Side effects of CBD

CBD (cannabidiol) is being included in more and more treatment protocols: doctors and health centres around the world are taking advantage of the benefits of this natural compound. The main therapeutic effects of CBD which have been studied include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, anti-vomiting, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and anti-psychotic benefits. But apart from these benefits, are there any side effects associated with CBD consumption? In this article, we provide an overview of the potential side effects of CBD as well as all our advice on how to avoid them!

9 potential side effects of CBD

1. Dry mouth

The first and most common side effect of CBD is dry mouth. This dry mouth feeling is due to the fact that CBD naturally decreases secretion of saliva. Due to the interactions between CBD and endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, the salivary glands are affected and saliva production may be inhibited.

2. Dizziness or lightheadedness

Due to low blood pressure (a side effect of CBD, which we will discuss in the next section), you may feel slightly dizzy after consuming CBD oil. This dizziness is harmless and usually goes away on its own or after lying down for a few minutes. You can also try drinking a hot drink, such as tea or coffee, or eating some chocolate.

3. Decrease in blood pressure

In the event of a CBD overdose, you may notice a slight drop in blood pressure. This is one of the short-term side effects of CBD, as it occurs only a few minutes after cannabidiol is ingested. However, everyone is unique: dizziness following a drop in blood pressure does not always occur. If you have problems with high or low blood pressure, we advise that you speak to your doctor before taking CBD, especially if you are taking medication. So, you can check your blood pressure and make sure there are no drug interactions.

4. Nausea

Individuals may experience gastric discomfort after ingesting CBD oil. Although there are no scientific studies or research on this yet, abdominal discomfort may be a side effect associated with CBD consumption. Please note that CBD is believed to relieve nausea. If you experience slight nausea, it should go away immediately. If it persists, reduce the dose of CBD consumed. Also, be aware that CBD oil contain a blend of vegetable oil and CBD-rich hemp extract: sometimes nausea can be caused by the vegetable oil.

5. Drowsiness or insomnia

Drowsiness is an uncommon side effect of CBD. This is not surprising as cannabidiol is used to induce sleep in individuals suffering with insomnia. However, this side effect is mostly caused be taking high doses of CBD oil, or overuse. Low doses of CBD cause relaxation. However, too high a dose can cause drowsiness or insomnia. If you experience either of these two side effects of CBD, speak to a healthcare professional and reduce the number of doses that you take.

6. Tremors

Parkinson’s disease is among the contraindications to CBD, as regular use of CBD may induce muscle tremors. Even though this hemp compound is beneficial in fighting and preventing degenerative diseases, it can induce some side effects with an inappropriate dosage. However, low doses of CBD can also significantly alleviate the tremors associated with the disease. There is some ambiguity about this: that is why you should speak to a doctor before using CBD with this condition (as with any other serious condition).

7. Migraines

This brings us to one of the most controversial side effects of CBD: migraines. Some people report that cannabidiol relieves them, while others experience some migraine pain after ingestion. However, the large majority of people notice a decrease in the frequency of episodes (but with no positive impact during episodes). Scientists believe that headaches following CBD consumption are caused by low quality CBD or the addition of solvents to the oil, such as isopropanol or ethanol. You should always check the quality of the CBD in the products you consume!

8. Loss of appetite

CBD consumption is also thought to reduce appetite in some people. This side effect of CBD should not be seen as beneficial, as cannabidiol should not necessarily be used for weight loss purposes. For many people, this side effect can become problematic: CBD reduces the rate of lipogenesis and stimulates proteins, which leads to an increase in the breakdown and oxidation of stored fats in our system.

9. Diarrhoea

Finally, the side effects of CBD include mild digestive problems which include diarrhoea. This side effect is probably due to an intolerance to the compound: it is advised that you stop taking CBD altogether and speak to a doctor to determine the cause of your abdominal pain and/or decide on a better approach to your CBD consumption. Perhaps another method of consumption would be more suitable for you?

Side effects of CBD: unavoidable?

The side effects of CBD are not consistent: the vast majority of consumers do not experience any adverse events and scientists consider CBD to be safe and effective in most cases. Experiencing a mild side effect such as dry mouth or diarrhoea is completely harmless and does not pose a risk to the body. Often these side effects occur due to impurities in poor quality CBD products. They can also be caused by dosage issues and drug interactions. But for most individuals, there will be no noticeable side effects from taking CBD on a daily basis, provided of course that the correct dosage is observed.

Our tips for taking CBD without side effects

Take your time and gradually find the correct dosage for you

As a simple precautionary measure and to protect yourself from the side effects of CBD, simply follow this process: start with a low dosage, slowly progress and leave intervals between CBD doses (oral and sublingual forms) and taking your medication. First-time CBD users should start with a low dose and use a gradual approach to determine the right dosage of cannabidiol for them. Increase the dose in stages to get all the benefits of CBD without any unwanted side effects. In order to check that you are not highly allergic to CBD, we also advise that you put a small amount of CBD on the back of your hand to see if you experience a skin reaction. Take your time: this way you prevent the risk of overdosing and you have little chance of experiencing any side effects of CBD!

Use high-quality oils

Consuming high-quality products is recommended, which you can buy from trusted suppliers. You can find all the information about the origin of a product on its label. Consuming poor quality CBD products can increase the risk of undesirable side effects, or even induce others that are not listed above! If this is the case, speak to a doctor as soon as possible. At The CBD Farm, we cultivate quality products: by controlling CBD levels and using organically grown, sustainable hemp, we provide you with premium CBD products. Our cannabinoids will provide you all the benefits you are looking for, without the side effects of CBD. Even for the packaging, we prefer solutions that ensure the cannabidiol is preserved well to maintain all CBD’s properties and a precise dosage.