CBD: What are the side effects of cannabidiol?

Overall, cannabidiol soothes aches and pains, enabling many people to relax and resolve certain problems caused by illness. That's why it's advisable to take CBD on medical advice. Depending on your current medication, CBD may have side effects.

When consuming CBD, reactions of the "side effect" type can emerge. For the most part, these side effects are benign, and in this article we'll take a closer look at the various side effects reported by CBD users.

Learn more about CBD

First, let's briefly review what CBD is. It's vital to understand how this molecule interacts with our bodies and what its main effects are. Cannabidiol or CBD is a molecule from the cannabis plant or hemp. Research dating back to 2014 has brought this molecule to the forefront.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical component (molecule). There are two well-known molecules: THC and CBD. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is known for its soaring effects and is considered a drug above 0.2% in any product.

The difference between THC and CBD

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is a psychoactive molecule with the distinctive ability to produce highs. These are the "stoned" or "high" effects of cannabis. Consumption is prohibited in France, and the legal level of THC in a product is always less than 0.2%. Cannabis varieties are cultivated with the aim of achieving high THC levels. In France, its consumption, marketing or cultivation is formally prohibited and punishable by fines or even imprisonment.

CBD, on the other hand, is now considered a molecule with positive health effects that can be very useful for people's (or patients') comfort. It can help with certain illnesses and make life more comfortable for sufferers.

THC has side effects. While the euphoric effects of THC are well known, the more serious long-term effects are sometimes overlooked or ignored by users. These can include depression and anxiety attacks. Hallucinations and paranoia can also result from taking THC too regularly, so take extra care, especially if you're a regular user. It's not for nothing that THC is banned in France.

Cannabidiol doesn't have the same side effects as THC! We're going to mention just a few of them, and you'll see for yourself that they're very often benign. But it's important to mention them so that you're fully aware of CBD's side effects.

What are the side effects of CBD?

Sleep disorders

In contrast to the benefits of CBD, which help people fall asleep and improve their quality of sleep, it can sometimes cause insomnia or drowsiness. This has been demonstrated with high doses of CBD in people suffering from sleep disorders.

Reduced appetite and nausea

It has been reported that cannabidiol can cause nausea and even vomiting as side effects in intolerant people. This is very rare, but important to note, as CBD is generally good for the mind and body.

In some cases, CBD can cause stomach discomfort. This is quite uncommon, as CBD is specifically indicated to combat such problems. This is almost certainly due to the fact that the dose ingested by the person concerned is far too high. You'll need to think about reducing your CBD consumption to avoid these side effects (of course, if they do occur). Also remember to check the container of your bottle, whether it's a quality product, and above all, what you mix your CBD with when you consume it.

CBD is used to reduce appetite, and is recommended for diets and dietary rebalancing to promote weight loss. By lowering the rate of lipogenesis and stimulating proteins at the same time, it helps the body eliminate excess fat stored in the body.

Constipation or diarrhea

As mentioned above, CBD can have side effects on the digestive system and stomach. This can lead to diarrhea or, conversely, constipation. This is often benign, but if the problem persists, you'll need to reduce or even temporarily stop your CBD consumption and consult a doctor.

Migraines

Another side effect of CBD is migraines. While cannabidiol is really effective in some patients to soothe their headaches, other people don't achieve the same result.

CBD has been reported to cause headaches. Yes, but: the quality of the CBD consumed is very often the most likely source of this problem. It is therefore very important to check in advance the product you are consuming. Solvents added to certain products may be at the root of this problem. Many CBD products on the market incorporate solvents which can cause these side effects.

Dizziness and lightheadedness

This is still a rare side effect of CBD, but it can sometimes cause dizziness or even vertigo in those most sensitive to the molecule. It's important to sit down or lie down if this happens, drink water and give your body some sugar to help you get back on your feet quickly.

Lower blood pressure

If you have blood pressure-related problems, it's very important to consult a healthcare professional before consuming CBD. Only he or she can give you the green light.

Sometimes, CBD has the side effect of lowering blood pressure, which can lead, as mentioned above, to dizziness in the worst cases.

Dry mouth sensation

People who smoke illegal cannabis with a high THC content are already familiar with the sensation of a dry mouth, aka "pasty mouth".

CBD also has the side effect of causing a sensation of dry mouth. In fact, cannabidiol naturally reduces saliva secretion by the salivary glands. It's the interacting receptors in the endocannabinoid system that do this.

How to avoid the side effects of CBD?

So it's important to discuss these side effects with your doctor, if you haven't already done so. He'll be in a good position to recommend the ideal dose for you, especially if he's the one who advised you to take CBD.

As a new consumer of CBD it is recommended to start with small doses from the beginning. Just a few drops ofCBD oil at set times over a repeated period, then increase if the desired effects are not forthcoming.

To avoid the side effects of CBD, it's also very important to choose quality CBD products that contain no added solvents. You should also opt for CBD products from organic/ecological farming, so as not to damage your health or ingest products from conventional agriculture, which all too often contain residues of fertilizers and chemicals.

The products marketed on Cali Weed are organically grown (or respect the principles of organic farming) and are all mostly French or come from neighboring countries. All of this is in total coherence with our values and those of a large number of people. We are very proud of this, and are delighted that more and more people are embracing these values. Our aim is to improve consumer health while preserving our planet.

The Cali Weed team