CBD Oil Benefits vs. Side Effects: Is It Safe?
Often in the news, CBD oil is becoming a popular alternative medical treatment for many. You may have began to consider using CBD oil to help with some of your ailments, and find yourself wondering is CBD oil safe? You may wonder what the benefits are of using CBD oil, and if there are any side effects that you should be aware of?
First, What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is an extract of the hemp plant, known as cannabidiol, that is mixed with a carrier oil-the same way that essential oils are-such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil. CBD oil comes from both Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa plants, though CBD oil has been found by the World Health Organization (WHO) to not have the effects that are witnesses with THC products, it failed to produce any significant effects of abuse potential and is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.
CBD oil comes in different forms. Those forms are:
–Isolates: contain only CBD.
–Broad-Spectrum Oil: has nearly all of the components of the plant which includes the proteins, flavonoids, terpenes and chlorophyll, but do not have THC.
–Full Spectrum Oil: has all of the compound, including THC, up to 0.3%
Now that you better understand what CBD oil is, let’s go over the benefits. CBD oil has been hailed as a game changer for many of those dealing with chronic ailments and those looking for alternatives to traditional medicine’s treatments. People have claimed to have success treating a variety of health related issues by just using CBD oil on a regular basis.
CBD is known to be beneficial in the treatments of the following:
Chronic Pain, Acne, PTSD, Anxiety, Chemotherapy Side Effects (pain, loss of appetite and organ toxicity), Depression, Cancer, Epilepsy, Cancer, Drug Use Withdrawal, Skin Conditions like Eczema and Psoriasis, Poor Appetite, Glaucoma, High Blood Pressure, Muscle Spasms, Insomnia, Parkinson’s Disease, Menstrual Pain, Muscle Soreness, Arthritis, General Pain Management & more.
While CBD oil can be beneficial to most users, clinical research shows that there are some side effect risks that you’ll want to be aware of when considering CBD oil as a treatment. If you are currently taking prescription medication, discuss you interest in CBD oil as a treatment with your doctor, as some prescription medication can be effected by the use of CBD oil products.
Some common side effects of taking CBD oil are:
Vomiting or Nausea, Anxiety, Changes in mood, appetite or alertness, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Fatigue or Drowsiness, Increase Eye Pressure, Dry Eyes, Medication Interaction & Dry Mouth.
You will not want to use heavy machinery while taking CBD oil, especially when you are first starting out and do not yet know how it will effect you. Remember that some forms of CBD oil still contain trace amounts of THC.
Special Concerns
Your doctor may advise you against using CBD in some instances such as:
If you are pregnant or nursing: It is not recommended that you use CBD oil. Even though CBD oil is considered well tolerated and safe in adults, not enough is known yet about the effects CBD oil may have on the developing fetus. CBD oil does pass through the placenta.
If you have liver disease: CBD oil can increase liver enzymes, which is a marker of liver inflammation. Your doctor may suggest that you have your liver enzymes checked on a regular basis if you choose to take CBD oil for the benefits.
If you have issues with your eyes: CBD oil can cause eye-related side effects such as increased eye pressure. This can make conditions like glaucoma worse.
CBD Oil & Prescriptions
CBD oil can interact adversely with some medications. The reason behind this is that your body uses an enzyme, Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), to metabolize some drugs. CBD oil can block CYP450 which means that taking CBD oil with these drugs could make them have a stronger effect than you need, or make them not work at all.
Drugs that have the potential to interact with CBD oil are:
Alcohol – with an increased risk of sedation or drowsiness
Anti-arrhythmia drugs like quinidine
Anticonvulsants like Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)
Antifungal drugs like Nizoral (ketoconazole) and Vfend (voriconazole)
Antipsychotic drugs like Orap (pimozide)
Atypical antidepressants like Remeron (mirtazapine)
Benzodiazepine sedatives like Klonopin (clonazepam) and Halcion (triazolam)
Immune-suppressive drugs like Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
Macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin and telithromycin
Migraine medicine like Ergomar (ergotamine)
Opioid painkillers like Duragesic (fentanyl) and alfentanil
Rifampin-based drugs used to treat tuberculosis
CBD Oil is generally well tolerated in both humans and animals, and while there is the small potential for side effects, they rarely occur. It is good to be aware of any potential side effects, just in case you are one of the few that find they are experiencing them after use. Before taking CBD oil, review your medications with a medical professional just to be sure that CBD oil will not adversely effect your treatment.
As with all medications and natural remedies, please make sure that you choose a reputable provider to receive your CBD oil from. Companies such as Wellington CBD & Medicinal Marijuana Care are dedicated to providing customers with only the best and most pure CBD, with no dangerous added chemicals or mysterious substances. Please give us a call at (561) 798-7420 or contact us to answer any of your questions or schedule an appointment!