CBD 101: Does CBD Oil Have Side Effects?

There’s not much to say about CBD side effects, but that doesn’t mean that all “Cannabidiol products” are created equally.  It’s very important that you understand and are familiar with the different kinds of CBD products because some of them can contain higher amounts of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which in turn can lead to negative side effects like mind & body highs, paranoia or even nausea.  Many of the issues arise from cannabis-derived products – one of the many reasons cannabis has not been Federally legalized in the U.S. is due to its consistent THC concentrations across most strains of this plant.  Hemp, on the other hand (or leaf), has been shown to contain trace amounts of the psychoactive compound THC.  Therefore, it was deemed to be safe enough to be legalized by the Farm Bill in December 2018 and is now a fully-fledged, high-demand product across multiple industries (health, textiles, fuel, building materials, nutrition and more!).

If you’re ingesting or applying an isolated form of Cannabidiol – sourced from hemp – you can likely rest assured that there will be little-to-no side effects of your CBD.  There’s no risks of “getting high”, no lingering effects of drowsiness or lethargy, and there’s very little risk of reactions with medications because CBD interacts with our bodies directly through our Endocannabinoid Systems.  That being said, no medication or natural health product is perfect, and there are always the risks associated with adverse reactions whenever you include a new product in your daily routine.  You should always consult with your physician before taking any new supplements or medications, even if the risks associated with CBD are so minimized.

With this in mind, let’s look at the spectrum of CBD products on the market, such as CBD oil risks, and determine what you should be on the lookout for when it comes to CBD’s negative effects.  You’re not likely to encounter any problems by adding hemp CBD into your health & fitness regiment, but by analyzing the potential risks you’ll be that much more prepared to handle whatever life throws your way.  It’s time to become the savviest of CBD shoppers! Here’s the skinny on the slim occurrences of negative side effects from CBD consumption.

IS CBD DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH?!

Is CBD bad for your liver? No. Is CBD safe? Yes. Alright, that was simple, thanks for reading our article… In all seriousness, many people have concerns about trying a new health supplement, so this kind of skepticism is not only common in the entire spectrum of the industry but it’s also very healthy to question things first before getting on-board with trends.  There are thousands – if not millions – of health products, both natural and synthetically derived, available for purchase online and in-stores.  With so many products aiming to accomplish so many things for your health & wellness, it’s no wonder people are sometimes fearful of new products.  Some people have even experienced nasty side effects, allergic reactions or serious injury to themselves or others after taking a “new and exciting” kind of health product.

Thankfully for the millions of CBD users across the United States, they’ve been experiencing one of hemp’s greatest advantages over these other natural health products: there are no serious CBD negative effects on your health.  CBD has this distinction from other health products because of the relationship between cannabinoids (active compounds like CBD, THC, CBN, etc) and your Endocannabinoid System.  What the heck is an Endocannabinoid System?! We recently wrote an in-depth article on this very subject, and we’ve also explored cannabinoids in greater detail as well.  We recommend you take some time to read through these excellent pieces to further explore this fascinating subject of Cannabaceae & human biology.  For the purposes of this article, we’ll summarize them as the following:​

Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

• A complex network of nerves & receptors that can be found throughout the body & brain
• The ECS acts like the reception desk for incoming cannabinoids, directing them to certain areas of the body, whereby particular biochemical reactions occur (such as block pain receptors, reducing inflammation in tissues, etc)

Our bodies are seemingly hardwired to process cannabinoids in an efficient and effective manner, and active compounds like CBD interact with our systems in such a way that no negative or lingering effects are generated.  From the biochemical reactions in our ECS we can draw conclusions about the intrinsic, natural relationship between healing plants like hemp and human biology.  There are many theories out there that have posited the potential for hemp, cannabis, mushrooms and other organisms impacting human evolution over millions of years.  With clearcut examples like Endocannabinoid Systems and their ultra-efficient delivery of the healing effects of cannabinoids, these theories are beginning to expand our understanding of human health and how we can optimize our wellbeing.

Another determining factor to CBD’s safety has to do with its unique relationship to each of our individual health needs.  Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids affect everyone differently, requiring distinct doses to achieve similar results across the spectrums of our unique needs, wants and desires.  For some, just a small dose of 10 mg of hemp CBD is enough to instill calm or quell their anxiety; for others, larger, consistent doses of 25 mg+ is required to help them sleep better or ease their chronic pain & inflammation.  Just like we can all have a distinct genetic makeup from one another and yet share certain traits to those who are genetically close to us, each person’s ECS has a unique configuration.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CBD OIL

CBD is just one of hundreds of phytocannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis, but among these plant compounds Cannabidiol is one of the most well-documented for having many benefits for both humans and animals.  The benefits of CBD range from improvements to your quality of life to life-changing relief from pain, seizures, anxiety and depression.  The health benefits of CBD oil and other products are brought about by a diverse group of effects on our biological systems, best summarized by the following terms:

Antiemetic – can reduce the severity of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Anticonvulsant – can decrease the severity, frequency and duration of seizures

Antipsychotic – can diminish instances of psychosis and debilitating personality/mental disorders

Anti-inflammatory – can reduce inflammation and promote muscle tissues, joint and skin recovery

Antioxidant – can ward against neurodegenerative disorders and cancers

Antidepressant – can alleviate the severity of depression, anxiety and chronic stress

Conditions, injuries or illnesses that are common and less severe, but require relief or treatment

• Lethargy, fatigue
• Acne, dry skin
• Lack of appetite
• General soreness, stiffness in joints & muscles
• Difficulty waking up
• Post-workout/fitness muscle pain & inflammation
• Obesity, addiction
• Stress, nervousness
• Poor memory retention

Health issues that can be handled on a daily basis, but nonetheless negatively impact a person’s quality of life

• Insomnia
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Eczema, other skin irritations
• Substance abuse, addiction
• Digestion issues
• Lack of appetite
• Chronic injury or stress to bones, joints, muscles

Conditions that affect your quality of life, are often difficult to overcome and require long-term treatments

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Nerve Pain
• Migraines, chronic headaches
• Auto-immune disorders
• Eating disorders
• Bowel & gut diseases
• Severe skin conditions

Chronic pain, inflammation, gastrointestinal or mental disorders

• Arthritis
• IBS (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome)
• Chronic anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• Cardiovascular conditions (heart disease, blood pressure and blood sugar issues)

Serious, debilitating and chronic health conditions that require constant treatments and/or medications

• Epilepsy, chronic seizures
• MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Symptoms of Cancer
  • Severe pain, inflammation
  • Lack of appetite, nausea from chemotherapy
  • Insomnia, severe anxiety
  • Chronic fatigue

This is just a summary list of the hundreds of ailments that can be treated, minimized or even reversed with consistent CBD use.  Alongside cannabinoids like THC, CBN, CBG and many others, the health benefits of CBD are continuously expanding as researchers discover more and more about these unique compounds.  Even though CBD is a relatively new development in the world of medical research, it has garnered a lot of attention specifically because it is so multifaceted as a natural source for treatment for so many ailments.  We can expect to see many more applications over the next decade, so keep your eyes, ears and wallets open for all the upcoming developments in the health benefits of CBD oil moving forward.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF CBD OIL

Although it’s clear to many CBD users that CBD oil side effects are miniscule in comparison to its benefits, some people still wonder: Is CBD oil safe? Side effects of many popular medications can include such serious taglines as “internal bleeding”, “suicidal thoughts & feelings” and even “risk of death”! It says something about our societal norms when these kinds of negative side effects have become nothing more than standard procedure for certain conventional medications.  Instead of ‘potential organ failure’, ‘severe bouts of gastrointestinal inflammation’ or ‘insomnia causing depression’, CBD from hemp has a few side effects that can almost be considered not worth mentioning when compared to the risks associated with long-term medications.  The common CBD oil side effects that are even noteworthy are:

• Dry Mouth
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness, Grogginess or Lethargy

As a list of “potentially harmful & dangerous side effects”, CBD’s are surely on the lower end of the spectrum.  Some CBD users have reported instances of dry mouth, feelings of being dehydrated, nausea, queasiness, diarrhea and the occasional dizzy spell or lingering grogginess associated with the sleep-improving effects of Cannabidiol.  It bears mentioning that many of the symptoms can also be counteracted by CBD use, which leads us to believe that many of these reported CBD oil side effects occur in FSO (or Full Spectrum) CBD products.  

Both hemp and cannabis contain THC, however hemp’s Tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations are vastly reduced in comparison to its cousin, marijuana.  A Full Spectrum product aims to provide the entire terpene & cannabinoid profile, including THC, in order to achieve an entourage of effects/benefits.  These kinds of products have their own claims to success, but many newbies to CBD do not understand the difference between an isolated CBD (ISO) product and the combination products like Full-Spectrum (FSO).  As THC has shown to have a greater number of adverse effects – with some people even claiming they are “allergic to THC” – it is important to understand that CBD isolated on its own does not show the same propensities for negative side effects.  That being said, there still are rare cases of individuals “feeling off” while under the influences of Cannabidiol, even if it is sourced from hemp and isolated from the other phytocannabinoids.

FAQ’s

What is CBD used for?

CBD is a phytocannabinoid compound found in plants like cannabis and hemp.  Hemp-derived CBD has been legalized across the United States and has quickly become one of the leading health supplements & natural remedies for millions of Americans.  CBD can be taken as an oil or spray, applied topically through gels, creams or sprays, and ingested via capsules or gummies.  CBD is an excellent remedy for pain, inflammation, irritation, nausea, fatigue and a host of other conditions, making it one of the must-try supplements on the market today.

Does CBD do anything?

Because of the health benefits of CBD, hemp-derived Cannabidiol products are becoming some of the most popular natural remedies and supplements on the market.  CBD can improve your sleep, help you relax, provide relief from pain & inflammation, ease gastrointestinal issues, enhance your focus, and cut down on many of the limiting factors you face each day.  CBD works so well with human biology because it interacts directly with your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) – a complex network of nerves and synapses that perform important functions throughout our bodies.  CBD can affect great changes in your health & fitness and help you achieve your goals for a life of wellbeing and longevity.

How does CBD make you feel?

CBD derived from hemp can impact your health & wellness in many ways, especially when it comes to making you feel better.  Whether it’s pain-relief, improved quality of sleep, feeling calm or relaxed and even focused & energized, CBD can improve how you feel everyday in a multitude of ways.

Does CBD help sexually?

There are a growing number of sex products that are adopting CBD, and with good reason.  CBD topicals, such as gels, creams, oils and sprays can have soothing, relaxing effects on the body.  Certain sensual products, such as lubes or massage oils, are finding that CBD is an excellent input that adds elements of relaxation, calm and focus to their repertoire.  As it stands, CBD can impact a person’s sexual fitness and wellbeing in supportive ways – such as by reducing soreness, skin irritation, and performance anxiety.  

Can you take CBD and drink alcohol?

It is definitely good practice to avoid mixing alcohol with any other substances – caffeine, medications, health supplements and recreational drugs.  Nonetheless, CBD derived from hemp has been taken by many people during or after consuming alcohol in order to help them feel better.  CBD does not counteract alcohol, but it has shown some ability to reduce the effects of inebriation and assist with the potential nausea, fatigue and soreness that accompanies drinking large amounts of alcohol.

Does CBD help anxiety?

Some of CBD’s most popular uses has to do with its abilities to calm your anxieties, reduce stress and help you relax.  CBD is non-sedative and non-psychoactive, meaning it does not make you groggy, sleepy or cause any sort of “high”.  Nevertheless, CBD does have a penchant for easing a person’s nerves, making them feel calm and centered without feeling like they’re under any kind of influence.  CBD oil tinctures, CBD capsules and even CBD topicals can provide very effective, on-demand relief from chronic anxiety, panic attacks, feelings of depression and overwhelming emotional moments.