The Truth about Side Effects of CBD: Best Way to Manage Them

I am sure many of you have concerns about any potential side effects of CBD and I don’t blame you. Due diligence is necessary when planning to take anything new.

Will everyone experience side effects? I don’t believe so. I have spoken to a few people who use it and they have not ‘complained’ about any, or maybe the benefits outweigh any minor discomforts they may have.

What Do We Know About CBD?

CBD is a compound and one of the key ingredients in cannabis. Unlike THC, which is the other well-known compound, it does NOT make you high or cause you to be in a ‘euphoric’ state; it does not cause mind-altering side effects.

CBD has been effective in managing a multitude of conditions such as cancer, inflammation reduction, aiding in the cessation of smoking or harmful drug use, epilepsy*, chronic anxiety and other mental health disorders, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), Type 1 diabetes, acne, insomnia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, schizophrenia, and Multiple Sclerosis. As you can see, this list is quite impressive.

*It is worth noting here that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved the prescription use of Epidiolex which is a purified form of CBD oil to treat two forms of epilepsy –  Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet Syndrome.

So Let’s Jump Into The Side Effects

Some common ones are:

(1) CBD and Side effects – Drowsiness

CBD affects users differently. Some people will benefit from being able to stay awake and energetic. However, others may get drowsy. To test this, I took a larger amount of CBD this morning than I normally take, and by about 3:30 I was yawning. Of course, this isn’t conclusive; I would have to do this a few times to see if it was actually the CBD and not something else. It is advised, however, that if you think CBD is causing drowsiness, you take the usual precautions that you would with any medication that makes you sleepy – not driving or operating heavy equipment, for instance – in fact, anything that requires you to be awake and alert! This only makes sense, right?

(2) CBD and Side Effects – Dry Mouth

I have been trying to lose weight by changing my dietary habits. Part of this is drinking plenty of water every day. I have noticed, on days when I get ‘too’ busy and forget to drink water, my mouth tends to feel dry. What I find interesting is that I never noticed this with the CBD oil, even before I started drinking lots of water – only with an edible product I have been trying out.

A 2006 study explains why this happens. Cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 are present in the submandibular glands (major salivary glands) which are responsible for producing saliva. These receptors alter saliva production. So, drink up!

(3) CBD and Side Effects – Low Blood Pressure

Taking a high dose of CBD can cause a drop in blood pressure and light-headedness. It is advisable that if you are taking blood pressure medication, you consult with a medical practitioner first before taking any CBD products.

As a point of interest, a recent study by JCI Insight found that a single dose of CBD reduces blood pressure!

(4) CBD and Side Effects – Interference with other drugs

In a study (page 11)  performed by a team of doctors, Department of Health, District of Columbia, the following was noted:

“CBD is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. As CYP3A4 metabolizes about a quarter of all drugs, CBD may increase serum concentrations of macrolides, calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepines, cyclosporine, sildenafil, antihistamines, haloperidol, antiretrovirals, and some statins (atorvastatin and simvastatin, but not pravastatin or rosuvastatin). CYP2D6 metabolizes many antidepressants, so CBD may increase serum concentrations of SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers and opioids (including codeine and oxycodone).”

(5) CBD and Side Effects – Diarrhea

Another reported side effect is diarrhea. This could be caused by the other ingredients in your CBD or the quality of the product – is it grown in poor conditions, are there harmful chemicals added during the extraction process?

Try lowering the dosage and work back up to the recommended amount. It also could be something as simple as the body getting used to a new product and most likely will clear up on its own in a week or two.

Other side effects include an upset stomach, changes in appetite and weight, or nausea.

Some research has shown that high doses of CBD may exacerbate or worsen tremors and muscle movement. However, a double-blind trial study published in 2014, suggests the following: “a possible effect of CBD in improving quality of life measures in PD patients with no psychiatric comorbidities which are the presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient at once.

Final Thoughts

The World Health Organization  has stated that “CBD exhibits no effects of abuse or dependence potential and no evidence of health-related problems associated with it.”

In January 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances.

One thing I would stress is that you purchase good quality CBD products, do your research and deal with reputable companies. Not all CBD products are created equally. Here are some guidelines which are explained more fully here.

1. Research the vendor’s production methods.

2. Know where your CBD source comes from.

3. Note how much THC, if any, is in the CBD oil.

4. Make sure the manufacturer uses Full Spectrum.

5. A reputable company will provide good quality customer service.

I have been taking CBD for about a year and a half for degenerative joints in the hips and both knees which sometimes is very painful and causes me sleepless nights. I do not take any other medication, over the counter or prescribed.

The only real side effects I get from taking CBD are good ones: relaxation, less pain, and better sleep. I do not get any nasty side effects which I most likely would experience with pharmaceutical drugs. In my opinion, the benefits I get far outweigh any side effects. I also make sure to order products that come from a company such as this one that is highly recommended.

Disclaimer: Please note that this is not a medical endorsement but my own experiences with CBD products. This article does not constitute a legal endorsement. It is up to you to make sure using CBD products or medical marijuana is legal in your area of residence, whether for medical or recreational purposes.

FDA Disclosure

Have you experienced any side effects? Have they been enough to stop you from taking CBD? Please share your experiences with us here.