CBD (cannabidiol) is a therapeutic compound produced by cannabis. It is commonly extracted and processed into oils, gummies, topicals, and other products that have no doubt sparked your curiosity. And with curiosity comes a load of questions.
These written summaries are here to lend a hand and provide answers to consumers’ most common questions about CBD, starting with the most basic so you don’t feel lost.
CBD the Molecule
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. CBD oils, gummies, and other products are continuing to grow in popularity as ways to manage anxiety, stress, pain, and other symptoms.
We typically associate cannabis with getting stoned, but CBD can be extracted from the plant to make products that come without the high or the smoke. The molecule in cannabis that gets us high is called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and nowadays, you can turn to cannabis-derived CBD products with little to no THC for clear-headed symptom relief.
Cannabis Compounds
It’s not just THC and CBD, either—cannabis produces dozens of potentially therapeutic compounds called cannabinoids. We’re slowly getting to know them as legalization spreads, and so far, they seem pretty friendly to us humans and our many ailments. These 115 different cannabinoids and counting combine with CBD through chemical bonds that help to produce a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect”.
As science is beginning to discover, however, it is not only the cannabinoids that can participate in the miraculous results of the “entourage effect”—but also molecules called terpenes (which give the plants their variety of smells) and flavonoids (which give the plants their variety of tastes). These symbiotic chemical relationships built into the structure of cannabis plants have the potential to refine even more deliberate, and efficient medicine for its consumers.
CBD Positive Effects on Health
Proponents claim that CBD oil can be therapeutic for wide variety of health problems, including:
- Acne
- ADHD
- Alzheimer’s
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anorexia
- Anxiety
- Bacterial Infections
- Broken Bones
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Drug Addiction and Withdrawal
- Dyskinesia
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Insomnia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscle Spasms
- Nausea
- Parkinson's Disease
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Schizophrenia
- & more
Some of these claims are better supported by research than others. Despite its growing popularity, CBD oil remains sorely under-researched. But debilitating conditions such as anxiety, addiction, nerve pain, heart health, and seizures have shown early signs of promise in clinical studies.
An exciting future of discovery indeed for the world of cannabis and its therapeutic potential!
CBD Dosing for the Consumer
The most common dose of CBD is typically between 20 – 50 mg per dose. Some people take much less (as low as 1 mg), others take much higher (up to 100 mg).
Depending on the strength of the product you’re using, this could be anywhere from a few drops to several milliliters of oil. It could also involve anywhere from 1 – 5 capsules or gummies per dose.
The truth is that the optimal dose of CBD is different for everybody.
It’s common for two people with identical weight to respond very differently to the same dose of CBD. One person may find the ideal dose for them is 50 mg of CBD, while the other responds better to just 20 mg.
The ideal dose of CBD for YOU depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Your size and weight
- The severity of the condition you’re treating
- Your tolerance to CBD
- Your individual body chemistry
- The potency of the CBD oil, capsules, gummies, or other CBD products you’re using
The best way to find the right dose for your body is to start with a very low dose (10 mg, for example) and increasing by 5-10 mg per dose until you find what works best for you.
Click this link for an online resource that will help you calculate your ideal CBD dose based on your weight and health conditions >>> https://dailycbd.com/en/cbd-dosage/
CBD at Extremely High Doses
Although there is NO established lethal dose of CBD, high doses of up to 1500 mg per day (or 15-30x MORE than a typical product recommendation of 25-50 mg per day) have been shown to possibly induce a small array of mild side effects in clinical studies. Even with these mild side effects being discovered at such delivered amounts, high doses were surprisingly well tolerated by humans.
As with any natural product, however, it is important to speak with your physician prior to beginning use. There are some slight risks associated with using CBD in extremely high doses, per this study, including:
- Low Blood Pressure
- Dry Mouth
- Lightheadedness
- Sedation
- Reduced activity of T and B Cells
- Decreased Fertilization Capacity
- Reduced p-Glycoprotein activity
- Reduced activity of Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) Enzyme
Keep in mind that these side effects illustrate worst-case scenarios with extremely high doses of CBD and are not necessarily typical.
CBD Interaction with Pharmaceutical Drugs
There is one major exception to the “generally harmless” attitude about high dose CBD and that is the negative effect cannabinoids can have on the functioning of the liver’s CYP450 enzyme. Approximately 60% of all pharmaceutical drugs undergo metabolism by this enzyme, including:
- 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
Before you start taking CBD in high amounts or for extended periods of time, please read about drug interactions.
It is important to note that even something as benign as grapefruit juice can cause the same CYP450 enzyme inhibitory action as CBD.
The most important things to do before taking CBD (or any other herbal product) are research any possible drug interactions and talk with your physician to address any additional questions regarding CBD drug interactions or dosing concerns. You and your doctor together will always know best!
Sources:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/cbd-oil-benefits-uses-side-effects-4174562#health-benefits