For the average consumer, CBD Oil is very safe with no side effects whatsoever. However, if you are among the small percentage of people that has a biological sensitivity to THC, you could experience some side effects and potential risks.
If you have a chronic health issue and you are exploring CBD Oil products as a natural remedy to reduce your intake of prescription medications or to wing yourself off them completely, there are a few things you need to consider when choosing which CBD Oil product is right for you.
And of course, as with any other unregulated dietary supplement, no matter what your medical condition is ALWAYS consult with your physician before using CBD Oil products.
Joe “Oprah for Dudes” Rogan and former professional kickboxer Joseph “Bazooka Joe” talk about the benefits of CBD Oil
NOT ALL CBD OIL PRODUCTS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Most CBD Oil products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In fact, as of the time of this writing, the FDA has approved only one CBD Oil medication, named Epidiolex, which strong evidence supports as useful in treating two rare forms of childhood epilepsy in children two years of age and older. (1)
Because CBD Oil products are without any FDA regulation, the quality of CBD Oil products can vary widely.
What is on the label may not actually be what’s in the product.
Marcel Bonn-Miller, an adjunct assistant professor of psychology in psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania equates the current status of the CBD Oil industry as the “the Wild West”.
According to Bonn-Miller, in the current unregulated climate, anyone “who starts up a CBD company could say whatever the hell they want on the label and sell it to people”. (2)
In a 2017, Bonn-Miller led a study that found some interesting insights on the quality of 84 CBD Oil products sold online. Results of the study concluded:
- 7 out of 10 CBD products purchased online did not contain the amount of CBD Oil extract promised on the label.
- Nearly 43 percent of the online CBD products examined contain less CBD Oil than printed on the product label.
- 26 percent of the online CBD products examined contained concentrations of CBD Oil with THC levels greater than 0.3%.
While research shows CBD Oil does not have any abuse liability or serious adverse consequences at high doses, CBD products that have more than 0.3% of THC have been shown to produce intoxication or impairment in some consumers, especially children.
While a good quality CBD Oil product is generally safe, the results of Bonn-Miller’s 2017 study highlights the need for industry-wide manufacturing and testing standards and possibly FDA oversight.(3).
POTENTIAL RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
As of the time of this post, there is no long-term data regarding the safety of CBD Oil over long periods of time. And to date, scientific researchers have not performed any studies involving the long-term safety of CBD Oil products involving children and pets.
However, studies examining the safety of CBD in adults suggest that forming a dependency on CBD is very unlikely, even when consumed in high doses. Yet, some study participants did experience tiredness, diarrhea, and changes in appetite or weight.
In clinical trials for the recently FDA-approved Epidiolex, the following adverse side effects and risks were noted:
- liver problems
- irritability and lethargy
- reduced appetite
- gastrointestinal problems
- infections
- rashes and other sensitivity reactions
- reduced urination
- breathing problems
- worsening depression or suicidal thoughts (2)
Bottom Line: Practice caution when purchasing CBD Oil products, especially when buying them online. And most importantly, if you have doubts and concerns about a particular CBD product, consult with your physician or other healthcare practitioner before you purchase it.
REFERENCES
- Every Thing You Need To Know About CBD Oil – MEDICALNEWSTODAY.COM
- CBD Oil: All the Rage, But Is It Safe & Effective? – WEBMD.COM
- Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online – NCBI.ORG
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR FURTHER LEARNING
3 CBD Oil Side Eff\ects – CBDOILSIDEEFECT.COM
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