Although CBD (cannabidiol)<\/a> has been proven time and time again to be inherently safe \u2014 nothing is entirely without side effects. Any health supplement or medication that causes a physiological change in the body has the potential to cause side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD has many effects on the human body \u2014 which means it\u2019s totally possible that some of these changes will be undesired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These undesirable effects are what we refer to as a side effects<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With that said, the side effects of CBD tend to be very mild.<\/strong> Issues with side effects from CBD most often come from high doses of CBD, combining CBD with other medications, or using CBD alongside other underlying health conditions [1<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are five main side effects you may experience when using CBD \u2014 low blood pressure, dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and tiredness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these side effects is considered a short-term<\/em> side effect \u2014 which means it only lasts as long as CBD remains in the body. These symptoms will disappear as the CBD wears off. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few CBD-based pharmaceutical preparations on the market, such as Epidolex<\/a> and Sativex<\/a> \u2014 each of which has had a ton of research done to assess the potential for side effects. This research has given us a lot more insight into the potential adverse effects of CBD and other related cannabinoids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The side effects of CBD can be broken up into two categories \u2014 short-term and long-term. Let\u2019s cover each in more detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Short-term side effects happen right away as the CBD begins to take effect. They can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Once the CBD wears off, the side effects usually wear off along with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Short-Term Side Effects of CBD May\nInclude:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Long-term side effects don\u2019t appear right\naway. These side effects develop gradually over time with consistent use. There\nare very few long-term side effects reported from CBD, and many of these\neffects can be traced back to other aspects of CBD use instead \u2014 such as\nsmoking, vaping, or combining CBD with pharmaceutical medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Long-Term Side Effects of CBD May\nInclude: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a wealth of research available in the scientific literature that explores the safety profile of CBD \u2014 I dug into it to see what I could find. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This research is critical in order for further testing can take place to explore the practical and medicinal applications of the compound in humans. Researchers can\u2019t test CBD on health conditions such as epilepsy before it can be proven safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s cover some of the most important\nsafety research involving CBD: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Study: Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa Constituent<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This review looked at 132 research papers that assessed the safety and tolerability of CBD. These studies included in vitro research, animal testing, and human clinical trials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The study concluded that CBD is well tolerated and safe in humans, even in high doses over long periods. Researchers made note that there was potential for adverse side effects if CBD was used in combination with other medications or underlying health conditions [1]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Study: An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This review seeks to build off the research published by Bergamaschi et al., 2011. The results of the study confirmed the initial conclusion for the first review, highlighting CBD as a safe and effective compound for the vast majority of patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This study reported the most common side effects to be fatigue, diarrhea, and changes in appetite\/weight. Researchers also noted CBD to be significantly better-tolerated than other medications used for similar purposes [3]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Study: An Open-Label Extension Study to Investigate the Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of THC\/CBD…<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This study examined the long-term health effects of CBD and THC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparations of the two cannabinoids were given to 43 cancer patients every day for two weeks. Researchers of this study reported there to be minimal side effects and concluded that the preparation was \u201cwell-tolerated\u201d [4]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Study: Randomized, dose-ranging safety trial of cannabidiol in Dravet syndrome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This randomized clinical trial looked at the effects of CBD in the treatment of a rare form of epilepsy<\/a> known as Dravet syndrome over 13 weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 34 patients diagnosed with Dravet syndrome (aged 4 to 10) were randomized into four treatment groups \u2014 5 mg\/kg, 10 mg\/kg, 20 mg\/kg CBD, and an inactive placebo control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The study concluded by stating that CBD was well-tolerated by the majority of patients (94% completion rate), and safety findings were consistent with other research. Some patients were noted to have elevated ALT or AST (indicating changes in liver function), but these elevations disappeared once CBD was discontinued. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the best studies we have so far on the safety of CBD in children<\/a>, especially since the doses used in the study were significantly higher than the standard dose of CBD [5]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD has a long list of effects on humans. It works by binding or modulating various receptors in the body. These receptors control other chemical, cellular, and organ functions. This interaction with receptors is what gives CBD its benefits as well as some of its side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are other ways CBD may lead to side\neffects as well \u2014 some of which come down to the way CBD was consumed, how much\nCBD was used, what other medications were taken alongside CBD, underlying\nhealth issues, and the presence of contaminants in the CBD extract itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s cover each of these potential causes in more detail and what you can do to minimize your chances of experiencing side effects from each one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Different forms of CBD can bring unique side effects. For example, smoking, dabbing, or vaping CBD may lead to short-term side effects caused by the inhalation of compounds through the lungs rather than from the CBD itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When smoke is inhaled it causes damage to the lungs along with an increase in carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the blood. This can lead to side effects like coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and nausea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There have also been some recent reports of a condition known as lipoid pneumonia<\/a>, which can be life-threatening. This condition is caused by inhaling fatty compounds into the lungs \u2014 such as with vape oils or e-liquids. This condition is rare but can happen from any e-liquids, including CBD-infused vape oils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The easiest way to minimize the chances of\nexperiencing side effects from smoke or vape inhalation is to use CBD orally (CBD\noils<\/a>, CBD capsules<\/a>, CBD\nedibles<\/a>) or topically<\/a> instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a ton of excellent CBD products available that don\u2019t rely on smoking or vaping to deliver CBD into the body. This saves your lungs and keeps harmful compounds like carbon monoxide out of your bloodstream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The more CBD you take, the stronger the effects.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is true for both the positive and negative effects of CBD. Several of the research papers cited above used large doses of CBD (up to 20 mg\/kg), which is significantly higher than the standard dose of CBD. However, despite remaining safe at these doses, the larger the dosage of CBD, the more chances there will be side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about how much CBD you should take<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve never used CBD before, it\u2019s\nimportant you understand how to find the best dose for your body individually.\nThe effective dose of CBD is different for everybody, so you have to use some\ntrial and error to find what works for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people do this by starting with a low\ndose and building up slowly over time. Once you reach the desired level of\neffects, you\u2019ve found your dose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people will continue increasing the dose gradually until they experience some mild side effects, then dial the dose back to the last dose that didn\u2019t produce any side effects and stay here \u2014 this is what\u2019s considered the maximum tolerated dose<\/em> \u2014 or the highest dose you can take before experiencing negative effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may want to avoid using exceptionally strong CBD oils<\/a> if you’re just starting out with CBD as well. It’s easier to take too much when using very strong oils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever you take medications or supplements,\nyou have to consider how the active compounds interact inside the body. Even if\nyou take them separately, they end up mixing in the digestive tract or bloodstream.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD rarely interacts with other medications<\/a> \u2014 but there are a few exceptions. CBD may cause the effects of the drug to become stronger or<\/em> weaker than intended \u2014 which could lead to side effects from the medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD can interact with medications in many\ndifferent ways. Even drugs that seem to be utterly unrelated to the effects of\nCBD can result in a negative interaction because of how the liver or kidneys\nprocess various medications. If CBD and the medication both compete for the\nsame pathway of metabolism or elimination, it can lead to a buildup of both in\nthe system \u2014 ultimately leading to side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of this, you must speak with your doctor first about using CBD<\/a> if you\u2019re taking any medications.<\/strong> Your doctor will give you more accurate advice on whether or not CBD is likely to interact with any medications you\u2019re taking \u2014 and what you can do to reduce your chances of developing side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD is well-known to offer benefits to\nspecific health conditions. There\u2019s a lot of research on how this compound\noffers benefits towards diseases such as epilepsy<\/a>, multiple sclerosis<\/a>, cancer<\/a>,\narthritis<\/a>,\nand\nmore<\/a> \u2014 however, some people may experience a worsening of symptoms\nafter using CBD for their health disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some examples of this may include Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a>, anorexia<\/a>, and hypotension (low blood pressure).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liver conditions can also increase your odds of experiencing side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the compounds you take into the body need to be processed and metabolized by the liver before they can be removed from the body. If the liver is compromised for any reason, CBD and its metabolites can build up in the bloodstream \u2014 which can ultimately lead to side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hypotension (low blood pressure) is one of the most concerning health issues people should be aware of before using this supplement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cannabidiol can cause a reduction in blood pressure.<\/a> For many people, this is one of the major benefits \u2014 however, if blood pressure is already too low, this effect can push blood pressure below safe levels. If this happens, the heart may be unable to pump enough blood into the brain, leading to lightheadedness, confusion, and fainting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to avoid side effects if you have an underlying health issue is to speak with your doctor directly before using CBD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The source of CBD matters when discussing side effects. CBD oil can become contaminated during the cultivation or manufacturing process. These contaminants may lead to both short-term and long-term side effects \u2014 some can even be quite severe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why we encourage people to only order CBD products from companies that publish independent lab analyses<\/a> for each batch of products they produce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These tests should look for all the main\ncontaminants of CBD products, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Contaminated CBD products aren\u2019t uncommon, so it\u2019s important you look for a reputable supplier before placing your order. CBD oils that are significantly cheaper than the competition are most likely too good to be true.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of these oils are made from cheap hemp cultivated in places like China or India where soil contamination is common \u2014 leading to the accumulation of heavy metals or other harmful compounds in the final product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contaminants can lead to side effects\nsuch as: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some low-quality CBD oils may also contain the psychoactive cannabinoid, THC. If the THC content is high enough, it will lead to undesirable side effects as well \u2014 essentially causing the same effects of marijuana that make users high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always purchase your CBD from a reputable\nmanufacturer that offers clear evidence that each batch of product they produce\nis completely free from these contaminants. There\u2019s no safe<\/em> dose of heavy metals, pesticides, or organic solvents, so it\u2019s\ncritical the tests show no trace of these compounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a company can\u2019t or won\u2019t provide this information, we suggest you look elsewhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some side effects are purely the result of\nallergies. This may be an allergy to the CBD itself, other cannabinoids, or\nadditives such as oils, synthetic flavoring, or vape fluids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Allergies are driven by the immune system,\nwhich is continuously monitoring the body to identify and destroy anything that\nposes a threat. Sometimes the immune system mistakes a harmless compound as a\nthreat \u2014 leading to what we call an allergic\nreaction<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When a threat is discovered (even if by\nmistake), the immune system immediately mobilizes a fleet of white blood cells\nand chemical messengers to the area to fight off the invader. This can lead to\nside effects including skin rashes, swelling, tightness in the throat, or much\nmore severe effects like a closing of the airway, tachycardia (excessive heart\nrate), elevated blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most allergies to CBD products are triggered by chemical additives from synthetic flavorings or preservatives rather than to the CBD itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Allergies can be hard to prevent and even\nharder to predict. For this reason, it\u2019s wise to test a small amount of a\nsupplement or topical before using the full amount to see if there\u2019s any\nreaction to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For topicals, apply a small amount to the skin\nand wait for about 30 \u2013 45 minutes to see if any rash or irritation appears. If\nnot, you\u2019re probably safe to apply the topical to a larger area of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For edibles, the process is similar. Start by taking a tiny amount. Hold it in your mouth for a moment, if you can. Wait for 30 \u2013 45 minutes to give the immune system time to react. If you don\u2019t experience any side effects (most commonly, swelling or itchiness<\/a>), you can safely take a larger dose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What happens if you start to experience side\neffects from CBD? When should you be concerned? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The vast majority of side effects from CBD are mild in nature \u2014 meaning that although you might feel uncomfortable, the side effects will soon pass on their own. Depending on which side effects you\u2019re experiencing, there may be some steps you can take to help them go away much faster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to eliminate cottonmouth from CBD<\/a> is to drink something fruity like orange or pineapple juice, sip water, or chew gum. If you remain well-hydrated before using CBD, the chances of experiencing this side effect are reduced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This side effect is pretty common and usually\ndoesn\u2019t mean anything serious. However, lightheadedness can also signal a\ndeeper underlying problem. The cause of this is typically low blood pressure,\nso it\u2019s best if you can either sit or lie down for a while. This will allow the\nblood to flow easily into the brain. It also helps to drink something with\nelectrolytes in it to help stabilize your blood pressure before you take CBD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you experience any loss of consciousness or feel excessive lightheadedness, stop using CBD immediately and set up a visit with your doctor to discuss your symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This side effect is hard to stop once it\u2019s\nbegun. You can take medications to help, but by the time the drugs take effect,\nthe side effects will likely have worn off anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It helps to take CBD along with food to\nminimize the chances of diarrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If diarrhea continues to occur, it\u2019s wise to speak with your doctor before using CBD again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Feeling tired after using CBD is often a goal for using the supplement, especially in people who have a hard time sleeping. However, not everyone wants this effect from CBD. The easiest way to avoid this is to take CBD alongside caffeine<\/a> to counteract the sedative effects of the compound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD can lower our appetite<\/a> \u2014 and while this is usually not a significant problem, it can cause you to go undernourished for long periods if you use CBD frequently. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies, weakness, irritability, and weight loss. It can help to take CBD along with a meal to avoid this effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD isn\u2019t the only cannabinoid in the cannabis plant<\/a>. There are over one hundred other cannabinoids also produced in the plant \u2014 many of which end up in your CBD oil. This is especially the case for full-spectrum hemp extracts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, do any of these other cannabinoids have\nside effects you should be concerned about? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, the side effects of these other cannabinoids are very similar to the side effects of CBD, with some subtle differences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)<\/a> is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis plants. Hemp products have very low levels of THC in them in order to stay within the legal limit and to prevent any psychoactive side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Products that have high THC content (over 2%) may produce side effects related to the psychoactivity of THC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is more than one type of THC. The most common is delta 9 THC but there’s also delta 7 THC, delta 8 THC<\/a>, delta 10 THC<\/a>, THCP<\/a>, THCC<\/a>, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Full-spectrum CBD oils contain trace amounts of delta 9 THC<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the most common side effects of THC: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n THCV stands for tetrahydrocannabivarin. It\u2019s\nclosely related to THC, but has significantly less psychoactivity and is found\nin much lower concentrations in cannabis plants. This cannabinoid is unlikely\nto cause any real side effects in CBD products simply because of how low the\nconcentration is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some potential side effects of THCV:<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CBC stands for cannabichromene<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s the third most predominant cannabinoid next to CBD and THC. Some hemp strains are high in CBC, so it has a greater potential for impacting the side effects of hemp products than most other minor cannabinoids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The potential side effects of CBC include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Are The Side Effects of CBD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Short-term Side Effects of CBD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Long-Term Side Effects of CBD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Is CBD Safe? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Study #1 \u2014 A Meta-Analysis on 132 Different Studies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Study #2 \u2014 Animal Testing on CBD Safety <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Study #3: Long-Term Safety of CBD & THC<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/cbd-research.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStudy #4 \u2014 Safety of CBD With Dravet’s Syndrome (Epilepsy)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Causes The Side Effects of\nCBD? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/smoking-kills.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n1. Smoke or Vapor Inhalation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Minimize Your Risk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/high-dose-cbd.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n2. High Doses of CBD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Minimize Your Risk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/medications-cbd.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n3. Interactions Between CBD &\nOther Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Minimize Your Risk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/xray-cbd.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n4. Underlying Health Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Minimize Your Risk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/cadmium-heavy-metal.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n5. Low-Quality or Contaminated\nCBD Products<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Minimize Your Risk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/allergies.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n6. Allergic Reactions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Minimize Your Risk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Can I Do If I Experience\nSide Effects From CBD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Dry Mouth (Cottonmouth)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Lightheadedness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Diarrhea<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Fatigue or Tiredness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Poor Appetite<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Do Other Cannabinoids Have\nSide-Effects? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Side Effects of THC<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Side Effects of THCV<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Side Effects of CBC<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Side Effects of CBG<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/cannabinoids-cbc-cbg.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/01\/cbd-oil-side-effects.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n