Cannabidiol (CBD) is largely considered a safe substance when used either consumed orally,  applied topically or even inhaled, with several potential benefits that many experience. However, like all substances, CBD could come with certain side effects, as it affects each person differently.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a substance extracted from hemp plants. It’s an element of the cannabis plant known as cannabis sativa. Another component, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is found in this plant. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis responsible for its intoxicating effects, while CBD interacts with other receptors in the brain to trigger other effects without causing intoxication. 

CBD affects receptors such as glycine receptors that control the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, serotonin. It also binds with opioid receptors responsible for managing pain. 

Because of the safeness and non-intoxicating nature of CBD, many people use it to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Acne
• Chronic pain
• Drug withdrawal and abuse
• High blood pressure
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Muscle spasms
• Glaucoma

While the benefits of CBD are numerous, it’s important to keep in mind that it may cause certain side effects in some people.

Possible Side Effects of CBD

Depending on the person’s chemistry, the CBD dosage, or the interactions between CBD and other medications, there are several side effects that people may experience. The following are some of the more common potential side effects:

Dry Mouth

In some people, CBD could cause a condition known as “cotton mouth,” which makes both the mouth and eyes feel dry. Although people are more likely to experience this side effect when consuming cannabis with THC, CBD can still cause it.

Drowsiness

Full spectrum CBD could cause drowsiness for some, which is often perceived as a benefit as opposed to a side effect. People often take full spectrum CBD to get better sleep, which makes this effect more desirable. On the other hand, the drowsiness effect could become too overwhelming when CBD interacts with other sedatives.

Nausea

Individuals who are sensitive to CBD could experience nausea when consuming it. High doses of CBD could also cause this side effect.

Gastrointestinal Issues

CBD may cause certain gastrointestinal issues in some individuals, including diarrhea or liver damage. When it comes to the liver, CBD can increase liver enzymes, which are indicative of liver inflammation. For these people, it’s important to consistently monitor health and the amount of CBD consumed to avoid potential problems. Be sure to check your medications for grapefruit warnings and speak with a medical professional. 

Interactions With Other Medications

CBD could interact with other medications and cause certain side effects as a result. If an individual wishes to begin using CBD or another medication together in combination with each other, it’s best to consult a physician to determine how they may interact.

Some medications and drugs that can interact with CBD include:

• Migraine medications, such as ergotamine
• Anti-arrhythmia drugs, such as quinidine
• Antipsychotic medications, such as pimozide
• Antifungal drugs, such as voriconazole and ketoconazole
• Rifampin-based drugs that help treat tuberculosis
• Benzodiazepine sedatives, such as triazolam and clonazepam
• Atypical antidepressants, such as mirtazapine
• Macrolide antibiotics, including telithromycin and clarithromycin
• Immune-suppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine

If individuals are on any of these or other medications or substances, healthcare providers can advise them on whether it’s safe to consume CBD with them. Oftentimes, interactions are mild and won’t require any treatment changes, but others may be more severe and require people to separate doses or change drugs.

Depending on a number of potential factors, people may experience a variety of side effects.

Manage Dosage and Purchase the Best Products

The best way to mitigate CBD side effects is to carefully manage and prepare doses and buy the right CBD products. 

Keep in mind that with CBD oil, there isn’t a universally correct dosage. Some people may require a higher dose, while others benefit from a minimal dose. The best way to calculate dosage is to look at the amount of CBD per milliliter. You can calculate this by keeping in mind that each drop of oil contains 0.05 mL of liquid, which means that a 40 mL bottle would have a total of around 800 drops. Subsequently, if the concentration of CBD is 1,500 mg per mL, each drop would have a total of 1.875 mg.

Of course, you can also find CBD in the form of gummies, capsules, and sprays, which are easier to quantify in terms of dosage.

The key is to find the best products for you and the right dosage. When purchasing CBD products, it’s important to understand that quality can vary greatly due to the fact that this market is unregulated. As such, many products are incorrectly labeled and contain less CBD than they claim to have. Meanwhile, other CBD products could contain levels of THC.

When selecting the right product, it’s best to buy domestically manufactured oil, which is likely safer, and stick with organic products that feature U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certification. You should also read the label and check for any added thinning agents, flavorings, or preservatives that you don’t require.

By taking the right steps when shopping for CBD, you’ll be able to locate the right product for you. If you would like to benefit from some of the best CBD products in a personalized subscription box that’s just for you, learn about what Hempra has to offer in the way of premium hemp-derived CBD.