CBD has many benefits for the body and mind, but it is important to remember the known side effects of taking CBD.
First of all, you should know that the beneficial effects of CBD far outweigh the side effects. CBD is for most consumers very well tolerated.
What are the reasons for adverse effects?
Firstly, it may simply be that your CBD is too strong for you or that you have taken too high a dosage. In this case you will need to lower the CBD concentration and adjust the amount to your needs. It is also possible that the CBD you have chosen is not of good quality. It is therefore important to check the ingredients present in your product and to pay attention to the base used in the CBD oils you take. Also, look for brands that have natural and organic raw materials and products that have been laboratory tested. This will ensure the quality of the product you have chosen.
The most common side effects:
- Dry mouth
Consumption of CBD may cause a dry mouth sensation. This side effect is quite common, but is only a temporary discomfort and not serious. Why is this? As explained on our "CBD?"CBD reacts to the CB1 and CB2 endocannabinoid receptors found throughout our body. These receptors are notably present in the salivary glands. Taking CBD will activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors present in the salivary glands and inhibit their function. This results in a decrease in saliva production.
How to avoid this side effect? You may want to review your CBD intake if this happens frequently and reduce it. Sometimes drinking a large glass of water is enough to get rid of the feeling.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
With increased consumption of CBD, it may cause a slight drop in blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure is likely to lead to dizziness and lightheadedness immediately after consuming CBD. However, this is not common to all individuals.
If you have naturally low blood pressure or suffer from blood pressure regulation problems, you are more likely to experience these types of side effects. Therefore, if you suffer from arterial problems, we advise you to consult your doctor before consuming CBD products.
If this happens to you, lie down for a while and have a sweet snack to bring your blood pressure back up.
- Nausea - digestive discomfort
Some people experience gastric discomfort which sometimes includes mild diarrhoea or even constipation after consuming CBD. The discomfort experienced may be due to an intolerance to CBD or the solvent in which it is diluted. Indeed, some people are intolerant to the vegetable oils used as a base for the oil. It may also be that your product is of poor quality and may contain a range of impurities to which you are sensitive.
As CBD oil itself is used and recommended for nausea relief, it is best to consult your GP to see if you are intolerant to any of the ingredients in your product. Also consider lowering your dose, your body may simply not be able to handle the amount you are taking. If this side effect persists, it is best to contact your doctor.
- Drowsiness
CBD is used for its relaxing properties and to help people with insomnia fall asleep. In other cases, CBD is also used during the day to relieve pain and this will not cause sleepiness. Drowsiness is usually a side effect of taking too much CBD. This is resolved by reducing the amount taken or choosing a lower dosage. Some people may be more sensitive to the cannabidiol molecule and will be more prone to drowsiness.
If you feel drowsy after using CBD, avoid driving or doing tasks that could put you at risk.
- Sleep disorders
In other cases, too high a dose may cause maximum wakefulness and thus sleep disturbances or insomnia. It is all a question of balance and dosage adapted to your body and your needs. It may take some experimentation to find the dose that suits you best for the desired effects.
- Tremors: Parkinson's disease
According to some research, CBD consumption in high doses has been shown to increase tremors associated with the disease. Again, it is best to consult your doctor before using CBD if you have Parkinson's disease or any other serious condition.
- Migraines
Some people use CBD as a treatment for migraines and headaches, but for others it causes them. If CBD causes you headaches, it is probably due to poor quality CBD, or the addition of solvents such as isopropanol or ethanol. Choose natural and organic products that you know where they come from.
On the other hand, a large majority of people still report that CBD has helped them relieve headaches and migraines.
- Decreased appetite
CBD has been shown to play a role in controlling appetite and digestion. It is therefore used by people with eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia. As a result, its use may lead to a reduction in appetite for some consumers who do not necessarily want to lose weight.
How does CBD cause this effect? Specifically, the cannabidiol molecule reduces the rate of lipogenesis while stimulating proteins. This causes an increase in the breakdown and oxidation of excess fat that our body tends to store.
- Interaction with other drugs
CBD can interact with certain medicines and cause undesirable side effects. As a matter of principle and precaution, we advise you to always seek the advice of your doctor and to discuss with him or her the dosage to be taken according to your needs and the compatibility of the different substances.
Which drugs should I watch out for? Drugs that are metabolised by the liver can be affected by these interactions, which can cause adverse effects. The cytochrome p450 enzyme system is used to metabolise many drugs. Since CBD is a molecule that is metabolised by this cytochrome system, if the cytochrome system is already busy interacting with CBD, the enzymes will not be able to metabolise the molecules contained in the drugs you ingest. This can lead to an over-concentration of the drugs in the body and can lead to a risk of liver poisoning.
If you are taking medication regularly, consult your doctor before taking CBD to avoid unwanted side effects.
What to remember?
In conclusion, the undesirable effects of CBD are either linked to the poor quality and purity of the product you have chosen, or to an intolerance to CBD itself or to the ingredients present in the product. So be sure to check the source of the product and the ingredients it contains. Adverse reactions can also be the result of an interaction with other medications you may be taking. The wrong dosage for your body will also cause undesirable effects. The amount of CBD to be taken is therefore important and will vary from person to person. It varies from one product to another, from the concentration of the product and according to the needs of the consumer. Each body will react differently and each user will have different health needs.
In the article "How to consume CBD and in what quantity?"you will find some explanations and advice on the use of different CBD products.
