CBD OIL: RISKS, SIDE EFFECTS, AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

When it comes to pain management, you might be familiar with various treatment options, including medicinal herbs and acupuncture. The lesser-known CBD oil is also said to be a safe and effective way of reducing pain and improving the quality of life. This blog might be perfect for you if you want to add this wellness product to your toolbox. Below, you will learn the risks, side effects, and other crucial information that will help you decide if CBD oil is safe for you.

CBD oil is among the popular forms of CBD or cannabidiol. It is made with CBD extract with a carrier oil, such as MCT oil. Because the legality of cannabis is still complicated in several states, most manufacturers use hemp-derived CBD for CBD oil. Hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3% THC levels; thus, you are less likely to experience a "high" sensation. In other words, CBD with higher levels of psychoactive THC is deemed illegal. CBD oil is utilized in many ways. These include sublingual administration, inhaling, mixing with your favorite food or drink, and topical application. It is worth noting some methods of consuming CDB oil work faster than others. For instance, CBD consumed through vaping bypasses the digestive system. It is thus normal to experience faster effects than using CBD oil on your skin or in your food or drink.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

CBD oil produces its effects by stimulating the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The most popular endocannabinoid receptors include CB1 and CB2 receptors. The former regulates pain, appetite, mood, emotions, cognitive function, and movement, while the latter controls the immune system. While THC (a cannabinoid famed for its high effects) binds to CB1 receptors, CBD activates them, making your body produce its endocannabinoids. It is these endocannabinoids that address various health problems.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil?

Improves Sleep Quality

According to Shannon et al. (2016), CBD oil can help with insomnia, REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep Behavior Disorder, and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorder. With these culprits out of your way, you will likely get a good night's rest. While the existing studies on CBD oil for sleep are promising, there is a need for more research before people can fully make CBD oil their go-to sleep aid.

Elevates Your Mood

According to research, CBD oil is one of the best ways to check your cortisol hormone levels. You are less likely to suffer mood disorders with healthy cortisol hormone levels.

Promotes Healthy Blood Pressure Levels

Researchers believe higher cortisol hormone levels adversely affect not only your mood but also your blood pressure. Plus, it is said CBD oil promotes healthy blood vessels. This allows blood to flow much more efficiently, reducing the risk of high blood pressure.

Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Jastrząb et al. (2021) suggested that CBD oil is high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can protect against the free radical damage mostly linked to cancer. While there is no concrete proof that CBD oil can help alleviate cancer symptoms and chemotherapy side effects, you may want to add the wellness product to your toolbox. Consult your healthcare provider to avoid harmful interactions between CBD oil and cancer treatments.

Promotes a Healthier Skin

Due to its anti-inflammatory profile, researchers believe CBD oil is among the best ways to fight skin inflammation. Baswan et al. (2020) suggested that inflammed skin sets the stage for various skin disorders, including acne, psoriasis, and allergic dermatitis.

Are There Any Side Effects of CBD Oil?

According to Liu (2019), CBD oil has short-term or long-term side effects. Short-term side effects happen after a few minutes or hours. They include low blood pressure, tiredness, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. It is worth noting these effects may evaporate once the levels of CBD reduce in your system. For long-term effects, you might experience changes in your body long after taking CBD oil. Long-term side effects of CBD oil mainly result from the excessive use of the wellness product. They mainly include weight changes (weight loss or weight gain), fatigue, and low immunity.

CBD oil and Hemp Oil: Are They the Same?

While most people use CBD and hemp oil interchangeably, they differ. Hemp oil is made from hemp seeds. This explains why some call it hemp seed oil. On the other hand, CBD oil is made with cannabis (dried leaves, stems, buds, and flowers of the cannabis plants). Hemp oil serves various purposes, from cooking to making processed foods and skincare products. Another key difference between Hemp oil and CBD oil is THC levels. CBD oil normally contains THC traces (less than 0.3%). On the other hand, Hemp oil is THC-free. Both oils are less likely to make you feel high.

Who Should Not Take CBD Oil?

You may want to steer clear of CBD Oil if you;

Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

Studies show CBD oil can harbor ingredients that might not favor the fetus or newly-born babies. While the jury is still out on whether CBD oil is safe for expectant or lactating women, you may want to avoid the wellness product right now (if you belong to the said categories).

Are Battling Liver Disease

CBD oil can increase the production and release of liver enzymes. The higher the number of liver enzymes, the higher the chances of liver inflammation.

What Are the Drugs That Should Not Interact with CBD Oil?

• Antipsychotic drugs.
• Anti-arrhythmia drugs.
• Antihistamines
• Heart rhythm medications.
• Immune-suppressive drugs.
• Opioid painkillers.
• Atypical antidepressants. Learn more about is there thc in cbd oil?

What Is the Right Dosage of CBD Oil?

There is no right dosage for CBD oil. The dosage works depending on your age, weight, and metabolism. You may want to start with a lower dosage and gradually work until you get your desired effects.

How Do You Know the Amount of CBD In One Drop of The Oil?

When you order CBD oil from an online store, you will probably receive a 30 ml bottle and dropper cap for measuring your dosage. It is worth noting the concentration per 30 ml varies. Some oils have a whooping 1,500 mg per 30 ml, while others have more. Normally, one drop of the oil equals 0.5 ml. Following this assumption, a 30 ml bottle has 600 drops (Multiply 30 by 0.5). To get the concentration of CBD in one drop, divide 1,500 mg by 600 drops. This will give you 2.5 mg per drop. Knowing the amount of CBD in one drop of the oil can make dosing easier.

The Bottom Line

CBD oil is increasingly becoming popular in the health and wellness world. If you are interested in integrating it into your daily routine, this blog has a wealth of information that can help you get started. Besides the health benefits, there are risks, side effects, and other important information surrounding CBD oil you should know. It is also worth noting the effects of CBD oil and other CBD products are understudied. For this reason, proceed cautiously if you want to integrate CBD into your daily routine. CBD oil is popular for relieving inflammation and pain and alleviating higher stress and anxiety levels. Furthermore, it is non-psychoactive and does not cause any 'high' sensations.

References

Shannon, S., & Opila-Lehman, J. (2016). Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil for pediatric anxiety and insomnia as part of posttraumatic stress disorder: a case report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4).

Jastrząb, A., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., Markowska, A., Wroński, A., Gęgotek, A., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2021). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of cannabidiol contributes to the decreased lipid peroxidation of keratinocytes of rat skin exposed to UV radiation. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021.

Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 13, 927.

Liu, T. (2019). What is CBD Oil? Learn the Facts: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects.