Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is generally safe and doesn‘t cause any serious side effects. Still, some people can experience a few side effects after using CBD oil. In this blog, we‘ll tell you how you can avoid those side effects and everything else you want to know about CBD oil.
What is CBD oil?
Mix a carrier oil like coconut oil, hemp oil, coconut oil, or MCT oil with some CBD extract and you‘ll get CBD oil. The process may be a bit more complicated than the one mentioned above, but that‘s the essence of it. CBD oil is probably the most popular CBD-infused product because it is considered to be a highly beneficial and effective alternative treatment for several illnesses. Plus, you can use it in any way you want but more on that later.
What are the different types of CBD oil?
The following are the three main types of CBD oil:
Isolate
Isolate CBD oil also referred to as pure CBD oil, is made with isolated CBD extract, which means that it only contains CBD and doesn‘t include any other cannabinoids of the cannabis plant. People who don‘t want to consume tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or any other cannabinoid often choose isolate CBD oil.
Broad spectrum
Broad spectrum CBD oil has almost all the cannabinoids of the cannabis plant; the only cannabinoid it doesn‘t include is THC. People who want to have a more enhanced experience but don‘t want to consume any THC often choose this type of CBD oil.
Full spectrum
Full spectrum CBD oil is almost the same as broad spectrum CBD oil; the only difference is that it also includes THC. Generally, the concentration of THC in full spectrum oil is around 0.3%, which isn’t enough to cause the high effect or to intoxicate a person but is enough to boost CBD’s effects and other cannabinoids. In full spectrum CBD oil and products, the cannabinoids create something called the entourage effect. In layman terms, all the cannabinoids complement each other‘s effects and enhance the user experience.
What are the side effects of CBD oil?
Health experts, including the World Health Organization, suggest that CBD is safe and doesn‘t cause any adverse side effects. If you are using a high-quality CBD oil that doesn‘t contain any harmful elements, then the chances are that you won‘t experience any negative effects. Still, some people report a few side effects after using CBD oil, which include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Negative reaction with prescription drugs
How to avoid the side effects of CBD oil?
There is no sure-fire method of avoiding the side effects of CBD oil. But based on the scenarios in which people experience the side effects of CBD oil, the following methods may work:
Determine if you have a sensitive metabolism
If your metabolic system can‘t process oils like coconut, hemp, MCT, or olive, then chances are it won‘t be able to process CBD oil as well. As a result, you will experience the side effects of CBD oil. So, before you use CBD oil, try the oils mentioned above to see if you can process it or not. If you have a sensitive metabolism and still want to use CBD oil, then you can apply it directly on your skin instead of ingesting it. Since the oil wouldn‘t enter your system, it can‘t cause any side effects.
Use high-quality products
There are a lot of substandard products available in the market since the FDA doesn‘t regulate CBD–infused products like CBD oil. These substandard products can contain dangerous – harmful elements that have the potential to damage your health. If you use high-quality products that are cleared by an independent lab, then you can avoid the potentially harmful side effects of low-grade CBD oil.
Properly dose your CBD oil intake
Although CBD oil overdose isn‘t lethal, it may cause a few side effects. These side effects are usually digestive issues that go away in a day or two, but care is still important. To avoid these side effects, properly dose your CBD oil intake. To do that, you must start low and gradually increase the dose every week until you think that the effects of CBD oil are at an optimum level.
What are the benefits of using CBD oil?
CBD oil may provide the following benefits:
May reduce seizure frequency
CBD oil effectively reduces the frequency of seizures if used with a standard epilepsy treatment. In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based medical grade drug for treating two rare and severe epilepsy types. A Lancet Neurology study suggests that daily administration of around 2-5 mg of a CBD-based oral solution effectively reduces seizure frequency. The participants were given the solution for twelve weeks and after monitoring the patients, the researchers concluded that CBD reduces the seizure frequency by 36.5%. Out of the 214 participants, only 12% reported side effects.
May relieve anxiety
According to a National Library of Medicine research, CBD may effectively relieves anxiety by altering the way our brain reacts to serotonin, which is considered to have a significant impact on a person‘s mental health. Brain receptors are tiny proteins attached to the cells and their job is to receive and react to chemical messages. CBD interacts with these proteins and alters the way they react to different stimuli. According to a study by Neuropsychopharmacology, a single 600 mg dose of CBD effectively relieved social anxiety.
May provide neuroprotection
The deterioration of the brain and the nerves is a common symptom of neurodegenerative diseases. There is a receptor in our brain called CB1 and researchers believe that it may help improve the lives of people with neurodegenerative diseases. Data suggests that CBD interacts with CB1 and may provide neuroprotective effects to patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Inflammation is another factor that worsens these patients’ conditions and, as we all know, CBD appears to have amazing anti-inflammatory properties.
May relieve pain
Research suggests that the interaction between CBD and the brain receptors helps with pain management and relieves different pain types, including injury, chronic, muscle, MS, and arthritis. Sativex (Nabiximols), a CBD and THC based drug, is already legal in multiple countries, including the UK and Canada, for the treatment of MS pain. Data suggests that CBD doesn‘t directly affect pain. Instead, it reduces inflammation, which in turn helps reduce pain.
May reduce acne
CBD may effectively reduce inflammation–causing acne by interacting with immune system receptors. According to a Journal of Clinical Investigation study, CBD regulates sebum production by interacting with sebaceous glands and helps prevent or reduce acne. Sebum is a natural oily substance that our body produces for moisturizing the skin, but excess production can lead to acne.
May benefit heart health
According to a study, CBD is more effective at lowering high blood pressure when compared with a placebo. Researchers of this study suggest that CBD may be effective for relieving hypertension due to its ability to reduce anxiety and stress. Another study suggests that CBD reduces inflammation and prevents cell death due to its anti-stress and anti-oxidative effects. According to an animal study, CBD lowers oxidative stress levels and prevents heart damage.
What are the methods of using CBD oil?
You can choose one of the following methods for using CBD oil:
Topical application
In the topical application of CBD oil, you apply CBD oil directly to your skin or the problem area. This method is considered to be the safest method of using CBD oil as the CBD can‘t enter your bloodstream. The topical use of CBD oil is most popular among those who want to relieve their pain.
Sublingual application
In this method, you put a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue, hold it in your mouth for a minute or two and then swallow. The mucous glands absorb the CBD and help it reach the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This method is highly effective and provides long-lasting effects.
Ingestion
Ingestion is definitely the most delicious method of using CBD oil. In this method, you make food using CBD oil and eat it or you can sprinkle a few drops of CBD oil over the food you already prepared. This method is effective but can take a couple of hours to work.
Inhalation
You may use vapes and e-cigarettes to inhale CBD oil. Although this method is highly effective, it is also very dangerous. Recently, health experts linked vapes and e-cigarettes with a severe lung injury outbreak and are now advising against their use.
What is the legality of CBD oil?
CBD oil made with hemp-driven CBD containing 0.3% THC is federally legal in most of the US states under the 2018 Farm Bill. Marijuana-driven CBD oil or CBD oil with higher THC concentration is partially or fully legal in a few states and banned in other states. The states that allow both medicinal and recreational or just medicinal use of marijuana may also allow residents to use THC-rich CBD oil. Before buying CBD oil, be sure to check your state laws to avoid any legal repercussions.
Takeaway
Avoiding CBD oil’s side effects is really easy, but before using it, be sure to consult with a healthcare professional to avoid any unwanted effects. When buying CBD oil, check if the product has a Certificate of Analysis (COA), signifying that it is free of harmful elements and only contains the advertised ingredients