When it comes to both anecdotal evidence and scientific research, there’s absolutely no question about the benefits of CBD. The list of perks is endless. But, are there any downsides? Well, even too much of a good thing can become… not as great. Even though the (rare) reported side effects of CBD are mild, we can’t ignore that they do exist. It’s important to be informed and pay attention to what’s best for you and your individual body + chemistry.
Keep reading for more information on CBD side effects, and what you can do to avoid them.
Side Effects of CBD
The good news is, research shows that CBD is well-tolerated, with little-to-no reported side effects.
However, there are some potential side effects that you should be on the lookout for, like:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
If you’re experiencing any of these side effects, stop taking your CBD and call your doctor.
In many cases, it could be something minor; you might not be drinking enough water when you take your CBD, or you could be taking the wrong dosage. By tweaking the amount you take, when you take it, and the method you use, you might be able to mitigate any side effects altogether.
Additional Notes About CBD Side Effects
CBD can interact with other prescription drugs + medications
Has your doctor ever warned you about taking certain medications with grapefruit juice? This might’ve seemed silly, but *science* says otherwise. Most drugs available on the market today are metabolized (aka broken-down) by the CYP3A4 enzyme in your small intestine. When you drink grapefruit juice, it makes it harder for the enzyme to do its job and more of the drug remains in your system for longer than intended.
The same concept is applied to CBD, which may interfere with your body’s enzymes—leading to too much (or not enough) of the said drug in your body. This is often referred to as altered concentration.
To avoid any CBD side effects, make sure to check with your doctor before adding anything new into the mix.
Be aware of mislabeled products and synthetic ingredients
Since the Farm Bill was signed in 2018, CBD (containing less than 0.3% THC... more on that here) has been legal on a federal level. But, here’s the catch: it’s not federally regulated.
What does that mean? Well, for starters, it’s practically the Wild Wild West out there. Unfortunately, the CBD industry has become a mix of ethical sellers and people who... aren’t.
If you purchase CBD from a dishonest source, you could potentially experience a very different set of side effects. There are some CBD oils on the market today that don't actually contain any CBD. In fact, a panel of scientists recently did a study on a variety of CBD products. They discovered that only 31% were labeled accurately!
What can you do about this?
Before you buy any CBD product online, look very carefully at the list of ingredients. Check for lab reports, third-party tests and customer reviews. All of these will help you determine whether what you’re buying is the real deal, or just a pretty bottle of coconut oil.
We Strive to Make Our Products with the Best Ingredients on the Planet
At Selene, we do things a little differently. We exist to empower you to be the best possible version of yourself. That’s not just lip service...
Because of our dedication to your health and wellness, our products don't contain any fillers or synthetic ingredients—which is not only way better for you overall, but it also helps decrease the chance that you’ll experience any CBD side effects.
(This probably goes without saying... but, you should always check with your 🩺 before adding something new to your wellness routine!)
If you have any questions about our products (or just CBD in general) feel free to contact us here, or head to our Instagram and leave us a comment or DM us there.