CBD is a compound found in cannabis that’s isolated and extracted to make sure you benefit from the medicinal effects of the herb but without any of the high sensations that come from THC.
CBD helps people of all ages and from all walks of life with a range of medical and health conditions. Some people use it for arthritis or to get a good night’s sleep, while others swear by it as a fantastic ‘Rescue Remedy’ for their anxiety. CBD also treats more severe conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, and chronic skin conditions. However, everyone reacts differently to CBD and with its increased popularity in recent years many are now asking the critical question: Does CBD come with any negative side-effects?
Let’s start with the good news. CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors throughout the human body; located in the brain and organs. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t trigger these receptors or have any intoxicating effects. CBD lingers around these receptors and encourages them to work in the best, most efficient way possible. So while CBD won’t get you high or leave you feeling confused, it does assist your body to regulate and to heal itself better.
Now to the bad news (don’t worry, it really isn’t that bad). CBD is not considered addictive nor does it cause dependency. It’s also non-toxic; meaning that you couldn’t overdose from it even if you tried to. However, some people who dose heavily with CBD report feeling tired and lethargic. Many people use it to treat insomnia, so there’s no surprise there. Those people are advised to only take their CBD late at night before bed, and not during the day to avoid unwanted drowsiness.
CBD promotes the secretion of melatonin in the pineal gland
CBD promotes the healthy release of the hormone melatonin, associated with sleep. So taking it at night should be no issue. Then again, CBD also has properties to focus the mind and make some people feel invigorated in the daytime. This differs from person to person and is also related to the quality of the CBD, the specific strain, and the amount taken.
CBD is also used as a vascular relaxant by people with high blood pressure and heart problems. It can work wonders for some of those people but no so much for people with low blood pressure. For anyone who has a known, pre-existing heart condition connected to low blood pressure, they should consult with their doctor before starting CBD. Minimal research has been carried out on CBD due to decades of cannabis prohibition.
However, some research has found that by far the most common side-effects of taking CBD are diarrhea and weight loss. The diarrhea can be explained by some people’s bodies needing to adjust to the new medication in the system. The weight loss is also possible as CBD works in the opposite way of THC and acts as an appetite suppressant instead of as a stimulant. Those new to CBD often report a change in their appetite and eating habits as they get used to the new compound.
That’s about it. Apart from the three or so reported negative side-effects from CBD above, CBD is safe for most people. It’s perfectly normal for new medications in the system to cause temporary side-effects, although most people report no side-effects at all from CBD.
Keep in mind that a pre-existing condition may need to be clarified with a doctor. There is also the possibility that CBD might have negative interactions with other medications, so if you take certain necessary prescriptions, microdosing might be a better option for you.
Always ensure when purchasing CBD products that you do your due diligence and check with the CBD vendor that they carry out third-party lab tests on their products to make sure they’re safe, potent and free from unwanted chemicals or other additives.
