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CBD Oil Benefits, Side Effects, Interactions & Who Should Use it?

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Even as the knowledge of marijuana’s medicinal value is spreading across the world, more and more states in the US are legalizing its use. And with that, a product called CBD oil is also gaining popularity as a therapeutic drug to naturally cure health issues like anxiety, insomnia, and even cancer.

So, before we explain the benefits of CBD oil in detail, let’s first understand what CBD really is.

Even as the knowledge of marijuana’s medicinal value is spreading across the world, more and more states in the US are legalizing its use. And with that, a product called CBD oil is also gaining popularity as a therapeutic drug to naturally cure health issues like anxiety, insomnia, and even cancer.

So, before we explain the benefits of CBD oil in detail, let’s first understand what CBD really is.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD or Cannabidiol is one of the 104 chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant, which belongs to the Cannabis sativa species. CBD is a non-intoxicating component of the plant and is believed to have many therapeutic effects on the human body and mind.

Since CBD is a non-psychoactive component, CBD oil does not cause a “high” or the euphoric sensation that is generally associated with cannabis or marijuana. CBD oil has no or negligible traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol – another compound found in the plant), which is indeed a psychoactive cannabinoid and is responsible for the famous marijuana high.

Cannabidiol is extracted from cannabis or hemp (plants, both belonging to the Cannabis Sativa family) and diluted with a carrier oil like coconut oil or hemp seed oil to create CBD oil. Due to controversies surrounding the cannabis plant, industrial-grade CBD is extracted from hemp (another plant that falls under the Cannabis Sativa species), as it has less than 0.3% THC.

Manufacturers sell CBD oils in different forms – tincture, concentrate, soft gel capsules, topical solution, under-the-tongue sprays, wax, edibles, skin creams, and patch. The CBD concentration in each of these products may vary.

Although several studies have exhibited CBD oil’s benefits on patients suffering from epilepsy, anxiety issues, heart problems, Schizophrenia, inflammation, chronic pain, and addiction, research is still on and scientists aren’t entirely certain of CBD oil’s exact level of efficiency in treating these ailments.

CBD Oil Benefits:

Cannabidiol has been proven to be a good remedy for many health conditions. Before we discuss the benefits of CBD oil on the human body and mind in more detail, we must add that the use of CBD oil in any form is quite safe as it does not lead to dependence or tolerance towards the drug. So, it is an excellent choice for those trying to kick addictions or stay away from addictive drugs. So far, CBD oil has been reported to help in:

1. Relief from Chronic Pain & Inflammation

People suffering from chronic pain resulting from fibromyalgia have experienced relief after using CBD oil. Using CBD oil has also been found to offer common pain relief and prevent the degeneration of the nervous system.

In Canada, it has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and cancer pain. According to the authors of a study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, CBD significantly reduced chronic inflammation and pain in some mice and rats. The researchers suggested that CBD can provide a new treatment for chronic pain.

Chronic inflammation, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, leads to many non-infectious diseases like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Type 1 Diabetes, and even autoimmune disease. Research shows that CBD can treat pain and in turn help alleviate these diseases.

2. Calms Epilepsy

CBD has been proven to have anti-seizure properties that can successfully treat children with drug-resistant types of neurological disorders like epilepsy.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, CBD showed a decrease in the frequency of seizures by 23 percentage points over those taking a placebo.

In fact, in June 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisors approved the prescription use of Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD oil, for treating two rare and severe forms of epilepsy in patients of the ages of 2 years and older. These two forms of epilepsy – Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) and Dravet Syndrome (DS) – generally don’t respond to anti-seizure medications.

Epidiolex happens to be the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified form of a drug derived from marijuana. This drug reduces seizures and sometimes stops them altogether. Remarkable visual proof of its effects on children suffering from “childhood epilepsy” is available on the internet for people to view.

On June 25, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, on behalf of the FDA, stated: “Today, the FDA approved a purified form of the drug cannabidiol (CBD)…The new product was approved to treat seizures associated with two rare, severe forms of epilepsy in patients two years of age and older.”

Research has also suggested that CBD can help treat complications arising from epilepsy, like neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, and psychiatric diseases.

3. Anxiety & Depression

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, depression affects 6% and anxiety affects 18% of the population in the US each year. Their research shows that CBD oil can help with both problems.

While doctors generally advise people suffering from chronic anxiety to avoid cannabis, since even traces of THC can trigger or increase anxiety and paranoia, authors of a review published in the journal Neurotherapeutics in 2015 derived that CBD, a non-psychoactive compound, can actually help reduce anxiety in people with certain anxiety-related behavioral disorders, such as:-

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • General anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Substance-abuse disorders

However, these conclusions were derived through experimental research, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies, and no human-based research is available at this point.

CBD has been seen to also reduce stress and discomfort associated with public speaking.

With regard to depression, CBD has been seen to reduce depression by enhancing both serotonergic and glutamate cortical signaling (both of which are lacking in people suffering from depression).

4. Reduce Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is a condition when the body has too many free radicals and antioxidants aren’t able to neutralize all of them. This is a comparatively recent problem these days, owing to the rising toxicity in our environment.

Two separate studies have shown that CBD oil has antioxidant and neuroprotective qualities that help in reducing neurological damage caused by free radicals.

5. Aid Treatment of Heart Ailments

Heart disease is also a growing problem across the world. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of death in the United States. A healthy diet and lifestyle is a top priority for such people, but CBD oil can also help.

In a small study published in JCI Insight in 2017, researchers observed that CBD can help prevent blood-pressure fluctuations due to stress. In this study, nine healthy male volunteers were given a single dose of either CBD or placebo. Those treated with CBD had lower blood pressure, compared to those given a placebo, both before and after experiencing a stressful event.

According to researchers, cannabidiol helps by:

  • Reducing artery blockage
  • Reducing stress-induced cardiovascular response
  • Reducing blood pressure
  • Reducing cholesterol level

CBD oil helps prevent oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are often precursors to heart diseases.

6. Fights Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria

According to many experts, cannabinoids (including CBD) have an unusual ability to destroy bacteria (especially drug-resistant strains). While more research is still needed to understand how and why it works, according to a 2011 study, CBD can slow down the progression of tuberculosis in rats. Researchers concluded that CBD likely does this by inhibiting T-cell proliferation, rather than possessing antibacterial properties.

Whatever may be the mechanism for destroying bacteria, CBD certainly seems to be a potent weapon against the newly emerging antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”.

7. Treat Type 1 Diabetes

We have already discussed how CBD oil helps combat inflammation. The same is true for when the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells, causing Type 1 Diabetes.

Research published in 2016 by Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, a peer-reviewed international scientific journal, found that CBD may ease this inflammation in the pancreas.

Similarly, a paper presented the same year in Lisbon, Portugal, suggested that CBD can reduce inflammation and protect against or even delay the development of Type 1 Diabetes.

8. Help with treating Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious and complicated mental illness that is typically managed through therapy and pharmaceutical drugs (that often have severe side effects). Whereas, many people have found CBD oil helpful in reducing hallucinations, minus the side effects.

According to the March 2015 review of research, CBD is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for psychosis. But more research is needed to bring CBD into clinical practice.

You must remember that THC, a psychoactive compound found in marijuana, can, in fact, increase psychosis among the affected individuals, while CBD only helps reduce it and may even counteract psychosis brought on by marijuana abuse.

Yet another study, published in Current Pharmaceutical Design, another peer-reviewed medical journal that covers issues related to pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, found that CBD has effects similar to those of certain antipsychotic drugs and that this compound is much safer and a more effective option for people with schizophrenia.

9. Treat skin conditions

Several studies have shown that CBD oil has a high potential for treating skin conditions, like eczema, by encouraging abnormal cell death.

It also helps regulate the skin’s oil production, thus reducing acne. A 2014 study reported by the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a biomedical journal published by the American Society for Clinical Investigation, found that CBD helps to lower the production of sebum, partly because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory property. Owing to these reasons, CBD could well become the future treatment for acne vulgaris, the most common form of acne.

It will be interesting to note that cannabidiol also contains certain nutrients like vitamin E that help nourish and protect the skin.

10. Fight addiction

CBD oil may help people with addiction overcome their withdrawal symptoms, suggested a review published in the journal Substance Abuse in 2015. In their report, they analyzed 14 previously published studies in which scientists determined that CBD may have a therapeutic effect on people with opioid, cocaine, and/or psycho-stimulant addiction.

They also found that CBD may help treat those with cannabis and tobacco addiction. Researchers have found evidence of CBD blocking or sometimes reducing THC’s effect on the mind.

Our study, published in Addictive Behaviors, found that smokers, who used inhalers containing CBD, smoked fewer cigarettes than usual. They also did not suffer from any withdrawal symptoms like cravings for nicotine.

A similar review, published in Neurotherapeutics, noted that CBD reduces symptoms associated with substance abuse, such as anxiety, mood-related symptoms, pain, and insomnia.

More research is necessary, but these findings definitely point to the possibility of CBD helping prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms.

11. Fight certain types of Cancer

For people fighting cancer, CBD may provide them with a natural alternative for pain and symptom relief.

Although more research needs to be done on CBD’s role in treating cancer, whatever data is currently available looks promising.

According to the American Cancer Society, CBD oil can slow down the growth and spread of certain types of cancer (in animals), given that this psychoactive compound efficiently fights oxidative stress and inflammation.

According to a review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, CBD can significantly help prevent the spread of cancer. The researchers noted that the compound tends to suppress the growth of cancer cells and promote their destruction.

12. Alzheimer’s Disease

CBD can prevent the development of social recognition deficit among patients, suggested research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. This means that CBD could help people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s retain their ability to recognize faces they know, and in turn slow the progression of the disease.

Is CBD Oil Useful for Everyone? Who can benefit from it?

As per a recent report by the World Health Organization, CBD products are usually safe for everyone. However, if you are pregnant, it may have a negative impact on your body and that of your unborn child. Besides, if you are currently on any medication, you must consult a doctor before you use CBD oil. This is to ensure that there are no negative fall-outs from mixing the two.

CBD oils have been seen to have positive effects on both humans and animals.

On humans, they can help improve or treat a wide range of health issues, from everyday ailments to some chronic conditions. CBD’s health benefits include:

  • Acne
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Chronic pain
  • Inflammation
  • Insomnia
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Loss of appetite and body weight
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Heart ailments
  • Some forms of cancer

It has also been found that CBD helps some animals overcome similar health issues, owing to the fact that all mammals have an endocannabinoid system.

Particularly for cats and dogs that we humans prefer to keep as pets, CBD oil may help with:

  • Excessive barking or crying
  • Pets getting along with other pets
  • Alleviating Pain
  • Relaxing pets before a trip to the vet or long travel
  • Lack of appetite
  • Separation anxiety

With pets, it is difficult to gauge the exact dosage. But a dose of 1 mg per 10 pounds of body weight is a good place to start. You increase the dose to up to 5 mg for the same bodyweight if need be. A higher dose may be necessary in certain cases. However, it is best to consult a vet before increasing the dosage. Repeat the dose 3-4 times a day for a better impact.

How does CBD oil Work?

To take effect, cannabinoids like CBD attach to certain receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system(ECS), which is a complex biological system responsible for regulating certain specific aspects of bodily functions, like memory, sleep, and mood, as well as metabolic processes like energy balance.

CBD oils are also believed to improve several other kinds of health conditions. According to recent research, all these health issues are caused by the deregulation of the ECS.

Interestingly, the endocannabinoid system, something most people wouldn’t have heard about until recently, was discovered through various research and studies on the effects of cannabis on the body and was hence named after the plant itself.

The ECS made up of endocannabinoids and their receptors are spread across the entire body, from the brain and other organs to glands and immune cells. This system throws up a varied kind of reactions in different parts of the body. However, it is all about homeostasis or internal balance. The receptors in the brain control coordination and movement, pain, emotions, and mood, thinking, appetite, and memories, among other functions, while those found in the immune system affect pain and inflammation.

The exhilarated feeling of euphoria after a long run or after intercourse is caused by endocannabinoids that get stimulated by these natural acts to make you feel “high” – an elated feeling with hardly any or no pain.

CBD and THC act as external stimulants that have similar effects on this very powerful body system, causing different kinds of reactions on different parts of the body.

How long does it take for CBD to take effect?

Most people use CBD oil by ingesting it with the help of a dripper. Given that its use is comparatively new, its exact dosage isn’t established yet. Hence, an exact time frame for its effect to kick in is also difficult to determine. It has been seen that different people react to CBD at different rates and in different ways.

Although more extensive research is needed in this area, no case of CBD overdose has been reported so far. Also, there are very few, if any, side effects, making overdosing almost impossible.

Most companies will provide you with an estimated dosage on the instruction label/manual. If you are taking it as a preventive supplement or a cure, stick to those instructions.

Some may see a noticeable change within seconds, while others may not notice anything for weeks. If you are taking it for inflammation or pain, for instance, and you don’t see improvement for weeks, you may want to increase the dosage, but of course in consultation with a doctor.

It is believed that a small dose of CBD 3-4 times a day has more therapeutic benefits than one large dose.

However, one must remember that CBD oil, though quite safe on its own, may react with other medications, particularly steroids and opioids. So, always consult a doctor before trying such alternative methods of treatment.

CBD Oil Side Effects:

Incidentally, no cases of toxicity or overdose from the use of hemp-based (industrial-grade hemp) CBD oil have been reported so far. In fact, this particular extract of marijuana or hemp has been found to be quite safe for use by almost everyone.

Doses of up to 1500 mg of CBD have been seen to be easily tolerated by human test subjects. CBD hardly has any negative impact on humans, may occur only in very rare cases, and that too in a mild way.

1) Dryness of Mouth

This is a common phenomenon among people who use CBD or any other cannabinoids – in both cases of consuming or smoking.

A phenomenon, which feels like your mouth is stuffed with cotton balls, can be easily overcome by drinking a lot of water or other hydrating fluids before, during, or after consumption of CBD.

The reason for this is that when a person consumes or smokes any cannabinoid, the endocannabinoid system, which has its receptors present in the salivary glands, inhibits the secretion of the glands.

Recent studies (1) have discovered that the submandibular gland that produces over 60% of the saliva has cannabinoid receptors. Anandamide, an endocannabinoid that causes dryness of the mouth, interacts with these receptors and inhibits saliva production by blocking the signals from the nervous system to produce saliva.

2. Drowsiness

CBD oil typically does not induce any feelings of drowsiness. However, CBD’s effect on humans differs from person to person.In most cases, CBD has a wake-inducing effect, making a person more alert and energetic, while in others it can produce just the opposite reaction. In very high doses, the latter category of people has reported feeling drowsy after consuming CBD.

If you belong to this category of people, it is best for you to NOT operate any heavy machinery or drive a vehicle, for your own safety and those around you. As another precaution for people who experience drowsiness as a result of consuming CBD oil, reducing the dosage can be a good option.

3. Dizziness or Lightheadedness

A pretty rare and temporary side effect, lightheadedness can be easily managed by drinking a caffeinated beverage that will help your body quickly regain its normal balance. A cup of tea or coffee can work wonders in such situations, but make sure to drink a lot of water along with it, as caffeine has a dehydrating effect on the body.

4. Drop-in Blood Pressure

This is usually the reason why some people experience lightheadedness. While there is evidence of CBD oil helping people with heart diseases and diabetes by lowering their blood pressure, this very quality of this cannabinoid can have a negative impact on people with normal blood pressure. According to some studies (2), higher doses of CBD can cause a slight drop in blood pressure.

So, people who suffer from low blood pressure or are taking medication for it should refrain from consuming CBD or CBD-based products. While it is always best to consult a doctor before considering CBD oil as an alternative treatment if faced with such a situation, drinking coffee usually helps, just like in the case of lightheadedness.

5. Diarrhea and Change in Appetite & Weight

In 2017, a clinical study of patients with epilepsy and psychotic disorders and their reaction to CBD oil as a form of treatment was published in the journal, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. In the course of their research, scientists discovered that the subjects experienced some common side effects like tiredness, diarrhea, and changes in both weight and/or appetite. (3)However, it was concluded that: “In comparison with other drugs, used for the treatment of these medical conditions, CBD has a better side effect profile.”This study, however, left room for more extensive research into the “toxicological parameters” of CBD oil, for instance, its effect on hormones.

6. Effect on Patients with Movement Disorders

A few more possible dangers of CBD use do still exist, particularly among patients of some pre-existing conditions, for example, among patients of dystonic movement disorders.

In a study (4), published in the International Journal of Neuroscience in 2009, such patients when treated with oral doses of 100–600mg CBD oil per day for a period of 6 weeks, alongside standard medications, showed signs of improvement.

However, that was also accompanied by the common side effects mentioned above (low blood pressure, dryness of mouth, drowsiness, and lightheadedness), along with not-so-common psychomotor slowing (or slowing down of thought process and of physical movements). When the dose was above 300 mg/day, symptoms like an increase in hypokinesia and resting tremors were noticed, revealing one of the dangers of using CBD oil on patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

However, another study (5), published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggested that the use of CBD actually improves the quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. This goes to prove that a lot of research needs to be done in this area to derive a definitive conclusion regarding the benefit and/or negative impact on patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

7. Interaction with Pharmaceutical Drugs

People taking any pharmaceutical medication for a pre-existing ailment or condition must be particularly careful of CBD’s effects on drug metabolism within the liver. CBD has been found to impede the activity of certain enzymes found in the liver – such as the cytochrome P450 enzyme system (particularly CYP3A4) – that metabolizes pharmaceutical drugs meant for human consumption.

According to Davis’s Drug Guide, the P450 enzyme system contains more than 50 enzymes that process and eliminate toxins. (7) If taken in high doses, CBD oil can completely neutralize the P450 enzyme’s activity, as this cannabinoid requires the same enzyme to be metabolized.

Besides, certain pharmaceutical drugs also inhibit this enzyme. This means the breakdown of CBD oil may get hindered leading to an increase in its physiological activity. Moreover, there are certain pharmaceutical medications that can actually increase the level of this enzyme, resulting in a faster breakdown of CBD. Although such interferences may only be a minor and mostly a temporary issue, it is always safe to consult your doctor before using CBD oil along with pharmaceutical drugs.

8. Side Effects of FDA-Approved Drug for Epilepsy

The US Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex (a CBD-based drug) oral solution for the treatment of two types of epilepsy – Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome – for patients aged 2 years and above. However, during the course of its clinical trials, researchers found certain adverse effects (6) of the drug:

  • Liver problems
  • Symptoms related to the central nervous system like irritability and lethargy
  • Reduced appetite
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Infections
  • Rashes and other sensitivity reactions
  • Reduced urination
  • Breathing problems
  • Risk of worsening mood swings, depression or suicidal tendencies

CBD & Drug Interaction:

CBD (as discussed earlier) inhibits the breakdown of certain pharmaceutical drugs and, in some cases, vice versa. This may lead to the presence of higher levels of these drugs in your system, causing unwanted side effects, sometimes even an overdose.

It is imperative to note that CBD oil is not alone in this effect on drug metabolism. Grapefruit, watercress, St John’s Wort, and goldenseal also inhibit the activity of the cytochrome P450 or CYP450.

The drugs in question…

Any drug that requires the liver’s CYP450 enzymes to metabolize could potentially interact with CBD oil. According to the Indiana University Department of Medicine, drugs known to use the CYP450 system include (7):

  • Steroids
  • HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Antihistamines
  • Prokinetics
  • HIV antivirals
  • Immune modulators
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Antiarrhythmics
  • Antibiotics
  • Anesthetics
  • Antipsychotics
  • Antidepressants
  • Anti-epileptics
  • Beta-blockers
  • PPIs
  • NSAIDs
  • Angiotensin II blockers
  • Oral hypoglycemic agents
  • Sulfonylureas

It must be mentioned here that this list is not exhaustive and neither can it be said with absolution that all these drugs will adversely react with cannabidiol. It is best for you to consult a medical professional before supplementing your treatment with CBD oil.

There is also a group of medicines that fall under the “prodrug” category. These are medications that need to be metabolized to the therapeutic compound. That is to say, when you ingest an inactive compound, it enters your system and is then processed into an active drug.

If this processing requires CYP3A4 (part of the larger CYP450 system), then CBD can inhibit the reaction, leaving too little active drug in the body for the desired effect.

Case in point: Codeine that is metabolized into morphine.

Vyvanse and Concerta are two other pharmaceutical medications, meant for ADHD, which also fall under this category.

Safety Concerns When Using CBD Oil

Cannabis is becoming quite popular as a safe and natural medicine, with virtually zero toxicity. Research has rated this cannabinoid as the least dangerous substance when compared to substances such as alcohol and nicotine in regards to toxicity.

But the question is: Is CBD a natural food supplement or a medicine? Most discussions relating to its legal status depend on that, since “medicinal drugs are considered unsafe until proven safe” while it is just the opposite in the case of natural supplements. (8)

Additionally, CBD oil is still unregulated, meaning its correct dosage is still unknown. However, human studies have indicated that CBD is quite very well tolerated even up to a daily dose of 1,500 mg (9).

Cannabidiol is comparatively safe when consumed in appropriate doses among adults. (10)

  • CBD doses of up to 300 mg daily have been used safely for up to 6 months.
  • Doses of 1200-1500 mg daily have been used safely for up to 4 weeks.
  • Cannabidiol under-the-tongue sprays have been used in doses of 2.5 mg for up to 2 weeks.

In fact, according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) review, “to date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD” [11].

While the pure form of CBD may be of many benefits to humankind, the main concern is the composition of the products that are being made available in the market. Here, we are talking about the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC) (cases of mislabeling) and contaminants.

Mislabeling: According to the research paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2017 (12), almost 70% of all CBD products sold online are mislabeled. This means that they could contain higher traces of THC (only 0.3% and lower is permitted in industrial-grade CBD or hemp oil) that could seriously harm patients with anxiety disorders and other psychotic disorders. (19)

Contaminants: Studies have revealed that cannabis plants from uncontrolled sources may be contaminated with various harmful substances [13] that could lead to severe health hazards [14].

Contaminants that are generally added by manufacturers include chemicals added intentionally to heighten its yield, weight, or potency:

  • Pesticides
  • Metal particles
  • Synthetic cannabinoids (Fake pot) (15)

Certain other elements that may enter the plant unintentionally are:

  • Heavy metals
  • Molds and bacteria
  • Aflatoxins

Case in point: A recent paper from the Netherlands Ministry of Environment and Health revealed that over 90 percent of the Dutch cannabis sold in coffee shops contains traces of illegal crop protection products like pesticides. (16)

Another case: Pesticides are also found in cannabis offered under state law in California [17]as well as medicinal cannabis from licensed producers in Canada [18].

The good news is that most contaminants are quite easy to detect, thanks to the existence of the many professional analytical labs that routinely screen for such contaminants in food crops, imported medicinal plants, or edible oils. The same lab methods can be applied to test for contaminants in CBD oils.

When Should You Avoid CBD Oil?

While CBD oil has many therapeutic effects on the human body and mind, there are times and situations when you should avoid CBD oil consumption or use.

1). During Pregnancy

There is evidence of ill-effects of marijuana products on babies, if the mother is using it during her pregnancy or while she is still breastfeeding her child (20, 21 & 22). However, there is no such evidence regarding CBD in its pure form, which has only 0.3% THC at the most. According to some researchers, since cannabinoid receptors are involved in brain development, CBD oil might disrupt fetal brain development. However, others are of the opinion that CBD may, in fact, promote healthy fetal brain development, since CBD can promote neurogenesis.

2). When Taking Antipsychotic, Antidepressant Drugs

This has been explained earlier in “What are the drugs that CBD interacts with?” and a sub-section under “Are there any side effects to using CBD oil?”

Overview: Do CBD Oil Benefits outweigh the Side Effects?

In spite of its safety concerns, it is undeniable how a lot of people are increasingly choosing CBD products over pharmaceutical ones for the treatment of different ailments – both physical and mental. This is mostly due to its fewer side-effects and the next-to-nil chance of overdosing.

Taking advantage of the rise in demand, a lot of unscrupulous manufacturers and cannabis growers have come into the industry with the sole intent of making money, without paying much thought to the welfare of the people to whom they sell their products.

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