Is CBD Safe?

You may be wondering if CBD is safe. CBD or cannabidiol, like many medicinals and dietary supplements, is highly praised for all of its remedial benefits. 

Known to aid pain, inflammation, sleeplessness, anxiety, seizures, and even cancer, any CBD consumer would be hard-pressed to find a cannabidiol company that didn’t come with a cheering section.

But also like any prescribed medication or homeopathic curative, it can be challenging to cut through all the noise. 

Many things are good for you and still, come with a warning, so it’s not uncommon to question: is this also safe?

If you are a CBD cautionary, consider this your CBD safety manual.

Will CBD Get Me High?

No, CBD will not get you high. Here’s why. 

CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound in marijuana that creates a high) are both derived from the cannabis plant like its cousin THC, that’s where the family tree starts to branch off. 

Hemp plants and marijuana plants are both subspecies of the cannabis Sativa plant. 

CBD is primarily found in the hemp plant, while THC is more commonly found in the marijuana plant. 

Their relation can allow trace amounts of crossover, but certified CBD companies will label their products either as THC-free or containing THC. 

Regardless, the amount of THC in CBD is strictly regulated on both the federal and state levels. It is common to cap THC concentrations in cannabidiol at 0.3 percent. 

To be safe, always check the label for THC content and make sure you are purchasing products from reputable sources. 

CBD Product Safety 

In addition to reading labels, it’s always a good idea to check that your CBD is coming from a certified vendor. 

Manufacturers who want to be a market name will go out of their way to provide high-quality cannabidiol – and they will be sure to let you know about it.

Certified CBD companies will send their products to third-party laboratories to conduct impartial tests for purity and potency. 

CBD products that have received these tests will be labeled with a certificate of analysis or COA. 

If the COA label isn’t readily available on your product, it might be on the packaging or posted on the company’s website. 

Quality companies will label their product or packaging with ingredients in addition to COA stamps of approval. 

To determine the accuracy of your listed contents, crossreference the ingredients, amounts, and concentrations with the COA certificate.

Finally, find out if your manufacturer or company has other credentials on file. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides a Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) certification. 

Other global agencies, including the European Union, Australia, and Canada, provide organic certifications. 

Companies can also receive scientific and agricultural credits like the National Science Foundation international certification and other organic and eco-farming certifications. 

Finally, consumer reviews can reveal the real scoop on a CBD product. Check out the reviews for consumer compliments and complaints. 

Is it Safe to Take CBD Oil Every Day? 

We’ve all heard the saying warning us of too much of a good thing – but is the same true for CBD? 

What it boils down to personal preference and dosage. 

Whether you are hoping to take CBD as a daily dietary aid or are only interested in using it for occasional bouts of sleeplessness will determine how often you take it and how much you need. 

Currently, the only prescription CBD product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is a seizure medication called Epidolex.

Epidolex dosage is determined based on a patient’s body weight. Initial doses start at 2.5 kilograms of Epidolex per kilogram of body weight and can be administered twice a day. 

Dosage can be elevated to 5 mg/kg twice a day after one week of use. 

Outside of Epidolex, CBD dosage is left to scientific research, doctor consultation, personal preference, and method of consumption. 

For example, people experiencing chronic back pain may apply higher doses of CBD each day for pain relief, while more minor, intermittent use may be preferable to those with anxiety. 

The size of a dose or how often you need to take CBD for a specific ailment will also depend on individual metabolism and body weight. 

Your metabolism determines how long it takes your body to process cannabinoid materials and the amount of time that is needed to feel the effects of CBD. 

Metabolic rates vary between people, and the more or less body mass you have, the longer or faster CBD will be processed. 

This means that some people will need higher CBD dosages than what is recommended on the label, while others will require less.

Dosages can also depend on how you take CBD.

Each method of consumption allows CBD to enter your bloodstream differently. 

Sublingual ingestion is considered the most effective way to take CBD because it is potent and efficient. 

Inhalation, however, provides the fastest, most concentrated dose of CBD, but it doesn’t last as long. 

Topical application can take up to two hours before the CBD is activated but is excellent for targeting specific pain points. 

Digestive CBD also takes longer to be processed but is proactive and preferred by those who don’t enjoy the taste of CBD. 

Often, CBD is used in a combination of the methods above. 

Because CBD interacts with your body, it is not unusual for users to wonder about the extent of CBD effects. 

A study conducted with monkeys by the World Health Organization found that bodily functions and behaviors will not be affected by CBD, barring the monkeys do not receive oral doses exceeding 30 mg/kg per day for 90 days or intravenous doses over 150 mg/kg. 

A separate study on human participants who received 1,500 milligrams of CBD a day for 28 days found that not only was this dosage was tolerable, but no withdraw symptoms were reported upon stopping CBD use after the experiment. 

However, it should be noted that your body can also build up a tolerance to CBD, and a dosage adjustment may be needed if CBD is no longer working as effectively. 

The bottom line? CBD is safe to use every day depending on how you use it, why you use it, how much you’re taking, and your body.

CBD Side Effects 

Drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, and change in weight or appetite are the most common CBD side effects. 

CBD is often used to aid sleeplessness but can result in more than just a good night’s rest for some. 

Taking less CBD or using it earlier in the evening can help resist feelings of drowsiness or fatigue. 

Dry mouth is a CBD side effect caused by saliva impedance. All cannabinoids alter saliva production, but this can easily be remedied by hydrating during CBD use. 

Some CBD receptors can hinder hormonal food intake stimulation and potentially cause a shift in appetite, affecting body weight. 

While some welcome these side effects, others may find cause for concern. If you’re concerned about your weight or appetite, consult with your doctor to discuss CBD use. 

Acid reduction, intestinal inflammation, and upset stomach can be treated with CBD. In some cases, however, it can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. 

The culprit is not usually the CBD alone but is more likely to be other ingredients in your CBD product. 

Finally, allergic reactions to CBD may be due, in part, to the hemp plant itself. Some may react to the terpenes, compounds, pollens, or other plant materials found in hemp or cannabis. 

CBD Medication Interaction

A CBD warning, commonly referred to as the grapefruit warning, alerts users that CBD could interfere with other drugs and medications. 

Taking grapefruit with medication such as blood thinners, gastrointestinal and anti-nausea medications, pain medications, and certain types of antibiotics can cause a negative interaction with an enzyme family called cytochrome P450 (CYP450). 

When paired with some drugs, CBD can elicit a similar effect. 

CYP3A4, a sub enzyme of CYP450, is one of the enzymes responsible for metabolizing over half of prescription medications – and CBD. 

When enzyme CYP34A is processing medications and encounters CBD, it can cause dual inhibition interferences, which prevents the enzyme from breaking down materials properly. 

A change in enzyme efficiency can lead to a change in metabolic rate, altering the amount of time that medication stays in your system. 

Slower processing might coincide with an overlap in doses, upping the amount of medication in your body and increasing the effects. 

Hybrid CBD and medication enzyme production may also elevate or obstruct CBD, prolonging or decreasing the effects of CBD.  

So, Is CBD Safe?

Yes, CBD can be safe as long as you are safe about using it.

Of course, the internet is no expert on the individual that is you. The safe way to use CBD is to talk to a doctor or medical professional first and listen to your body after.

Curbing concerns and easing anxiety are essential components of wholesome healing, and that includes using CBD safely.