Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many active compounds found in hemp. Its popularity has increased in recent years due to its potential health benefits. However, as interest has increased, many questions have arisen, including this key one - is CBD safe?

CBD has been known for a long time and has been thoroughly researched - many scientists have focused their research on it. However, not every Internet user has the opportunity to follow research, and the contradictory information that appears most often results from fear of new things or lack of knowledge. Let's look at the most important facts and debunk some myths that have appeared in recent years.

CBD is addictive – MYTH

CBD (unlike tetrahydrocannabinol - THC) does not cause psychoactive effects or addiction, which is one of the most important features that distinguish these two compounds. CBD affects the body in a different way. Instead of directly affecting the receptors, it modulates their action. Thanks to this, users can benefit from its effects, e.g. by reducing pain, anxiety or inflammation without fear of changes in perception or addiction .

Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has conducted extensive research on the safety of CBD and confirmed that the compound has no addictive properties or potential for abuse . This means that even long-term use of CBD does not lead to physical or mental addiction, which is especially important for people who are afraid of this type of risk, often associated with hemp.

Is CBD safe because it does not cause serious side effects? - FACT

The WHO has confirmed that CBD has a good tolerability profile in humans. This means that it is well taken up by the body and its use rarely leads to serious side effects, which distinguishes it from many other substances, including prescription drugs .

What side effects can you experience with CBD?

Tiredness . CBD may cause a feeling of drowsiness or fatigue, but this is often considered a positive effect, especially in the case of people using, for example, CBD oils to alleviate sleep problems or reduce stress.
Changes in appetite . This is also one of the side effects that can be considered an advantage of using CBD, as we wrote in the publication "Types of eating disorders - can CBD help in treatment?" .
Dry mouth . Each cannabinoid can reduce saliva production, which in turn increases dryness and the need to replenish fluids. This is a common side effect that can be eliminated by hydrating the body.

CBD has therapeutic properties – FACT

The well-documented therapeutic properties have led to so much interest in using CBD-enriched dietary supplements. These have become the answer to many contemporary challenges , e.g. excessive anxiety, overwhelm, social phobias, sleep disorders, problems with relaxation, excessive pain and many others, as we have mentioned many times on our blog.
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At the same time, you must remember that CBD is not a cure-all and if serious health problems occur, it is worth consulting a doctor or pharmacist. Most of them will attest that CBD is an excellent complement to many therapies .

CBD is only legal in small doses – MYTH

Products containing CBD are legal as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC. The question you need to ask yourself is, is CBD safe in high doses? Yes, but…

It is worth remembering that more does not mean better. There is a misconception that large doses are better for the body, but some research suggests that lower doses may be equally effective or even more beneficial, and this depends on the individual needs and health of the patient.

It is important to select the appropriate dose, often by trial and error, and closely monitor the body's reaction. We wrote about doses in CBD oils here .

Is CBD safe always and under all circumstances? MYTH

We mentioned that CBD is a substance that is safe for the body, but there are several important aspects to remember regarding unique circumstances.

CBD may interact with medications . Especially those metabolized by liver enzymes. Liver enzymes play a key role in the breakdown and elimination of many drugs from the body. Therefore, CBD may affect the effect of some medications by reducing or increasing their blood levels, which may lead to a change in the effectiveness of the treatment or an increase in the risk of side effects. The drugs most likely to interact with CBD are anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and immunosuppressants. CBD supplementation should then be discussed with your doctor.
Allergy to CBD is extremely rare, although allergies may occur due to the excipients added to preparations containing CBD.

The safety of CBD has been widely documented, and most people who use it do not experience serious side effects. This compound's good tolerability profile and potential therapeutic benefits make it seen as a safe option for many people looking for natural methods to support their health.

Sources:

World Health Organization (WHO). Pre-Review Report on Cannabidiol (CBD). November 2017;

Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of Cannabidiol in Children and Young Adults With Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy, he Lancet Neurology. 2016;

Cannabidiol (CBD) and its Analogues: A Review of Their Effects on Inflammation, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. 2015;

Cannabidiol: From an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with a wide spectrum of action, Pharmacological Research. 2017.