The world has been going a bit CBD oil mad recently and for good reason - many medical conditions can be helped from this incredible supplement. 

We've heard heartbreaking stories from customers, and to see them weeks, months and years later in a much healthier and happier place makes us a lot happier too!

We're also amazed about how safe and effective CBD oil is, and how many of our customers from babies to grandparents are reporting incredible results. 

In this article, we're going to explore some of the side effects of CBD oil, whether or not it's possible to take too much, and what CBD oil can make you feel like.

Disclaimer: The following information has not been approved by the TGA. This information should not be interpreted as medical advice and is not a substitute for a visit with a medical care professional. Always speak to your doctor about any health concerns. Any oils or balms suggested by Hemp Gallery Australia are to be used topically. 

CBD OIL SIDE EFFECTS

CBD oil side effects are minor. It is considered to be a ‘safe substance’. Pure CBD oil without THC cannot make you high.

In fact, it’s worth noting that even whole cannabis, or marijuana, is also actually considered to be an extremely safe drug. It’s virtually impossible for an adult human to ingest a fatal dose — although you can definitely make yourself feel extremely sick from using too much of it.

Reported side effects from studies and anecdotal reports from consumers affirm that CBD is a ridiculously safe supplement with very few side effects. But all of our bodies react differently to substances, right?

Here’s a full list of CBD oil side effects that have been reported or documented (according to current research and studies).

Dry Mouth. CBD oil can cause dry mouth. While researchers aren’t completely sure why this can happen, a study published in 2006 showed that the endocannabinoid system receptors CB1 and CB2 are present in the glands responsible for producing saliva. When these receptors are activated, the saliva production can drop, leading to dry mouth. Dry mouth is exactly what it sounds like, and will pretty much do nothing more than prompt you to drink a little more water than normal.

Lower Blood Pressure. High doses of CBD oil can cause a small drop in blood pressure in some individuals. This will usually occur within a few minutes of the CBD oil entering your system. This doesn’t happen to everyone, and the worst you should expect is a few minutes of feeling lightheaded. However, if you have any problems with low or high blood pressure, or are taking any medications for blood pressure, talk to your doctor before trying CBD oil, because this may not be a good fit for you.

Lightheadedness or Dizziness. This is usually connected to low blood pressure, as mentioned in the point above, but some people just feel a little dizzy for a few moments after CBD oil hits their system. This typically passes within a few minutes on its own, or can usually be resolved by laying down for a few moments, drinking a cup of coffee or tea, or snacking on a little piece of chocolate.

Nausea. Some people have found that ingesting CBD oil can cause mild stomach discomfort. This is based off of reports we’ve heard and read, rather than any evidence from scientific studies. This is an odd side effect, considering that CBD oil is used to help relieve nausea and increase appetite. If nausea does occur, it is mild and typically goes away quickly. If you find this happens to you, decrease your dose and it should go away.

Sleepiness or drowsiness. This side effect of CBD oil should hardly come as a surprise, as high doses of CBD oil may be used as a sleep aid for those struggling with insomnia. At low doses, CBD oil causes relaxation and diminished pain or anxiety — both conditions that can contribute to insomnia. At higher doses, it can produce drowsiness. If CBD oil causes drowsiness for you, don’t take CBD oil before operating machinery or driving a vehicle. Remember, CBD oil can sometimes take several hours to kick in.

Increased Tremors in Parkinson’s Disease. If you suffer from Parkinson’s Disease, we recommend speaking to your doctor before trying CBD oil. Early research suggests that one of the side effects of CBD oil, when taken in high doses, is that is may worsen the muscle tremors associated with Parkinson’s Disease. More recent research has indicated that at low doses it may also be safe and helpful for those struggling with this disease. But, because there is some ambiguity on this topic, we strongly suggest consulting your medical practitioner before trying anything.

Headaches. Can CBD oil cause headaches? Yes, and no. CBD oil is used to treat headaches and migraines, and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of people who report that it effectively relieved their pain symptoms. It’s more likely that if you’re experiencing headaches as a side effect of CBD, that the product you’ve purchased is a lower quality CBD, or contains solvents, such as ethanol and isopropanol, which some people are sensitive too. We’d recommend switching to a higher-quality hemp-based CBD oil, and the headache problems should go away. That said, we’ll also admit that all of our bodies are a little bit different, and it may just be that CBD oil isn’t your best fit.

CAN I OVERDOSE ON CBD OIL?

Consistent consumption of CBD oil over long periods of time has, so far, showed no health concerns. A study in 2006 reported,

“…Acute CBD administration by the oral, inhalatory or intravenous route did not induce any significant toxic effect in humans. In addition, chronic administration of CBD for 30 days to healthy volunteers, at daily doses ranging from 10 to 400 mg, failed to induce any significant alteration in neurological, psychiatric or clinical exams. Finally, in patients suffering from Huntington’s disease, daily doses of CBD (700 mg) for 6 weeks did not induce any toxicity.”

A later study also showed that chronic use and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD were well tolerated. This study examined the side effects of CBD oil when consumed daily for a month. It showed that all patients and volunteers tolerated CBD oil very well, and showed no signs of toxicity or adverse side effects.

The conclusion of these studies is that, based on results from animal and human research, clinical data indicates that CBD oil can be safely used over a wide dose range, and over long periods of use. There are no CBD oil withdrawal symptoms, as the system does not become chemically dependent on CBD.

So — our conclusion? When using CBD oil based on use recommendations and reasonable dosages, you don’t need to worry about overdoses or toxicity.*

CAN CBD GET YOU HIGH?

This is one of the questions we hear most often from curious customers — can CBD oil get you high?

Easy, simple answer. No!

CBD oil does contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the component found in cannabis that is responsible for creating the ‘high’. However, these levels are 33 times lower than necessary to produce a high. CBD chemically cannot get you high.

We will note that it is important to find a high-quality, pure CBD oil that is hemp-based or appropriately processed. Poor quality CBD oils may contain enough THC to produce an effect. 

WHAT DOES CBD OIL FEEL LIKE?

Honestly, it mostly feels like nothing at all — unless you happen to experience CBD oil side effects.

Depending on the reason that you’re taking CBD oil, you may feel any of the following:

• Increased sense of calm or diminished anxiety
• Improved mood
• Reduced pain and diminished discomfort related to inflammation
• A sense of relaxation, sometimes with a mild ‘loosening’ of the muscles
• Sleepiness or drowsiness

Basically, the primary way that you’ll ‘feel’ CBD oil is through the relief of the symptoms that you’re taking CBD oil for.

WHAT DRUGS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN WITH CBD OIL?

Side effects can include some CBD oil drug interactions — specifically, the inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism and decreased activity of p-glycoprotein. In layman’s terms, CBD oil can inhibit the activity of some liver enzymes that are responsible for metabolising pharmaceutical drugs. High doses of CBD oil can temporarily neutralise these liver enzymes, which affects the way the drugs are used in your body.

To put this into some perspective, eating a grapefruit would have a similar effect.

If you are currently taking any pharmaceutical drugs, we’d suggest speaking to your pharmacist or primary care doctor to discuss any possible complications before taking CBD oil.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CBD OIL

Purity, in any supplement, matters more than anything else. In order to see the actual benefits of CBD oil, you must find a great CBD oil product. There are many different home made variations in Australia, as well as clinical versions. 

You can purchase some of our favourites right here!

There ARE a lot of inferior products out there as well. Here are the guidelines you need to follow when buying CBD oil:

1. Always check the purity. It should be more than 50% CBD, or more, with no or only trace amounts of THC.
2. Always check the source. We’d recommend only buying CBD oil that has been manufactured in Australia from Australian grown seeds. Thanks to some strict regulations, this will help ensure a higher quality product.
3. Don’t leap for the cheapest CBD oil. Just like everything in life, you’re going to have a pay a little more to get good quality — and it’s worth it. When it comes to your health, it pays to be choosy. Spending more on quality makes sense when spending more means actually seeing benefits.

If you have more questions about CBD oil side effects or CBD oil benefits, we’d love to talk to you further. Give our team a call or come and visit our Showroom. 

Let’s find your healthy place!