Most research has shown CBD (cannabidiol) to be generally safe and effective when consumed orally in forms like oil, capsules, or edible gummies. (Topical CBD products like creams have similarly been shown in studies and clinical trials to be generally safe and effective.)
However, some people do experience side effects when using CBD oil. These possible effects are usually quite mild, but readers should be aware of them before using CBD products.
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This authoritative guide will explain the potential side effects associated with CBD use.
Understanding This Guide
An important clarification before jumping into this guide: it only describes the potential side effects of cannabidiol, not medical cannabis.
CBD products, under UK law, can contain no more than 1 mg per container of THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The cannabinoid THC is the active ingredient in the cannabis sativa plant responsible for the psychoactive effects most users experience during cannabis use. That’s due to the way that THC interacts with the receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Since doses of CBD oil can legally contain only a tiny amount of THC (at most), legal cannabidiol does not carry the risk of serious side effects associated with high doses of some strains of medicinal cannabis sativa like hallucinations, delusions, or psychosis. As mentioned, the potential side effects of cannabidiol are mild in the vast majority of cases.
If you have specific questions about the reported health benefits of CBD, its use for medical conditions, or as a dietary supplement, we suggest discussing them with your regular healthcare professional or another health and wellness specialist.
Common Side Effects of CBD Oil
A 2023 systematic review of scientific evidence published in the journal Current Neuropharmacology found that the most commonly reported side effects of CBD are diarrhea, drowsiness, sedation, and upper respiratory issues. The review concludes that cannabidiol is well-tolerated and associated with few serious adverse effects.
These findings have been confirmed by other, similar studies.
Drowsiness and Sedation
As with most side effects of CBD oil, the levels of drowsiness and sedation that users might experience are largely dose-dependent. In most doses of CBD considered to be therapeutic, only very mild effects have been reported, with some users considering the mild drowsiness to be a benefit.
Nausea and Diarrhea
Oral CBD supplements have been linked to the possibility of gastrointestinal distress in some patients, at times causing side effects such as upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea. Whether a user experiences these issues is largely a factor of their body’s sensitivity to CBD and the amount they consume.
Purchasing or obtaining CBD from a reliable source, and following all dosing instructions, is the best way to guard against overconsumption. It’s also advisable to begin with low dosages to determine how the body will respond to cannabidiol.
Upper Respiratory Issues
The most common respiratory side effect of CBD oil is dry mouth, although throat irritations, increased saliva production, and mild coughing have also been reported.
Other less common potential side effects reported by sources like the Mayo Clinic include temporary weakness, skin rash, clumsiness, and difficulty sleeping.
CBD Oil and Drug Interactions
Several studies, including a comprehensive review published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, have found that drug interactions between several types of medications and CBD have the potential to affect the medications’ efficacy.
Among the drug categories to be aware of when considering the possibility of negative interactions with CBD oil: acetaminophen, antidepressants, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, and controlled substances like opioids commonly used for pain relief. There’s also evidence that CBD use can exacerbate the common effects of alcohol overconsumption when the two are combined.
CBD Oil and Pregnancy
There has been no definitive human research on the effects of CBD use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, based on animal studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against it because of the possibility that cannabidiol may be passed from the mother to her fetus or baby.
About Studies on CBD Side Effects
Much of the research done on the potential side effects of the use of CBD was conducted with patients taking either Epidiolex or a placebo.
Epidiolex is the only CBD medication approved in the UK and US for the treatment of epileptic seizures associated with, among other health conditions, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. In the UK, it is available to some epilepsy patients on the NHS. (Epidiolex should not be confused with Sativex, an MS treatment with higher THC levels that is prescribed in Britain.)
Most CBD users don’t have access to Epidiolex, but those taking the medication should know that there have been signs linking it to an increase in liver enzymes, a potential sign of liver damage.
Many of the side effect studies cited in this article were done to gather information on the potential use of Epidiolex to treat medical diseases and conditions including other spasticity disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, cancer, chronic pain, high blood pressure, heart disease, and a variety of mental health issues.
For information on the use of these medications, please contact your medical professional or the NHS.
