What are the undesirable side effects of CBD?

Undesirable Side Effects: Everything You Need to Know!

The undesirable effects we are going to discuss are effects observed and reported in clinical studies on individuals treated with CBD at high doses. It should be noted that these effects concern slightly more than 10 out of 100 people for frequent side effects and less than one out of 10 people for rare effects.

Common Side Effects

Gastrointestinal Problems

We're getting to the heart of the matter, through the less glamorous side! Diarrhea and nausea (even vomiting) are the most frequently observed effects. People who took CBD are more likely to experience diarrhea and nausea than those treated with a placebo. These symptoms, in most cases, subside when the CBD dose is reduced. They can be related to an overdose.

Drowsiness and Fatigue

Fatigue is a common side effect of CBD. We remind you here that for some, this is exactly the desired effect! But not always...

Also, several users report feeling drowsy or excessively tired, which can affect their daily activities.

Similar to diarrhea, drowsiness subsides when the CBD dose is reduced.

Dry Mouth

This is an effect that often comes up. People who reported this sensation of having a dry or pasty mouth are those who most often consumed CBD oil. Others speak of a sensation of thirst.

Dry and pasty mouth is a sign of dehydration, simply drinking water can quickly solve the problem.

Drinking an herbal tea can also be a solution to avoid this sensation while consuming hemp!

Rare Side Effects

Effects on the Liver

Liver abnormalities have been observed in some subjects. Indeed, in a few cases, anemia (a decrease in hemoglobin levels) has been observed in epileptic patients treated with high doses of CBD.

In another study, cannabidiol led to an increase in liver enzymes (ALT and AST). This causes damage to liver cells. This effect was observed in 12% of people taking CBD compared to 1% in people taking a placebo. Even if the cases are rare and mild, it is important to emphasize this.

Furthermore, the combination with certain antiepileptic drugs (clobazam and valproate) can constitute risk factors for the liver when treated with CBD.

Also for all these reasons, and especially if CBD is taken in high doses, it is recommended to have a liver blood test (one of the purposes of medical consultation, which we will return to in the following paragraphs).

Allergic Reactions

Although rare, allergic reactions to CBD can occur. Like many allergic reactions, they can manifest as skin rashes, itching, or even breathing difficulties. Users should be aware of these symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms resembling an allergic reaction appear.

Effects on Mental Health

Behavioral disorders such as irritability and aggression have been observed. Similarly, a certain form of lethargy, as well as weight loss, are side effects noted in the case of cannabidiol treatment.

Kidney Failure

An increase in creatinine levels (which can be a sign of the onset of kidney failure) has been observed in the first weeks of regular CBD intake. A completely reversible phenomenon in the case of a healthy adult.

Risks of Overdose or Addiction

Overdose

Can you overdose on CBD? Let's be clear right away: the answer is NO! The risks associated with a CBD overdose are listed above: diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness...

If these symptoms appear, stop taking CBD, your body eliminates it quickly and very well; or reduce the dose.

The experiment was conducted with a single dose of 6000 mg (which is enormous! As a reminder, for non-prescription, wellness use, the maximum recommended dosage is 50 mg per day), on a 70 kg adult.

All adverse effects disappeared by the end of the study.

Can you become addicted to CBD?

This paragraph will be short: no! The only risk of dependence that can be established is with tobacco. Of course, we know that some people smoke joints to replace illegal substances. In this case, it is tobacco addiction that is noted and by no means CBD addiction.

No withdrawal symptoms are observed when stopping CBD. Moreover, if you follow our advice, you will see that we recommend taking "breaks" from your CBD use for wellness purposes. You will find for yourself that these breaks do not involve any craving.

To conclude this first long part, the most frequent undesirable effects are benign and completely reversible. You do not risk overdose or dependence on CBD.

It is also important to emphasize that the listed effects rarely concern the intake of CBD alone. Dried flowers, for example, contain other cannabinoids, which even in small quantities, can play a role in side effects.

THC, for example, has an effect on blood pressure and heart rate. Similarly, when taking substances containing THC, symptoms of paranoia or hallucinations have been noted. This is not at all the case when consuming CBD without THC.

Finally, some forms of CBD can be manufactured with other substances. To make CBD oil, a fatty substance is added (hazelnut, hemp, or other oil...). If you are allergic to nuts, for example, inquire about the manufacturing of the CBD oil.

In the case of CBD e-liquid, you often find propylene glycol (or glycerol), natural flavors, or vegetable glycerin... Even natural, these elements can each be responsible for undesirable side effects.

Finally, some manufacturers may add terpenes, or even other substances such as CBD crystals, to their products to increase the CBD content. These additions, most often chemical, can also have a significant role in undesirable effects.

How to Minimize CBD Side Effects: Practical Guide

Good news, you can minimize side effects and do so in a very simple and accessible way for everyone. Indeed, it is essential to take precautions. Let's look at the three crucial aspects to consider.

Choosing CBD products: Opt for quality

The quality of CBD products plays a major role in minimizing undesirable side effects. As we just discussed, some manufacturers may add substances (natural or chemical) to flowers (by vaporizing them, for example). Other forms, such as e-liquid, contain substances like propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or even nicotine!

Here are our recommendations for choosing quality products and thus minimizing undesirable effects:

• Organic ! Prioritize CBD products from organic farming. This guarantees the absence of potentially harmful pesticides or herbicides. This is the first precaution to take, and if you only remember one, let it be this one!

• Supercritical CO2 extraction. You can inquire about or verify the CBD extraction method. Supercritical CO2 extraction is a method that preserves the purity of CBD while avoiding the use of chemical solvents.
• Certified laboratory analyses. Check the analyses performed on the products. These tests guarantee purity, precise CBD concentration, and the absence of contaminants. You will most often find them as a QR code on the packaging.
• Origin. Made in France, of course! to support local businesses, certainly, but not only that! If we're talking about it here, it's for traceability. Each country has specific regulations (sometimes common to France, but not always). When a brand displays a label, you can check what it means and the quality required to display that certification.

CBD Dosage

This is the second most important thing. CBD dosage is one of the key factors in minimizing side effects. In most cases, adverse effects are observed when a significant amount of CBD is taken (a high dose from the first intake) and without any gradual increase.

The best way to start with CBD is to begin with a low dosage, typically between 5 and 10 milligrams per day. This not only allows your body to adapt but also to observe the effects felt.

When you start, begin with a single dose. You can then carefully observe your reactions and the effects it has on you. Do it preferably at the end of the day, quietly at home. Given the possible risks of drowsiness, avoid a first dose at your workplace!

Once you have observed the effects, you can gradually adjust the dosage.

Dosage tips:

• Follow manufacturer's recommendations. CBD products vary in concentration, so it is essential to follow the specific manufacturer's recommendations on the packaging. If you can't find any, you can contact the manufacturer directly (via social media, for example, or by email) and ask for direct advice. Most good growers are passionate and know their products.
• Keep a journal: Record your daily doses, the effects felt, and any potential symptoms. This can help you determine the optimal dosage for you.
• Increase gradually. Do this every 2 or 3 days to allow your body time to react and observe the effects. Increase by 5 mg. Stop as soon as the desired effect is achieved.
• Listen to your body. If side effects appear, reduce the dose. Undesirable effects most frequently occur in cases of overdose. Each individual reacts differently, and an individualized approach is crucial.

Last thing to note. If you use a full-spectrum oil (containing THC <0.3%), your body will also absorb THC.

Thus, let's take the example of a 10% CBD oil, if your daily dose is 400 mg of CBD, the amount of THC absorbed during the day is 12 mg. Remember, some undesirable effects can be attributed to THC!

When you use CBD oil to relieve your ailments, keep this in mind! Depending on the dose you take, it is probably better to choose a broad-spectrum oil (devoid of THC).

To learn more about dosage, consult our article "how to choose the right dosage for your CBD?"

Consult a Healthcare Professional

This recommendation applies to everyone, but especially to people who have chosen CBD for therapeutic purposes.

Before starting CBD treatment, consulting a healthcare professional is highly recommended. Doctors can provide personalized advice based on your health status, medications you are taking, and your medical history.

• Discuss objectives. What are the reasons for using CBD? Do you want to relieve pain, manage excessive stress, improve sleep and say goodbye to your insomnia... Whatever the reason, it can often be dictated by the desire to stop a medical treatment. Hence the importance of discussing it beforehand: what are the consequences of stopping? What dosage to take...

• Important medical information. Be sure to disclose all relevant medical information, including current medications, to avoid undesirable interactions.
• Regular follow-up. In case of new symptoms or changes in your health, be sure to consult your healthcare professional to adjust your CBD use if necessary. Especially if they have guided you in taking CBD.

Summary and Final Tips for Safe and Peaceful CBD Use

There are several approaches to using CBD: a comfort use, known as well-being, and a therapeutic use. Follow the advice and recommendations according to your approach to CBD.

CBD and well-being

You are in the first case and you use (or wish to use) CBD for an improvement in your daily life. This involves transforming your quality of life, such as facilitating sleep, improving sleep quality, relaxing, relieving menstrual pain, reducing stress, improving digestion...

In short, here are our tips:

• Prioritize CBD oil or herbal teas. Oral administration is often simpler.
• Check the quality of the product with the P.E.B method (Provenance, Extraction, Organic).

• Adjust the dosage (start small and increase by 5 mg increments every 3 days).
• Avoid exceeding a dose of 50 mg/day.
• Take breaks in your use (e.g., 10/15 days).
• CBD isn't everything! Your well-being depends on your daily habits (walking, meditation, bedtime, diet...). Think about it!
• Be Patient 🙂