Side Effects V2
Side Effects – My CBD Cert Resources
Though it’s often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue.CBD can also interact with other medications you’re taking, such as blood thinners. The most common side effects are tiredness or drowsiness and diarrhea.
According to Katsiaryna Bykov, PharmD, ScD, taking CBD with other medications that have similar side effects may increase the risk of unwanted symptoms or toxicity. In other words, taking CBD at the same time with OTC or prescription medications and substances that cause sleepiness, such as opioids, benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Ativan), antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistamines (such as Benadryl), or alcohol may lead to increased sleepiness, fatigue, and possibly accidental falls and accidents when driving. Increased sedation and tiredness may also happen when using certain herbal supplements, such as kava, melatonin, and St. John’s wort. Taking CBD with stimulants (such as Adderall) may lead to decreased appetite, while taking it with the diabetes drug metformin or certain heartburn drugs (such as Prilosec) may increase the risk of diarrhea.
Common CBD Side Effects
The most comment side effects of CBD include drowsiness, gastrointestinal issues, dry mouth, reduced appetite, nausea, and interaction with other medications. Those are outlined in greater detail below.
Drowsiness
Drowsiness and sedation are among the most common CBD side effects. This is also considered a benefit for some people, but Jas Matharu-Daley, MD, a physician and chief medical officer for a CBD brand, notes that the effects might be too strong if you’re also taking CBD with other sedating medications.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Stomach upset or other gastrointestinal problems are another common side effect of CBD and CBD-derived products. Some people may get diarrhea or liver problems [when using CBD]. This is dependent on the individual and their medical history, so monitoring is important.
— JAS MATHARU-DALEY, MD, PHYSICIAN AND CONSULTANT FOR A CBD BRAND
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that CBD may cause liver damage.1 In clinical trials Epidiolex, a CBD-derived prescription medication used to treat seizures, was linked to an increased risk for high liver enzymes, a sign of liver damage.2
Dry Mouth
Also known as “cotton mouth,” CBD can potentially cause your mouth and eyes to feel very dry.3 Though this side effect is more likely to occur with THC, it can happen with CBD as well.
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a common side effect of different medications and substances. The exact reasons why CBD causes this effect are not fully understood, but some research suggests that CBD’s impact on the endocannabinoid system might affect how saliva is produced.4
Can Interact With Other Medications
CBD might interfere with the other medications you take. While research on CBD and drug interactions is ongoing, it has been found to interact with antidepressants, opioid pain relievers, anti-epileptic drugs, alcohol, and acetaminophen.5
Dr. Matharu-Daley says it’s important to talk to your doctor about whether CBD could affect your existing prescriptions.
Nausea
In some cases, those who ingest CBD supplements might experience nausea, says Dr. Matharu-Daley. This depends on how sensitive the person is to CBD, as well as the amount they ingest.
Because CBD supplements come in so many different forms—such as oils, gummies, tinctures, and vapors—the amount that’s actually absorbed can vary drastically. This, combined with each person, will ultimately affect which (if any) CBD side effects you might experience.
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