This review by WHO has a significant impact on turning the hearts of the masses towards agreeing to the fact that CBD is not addictive.

By dispelling the misunderstandings that have hampered the widespread use of CBD, the WHO might have just boosted the market value of CBD.

Can CBD Get You High?

No, CBD cannot make you high. As mentioned earlier, it has no psychoactive effects. Though it has the ability to make you feel relaxed, which some people will equate to being high – but that’s not true.

The reason why substances like THC are capable of making someone high is because they a directly bind to CB 1 receptors. CBD on the other hand bind only to CB 2 receptors which have no association with any central nervous system effects.

Usually, the benefits of CBD are overshadowed by fears that it can get you high just because it is classified in the same category as THC. Nevertheless, there are several research studies being done on CBD, and certainly or so, their results will help reinstate the belief in the potential benefits of CBD. 

Allergic Reaction to CBD Oil

Allergic Reaction to CBD OilMedically speaking, allergic reactions can be caused by literally any substances that get on or into the body. What causes allergies are substances called allergens. Everything is actually an allergen – what creates the difference is the susceptibility of an individual to those allergens.

For instance, one person can be allergic to plant products, while another person can be allergic to animal products. Others may not even elicit any allergic reactions at all to anything.

In susceptible individuals, an allergen is capable of activating the immune system, so much so that the immune system destroys the tissues of the body.

With the background of allergies in place: what do you think about the potential of CBD to cause allergic reactions?

Ideally, people can have allergic reactions to CBD just as readily as they get allergies to pollen and animal dander. Over the past few years, the incidences of CBD allergies have increased owing to the widespread legalization of cannabis use.

What causes these allergies?

At least 50 million Americans have been diagnosed with allergic reactions to CBD. CBD can cause potential allergies to people who are susceptible to cannabis allergens.

If you are allergic to the pollen of marijuana, then you will certainly be allergic to CBD. Usually, susceptibility to CBD allergies comes from sensitization and sensitization comes from exposure.

There are several ways in which you can get exposed to marijuana to aggravate sensitization. You can be exposed to marijuana through the following ways:

  • Smoking marijuana either actively or passively.
  • Inhaling the pollen of marijuana
  • Eating marijuana
  • Touching marijuana

Research shows that getting sensitized against marijuana will make you susceptible to allergies if you take CBD products. One particular strain of cannabis called Cannabis sativa is particularly known to cause serious irritation and allergies.

How will you know that you are having an allergic reaction to CBD?

Allergies will always present with certain symptoms which may or may not be specific. Symptoms of CBD allergy include:

  • Incessant dry cough
  • Itchiness of the eyes
  • Nausea which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting
  • Watery and redness of the eyes
  • Sore throat

Manifestations in the skin secondary to handling CBD products may include:

  • Dryness of the skin
  • Itchiness
  • Blistering of the skin
  • Hives
  • Erythema (redness) of the skin

These symptoms of allergies are always immediate just after an exposure. However, they may delay and start about an hour or several hours later following an exposure.

CBD Oil Interactions with Medications

CBD Oil Interactions with MedicationsPerhaps the most studied action of CBD is its effect on the hepatic metabolism of drugs. Studies have shown that CBD interacts with enzymes such as cytochrome P450 which metabolize drugs.

This means CBD can alter the metabolism of all drugs that are metabolized using the Cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Approximately 60% of all pharmaceutical mediations are metabolized by these cytochrome P450 enzymes – specifically the enzyme CYP3A4. What’s more, is that this is the same enzyme which metabolizes CBD in the body.

As a result, a medication that inhibits the enzyme CYP3A4 can interfere with the metabolism of CBD. This will ultimately raise the levels of CBD in the body – potentially aggravating its side effects.

Because of these reasons, you should not take any prescription medication simultaneously with any CBD product before consulting your doctor. In certain circumstances, you may be forced to either stop CBD products and stick to prescription medicine or just adhere to CBD only.

If you are not sure about what you should do in terms of medication intake, you can seek advice from a professional such as a pharmacist, CBD expert or your doctor.

How Long Does CBD Oil Effects Last

How Long Does CBDOil Effects LastThe answer to this question may not be very conclusive. The biochemistry of every individual is different and CBD may react differently with every person.

Some people may experience effects acutely while others may experience these effects later. Irrespective of these differences, clinical observations show that the effects of CBD oil can last for between four to six hours though the onset of action for CBD is just between 20 to 30 minutes.

Conclusion

CBD is certainly one of those products with immeasurable benefits and little side effects. It is very effective when used to manage the condition in which it is indicated for use.

However, the widespread use of CBD has still not been achieved because most people still hold to the misconception that CBD is equally detrimental as cannabis. The good news is that many studies are being carried out to help in enlightening the people about the potential benefits of CBD.

But till then, what do you think? Is CBD a better alternative treatment option or the risks far much outweigh the benefits?

If you wish to learn more about CBD oils, benefits, and more, feel free to check our homepage.

References

  1. Stout SM, Cimino NM. Exogenous cannabinoids as substrates, inhibitors, and inducers of human drug metabolizing enzymes: a systematic review. Drug Metab Rev. 2014; 46:86–95
  1. Fusar-Poli P, Crippa JA, Bhattacharyya S, et al. Distinct effects of D9-tetrahydro-cannabinoland cannabidiol on neural activation during emotional processing. Arch Gen Psychiat. 2009; 66:9–5
  1. Pelkonen O, Mäeenpäeä J, Taavitsainen P, et al. Inhibition and induction of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Xenobiotica. 1998; 28:1203–1253
  1. Linge R, Jiménez-Sánchez L, Campa L, et al. Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT 1A receptors. Neuropharmacology. 2016; 103:16–26
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