CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis plants. And since its rise in popularity throughout the years, scientists and researchers have performed a wealth of studies on cannabidiol and CBD products.
Common Misconceptions About CBD
Many people are still confused about whether CBD is legal and if it will get you "high." Hemp-derived CBD products are not only legal throughout the United States according to the 2018 Farm Bill, but they also naturally contain less than 0.3% THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, so you will not feel "high." THC, when taken in large quantities, can cause people to feel euphoric or otherwise psychologically altered, but hemp-derived CBD products don't have that effect. They are fast-growing in popularity because the hemp plant is bred to contain low levels of THC (0.3% or less).
The research into CBD is extremely promising. Likewise, people all over the world are turning to CBD products for various personal reasons. It’s not surprising then, that new CBD users often want to know if there are any side effects associated with the compound. To that end, research has also shown that while CBD does have its own small list of side effects, they are both relatively minimal and rare.
Common Side Effects of Cannabidiol
Even though it’s rare for people to experience side effects from CBD, some of the most commonly reported ones include:- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in weight
- Low blood pressure
- Dry mouth
Can You Overdose on CBD Oil?
The amount of CBD you are ingesting can affect whether or not you experience any side effects. Other factors include your age, body weight, any health issues you might have, any medication you might be taking, and any environmental factors. These side effects, however, are rare, and even though you may experience them once, you may not necessarily experience them every single time you take CBD.
How to Avoid CBD Side Effects
If you’re concerned about side effects from CBD, there are a few things you can do on your own to ensure that the CBD product you’re taking is safe, clean, potent, and of the best possible quality.
1. Research CBD Product Ingredients
Always look into the ingredients of any CBD products that you’re interested in from every brand that catches your eye. Reputable brands like FAB CBD use only the very best ingredients in all of its CBD products. After doing some research, you’ll find that CBD brands that have a strong reputation among customers and industry experts don’t cut corners when it comes to crafting their products. Beware of unknown brands that sell cheaply priced products. Not all brands and products are created equal, and many cheap brands cut corners when it comes to how they make their products. Oftentimes, cheap products are laden with harmful chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and solvents that can be detrimental to your health.
2. Read Third-Party Independent Lab Reports
All reputable brands have their products regularly tested for quality and potency by independent third-party labs. The brands then publish these reports on their websites where customers can easily find them. Some brands also include these reports with every product that’s purchased, or send them out to customers upon their request. FAB CBD uses ProVerde Labs, an independent third-party lab, to routinely test its products for purity and potency. These reports are then published on the FAB CBD website. When brands use a third-party lab to test their products, they’re telling customers that they care about transparency, and about the quality and purity of their products.
3. Purchase Hemp-Derived CBD Products
Even though CBD can be sourced from both hemp and marijuana, only hemp-derived products contain 0.3% or less THC and are federally legal throughout the entire United States. Marijuana-sourced CBD can contain well over the legal limit of THC, and can be illegal, depending on where you live.
4. Read Verified Customer Reviews and Publications From Industry Experts.
Verified customer reviews as well as publications from industry experts will help to clue you in on any negative side effects that were experienced from CBD products. Always take the time to read through the customer reviews for any brand you’re interested in. Likewise, check out what CBD journalists have to say, as they tend to have their fingers on the pulse of the CBD industry. Reputable brands like FAB CBD have no issue with publishing verified customer reviews right on their website. Oftentimes, this helps people who are new to CBD get a feel for both the brand as well as its products.
5. Consult With Your Physician
If you’re taking any prescription medication and are thinking about incorporating CBD into your existing supplement regimen, you should first consult with your doctor. Ask your physician about any side effects that you may experience, and what the best dosage and strength will be for the CBD product you’re interested in.
6. Start Low and Go Slow
When it comes to beginning a CBD oil regimen, it’s best to start low and then increase slowly. It takes patience, time, and consistency to both cut down your chances of experiencing a negative side effect, as well as finding the best dosage of CBD oil for your body. For example, if you’re using FAB CBD’s 600mg full-spectrum CBD oil, then you’ll want to begin by taking a ½ dropper full once a day. This will come to about 10mg of CBD a day. Stick with this dose for one week before checking in with yourself to see how you’re feeling. If you need to increase, move up to a ½ dropper full twice a day, which will come to 20mg of CBD per day. Stay on this for another week before performing another self-check. Following this pattern will help you to find the best dose for your body as well as lower your chances of experiencing any negative side effects. Additionally, it helps to take the CBD oil around the same time each day. Consistency gives you the best chances at experiencing as many benefits as you can from CBD.
Is CBD Safe?
Even though CBD is generally considered safe, there are some people who should not be taking it. Some people who probably should not be taking CBD are pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and people who are on prescription medications that contain a grapefruit warning. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are on the list of those who should avoid CBD because of the potential for adverse outcomes to their babies. Additionally, there hasn’t been enough CBD research for medical professionals to recommend CBD use among pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Avoid Using CBD?
When it comes to people who are on prescription medications, there is the potential for there to be a negative interaction between the CBD and the drug. For example, when a medication has a grapefruit warning on the label, this means that eating grapefruits and other citrus fruits, or drinking grapefruit juice interferes with the way that the body metabolizes the medication. This means that too much of the drug could enter into the system, thus both damaging the liver as well as potentially causing someone to overdose on the medication. CBD interacts with “grapefruit warning” medications in very much the same way. So, if you’re taking medication, it’s best to speak with your doctor before using any CBD. Your doctor or medical specialist will be able to best advise you on any safety issues, as well as give you dosage recommendations and help you with deciding the best type of CBD products to use.
While CBD does have some minor side effects associated with it, they are extremely slight and somewhat rare. This shouldn’t stop you from researching and eventually incorporating CBD into your daily supplement regimen. Regardless of what you choose to do, research plays an important role in finding the best CBD product for your needs. Reputable brands like FAB CBD work hard to create the purest and most potent products for their customers. Moreover, FAB CBD puts transparency first by making it easy for its customers to find all of its third-party lab reports right on the FAB CBD website. As with any medication or supplement, you should also take the time to thoroughly understand CBD, its benefits, its side effects, and how you can best use it in your daily life. Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns on whether or not it will be safe for you to use CBD, don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care doctor or medical specialist.
