28 Jul What are the side effects of CBD?
A rising star in the wellness world for the last few years, CBD is set to sky-rocket in 2020. With gym-users hoping for stronger recovery, people looking for natural relief from muscle soreness, and everyone in-between searching for better sleep, it’s important to understand the side effects of CBD on our body.
Table of Contents
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a completely non-psychoactive extract of the cannabis plant, one of over 100 natural components processed to remove of the THC content. This cannabinoid reacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system to give users the benefits without the unwanted ‘high’.
The endocannabinoid system is found in our body where it helps to regulate a wide range of cognitive and physiological processes. Although extremely complex, scientists have suggested these include mood, appetite, and sleep – essentially keeping our body balanced and functioning properly.
Within the endocannabinoid system is a network of cannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system. Phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant) such as CBD and THC, also naturally attach to these cells in a similar way and have various effects.
So with CBD being an ingredient from natural sources that reacts within the body in a natural way, can you use just any CBD product to get the health benefits? Wrong. When it comes to quality and safety, not all CBD products are created equal.
Choose quality
Issues arise not only CBD is mixed with other oils, fillers and weak ingredients as the product is created, but also when the CBD extracted from the plant itself is of poor quality. This is true whether it’s found in the form of a tincture, edible or balm.
As of July 2020, the Food and Drug Administration has not established regulations for the processing and production of CBD products. As a result, many new products enter the market with poor quality checks or a lack of good manufacturing practices. Products may be underdosed or sourced from raw materials of dubious quality. To keep your body safe, as well as to make sure you actually receive the benefits you’re looking for, it’s important to only buy hemp oils from reputable brands that are committed to the highest standards of quality and transparency in the industry.
Put simply, do your research. Don’t be suckered in by extravagant claims and unsubstantiated marketing. Instead, only buy from brands who provide unedited lab results for every batch of product they make. Look for a scannable QR code on the product label that will take you directly to those lab results, not something hidden in the fine-print of a hard-to-find webpage. Confirming essential quality and purity gives you that extra peace of mind when it comes to using a supplemental product like CBD on a daily basis.
CBD side effects
The human body is a complex mix of processes and functions. So whenever you introduce it to something new, whether natural or not, it can produce side effects.
In a recent study, Jarai et al. studied the effects of CBD on vasorelaxation, which is the relaxation of the vascular walls of your circulatory system, which may support normal blood circulation. While not harmful, and in some cases even beneficial, it is important to be aware of if you have an existing condition. Always speak with your doctor before taking CBD. They will be able to guide you with an understanding of any previous medical conditions you. This is especially true if you are currently on any long-term medication. CBD may interact with certain types of prescribed drugs, so it’s vital to confirm this before taking it in any form.
Aside from this main side effect, some users have reported conditions like dry mouth, nausea and diarrhea. However, these are unconfirmed and may be linked to inferior CBD products. Once again, doing your research is a key way to avoid any issues or irritation from regular use.
Is CBD safe?
From contributing to healthy sleep to supporting individuals with general wellness and mood, in-depth research on the health benefits of CBD is well underway. And although the effects on long-term users are still being studied, CBD is considered safe when used as directed. Additionally, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia recommends a maximum daily dosage of 60mg, while the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of the United Kingdom recommends users not exceed 70mg per day. Always use as directed and under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional and always ensure that the brands you buy from are transparent, reputable, and always share their lab results without hesitation.
Sources:
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579247/
2) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
3) https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
Valeria's background is in industrial engineering and neuromarketing, with more than 10 years of experience combined.
Previously, she was a SEO & YouTube consultant for MyProtein, growing the company’s Spanish YouTube channel to +700k subscribers and managing the South Europe’s YouTube strategy.
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