How CBD can interact with medications

CBD is cool, natural, and soothing, but beware of drug interactions! When it enters your body, it can interfere with certain medications. Don't panic, just understand what's happening in your body before mixing nature and pharmaceuticals.

Things to remember

• CBD can slow down the metabolism of many drugs by blocking certain liver enzymes.
• This may increase or decrease the effect of your treatment, depending on the type of molecule.
• The golden rule: caution, medical consultation, and gradual dosage.

Why CBD is not neutral in the body

CBD is metabolized by the liver, in a kind of internal laboratory, so to speak, where all molecules are scrutinized before being eliminated. All of this is directed by hyperactive enzymes known as the CYP450 system.

These enzymes are found throughout the medical world. They transform drugs, making them active, inactive, or eliminating them. But sometimes CBD gets involved in the process. It then uses some of these enzymes for itself, slowing down their work in the process .

So, if you are taking a medication that uses the same pathway, CBD can slow down its breakdown. The medication then remains in the bloodstream for longer. And longer means sometimes amplified or undesirable effects.

Recent studies confirm this dose-dependent effect. Therefore, the more CBD you consume, the greater the risk of interaction, particularly with benzodiazepines, antiepileptics, antidepressants, or immunosuppressants.

When CBD and medications intersect: known interactions

Some combinations of CBD and medication are fine. However, there are certain contraindications to CBD. Other medications can cause the blood concentration of the treatment to rise to unexpected levels.

Let's look at some concrete examples from clinical studies:

• Clobazam (epilepsy): CBD increases the amount of active medication in the blood. In some patients, the dose had to be halved to avoid side effects.
• Midazolam (anxiety, sleep): CBD slows down its breakdown, prolonging the sedative effect.
• Omeprazole (heartburn): mild but measurable interactions via CYP2C19.
• Warfarin (anticoagulant): potentially serious interaction, as CBD alters blood fluidity and liver metabolism.

How can the risk of interactions be reduced?

We're not going to tell you to stop using CBD, but we can help youuse it wisely, especially if you are already undergoing medical treatment.

Here are the right reflexes:

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Yes, even if it's "natural." They can check the risks based on your medications.
• Start with a low dose and increase gradually. The body needs time to find its balance.
• Space out your doses. If your treatment is taken in the morning, save the CBD for the evening (or vice versa).
• Watch for side effects. Fatigue, nausea, drowsiness, digestive problems, etc. Any sudden changes should be cause for concern.
• Choose high-quality CBD. There's no room for questionable products: opt for certified products that have been laboratory tested and have a THC content of less than 0.3%.

The goal is not to scare you, but to help you gain control. CBD is not dangerous, but it is not harmless either.

What the latest studies say

In 2024, several publications reevaluated the interactions between CBD and medications. Here is the conclusion: the effects of cannabidiol on liver enzymes are significant, but vary depending on the individual and the dose.

This means that the same product may have no effect on one person and cause a measurable interaction in another. Age, gender, diet, and even gut flora all play a role.

Studies also indicate that Full Spectrum products may enhance this effect due to the synergy of cannabinoids and terpenes, which also influence CYP.

Therefore, the more potent or comprehensive the product, the greater the risk of slowing down the metabolism, especially at high daily doses (i.e., above 50 mg/day).