CBD is found in capsules, oils, vapes, creams, lotions, food, and even clothes. It’s not intoxicating or psychoactive and can be used to treat various conditions, from migraines to depression and anxiety.

Current research on CBD is positive, but we need more data to know exactly how this cannabis plant compound affects our bodies.

I’ve tried several CBD products and spent countless hours going over the studies done on CBD. Here’s whether CBD is bad for you or whether you can safely use it.

 

Quick Summary

• CBD is one of the cannabis-derived compounds. 
• CBD is proven to provide various health benefits.
• CBD shouldn’t be used with prescription medication. 

 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from the cannabis sativa plant. CBD and THC are the two main compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD isn’t intoxicating, so you won’t feel high if you use CBD products.

Nowadays, CBD is available in a wide range of products and dietary supplements, such as CBD oil, CBD cream, CBD gummies, CBD pills, CBD vapes and more. 

CBD can be extracted from hemp and marijuana plants. Hemp plants have THC only in trace amounts, while marijuana is rich in THC strands.

Current research shows CBD can be used for anxiety disorders, lowering blood pressure, chronic pain relief, sleep disorders, helping nerve pain and multiple sclerosis, and many other health problems.

Is CBD Oil Safe?

Yes, CBD oil is safe. CBD is sourced from hemp plants, which don’t make you feel high. Moreover, it’s well-tolerated and helps with various medical conditions.

However, the market is saturated with CBD products, which aren’t FDA-regulated, so there are many low-quality CBD oils. To make sure your CBD oil is safe, you should buy from reputable brands who third-party test their oil. Also, make sure the exact amount of CBD is listed, as well as all other ingredients.

 

Is CBD Legal?

Yes, CBD is legal as long as it’s hemp-derived and contains less than 0.3%.

CBD became legal in 2018 under the Farm Bill. Nowadays, it’s readily obtainable in most parts of the US. However, its exact legal status varies from state to state. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees. Even though CBD is legal on the federal level, it’s illegal under some state laws. You should check the laws in your state to know for sure if you can use CBD without legal repercussions from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

 

Is CBD Bad For You?

No, CBD isn’t bad for the vast majority of people. As long as you use CBD with a low dose of THC, you’ll get its health benefits. You won’t feel high, nor will you get addicted to it.

Still, it’s important to mention that research on CBD is still ongoing, and there are still many questions to which we don’t have answers. 

Note: Scientists proved CBD can cause liver injury in people using Epidiolex. Epidiolex is the only CBD drug approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy in children. Some users showed signs of liver injury after using this drug. 

 

CBD Oil Side Effects

In most cases, CBD oil causes mild side effects, such as:

• Mood changes — Usually irritability and agitation
• Changes in alertness — Usually sleepiness or drowsiness
• Gastrointestinal distress — Usually diarrhea and loss of appetite

 

Who Should Not Take CBD?

Pregnant women and children shouldn’t take CBD. We don’t know the effects of CBD during pregnancy. For example, it’s proven that high doses of CBD lead to negative effects on animal fetuses. 

We also don’t know if CBD can be passed to the baby through breast milk, so women who are breastfeeding should avoid CBD.

Finally, we don’t know how CBD affects developing brains, which is why CBD isn’t recommended for children.

What Medications Should You Not Mix With CBD?

Medications are broken down by liver enzymes, and CBD can compete for or interfere with these enzymes. This can result in insufficient or too much medicine in the body, leading to medication not working or a higher risk of side effects.

Overall, CBD can potentially interact with other medications, which is why you should seek professional medical advice before using CBD if you’re taking prescription medication. 

Here are some medications you shouldn’t mix with CBD:

• Warfarin — A blood thinner
• Amiodarone — A heart rhythm medication
• Levothyroxine — Thyroid medication
• Seizure medications — Clobazam, lamotrigine, valproate, and others

Note: The form in which you take CBD and medical marijuana matters for drug interaction. CBD vapes reach a high concentration in half an hour and have a high risk of acute side effects. Edibles need more time to be absorbed and aren’t as likely to interact with medication. Topical products usually don’t absorb in the blood in sufficient amounts to interact with other medications.

 

Should You Use CBD?

Only one CBD product can be enough to help chronic pain patients, lower pain symptoms, aid tuberous sclerosis complex, help with anxiety-related disorders, and more. 

However, there are some safety concerns regarding the use of CBD. It can cause mild side effects. Moreover, it can interact with prescription and other pain medications, which can make the medication ineffective. In case you’re using other drugs, consult your doctor before using CBD.

 

References

Holland, K. (2019, January 29). CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference? Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc 

Farm Bill. (n.d.). Www.usda.gov. https://www.usda.gov/farmbill 

Kamitaki, B. K., Minacapelli, C. D., Zhang, P., Wachuku, C., Gupta, K., Catalano, C., & Rustgi, V. (2021). Drug-induced liver injury associated with antiseizure medications from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Epilepsy & Behavior, 117, 107832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107832 

Office of the Commissioner. (2018, June 25). FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms 

Huestis, M. A., Solimini, R., Pichini, S., Pacifici, R., Carlier, J., & Busardò, F. P. (2019). Cannabidiol Adverse Effects and Toxicity. Current neuropharmacology, 17(10), 974–989. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X17666190603171901