Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the active ingredients of the cannabis plant (marijuana and hemp plant).
Either prescribed against a medical condition or for recreational purposes, CBD is considered effective. Arguably, CBD products have been found to work effectively in managing symptoms of anxiety.
By addressing the root causes, it can result in improved sleep, less stress, and an overall better quality of life.
But, even with these perceived benefits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raises safety concerns about CBD infused products. This article looks at the question: is CBD oil safe to use?
Available Research CBD Oil Safety
CBD products are grouped into products with over 0.3% THC, those with less than 0.3% levels of THC, and pharmaceutical options. According to clinical trials, the only pharmaceutical CBD medication that is FDA-approved is for childhood epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
With that, other CBD groups are subject to study. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) restricts research on CBD. So, is CBD oil safe to use?
With less FDA supervision on the CBD industry, counterfeit products have sparked in the market. Also, this results from the unregulated industry and the lack of third-party lab tests.
In turn, some CBD products claimed to contain only cannabidiol have been found to contain THC traces, pesticides, synthetic cannabinoids, and toxic metals from the FDA testing.
Also, others don’t include the claimed CBD concentration. With this, CBD oil may have potential harms.
Another safety concern arises from false labeling to lure consumers. For instance, CBD products sold at Amazon bear wrong labels. The online selling platform doesn’t permit the sale of cannabis products.
However, sellers fake the labels to comply with the platform policies. As a result, the CBD oil products are labeled as hemp seed oil, risking consumer’s health.
A report by CannaSafe posits that 69% to 80% of CBD products do not have labels. Remember, it’s from the label where the consumer can see the product’s ingredients, CBD concentration, and product type. So, the absence of a label raises a suspicious question about is CBD oil safe?
Moreover, CBD health benefits are not scientifically proven. Instead, they are attributed to short anecdotes without much scientific backing.
Besides, the available research done on animal tests revealed that CBD might harm the liver and the central nervous system. The study found that CBD can cause liver swelling then damage.
How to Use CBD Oil Anxiety
The most common use of CBD is for anxiety and stress. Many consumers use CBD to curb anxiety symptoms such as nerves and spiraling thoughts.
The effects of cannabidiol can result in better sleep, fewer nerves, and even a boost of confidence in a crowd.
There are many ways to use CBD for anxiety, but many are opting for edible options for fast-acting effects. Oil tinctures through the sublingual method provide the quickest effects because it bypasses the digestive system.
The current stigma of cannabis in society, however, may make taking oil tinctures difficult in public.
An alternative to oil tinctures is taking CBD through gummies or capsules. Both edible options are discreet and look like ordinary gummy bears and capsules respectively. This allows users to take a dose of CBD when needed, even in public.
Safety Concerns about CBD Oil
With the question, is CBD safe revolving around toxicity, research has unveiled another CBD problem, that it reacts negatively with other prescribed drugs.
Noteworthy, the liver hosts cytochrome P450 enzymes, which help breakdown drugs into smaller bits for easy absorption and elimination.
However, the use of CBD hinders cytochrome P450 from metabolizing certain pharmaceutical drugs. This means CBD may interfere with liver functions.
As of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD products with no more than 0.3% THC are legal for human consumption. That means CBD extracts with this negligible THC amount aren’t federally regulated. And manufacturers don’t have to prove their safety or efficiency. However, they shouldn’t make claims about the possible benefits of CBD.
That said, the CBD market needs accreditation for tests, traceability, and introduction to stability third-party laboratory tests and labeling to conform with FDA food product’s regulatory requirements.
Side Effects of CBD
The use of CBD oil hosts some potential side effects. Though they are not lethal, they may cause an upset within the consumer’s body. They include;
Others include dry mouth, tiredness, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
However, it is important to note that these side effects occur upon using a higher dose of CBD and due to the absence of absolute, definitive critics, and clinical shreds of evidence on the CBD community, CBD product hosts’ benefits outweigh the risks.
World Health Organization on CBD Oil
A recent report by the World Health Organization inferred that the best CBD oil is a rewarding treatment for many ailments. To whom, CBD is promising, well-tolerated, has a good & safe profile, and does not have abuse and dependence or health-related risks. This is to say, WHO believes, CBD oil is A-Okay.
The agency holds that CBD may be useful in treating several medical conditions. There are unapproved therapeutic uses of CBD oil products as dietary supplements, including edibles, gummies, and oils available to treat numerous ailments.
Bottom Line
CBD benefits different people exhibiting varying symptoms, without concrete scientific evidence revealing CBDs’ lethal side effects. Nevertheless, many still opt to use it to manage symptoms of crippling anxiety, depression, and stress.
As a result, weighing scientific articles referring to CBD as a heavenly send natural treatment with those downgrading CBD status, there’s no evidence of harmful safety concerns or contradictions.
Should you decide to use CBD supplements, consult a doctor to determine the suitable dose.