Is CBD Oil Safe?

CBD oil has become all the rage. It’s a non-intoxicating cannabis plant extract that can treat a wide range of medical problems. 

You can use CBD oil to fall asleep, relieve chronic pain, help with cancer treatment, clear skin, and more. You can apply it topically, orally, or use it in your food and drinks. But are CBD oils safe?

I’ve used CBD oil for over a year, checked scientific research on CBD, and talked with a health professional. Here’s everything you should know about CBD oil, including how to take it safely.

 

Quick Summary

• CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant. 
• CBD oil is well-tolerated and has mild side effects.
• You should consult your doctor before using CBD products.

 

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is a concentrated solvent extracted from leaves, flowers, and stalk of the hemp or cannabis plant. 

CBD and THC are the two most common active compounds in the cannabis Sativa plant. However, unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating, which means it won’t get you high.

Hemp-derived CBD oil is safe to use. It’s usually mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut or hemp seed oil, to improve its bioavailability.

CBD oil has several health benefits. It can help reduce chronic pain, multiple sclerosis pain, manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, help with cancer treatment, and more. Moreover, CBD can even reduce the intoxicating effects of THC.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

CBD oil works by interacting with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system regulates our body functions, such as pain, mood, appetite, digestion, metabolism, memory, and many more. CBD activates the cannabinoid receptors that make up this system.

There are two receptors in our bodies:

• CB1 receptors — Found throughout the body and mostly in the brain. These receptors coordinate movement, pain, memory, mood, thinking, and other functions.
• CB2 receptors — Found in the immune system. These receptors influence pain and inflammation. 

CBD stimulates these receptors, so the body produces its own cannabinoids and better regulates different functions.

 

Is CBD Oil Safe?

Evidence about using CBD is still building, but the general consensus is that CBD oil is safe for use. No new evidence suggests CBD has a detrimental effect on the body. Hemp-derived CBD products are non-psychoactive, which means you won’t get high because there’s no THC.

You don’t have to fear getting addicted to CBD. CBD is well tolerated in the body, and side effects are rare and mild. Some people who use CBD oil can experience nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, and changes in appetite. 

However, CBD can interact with some medications, so you should check with your healthcare provider before using CBD. If you have liver disease, avoid CBD oil because it can increase liver enzymes. Also, women who are pregnant and breastfeeding shouldn’t use CBD oil.  

Overall, there’s more research needed to know how CBD affects our bodies, especially long term. For now, we know CBD aids the natural system in our body to give us health benefits without adverse effects, so it’s safe to use CBD dietary supplements.

 

What Does the World Health Organization Say?

The World Health Organization (WHO) says CBD is well tolerated and has a good safety profile. According to them, CBD isn’t connected to any health problems but can provide numerous health benefits and be used to treat anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions, chronic pain, cancer treatment, high blood pressure, and more.

WHO says using pure CBD oil doesn’t lead to any health issues, but most side effects happen from the interaction of CBD with other medications.

Finally, they see no risk of addiction in people, as CBD doesn’t have any dependence potential.

 

How to Take CBD Oil Safely?

You need to know the correct dosage for you to take CBD oil safely. This depends on your health, age, weight, and other factors. For example, tiny amounts of CBD oil are enough for some people, but others need high doses. Generally, you should always start with a small dose of CBD oil and increase it over time.

Here are some ways you can use CBD oil safely:

• Topical use — Works best for reducing inflammation and providing fast pain relief. You can use lotions, creams, gels, balms, and other topical CBD products that contain CBD oil.
• Vaping — You breathe in the cannabis vapors through a vaporizer. This is an effective way of consuming CBD, and it produces the fastest results, but they wear off quickly.
• Oral use — You can apply a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue and hold for a few seconds. This helps you sleep better and relieves anxiety. 

You can also add a few drops of CBD oil to your food and drink.

It’s always best to check the CBD oil label and follow the instructions there. 

What Happens if You Take Too Much CBD?

If you take too much CBD, you can experience side effects, such as fatigue, seizures, and changes in appetite. You won’t experience changes in your state of mind because CBD is non-psychoactive. Children who take too much CBD usually have dangerously slowed breathing. 

Doses of up to 1,500 mg of CBD per day are well tolerated for grown-ups, so try not to go over this.

As mentioned, talk with your healthcare provider before using CBD. They can help you decide on the best daily dose.

 

Conclusion on Safely Taking CBD Oil

CBD oil is well-tolerated and can treat rare seizure disorders, help chronic pain patients, regulate blood pressure, help cancer treatment, and give other health benefits. 

However, the market is saturated with non-approved CBD products. The only one CBD product approved by the FDA is Epidiolex, used to treat seizures caused by tuberous sclerosis complex.

This is why you should make sure to buy CBD products from verified brands like Blush Wellness and consult your doctor before using CBD.

 

References

Argueta, D. A., Ventura, C. M., Kiven, S., Sagi, V., & Gupta, K. (2020). A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 561. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00561

Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics: the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1

Seltzer, E. S., Watters, A. K., MacKenzie, D., Jr, Granat, L. M., & Zhang, D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) as a Promising Anti-Cancer Drug. Cancers, 12(11), 3203. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12113203

BioLyfe CBD. (2023, January 4). Buy CBD Dietary Supplements Online. Available at: https://biolyfebrands.com/product-category/cbd/

Freeman, A. M., Petrilli, K., Lees, R., Hindocha, C., Mokrysz, C., Curran, H. V., Saunders, R., & Freeman, T. P. (2019). How does cannabidiol (CBD) influence the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in humans? A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 107, 696–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.036 

Lu, H. C., & Mackie, K. (2016). An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System. Biological psychiatry, 79(7), 516–525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028

ScD, K. B., PharmD. (2021, January 11). CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution. Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2

Geneva. (2018). CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Critical Review Report Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Fortieth Meeting. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/controlled-substances/whocbdreportmay2018-2.pdf

Bergamaschi, M. M., Queiroz, R. H., Zuardi, A. W., & Crippa, J. A. (2011). Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent. Current drug safety, 6(4), 237–249. https://doi.org/10.2174/157488611798280924